Rei Toma's work is lovely and oh so dark. Toma does not shy away from difficult subjects like sex work, slavery, class systems etc. I was impressed by The King's Beast, such an amazing story born of revenge and wanting to be free. The political intrigue reminds me of Requiem of the Rose King, but in King's Beast no one is quite what they show themselves to be. I can see this as an up and coming new series, it's going to be a darker one but what a ride this series will be.

Squee! This has all the good stuff in it- a young beastkin woman pretending to be a boy to avenge her brother's death, some enemies-to-lovers-ish sparks, a handsome young prince in the Imperial court, with said court full of political intrigue, a harsh world where the Ajin, a beastkin race that are treated like second-class citizens, forced to become slaves to the royals, to give us some ugliness to want to see taken down, and gorgeous, be-still-my-beating-heart artwork! The story flows along nicely, teasing out hints of undercurrents of treachery and deceit. Volume 2, here I come!

#TheKingsBeastVol1 #NetGalley

Ajin is the people who possessed the power and characteristics of beasts. In this kingdom, male Ajin is forced to serve humans in the military while the female Ajin serves in the brothels. If an Ajin boy shows signs of special abilities, they are allocated to serve in the imperial palace as beast servants to protect their royal masters, to be kept or discarded depending on their masters. Rangetsu’s twin brother has shown signs of extraordinary ability and forced to separate from his sister, where he was soon fell into a brutal death in a royal household. Understanding the state of the world, Rangetsu is filled with despair and chose to disguise herself as a man to find her way into the palace to seek vengeance for her brother’s death.

However, Rangetsu’s royal master, Prince Tenyou, isn’t what she had expected him to be, and she soon learns the dark side of politics. Does she have the chance of finding out her brother’s killer, or will she join her brother in the afterlife before reaching her objective?

I had the pleasure of reading an excerpt of ”The King's Beast, Vol. 1”, by Rei Toma. It is a gripping fast paced graphic novel that is sure to engage manga readers. While it is not a book I would stock directly in the store due to space constraints, it is one that I would be prepared to recommend and hand sell to customers specifically looking for a good graphic novel of this variety.

Ajin are basically beastlike humans who are slaves in this world. If they are gifted with powers they go on to better things or at least better then the other option but they work for royalty as guards. Rangetsu's twin brother had powers and was taken to prince Tenyou and died shortly after. Now she's working her way up the ranks as a man to be by Tenyou's side and assassinate him but finds there is more to it.

This was definitely and interesting start of a series. I loved the characters and getting an idea of what is going on. I love the mystery aspect of now we gotta figure out who might be behind the death of Rangetsu's brother and the mystery person who keeps coming at her. There was a couple attempted at the ajins life but its unclear why her instead of the prince shes protecting. I'm curious to see what's next.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Viz for access to this absolutely fantastic manga. This is an honest review.

Rei Toma's work always sucks me in. The world itself is enough to keep me reading, without fail- and her characters will always have a place in my heart. This series is no different, and I cannot wait for the next.

Set in the same world as DotA, The King's Beast follows Rangetsu, a subhuman beast-person who has killed many and proved their worth to become a servant to the prince. Their reasoning- their twin brother was killed while under this prince's service. Being powerless doesn't seem to hinder them, and they quickly prove their worth. The story really draws you into this part of the world, filled with politics, war, and a new budding friendship between Rangetsu and the prince. I am eager to continue the story as Rangetsu strives to find their brother's killer amongst those at the palace, and I want to know more about the court politics and the culture of the land.

Overall, the art is beautiful and I'm entranced with the story. I can't wait to continue!

Happy to go back to Dawn of the Arcana world,Rei Toma art and story is always amazing, even if it tends to be dark. Once again we are introduced to the world were humans are dominant and Ajin, people with animal attributes and sometimes powers, are looked down upon and mistreated. We meet prince Prince Tenyou, and Rangetsu (Ajin) who mistrust each other at the beginning but due to royal court politics are forced to work together. Amazing story and excited to continue reading.
#TheKingsBeastVol1 #NetGalley

Action and romance set in an intriguing fantasy world of humans and human-like beasts. Rangetsu, lost her twin brother Sogetsu when he showed the special abilities valued by the royal family. But Sogetsu only served Prince Tenyou for a short time before being killed in court intrigue. Determined to find out the truth about his death, and avoid the terrible fate of female beasts like her, Rangetsu disguises herself a boy and becomes a top Ajin. Hired to the palace, she finds herself developing relationships with her potential enemies. Enjoyable read for manga fans.

This was a great first volume! There's revenge, action, budding romance, and beautiful characters. I wasn't sure about the male lead's character at first, but everyone's actions and reasonings are well thought out and the main characters are likable. Although I'm sometimes hesitant about the girl disguised as a boy trope, the explanation for it is sound in this one. There's something about this author's work that makes it easily digestible and fun to read despite me not being an avid reader of fantasy settings. So, I'm pleased to say this new series continues to have those aspects of it that I enjoy.
Overall, it left me excited to read more and I didn't expect the extra chapter in here to be about her other series’ The Water Dragon's Bride. So, if you want to read a sweet epilogue to that series, checking out this volume is double worth it!

Taking place in the same world as Dawn of the Arcana, The King’s Beast Vol. 1 is a shoujo manga that tells the story of a beast girl who becomes a beast-servant of one of the princes in a fantasy land inspired by Ancient China. Its first volume is a simple but focused one, introducing the harsh reality of her life, important characters, and the lay of the land.

The Kings Beast Vol.1 1
Ko Rangetsu is a young beast girl who decided to give up on her femininity and become a warrior so she could have revenge for something that happened in the past. In a cruel world in which her kind is treated as a subhuman species, she learned early that life is a hellish experience of being abused by those with power.

The beast folks, also known as ajin, are usually kept in lower social positions. Still, some of them even develop mysterious powers, making them interesting subjects for personal bodyguards and servants. Faking to be a man, Rangetsu becomes one of the most substantial figures in the army, eventually recognized by the nickname “the high commander,” and is assigned as the princes’ beast-servant.

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This is all but one step of her revenge, as she learns more of the events of the past and tries to figure out who is her real enemy. Volume 1 doesn’t really go in-depth about it yet but takes its time to flesh out the worldbuilding, explain social norms and hint at potential court intrigue. That makes it feel short and unsubstantial, but it’s also a good grounding for the next volumes to build upon.

The main character’s thirst for revenge is already well established, and her personality is really broken due to her tragic worldview. But there’s room for it to change shape. Though it may eventually consume her whole, she could also find another meaning for her life as her relationship with other characters grow deeper.

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Visually speaking, the Chinese inspiration is apparent in the motifs, clothing, buildings, and flowers. More often than not, the framings are focused on character expressions, reinforcing the sadness and tragedy. There are a few battles with good sequencing, but they are also too short and don’t really give any sense of stakes yet.

After the three chapters, there’s also a short one based on another of Rei Toma’s works, The Water Dragon’s Bride. It has no real relation to the rest of the manga and feels a little out of place, but its lightheartedness is also an excellent counterbalance to the rest of the content.

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Overall, I’m really intrigued to see how Rangetsu’s tale develops in the next books. The first volume is a good introduction to how tragic being an ajin is in this fantasy society, even if other elements of the tale are still underdeveloped.

The King's Beast has everything you could love: a revenge plot, an enemies to lovers trope, a vivid world that is as complex as it is interesting, and a compelling main character. Though it's based in a world that has already been largely established in Toma's other works, I don't think this will impact the ability to enjoy The King's Beast.

I genuinely loved the story line and rooted for Rangetsu in her pursuit for revenge against the humans who killed her twin brother. Her pain and anger is felt in the illustrations and in her interactions with those around her. She's not just a character who is playing at revenge--she's trained herself for years to achieve it. I really liked how dark the story was and how, even in this darkness, Rangetsu still managed to find threads of light. There were plenty of twists and turns and a myriad of confrontations.

If I had anything less-than-stellar to comment on, it would be the somewhat rushed plot. There were times it felt like the story jumped a bit, as if there were holes in the dialogue or perhaps I read it out of order (totally possible), but overall, this didn't kill my love for this story.

I look forward to volume 2!

I requested this manga, not knowing it was for adults. I did enjoy the story and world it was set it. The dark humor laced throughout, but it isn't a book I would purchase for my middle school library because it doesn't fit the age group of my students.

This was a beautiful manga about revenge and suffering.

The main character gives up everything to avenge their brother, but where does that leave them when they find out the person accused of his murder is innocent?

I highly recommend this series!

I love Rei Toma, and this new story of hers is no exception. The King's Beast was fantastic! I can't wait to read more about it.

A bit too melodramatic and over the top in emotion for what I want right now. Ostensibly a court mystery with a gender-hidden love story and cross-species liberation, it seemed like so much was packed into the initial chapters that the plot and characters didn't have time to breathe. Everything was at the highest emotional intensity, like a Yu gi oh episode right before or after the commercial break, and the intrigue seemed more about intense looks than rational plotting.

he King’s Beast takes place in a Chinese-inspired fantasy kingdom, where humanoid beasts known as Ajin are enslaved by the ruling human class. At a young age, a young ajin named Ko Rangetsu was separated from her brother Sougetsu, only to learn soon after that her brother was murdered while serving the imperial family. Distraught, Rangetsu seeks to avenge her brother, and joins the military as a man to find her brother’s killer.

What’s immediately striking about The King’s Beast is the disparity between the Ajin and humans. While the Ajin are considered to be the more powerful race, they’ve been forced into servitude due to the larger population of humans. As a result, they are stripped of their freedom from birth and placed on set paths that will benefit the humans. This discrimination is further depeened by humanity’s treatment of Ajin. To most humans, the Ajin are just tools to be used for their own protection and pleasure, and whether they live or die is of little consequence to them.

Rangetsu faces the adversities of being an Ajin, but also the strict gender roles that are forced upon her people. The humans have enslaved the Ajin in gendered roles, forcing male Ajin to enlist in the military, while female Ajin must serve as prostitutes and other lowly positions. When Sougetsu died, Rangestu realized how trapped she was in her current life. Rangetsu’s choice to join the military represents her drive to rebel against society’s expectations and choose for herself how she will live her life. Rangetsu will not let human society define her and will carve out a new path for herself.

The relationship between Rangetsu and her master Prince Tenyou is another focal point of this volume. Tenyou was originally Sougetsu’s master, which made Rangetsu suspect that the prince was responsible for her brother’s death. As Rangetsu soon learns, not only is Tenyou not responsible for Sougetsu’s death, but he also genuinely cared about him. Among the humans introduced in this volume, Tenyou appears to be the only one who values the lives of the Ajin. Despite Rangetsu’s desire to be used as a weapon, Tenyou doesn’t want to place her in needless danger, even chastising his attendants that believe otherwise. This places Rangetsu in a precarious position. She has spent her life despising humanity, but now she’s serving a human that contradicts her assumptions.

The central conflict of this volume revolves around the investigation of Sougetsu’s killer. Tenyou had previously narrowed down the assailant to being a fellow prince, but as he tried to investigate further, he was forced to stop due to pressure from the imperial family. Having now encountered Rangetsu, Tenyou is driven to re-open his investigation and bring the killer to light. There’s a clear tension within the royal family, with many of the princes appearing on friendly terms just for formality. This is also indicated by how the special ability of each prince’s beast-servant is kept a secret from other members of the family. The situation places Rangetsu and Tenyou at a clear disadvantage in their endeavor, as not only are they not aware of what the other princes are capable of, but Rangetsu is also the only beast-servant among the princes that lacks a special ability. This makes the stakes feel more dangerous, helping The King’s Beast be an even more engaging read.

It’s easy to tell that Rei Toma is an experienced artist, as the clean visuals and paneling of their manga is simply gorgeous. The manga’s heavy use of white and black backgrounds helps accentuate the expressions and gestures of the characters. This is particularly compelling during Rangetsu’s backstory, as you can see the visual cues of despair and frustration, as she grapples with her previous life. Toma’s artwork is also effective during the series’s action scenes. Rangestu’s fights in this volume rely very little on dialogue, emphasizing the movements of the characters between panels. As such, even the briefest of fights have a sense of weight, while also cohesive to the rest of the manga. This is a manga that will keep you glued to the page.

The first volume of The King’s Beast is a compelling read, establishing a solid foundation through exploring its protagonist and the mysteries of its premise. It’s easy to become invested in Rangestu and her uneasy alliance with Prince Tenyou will be interesting to follow as the series continues. This is one manga that’s fit for a king.

Legend says that a sacred beast appears in the time of a great king…

Ajin are people who bear the attributes of beasts, and in this kingdom they are forced to serve men in the military and women in the brothels. The Ajin boys who show signs of special abilities are conscripted to serve in the imperial palace as beast servants—status symbols and shields for their royal masters, to be kept or discarded on a whim. When Rangetsu’s twin brother Sogetsu showed signs of such abilities, he was ripped from her arms and given to Prince Tenyou as a beast servant, where he quickly fell victim to bloody royal intrigues. Now in a world that promises only bitterness, Rangetsu’s one hope is to disguise herself as a man and find a way into the palace to avenge her brother!

But Prince Tenyou is not what Rangetsu expected, and the political currents in the palace run deep and strange. Does Rangetsu have any chance of finding justice for her brother, or will she become just another Ajin casualty in the game of kings?- Goodreads

For the first volume of this manga, the storyline moved faster than I thought. I liked it or better yet I should say I am intrigued and want to read the next volume. I expected some of the shocking plot lines to come at least in the second book, to help build up the tensions and the characters but I was surprised to see it within this volume. Due to that, the spark of the book died down a bit but as I mentioned I am intrigued specifically by Price Tenyou's back story and relationship with Ajin as a whole.

The artwork is beautiful, detailed and it tells a story that is comparable to the main story. I think its a great start to a series.

Overall,

3 Pickles

I really liked this volume! I cannot wait to get a hold of the next books in the series! There were some areas where I feel like Rei Toma has recycled some ideas from other mangas of her own, but ultimately I really liked this one, as well as the art!

I'm a first=time reader of Rei Toma's work. But as a first-time reader of Rei Toma's work and being introduced to her via this new manga I've she's made me an instant fan. Other than a well-structured story that's initially deep-seated in revenge. Rei delivers this revenge story with deep emotions and empathy. Although the mystery of who murdered The KIng's Beast still needs to be solved. It's the emotional undertones that take this story above and beyond.

Complimenting the story is Toma's artwork. The graceful contours of her linework capture you instantly and make it such a pleasure to read from start to finish. From the scenery to the action sequences Toma's artwork truly shines.

The icing on the cake is that you don't need to read Toma's previous work in order to jump into this new series despite taking place in the same world as Dawn of Arcana.

CW: Slavery, Abuse, Threat of Rape

I'm not so sure what to put here. As many of you know, I've been struggling to read my standard genres, so I've been branching out. When I saw this manga up on NetGalley, the artwork intrigued me. I decided to give this manga a shot.

The concept of the manga was fascinating, and the world was captivating and brutal. I found that the world was a bit excessive in brutality without giving us any real reason (besides us vs. them). I would have liked to know more about the world itself.

The characters were well done though I would have liked to get to know the motivations of Tenyou more. I felt that his character was a bit too cliche and would have liked to know his backstory.

All in all, the artwork is beautiful, and the story was engaging.