Paru Itagaki

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Lenni Reviews: “Beast Complex” Vol. 3, by Paru Itagaki

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

This volume includes:

  • The Python and the Hyena
  • The Japanese Deer and the Snow Leopard
  • The Turtle and the Sheep
  • The Wolf and the Seal
  • The Lion and the Rabbit
  • The Alligator and the Cow

These stories are weird but interesting and in some cases very touching. Legoshi comes back The Wolf and the Seal and gives us some more insight into how the aquatic beasts are on an entirely different level from the land beasts. While there are plenty of new characters, its nice to see some from Beastars come back in (also in The Lion and the Rabbit). I do wonder if the new ones will be recurring in this series as there are plenty of dynamics I can see being explored further. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Beast Complex” Vol. 2, by Paru Itagaki

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

This volume includes these stories:

  • The Pig and the Peacock: A police officer peacock becomes friends with a pig taxidermist and asks him to preserve his body.
  • The Shiba Inu and the Shiba Inu: A shiba inu model fears aging out of his cuteness and losing his job.
  • The Crow and the Kangaroo: An albino crow in a “Brights” neighborhood befriends an albino kangaroo who must sleep with any male who asks in order to live in safety.
  • The Steller’s Sea Eagle and the Mongolian Gerbil: An eagle is concerned about losing his gerbil sugar mama.
  • The Chipmunk and the “Mountain Hare”: When an author’s manuscript is nearly overdue, a young chipmunk goes to visit the author directly.
  • The Wolf and the Rabbit: We revisit Legoshi and Haru for a special ceremony.

I like these stories. They give more insight into the world of Beastars. I never thought about the unique issues an albino beast would have (that one is fucked up, to be honest, for what they make the kangaroo do). The specific issues certain species face is really interesting and of course it was good to see Legoshi and Haru again. This is a solid collection! 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “BEASTARS” Vol. 22, by Paru Itagaki

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

With Melon making the news, his father shows up to the Black Market. Gosha thinks he can help stop Melon but Yaha finds the gazelle suspicious as Melon and Legoshi have their final confrontation.

This is the final volume of the series and it ends great in some places and not so great in others. There are some plot points that never came to fruition (uh… We never got a new Beastar?) and some character’s stories just stop. I wanted to see something more tangible with Louis and some actual repercussions for Melon’s dickhead father. I’m satisfied with Legoshi’s story and where he ended up because I have a soft spot for the lovable goof and and I just want him to be happy with Haru. I wouldn’t mind a special “Where Are They Now” volume down the line to get the closure the other characters deserve. 4.5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 21, by Paru Itagaki

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

After defeating the Doku-Gumi, Legoshi must contend with the all female gang, Inari-Gumi. But the lovable goof that is Legoshi still fells like he can’t face a woman head on.

This also has Legoshi and Melon fighting and while it pains me to see Legoshi get maimed further, the fight between them is badass. It’s amazingly drawn and full of action. We even get Gosha and Yahya dealing with the chaos erupting in the Black Market. This volume will take your breath away. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Drip Drip” by Paru Itagaki

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

Mako Hiragi is a clean freak. So much so that even the sight of something she considers “dirty” causes her to have massive nosebleeds; including other people’s bodies. This makes it nearly impossible for her to have any relationships, much less intimacy. Desperate for human contact, Mako tries even the most insane things to finally have her happy ending.

This is fucking bananas and skip this one if you’re squeamish about blood. I always give weird stuff a try and it can be hit or miss because weird can’t carry an entire story on its own. What makes this good is Mako. She’s a fun character and her story arc is not about just the gushing blood, it’s about idealizing relationships and issues with intimacy. It’s not perfect but worth giving a shot. And it’s interesting to see Itagaki draw human characters, even if sometimes they do look a bit like her animal characters. 3.9 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 20, by Paru Itagaki

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

Gosha and Yahya are in the Black Market where Legoshi prepares to work his way through the various gang leaders; starting with the Doku-gumi – a gang of Komodo dragons.

The action in this volume is top notch for this series. Even with Legoshi’s classic goofy moments, it’s a real page turner. It’s cool to read but I find it a little bit of a buzzkill for Legoshi to need to go through so many other people to get to Melon but it gives us a change to see what Legoshi has learned so far and apply it in combat. We did read through all that training he was doing so, it’s to see it pay off. 4 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “BEASTARS” Vol. 19, by Paru Itagaki

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

Louis and Legoshi meet up with Louis’ old friends from the black market, Kyu and San. Upon hearing what their plans are, Kyu begins training Louis to face Melon. Meanwhile, Yahya meets up with Gosha to talk about Legoshi’s upcoming fight with Melon.

This is one of those volumes where I feel there wasn’t much forward motion forward in the plot but it was still entertaining and scary. They stories in some parts highlights the paper thin civility of the society in this world. Legoshi is darling in his idealism but even aside for the Black Market, the whole society feels like it could implode at any point. Legoshi challenging Melon is more like this hole the mask of civility isn’t broken and everyone becomes like Melon.

Or I’m reading too much into it and it was just a cool read. 4 out of 5. 

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Lenni Reviews: “BEASTARS” Vol. 18, by Paru Itagaki

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

This volume gives us some insight into Legoshi’s friendship with Jack and how it started when Legoshi starts at Cherryton Academy after his mother dies; explaining why Jack and other canine students are so close to Legoshi. In addition, Louis returns to the now abandoned market where he was sold to find his former cellmates; San and Kyu, are still alive and living in the Black Market.

Legoshi is still an idealistic beast who manages to impress the more disillusioned around him. He’s just so earnest about wanting a better future it makes badass  characters like Kyu ready to help him in the inevitable showdown with the psycho Melon. Much like with the Riz arch, the story is taking it’s time getting there. It doesn’t feel like an artificial build up or give a dragged out feeling. We’re just getting all the pieces in place. I still love this series. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “BEASTARS” Vol. 17, by Paru Itagaki

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

In this volume, Legoshi and Louis go into a secret group called the Kopi Luwak, who researches mixed beasts in order to track down Melon. They don’t realize Melon is closer than they thought as he is one of Haru’s teachers in college.

The contrast between a mixed beast like Melon versus a much more sane Legoshi is blatantly obvious. It’s easier for Legoshi to blend in while Melon’s mixed characteristics need to be hidden for him to have that fake normalcy of his day job. As sad as his back story is, it’s clear it is NOT a good thing for Melon to take an interest in you. 5 out of 5.

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Lenni Reviews: “Beastars” Vol. 15, by Paru Itagaki

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

In this volume, while we do get some wholesome moments where Legoshi meets Haru’s parents, we also get to know Melon; a gazelle/leopard hybrid who is a gleeful poacher. Yaha wants Legoshi to help hunt Melon down.

We also meet Utsugi, a jackal who refuses to eat meat and uses alcholo (and Eyes Wide Shut type parties) to supress her desires for meat.

If you’re underage, don’t watch that movie…

It’s cute to see how Legoshi is still so innocent that the mask sex drug parties embarrass him. I adore how this series keeps enough of this innocence without him being overly naive. He’s aware how serious things are around him and is trying to still be himself; not walking around with blinders on thinking everything is sunshine and roses.

Oh, and spoiler alert… Spoiler…

Still a spoiler…

We get to meet Legoshi’s mom.

4.9 out of 5. Almost perfect but I wanted more of Melon and the threat he poses.

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