Reviews

Beastars, vol. 18, by Paru Itagaki

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sprucewillow's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There was a lot in this volume. Many stories to follow. Enjoyable! Some of the light-hearted stuff provides balance for some of the darker and more intense stuff that seems to be coming soon...

And huh, "beastars" is mentioned once again. I often forget the beastar is a thing. I thought it would hold more weight in this series, but I realize it's kind of a bit of an overarching theme rather than a consistent plot line.

Spoiler

My favorite moments:
- Jack returns! Although the relationship between him and Legoshi is already strong, it gets better! Legoshi howls at the moon for him!!! so sweet
- Pina makes an appearance and he is as beautiful as ever. Why's he always drawn so good? Literally, I love the full page when Legoshi initially sees him again...
- Interaction between Louis and his father. It's awkward and the "we're not blood related" hits hard
- Louis marching through the black market with the sign around him and Legoshi running after him because he wants to talk is super funny
- Man, y'know I'm not a huge fan of Kyu? I understand her place in the story and how she will be related to Legoshi (being a rabbit, and now Legoshi is aware of his rabbit attraction...). I just... hm. I did not like how immediately after she was introduced, the cover page for the following chapter was her in a sexy outfit/pose. Reminds me that this is a shonen series....

Content Warnings

abby_rh's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rosewelsh's review against another edition

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4.0

Oh man, this volume really dives into the realism of Beastars and how society has shaped students' futures. In order to hide out for a bit, Legoshi heads back to Cherryton Academy and stays with his best friend Jack the Labrador. When he gets to the Academy he realizes so much has changed since he was kicked out. Herbivores and Carnivores now attend classes separately and the carnivore students feel free to talk about going to the Black Market and eating the same species as their Herbivore friends. Jack is an elite student, one of only five, and all are dogs. He talks to Legoshi about how dogs are the only animal bred for intelligence and how bioengineering of domesticated dogs, like him, has caused them to be bred for their uses rather than letting them be who they want. It gets pretty heavy as Jack seems to be one of the few people who knows the real history of their world because he's elite, and he is clearly bogged down and depressed by learning about the real world.

This volume is bonkers. We get a lot of Legoshi and Louis (my king!) which is wonderful but gosh, this series just gets darker and darker. We meet some characters who were locked up with Louis back in the day, 3 and 9, and how they have taken to being fighters in order to survive. I don't know what is going on with Legoshi but he clearly has a thing for rabbits judging by his dealings with Kyu, the fighter female rabbit, through the end of this volume. It's badass and I am terrified of her but also in awe of her skill.

There's another shorter section regarding the Black Market and the civil war of sorts that breaks out monthly among the different gangs. Everything is business as usual until Melon jumps in and takes control and he is absolutely terrifying and bonkers. Some people are going to die violent, violent deaths soon.
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delaneyc's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This instalment had me gasping in shock

thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tibcanread's review against another edition

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4.0

Welp. Things are getting kinda weird with the whale thing, but it's definitely ramping up to a climax and I'm so sad there's only a few more volumes left!