The first season of Beastars, Studio Orange's distinctive CGI adaptation of Paru Itagaki's manga, is now fully available to stream on Netflix with both English dub and subtitles. The series plunges into the tense society of anthropomorphic animals where a murder at Cherryton Academy forces carnivore student Legoshi, a shy grey wolf, to confront his predatory instincts and the societal distrust he faces.
Orange, known for its groundbreaking CGI work on Land of the Lustrous, brings Itagaki's unique character designs and expressive animation to life. The series masterfully balances its coming-of-age drama and school club dynamics with a dark undercurrent of primal urges and interspecies prejudice, earning a 7.79 MAL score from nearly 600,000 voters.
Beyond the central mystery of the alpaca Tem's death, Beastars delves into complex themes of identity, societal roles, and the struggle between civilization and instinct. Legoshi's journey is intertwined with that of Louis, the ambitious red deer and star of the drama club, creating a compelling narrative that explores the anxieties of adolescence through a unique allegorical lens.
With the second season also available, the complete story of Legoshi's growth and the evolving dynamics within the animal kingdom is now readily accessible. The show's mature themes and striking visual style make it a standout in the anthropomorphic genre, offering a compelling binge for those seeking a thought-provoking drama.
