It's easy to look at Rei Toma's art and forget just how dark her stories can get. This one is no exception. Set in the same world as <i>Dawn of the Arcana</i> the story follows Rangetsu, an Ajin (human with animal features, like ears and tails, and superior senses and healing abilities) as she seeks revenge against the human(s) who killed her twin brother years ago. And if you thought things were bad for the Ajin in <i>Dawn of the Arcana</i>, prepare yourself for them to be even worse here in a different nation. Ajin are absolutely second class citizens, with families only allowed one child (excluding multiple births), men and boys conscripted into either the army or as body guards known as Beast-Servants, and women are forced into sex work when they're young and switched over to menial labor when they age out of that. Rangetsu's brother dies in service to the Fourth Prince, and she flees the brothel her mother takes her to, cuts her hair, and learns to fight in order to hunt down his killer. It's brutal, and Toma doesn't shy away from that.

But it also is a good story, one where very few people are what they seem to be, the system of oppression is looking like it might be ripe for being shredded, and change clearly lurks just around the bend. I don't anticipate this being an easy series, but I'm willing to be on it being a good one.

This manga has the makings of all of my favorite storylines: enemies to lovers, imperial families, GORGEOUS drawing style. I’m very intrigued to see what gifts other characters have and who was responsible for her brother’s death. The style of drawing already makes me want to buy other manga by the artist/author!

Ooh, I like I like!

Fantasy...check
Intrigue...check
Cute boys...check!

If you’re interested in court politics, and whodunnits, I suggest giving it a read.

I really like how this story gives you the background information in an easily understandable way. It sets up the plot fairly quickly and you are immersed in the world very quickly. The art style is also very nice and not too flowery. There are many interesting surprises that await the reader.

I was so excited when I heard we were getting a new Rei Toma title, let alone another one in the world of Dawn of the Arcana.
This chinese inspired story is fantastic. We have a rich political climate, characters that you are rooting for, and an enemies to lovers kind of romantic subplot that I am shipping HARD after this first volume.
I am so excited to see this revenge story unfurl. I am anxiously awaiting volume 2!

I loved this manga and can't wait for the second volume! The art is gorgeous and the story kept me hooked. I'd recommend this to others.

4.5 for personal enjoyment
3.5 for plot

This is a quick read that throws you right into the action. The build-up to what you think will be the main plot immediately gets resolved to allow for the development of the actual plot.

I found the prince's character to be very cliche. It makes no sense as to why he would be sympathetic to the Ajin people in a society that is conditioned to believe the Ajin are subhuman. But, suspending disbelief on that, I found the prince to be compelling in his bluntness and honesty which was refreshing. He reminds me a lot of Tohru from Fruits Basket. He wants to help, but he does stop short of being someone's doormat which is nice.

As for Rangetsu, you don't find too much out about her other than motives, and some snippets from her past, but she's compelling to start with. She's got the vibes of a YA female protagonist, but more substance then a lot of those characters. You can see there's depth to her that you haven't been told yet, and even though revenge is her motive, the story, and her character, are a lot more nuanced than simple revenge.

I’ve seen a lot of characters that look like our main protagonist. They were giving me Tomoe vibes from Kamisama Kiss, one of my favourite manga series, and I was intrigued because the art style is gorgeous. It’s one of the delights of reading this manga. The art is breathtaking and gives you an ethereal vibe to the world and the characters. It reminded me of a lot of other styles, like Yona of the Dawn. I get the sense that there were many inspirations that brought this to life and it’s interesting to pick out where they might be from. The style is romantic and very shojo, but I like that it openly embraces it.

I was excited for the story. The ideas behind it have a lot to be explored with, and while I did like them I feel like this story is lacking something. It needed a bit more fleshing out in terms of character and story. The beast subplot doesn’t have much explanation, and the characters are very thin for me to want to root for them. I also thought it didn’t help how the main conflict of Rangetsu wanting to kill the prince only to find out he didn’t kill her brother was resolved too soon and it made the rest of the volume feel directionless. It was her main motivation. It just seemed a bit too quick after just learning her goals.

This is a promising volume that has an interesting world, great ideas, and an art style that just takes your breath away. The story has the potential to improve and I look forward to where it will head.

I loved every single page of this! Royalty meets magic meets revenge. I love a powerful female protagonist whose loyalty to her family is her driving force to right the wrongs of the world. So excited to find out that the author has a previous series, which I will be checking out while waiting for the next King's Beast volume.

Rei Toma returns to the world from Dawn of the Arcana with a new story from a very different perspective. As a female Ajin, Rangetsu can only expect a life of servitude - most likely in the world's oldest profession. When her twin brother is taken away to serve the fourth prince of the realm, Rangetsu tries to make the best of their separation. When news that her twin has been murdered by the prince arrives, Rangetsu decides on a very different path - one where she will instead be an Ajin male, one where she will rise in the ranks of Ajin soldiers until she can attend the fourth prince, one where she will kill the prince and avenge her brother. But what will happen when she learns the truth of her brother's death and meets a prince who is kind, considerate and not the monster that she always thought he would be?

I loved Dawn of the Arcana and was so happy to see the author return to the worlds. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I love the complexity of the characters in this new story.

4.5/5

The King’s Beast by Rei Toma is a story about an ajin (beast-like human) with one goal: Get revenge on the person who murdered their brother. So when they finally get the chance at justice, it turns out nothing is what it seems. Now deep in the world of politics and secrets, Rengetsu must team up with who they thought was their enemy.

I read some volumes of Dawn of the Arcana so when I saw Rei Toma had another series I jumped so fast! This series is set in the same universe but different lands so it’s really interesting to see how the rules differ.

The art is amazing, as usual. And I’m really interested in the plot so far. I’m excited to see all that happens as I know Rei Toma creates awesome storylines and twists.

I’m hoping that the main characters will grow and develop in the future, and I’m interested to see backstory of both their lives. For now I’m satisfied with this intriguing beginning, and hopeful for what’s to come.

Ajin are are people who bear the attributes of beasts and are enslaved to humans. Ajin girls are forced to be prostitutes and take low paying jobs when married. Ajin boys are forced into military service. Ajin boys who have powers are prized as servants in the palace. Disguised as a boy, Rangetsu works hard to be chosen as a beast servant in the palace so she may avenge her twin brother's death. Someone in the palace killed him, and she is going to find out who and kill them. She may get a bit of unexpected help from the fourth prince Tenyou. Tenyou feels guilty that Rangetsu's brother was murdered and will do anything to find his killer.

Thank you to NetGalley, VIZ Media, and Rei Toma for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, when I requested this, it just seemed like my kind of thing. I didn't notice/realize it was the same author as Dawn of the arcana until I read one of the first author's note in the volume. Dawn of the Arcana is one of my FAVORITE manga, and to find out this takes place in the same world was rather exciting. Also knowing that, I knew this would be a good one.

In this world, Ajin (beast animals) are stronger than humans and some possess magic, though humans are the dominant species due to numbers and controlled factors on Ajin. Some young Ajin are tested to see if they have powers in order to become a beast-servant for one of the princes. Sogetstu, a fox-like Ajin, is selected for the fourth prince, separated from his sister Rangetsu. A terrible tragedy befalls Sogetsu as he is attacked and murdered. Tenyou, the fourth prince, is afraid to have another beast servant again, but eventually, Rangetsu wings her way in under the guise of a man and hopes to avenge her brother's death.

This is a fantastic first volume and I am already itching for the second one. At the end of this volume is also a little short for The Water Dragon's Bride, which I previously did not realize was by the same author (though not in the same world as Beast and Arcana) and thus I have a keen interest in checking that manga out soon as well. I cannot wait for the second volume. This is one I have high hopes for and strongly recommend!

Ok, we all have to start by acknowledging that the cover is absolutely gorgeous. The colors, composition, and subject matter are all on point. With such an amazing cover it should then come as no surprise that the art inside is also breathtaking. All of the characters were beautiful and so was the setting.

Speaking of the setting, I loved it. This is set in the type of setting that I usually read in webtoons and I was quite glad that I was also able to find a manga with the same vibes. Imperial palaces are a definite guilty pleasure and I love to indulge in their majesty.

Moving away from the setting I'm sure if you are even a bit familiar with it and its tropes you could guess at the types of characters we encounter. We've got slightly insane royals, cruel royals, loyal servants, and at least one unexpectedly kind person withing the danger of court rules. Our main character is also a person of interest and a well-worn archetype of the setting, a girl masquerading as a boy in order to serve within the palace. There are always different motives for this type of person but in this case, the motive is revenge. Who doesn't love a good revenge story?

Overall this was a great introduction to what's to come. I was immediately engrossed in the story and characters. I need more and I think that others should give this series a fair shot.