Beastars
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Legoshi
Genre
Manga
Written byParu Itagaki
Published byAkita Shoten
English publisher
ImprintShōnen Champion Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Champion
DemographicShōnen
Original runSeptember 8, 2016 – October 8, 2020
Volumes22 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed byShin'ichi Matsumi
Produced by
  • Shunsuke Hosoi (1–12)
  • Yoshinori Takeeda (1–12)
  • Kazuki Ooshima (13–24)
  • Makiko Kuroiwa (13–24)
Written byNanami Higuchi
Music bySatoru Kōsaki
StudioOrange
Licensed byNetflix
Original networkFuji TV (+Ultra)
Original run October 10, 2019 – present
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Beastars[a] (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. It was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion from September 2016 to October 2020, with its chapters collected in 22 tankōbon volumes. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Viz Media. The story takes place in a modern world of civilized, anthropomorphic animals with a cultural divide between carnivores and herbivores, and where eating meat (which always comes from other anthropomorphic animals) is strictly illegal.

An anime television series adaptation produced by Orange aired from October to December 2019 on Fuji TV's +Ultra programming block. A second season aired from January to March 2021. A third and final season is set to premiere in 2024. The anime series is licensed by Netflix. The first season premiered outside of Japan in March 2020, and the second in July 2021.

By October 2021, the manga had over 7.5 million copies in circulation. Beastars has won multiple awards in 2018, including the 11th Manga Taishō, being the first Akita Shoten title to receive it, the New Creator Prize at the 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, the 42nd Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category, and the New Face Award at the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival.

Plot

Further information: List of Beastars characters

In a modern and civilized world populated by anthropomorphic animals, there is a cultural divide between the herbivorous animals and the carnivorous animals. Legoshi, a large gray wolf, is a timid and quiet student of Cherryton Academy where he lives in a dorm with several other carnivorous students including his outgoing Labrador friend, Jack. As a member of the school's drama club, Legoshi works as a stagehand and supports the actors of the club headed by the star pupil Louis, a red deer.

Out of nowhere, Tem the alpaca is brutally murdered and devoured in the night, setting off a wave of unease and distrust between the herbivore and carnivore students. At the same time, Legoshi has a fateful encounter with Haru, a dwarf rabbit who has been in love with Louis, and begins developing complex feelings for her.

Media

Manga

See also: List of Beastars chapters

Beastars, written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, was serialized for 196 chapters in Akita Shoten's magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion from September 8, 2016, to October 8, 2020.[3][4] its chapters were collected in twenty-two individual tankōbon volumes, released from January 6, 2017, to January 8, 2021.[5][6]

During their panel at Anime NYC 2018, Viz Media announced that they have licensed the manga.[7] The first volume was released on July 16, 2019, and the last on January 17, 2023.[8][9]

Anime

Main article: List of Beastars episodes

In February 2019, it was announced that Beastars would get an anime television series adaptation animated by CG studio Orange.[10][11] Shin'ichi Matsumi directed the series, with Nanami Higuchi handling series composition, Nao Ootsu designing the characters, and Satoru Kōsaki composing the series' music.[12] The series aired from October 10 to December 26, 2019, and aired on Fuji TV's +Ultra anime programming block and other channels. At the conclusion of the TV broadcast, a second season was announced.[13][14] Animation studio Orange returned to produce the second season, which aired from January 7 to March 25, 2021.[15][16][17] On July 20, 2021, studio Orange and Netflix Japan announced that the anime series would be receiving a third season.[18] On December 7, 2021, Studio Orange announced that the continuation would be the final season.[19] It is set to premiere on Netflix in 2024.[20]

ALI performed the series' opening theme song "Wild side", while Yurika performed the series' ending theme songs "Le zoo" (ep. 2, 5, 8 and 9), "Sleeping instinct" (ep. 3, 7 and 10), "Marble" (ep. 4, 6 and 11) and "Floating Story on the Moon" (ep. 12).[21] The opening theme song for the second season is "Kaibutsu" (怪物, "Monster") and the ending theme song is "Yasashii Suisei" (優しい彗星, "Comet"). Both songs are performed by Yoasobi.[22]

Season 1 of Beastars was released on March 13, 2020, on Netflix outside of Japan.[23][24] Its second season was released on the streaming service on July 15, 2021.[25]

Stage play

On December 4, 2019, the first 2020 magazine issue of Weekly Shōnen Champion announced that a stage play based on the manga was in development. It was originally scheduled for an April 2020 debut running through May in Tokyo and Osaka.[26] In late March 2020, it was announced that the play has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are plans to have it postponed instead.[27]

Reception

Manga

By October 2021, Beastars had over 7.5 million copies in circulation.[28]

In December 2017, the series placed second in the list of top male-targeted manga for 2018 in the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook, placing after The Promised Neverland.[29] The series won the 11th annual Manga Taishō in March 2018, the first time a series from Akita Shoten took the award.[30] In April 2018, it won the New Creator Prize at the 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prizes.[31] In May 2018, it won the award for Best Shōnen Manga at the 42nd annual Kodansha Manga Awards.[32] It also won a New Face Award at the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in March 2018.[33] The series won the "Shōnen Tournament 2019" by the editorial staff of the French website Manga-News.[34] It was nominated for the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia at the 2020 Eisner Award.[35] Beastars won the Best Graphic Story and Best Dramatic Series in the Ursa Major Award.[36][37] The Ursa Major awards are given in the field of furry fandom works and are the main awards in the field of anthropomorphism.[38][39] The manga was chosen as one of the Best Manga at the Comic-Con International Best & Worst Manga of 2019.[40] It was one of the Jury Recommended Works for the French 13th ACBD's Prix Asie de la Critique 2019.[41] Beastars was nominated for the 53rd Seiun Award in the Best Comic category in 2022.[42]

Anime

On Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds an approval rating of 94%, based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Well-made and beautifully animated, Beastars is a solid new anime for anyone looking to get a little wild."[43]

In 2020, the series was part of the Jury Selections at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival in the Animation category.[44] Beastars won a CGWORLD Award in the Computer Animation category.[45] It won the 26th Spanish Manga Barcelona award for the Best Anime category in 2020.[46] The anime series was awarded the "Best Opening Sequence" and was nominated in 8 other categories including "Anime of the Year" in the 5th Crunchyroll Anime Awards;[47] while the second season was nominated in three categories in the 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2022.[48]

Notes

  1. ^ The series takes its name from the in-universe title of Beastar; an individual of great talent, service, and notoriety.

References

  1. ^ "ANIME NEWS: Second season of 'Beastars' animal anime gets the go-ahead". Anime Anime Japan via The Asahi Shimbun. March 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020. It is an ensemble coming-of-age story set in a world where carnivorous and herbivorous animals coexist.
  2. ^ a b "The Official Website for Beastars". Viz Media. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  3. ^ Green, Scott (August 31, 2016). ""Squid Girl" Author Prepares New Manga". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  4. ^ Paru, Itakagi [@itaparu99] (October 8, 2020). BEASTARS(ビースターズ) 今週をもちまして無事に完結いたしました。約4年間読んでくださったヒト科の皆様、本当にありがとうございました！！！ (Tweet) (in Japanese) – via Twitter.

    板垣巴留「BEASTARS」完結！1月より「BEAST COMPLEX」短期集中連載. Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  5. ^ BEASTARS 第1巻. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  6. ^ BEASTARS 第22巻. Akita Shoten (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  7. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (November 17, 2018). "Viz Media Licenses My Hero Academia: Smash!!, Komi Can't Communicate, Beastars Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Beastars Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  9. ^ "Beastars Vol. 22". Viz Media. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Ressler, Karen (February 5, 2019). "BEASTARS Manga Gets Anime Adaptation". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  11. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (February 6, 2019). "BEASTARS Anime's 1st Promo Video Streamed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  12. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 25, 2019). "BEASTARS TV Anime Reveals New Visual, Staff". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  13. ^ Loo, Egan (December 25, 2019). "BEASTARS Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  14. ^ Luster, Joseph (December 25, 2019). "BEASTARS Anime Will Return for a Second Season". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  15. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 20, 2020). "Beastars Anime's 2nd Season Premieres in 2021". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  16. ^ Mateo, Alex (August 5, 2020). "Beastars Anime Season 2 Premieres in January 2021". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  17. ^ Loo, Egan (November 5, 2020). "Beastars Anime Season 2's New Video Announces January 5 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  18. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 20, 2021). "BEASTARS Anime Gets New Arc". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  19. ^ Mateo, Alex (December 7, 2021). "New BEASTARS Logo Reveals Anime's 'Final Season'". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Hazra, Adriana (September 7, 2022). "Beastars Anime's Final Season Debuts on Netflix in 2024". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  21. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 16, 2019). "BEASTARS Anime's Video Reveals Opening Song, October 8 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  22. ^ "Terebi Anime "BEASTARS Bīsutāzu"" TVアニメ「BEASTARS ビースターズ」 [TV Anime "BEASTARS"]. bst-anime.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Luster, Joseph (November 6, 2019). "Beastars Anime Makes Its Netflix Debut Outside of Japan in Early 2020". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  24. ^ Mateo, Alex (January 13, 2020). "BEASTARS Anime Premieres on Netflix Outside of Japan on March 13". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  25. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 16, 2021). "Netflix Launches Beastars Anime Season 2 Outside Japan on July 15". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  26. ^ Pineda, Rafael (December 4, 2019). "BEASTARS Manga Gets Stage Play". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  27. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 9, 2020). "Beastars, Durarara!!, Shield Hero, Haikyu!!, More Stage Plays Cancelled or Postponed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  28. ^ Hazra, Adriana (October 31, 2021). "Paru Itagaki's BEASTARS Manga Crosses 7.5 Million Copies in Circulation". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  29. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 8, 2017). "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Reveals 2018's Series Ranking for Male Readers". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  30. ^ Loo, Egan; Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 22, 2018). "Paru Itagaki's BEASTARS Wins 11th Manga Taisho Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  31. ^ Ressler, Karen (April 24, 2018). "Golden Kamuy Wins 22nd Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize's Top Award". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  32. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (May 10, 2018). "42nd Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Winners Announced". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  33. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 16, 2018). "In This Corner of the World, Lu over the wall, 'Nee, Mama' Win Media Arts Awards". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  34. ^ "Beastars remporte le Tournoi Shônen 2019". Manga News (in French). March 17, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  35. ^ McMillan, Graeme (June 4, 2020). "2020 Eisner Nominees: The Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  36. ^ dronon (March 14, 2020). "Voting opens for the 2020 Ursa Major Awards". FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  37. ^ Dronon (May 3, 2021). "Winners of the 2020 Ursa Major Awards". Flayrah. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  38. ^ TheChainedWolf (March 14, 2020). "Ursa Major Awards 2009: predictions and forlorn hopes". FurteanTimes.com/Flayrah. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  39. ^ Patten, Fred (July 21, 2013). "The Ursa Major Awards". Cartoon Research. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  40. ^ Loveridge, lynzee (July 22, 2019). "Best and Worst Manga of 2019 Results - Comic-Con International". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  41. ^ Pigeat, Aurélien (June 11, 2019). "Les 5 titres en compétition pour le Prix Asie de la Critique ACBD 2019". Association des Critiques et des journalistes de Bande Dessinée (in French). Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  42. ^ "2022年 第53回星雲賞". www.sf-fan.gr.jp. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  43. ^ Beastars: Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes, archived from the original on April 27, 2021, retrieved March 29, 2022
  44. ^ "BEASTARS | Jury Selections | Animation Division | 2020 [23rd] Japan Media Arts Festival Archive". Japan Media Arts Festival. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  45. ^ "第5回（2019年度）「CGWORLD AWARDS」の大賞ならびに各部門の最優秀賞を発表！". CGWORLD (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  46. ^ REDACCIÓN (October 30, 2020). "Manga Barcelona Limited Edition premia a los mejores mangas y animes del año". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  47. ^ Luster, Joseph (February 19, 2021). "Rewatch the 2021 Anime Awards Here (and Find Out Who Won!)". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on February 20, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  48. ^ Schneider, Michael (January 18, 2022). "Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2022 Nominations Include '86 Eighty-Six,' 'Jujutsu Kaisen,' 'Oddtaxi' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.

External links

Beastars by Paru Itagaki
Links to related articles
Categories