anthropomorphic

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 13, by Paru Itagaki

55711423

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After being arrested, Legoshi is no longer allowed to attend school. He finds a job in a noodle shop and is visited by his grandfather Gosha; a Komodo Dragon. There is also a new drug on the streets and Gosha has history with the current Beastar.

In this volume, we are also introduced to The Marines; water animals with even their own separate language and culture. Legoshi lives in the same apartment as a spotted seal who is trying to learn more about land animals. To be honest, I’d never given any thought to marine life. Incorporating them is cool and I like how Itagaki is using the fact Legoshi now lives on his own to introduce all these new concepts and characters. Legoshi’s neighbors are a trip. I love watching them interact and play off one another. And of course Legoshi is still the type to want to be a hero so he runs afoul of those drug dealers. I hope he never changes. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beast Complex” Vol. 1, by Paru Itagaki

54396856

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Taking advantage of the wealth of stories this universe has to offer, Beast Complex is a collection of stories featuring various stories of different types of beasts.

We would want to assume that Legoshi is unique in his relation to herbivores in the main series, this collection really brings to light what a delicate balance is in place and how different types of beasts handle the need to be civilized when your instincts tell you otherwise. It was nice to live in this world for awhile without the threat of a murderer hiding in the wings; just normal day to day stories from kids as friends, to drama between hosts of a cooking show. If you’re even a casual fan of Beastars, this is worth checking out! 4.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 11, by Paru Itagaki

49111142._SX318_

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

I trust this isn’t spoilers for you at this point so, in this volume, Legoshi and Riz have their final showdown and Legoshi will have to pray the training he’s been though will help him stand up to a bear twice his size.

I like the way this panned out. It makes sense given the personalities and characters involved in all this mess. I also have to assume it’s not spoilery to say, it’s about damn TIME the police got involved. A student was murdered and eaten! I’m shocked Legoshi didn’t have regular run ins with a police investigation in progress. That would have made for some interesting conflict… But, as is, this was good. Great art in the fight scenes and even in battle, Legoshi is his goofy self. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol 10, by Paru Itagaki

49111145

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this volume, we catch up with Louis, now with the Shishigumi for four months, follow up with Kibi, the anteater who was maimed in the previous volume, and Legoshi is trying to get more in tune with his carnivore nature. There are also some side stories to give more context to other characters like Pina and Gohin.

I still love how Legoshi has this grans mission he’s seriously training for yet still manages to be a goofball with high ideals but little experience (since these characters are still technically teenagers). I’d be disappointed with the time spent away from his story but the other characters are also interesting and unique. Still one of my favorite series I’m reading these days. 5 out of 5.

 

 

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 9 by Paru Itagaki

50891207

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

While this volume starts with the mundane Winter Performance for the Drama Club. But the real meat (no pun intended) of this volume is Legoshi finding out who killed Tem WAY back in volume 1. Which, honestly, I thought they forgot about.

Somehow, I expected the reveal of Tem’s murderer to take longer and be a big battle but I respect how this volume handled it. It makes sense that Legoshi would have to train hard to face a killer and since his side gig helping Dr. Gohin is making him stronger, it makes sense that he would have to keep doing that in order to get his skills up. It also makes sense that Legoshi’s little side job would land him in Louis’ path. It was great to see them interact again.

Juno also got some focus with her bonding with Haru for a bit of girl time. And I need to perhaps spoil a bit here when I flat out rejoice in the discarding of the generic “mean girl” trope and they come to terms. It’s so refreshing.

Yet again, I love this series and I can’t wait for more. 5 out of 5.

 

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 8 by Paru Itagaki

50891194
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Vowing to protect his friends and fellow students, Legoshi has Gohin train him to control his desire for meat. Meanwhile, Louis wants to cut ties with school and his father and in his mob dealings, he meets an herbivore stripper named Cosmo. The final story features Sheila, a predator who is tired of being used as a social media prop for herbivores wants a real friend.

I keep ending these volumes wanting more. One day, I’m sure the omnibus editions will fly off the shelves. Haru pops in to remind us how adorable she is, Legoshi is on his way to being a cute but badass wolf, and Sheila’s shopping trip with a sheep names Peach is sweet and genuine. I hope the series keeps on getting better in the future. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 7 by Paru Itagaki

52758111._SX318_SY475_
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

In this volume we get to meet the Council of Living Beings; where the adult representatives talk about how every school has to present a Beastar every year but Cherryton hasn’t presented one in five years. All of the Beastars are supposed to compete to become the next “Valiant Beastar.” Cherryton is usually the one to present this and win by popular demand but Principal Gon has been hesitant to put a kid in this position. The Council overrules him; deciding which ever Cherryton student solves the murder (the one from WAAAAAAYYY bak in the first volume) will be declared Beastar.

I think we need a slow clap for Principle Gon for being the only one to finally remember that these are a bunch of teenagers who probably shouldn’t be saddled with what an adult would have trouble dealing with. Finally, a sensible adult. So, of course he’s overruled…

We also have Legoshi dealing with some issues and needing Gohin to help him out. There are a couple new students, a badass security guard snake named Six Eyes, and finally getting back to the inciting incident of this series. I was wondering when they were going to get back to that because it’s barely been addressed since volume one. I mean, did this kid not have parents what may wanna know? Or are any police involved? Not that I’m not invested in Legoshi and Louis and all that drama but; yeah. There’s a murderer out there. Might wanna get on that. 4.5 out of 5.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 6 by Paru Itagaki

39902449._SY475_
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

After rescuing Haru, she has a heart to heart with Legoshi while they’re holed up in a hotel before they can go back to campus. Louis also returns after being missing for two  months only to quit school and we get some back story on Legoshi’s roommate, Jack; a Labrador who was genetically engineered to be less aggressive than wolves in trade for higher intelligence.

While this volume is just as interesting and entertaining as the previous ones, I did do a double take as to the importance of the Beastar title. Having to call a meeting of the leaders of all the animals to put pressure on the school to pick one surprised me. In my mind, Beastar was a sort of Student Counsel President sort of position; giving them authority in the school but not really anywhere else. But it appears to be a bigger deal than I thought, making me wonder why such an important position would be given to a teenager and not an animal who is older and has more life experience. I’m sure we’ll find out, though. 5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol 5 by Paru Itagaki

49210254._SX318_
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is suggested for mature readers.

When Haru is kidnapped and Legoshi is ready to run right into the lair of a dangerous mob boss alone until Gohin knocks some sense into him. They have to come up with a plan before Haru is killed and eaten.

We also learn more about Haru’s childhood but the real focus is on the rescue. And MAN, are they really going dark in this manga. I won’t spoil the outcome but this volume has some awesome fight scenes and completely screwed my mind up with a cliffhanger. This series really is a surprisingly addicting read and really takes advantage of the original premise set forth in volume one. I can’t wait for the next one! 4.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” vol. 3 by Paru Itagaki

43909418
(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

With the Festival of the Meteor on the way, the students are excited and busy with preparations. But Legoshi is distracted by his feelings for the rabbit, Haru, worried that his predatory instincts are behind the attraction.

I had a good chuckle at the Festival of the Meteor, which is to commemorate the meteor that killed the dinosaurs. This series is odd but so creative, I’m addicted to it.

This volume also has a side story about Legom, a chicken who sells her eggs part-time for extra money and introduces Juno, a wolf who develops a crush on Legoshi. It also introduces the town outside the school with a seedy underbelly of black-market meat. There’s some interesting world-building going on here and its awesome to see something this creative. Each volume has something that makes me impressed! There are some confusing action panels that made me stop and flip the page back to make sure I understood what was going on but otherwise, great book. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.