Watch Beastars

Beastars is a 2019 anime series produced by the Japanese television channel Fuji TV. It is adapted from the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. The series is set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, with the story focusing on the tensions between herbivores and carnivores at Cherryton Academy, a boarding school for teenage animals.

Chikahiro Kobayashi and Jonah Scott are the voice actors for the two lead characters, Legoshi and Louis, respectively. Legoshi is a shy gray wolf who tends to keep to himself and is often misunderstood by his peers, while Louis is a confident and ambitious red deer who aspires to become the next Beastar, the school's top honor student.

The show opens with the brutal murder of a member of the drama club, a herbivore named Tem. His death sends shockwaves through the school, with some students suspecting that a carnivore is responsible for the crime. This event sets off a chain of events that leads Legoshi to confront his own primal instincts and question the prejudices that exist between carnivores and herbivores.

Throughout the series, Legoshi grapples with his attraction to a timid dwarf rabbit named Haru, who is seen by many as an easy prey for carnivores. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Legoshi is a predator and Haru is a herbivore, leading to many of the show's central conflicts.

At the same time, Louis is dealing with his own set of issues. He is constantly under pressure from his fellow herbivores to maintain a strong anti-carnivore stance, even as he secretly aspires to become more than just a mere puppet for his species' cause. Along the way, he forms a close bond with Legoshi, despite their initial differences.

The show is known for its impressive animation and art direction, particularly when it comes to the character designs. Each animal character is rendered in intricate detail, with their physical features and mannerisms expertly translated from page to screen.

Thematically, Beastars touches on a number of complex issues related to identity, prejudice, and society. It challenges viewers to confront their own biases and preconceptions, prompting them to reconsider the simplistic dichotomy of carnivore versus herbivore. The show encourages empathy and understanding between people of different backgrounds, promoting the idea that true unity can only be achieved through mutual respect.

Overall, Beastars is a gripping and thought-provoking anime that has earned a devoted following among fans of the genre. It successfully blends social commentary with compelling characters and an engrossing plot, making for a truly memorable viewing experience.

Beastars is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (36 episodes). The series first aired on October 9, 2019.