Beastars, Vol. 2

Beastars #2

by Paru Itagaki, Tomoko Kimura (Translator )

At this high school, instead of jocks and nerds, the students are divided into predators and prey.

At a high school where the students are literally divided into predators and prey, it’s personal relationships that maintain the fragile peace. Who among them is a Beastar—an academic and social role model destined to become a leader in a society naturally rife with mistrust?

Dwarf rabbit Haru’s odd behavior causes wolf Legoshi to flee. Later, Legoshi learns that the school drama club recruits new students to help them with their inner demons. What does their club president, red deer Louis, wrestle with...? Before Legoshi can figure it out, Louis forces him to face not only his own weaknesses but also his strengths. Legoshi’s character is truly put to the test when his onstage fight choreography with tiger Bill turns all too real. Has someone broken the school rules? And could the battle between Legoshi and Bill involve...rabbits? 

Genres: Manga, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Romance, Drama

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2017

About the author

Paru Itagaki ( 板垣巴留, Itagaki Paru) is a multi-award-winning Japanese manga artist, known mainly for her work Beastars. She is the daughter of Keisuke Itagaki.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars



Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series but like there is a part in here where...



Well it's interesting.

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revelations about the Drama Club.

This could almost be set in an ordinary school -- but not quite, because the students species-nature (and their struggle with or against it) continues to informs their behavior.

This has some of the most complex character-building I've seen in a graphic novel.

Some intense emotions in this one.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

OOOOO this was so intense. I can't believe I put off getting back into this series for so long. The intrigue, the mystery, the possible romance made me fly through every single page. I immediately placed the 3rd volume on hold at my library.

[Emi.acg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me di cuenta que el crimen lo dejaron un poco de lado, a ver si retoma en los próximos cap.
Por lo demás en este volumen quisieron pervertir a mi Legosi y luego lo lanzaron al estrellato jajaja me hace reír con su forma de ser y sus ganas de pasar desapercibido. El ciervo igual me gustó más ahora, hay una parte de él que me desagrada pero es un buen personaje.
El tema de la conejita me molesta, no por ella sino por los demás es lo típico a ella la tratan de cualquiera pero si fuera un él... En fin, mañana sigo xd

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhhh the fight between them!!
I'm loving this!!

Also the tension and confusing Lego is so awesome.. and that play scene!!!!

[ᗩᑎᗪᖇᗴᗯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A step up from volume one. More players are introduced and personalities are developing. The art might be a little tighter too, or it could be I'm more accustomed to it. Lots of asides and comments from supporting characters which are missing from the anime and help to flesh out the world. And on to Vol. 3...

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

In volume 1, I didn't like Louis very much. He seemed arrogant, egotistical, and more than a bit of a jerk. In this volume, we come to understand him a bit better. He's still a self-centered jerk, but I don't hate him nearly as much.

Honestly, the murder in volume one almost seems forgotten. I'm sure that Paru Itagaki has plans, but they seem slow to hatch. We're still getting to know everyone more deeply.

This series is a slow burn, but the characters are interesting and complex, and the world they inhabit is intriguing. Seems worth sticking with it for now. But if you're looking for frantic action, you won't find it here.

[Kate♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5stars

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty compelling. The hints of something strange and the dark underside hinted at... Better than vol 1 for sure!

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Well, that escalated quickly. I didn't expect this story to be layered, but it is! Commentary on class, power imbalances, drugs, sex, and fighting inner demons. What's not to like?

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a high school where the students are literally divided into predators and prey, it’s personal relationships that maintain the fragile peace. Who among them is a Beastar—an academic and social role model destined to become a leader in a society naturally rife with mistrust? Is it Legoshi, the scary looking but soft hearted wolf? And what is up with this murder?!


The Premise

In Beastars vol 2 Legoshi meets the horny rabbit girl and she propositions him!! We learn a little more about the school and curriculum. One particular class is special and Legoshi makes some pretty crazy conclusions while attending it. I’m not sure I like Beastars but while I real it I'm totally fascinated. Legoshi is fighting his nature so hard. Louie so desperately wants the power of a carnivore. And a Bill in this volume wants to be what he is... a carnivore. And I can't blame any of them for wanting what they want, resisting or pursuing it either. The drama with the drama club puts an explosive cap on events for Legoshi!!


The Buzz

Louis is such an intriguing foil for Legoshi in Beastars vol 2! We actually get to hear his thoughts compared to what he tells the company and its madness. Utter madness!! He's such a morally grey character and for some reason Legoshi just bugs the hell out of him. When he's forced to take a break he chooses an understudy who also has issues with Legoshi as they are both predators. This forces Legoshi to makes some decisions and WOW!


The Feels

Haru, the horny rabbit girl, is such a slap in the face of conventional stereotypes! This isn't a soft, clumsy or innocent female character. Oh no!! She has slept around and feels other rabbits are just jealous that their menfolk want her back. Seeing Legoshi's hilarious reaction to her made me want to read more beyond Beastars vol 2! And I just didn't expect that. He also is forced to take a step into the limelight and the results are grotesque! I was feeling the tension when Louis swept in unexpectedly.


The Visuals

The art in Beastars vol 2 was just as intriguing as in the first volume. I love how sinister and dark the tone of the story is and yet its contrasted with an almost cartoonish art style. This style adds this wonderful layer to the animal predator vs prey political world. Legoshi really does come across as sinister at times and yet I was shocked at what he endues this time... at the hands of one of his own. It's quite a gruesome sight!

Beastars vol 2 takes this unique seinen manga to a whole new level! Events in the drama club find Legoshi taking the limelight and putting Louis in an intriguing position... considering the herbivore doesn't like the wolf that much! Who's going to be the next Beastar?! They'll have to fight it out!!


⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

Thanks to Edelweiss and VIZ Media for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!

[Saphira Adorni · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I’m loving these so much

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legoshi surprisingly helps Haru with her flower garden at school and he see an unexpected side of her after hearing rumors of her flirty side. Meanwhile in the drama club, it’s prestigious president Louis, a regal red deer is to take center stage in the latest play and he too has his own inner demons. However, an unexpected setback and an understudy will bring unforeseen events on and offstage. A (100%/Outstanding)

[Orcbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would usually move on and stop caring if something I read is just *bad*, but it bothers me when a potentially good series turns out to be disappointing.

The story is still good at the depictions of its male characters, but when it comes to the female characters, it falls short. The rabbit is pretty much a token female character. Her design and premise were icky to me (titillating, fetishist loli type). The series insists she is "deeper than you thought", but it's all talk and no show.

It's ok to have one stereotypical character, if the group has a wide range of portrayals.

Dropping this.

[Catillbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo quanto il primo se non di più. Nel primo abbiamo saputo più cose sul personaggio di Louis e ne abbiamo conosciuti di nuovi. Legoshi raggiunge nuove consapevolezze. Questo manga continua a confermarsi un capolavoro.

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

CW for series overall: violence, some gore, assault, trauma, sexual assault

[aro · Rating 4 out of 5]

the furries are fightinggg

[Mileena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit this felt like a season finale of a show and this was only volume 2!

Yup, *hides face* I would totally smash this wolf. And I am living for this a Edward Cullen shit he’s got going on with Haru. She came on hella strong my dude. I love though that even though people judge her so hard for the men she’s been with Legoshi is like so? I’m not judging her for that she seems nice.

And the play! Fucking Euphoria levels of drama this play was. I’m living and Legoshi in the character costume he was given was 🤤. The fight was super freaking intense and although I think clawing up his back was too much, the delivery of the “we both have stripes” line was chilling. Not sure how to feel about Louis just yet but he is a compelling character.

Overall I’m hooked and can’t wait to pick up the next one.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rabbit undressing really caught me off guard ngl. I don’t like the sexualization of some of these characters, esp because they’re high schoolers. I do like that the series introduces some heavier and realistic concepts like bullying and peer pressure, but some of the heavier concepts might be disproportionately so—this depends on what direction the manga’s going to take overall. If it wants to be heavy and dark, then the first volume’s murder case and this volume’s drug use would fit the theme. But so far, it’s got a strange tonal imbalance between the dark elements and the lighter YA school-life setting. Curious to see the direction it takes from here.

[Martina Koa Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subentrano altri personaggi, ma sono tutti così ben distinti che è impossibile confonderli tra loro o dimenticarli. È questo il bello di Beastars, i personaggi sono così ben costruiti che sono naturali, e dietro questo c’è una grande maestria perché non deve essere facile gestire un’idea tanto particolare come quella che sta di fondo a questo manga.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I’m intrigued by where the story is going, but not sure how I feel about it yet. I liked it, but am reserving more judgement for after a few more volumes.

[elif sinem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis is clinically insane and needs help and he won't get any which is why he's a fav for life already

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legoshi's relationship with his buried nature, the way he interacts with the world, and the way the world interacts with his kind.... that hit a little closer to home that I expected...

[małgorzata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gdyby ktoś się pytał to tak TA scena była równie żenująca w mandze.

[Pedro Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So very solid manga! Again, the world building is great and I love Legoshi even more. He is just afraid of being himself and coming off as too powerful so he tones himself down and doesn't want to stand out. The rabbit is an interesting character which I am sure will have way more going on than we think and Bill is... Evil.

[Gabcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Trochę akcja zwalnia (ale wiem że zaraz się rozkręci), ale Legoshi w mandze >>>>>> Legoshi w anime
Legoshi kocham cię

[Nina-Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me speechless here and there but still love it nonetheless. LOVE THE WORLD BUILDING AND CHARACTERS LIKE OMG

[Stasiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.

Fajówa, i zawiera detale o których zapomniano lub pominięto w adaptacji.

[Ana O. ⭐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(ATY-25): 20. A book with an animal, vegetable (plant), or mineral in the title
(Popsugar-25): 20 A book that fills a 2024 prompt you'd like to do over (or try out)