The unique CGI series Kemono Friends has arrived on Crunchyroll, offering the complete 12-episode first season with both English dub and subtitles. This fantasy adventure follows Serval and a mysterious amnesiac girl, dubbed Lucky Beast, as they explore the vast Japari Park, encountering various anthropomorphic animal girls known as Friends.
Kemono Friends gained significant acclaim, winning Animation of the Year at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2018 and the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2019. Its full CGI animation style, while divisive for some, contributed to its distinctive visual identity and was praised for its execution in the context of the series' iyashikei (healing) themes.
The show's premise centers on discovery and friendship, with the Friends themselves representing different endangered animals. The narrative unfolds through episodic adventures as Serval guides the amnesiac protagonist, uncovering fragments of the park's history and the nature of the 'Sandstar' that brings the Friends to life.
While a sequel, Kemono Friends 2, and other spin-offs exist, the first season stands as a complete, self-contained story. Its blend of cute characters, educational elements about animals, and a surprisingly heartfelt narrative has earned it a dedicated following and a 7.52 rating on MyAnimeList.
