Beastars continues to be an enthralling series as protagonist Legoshi leaves the bounds of Cherryton Academy for the outside world. In this volume he not only meets the odd assortment of neighbours around him in his new apartment but also reconnects with old family and friends. All while dealing with now being branded a high school drop out and convicted meat offender.

I'm really enjoying the progression of this series. Seven is such a promising addition to the cast and getting to know more about Gosha and Yahya's past has been great. Really excited to see where things go next, especially as the series' worldbuilding expands more.

This copy was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher for review: all opinions are my own.

I am shocked by just how quickly I have fallen in love with this manga series. Its fun, funny, kinda dark at times, and just addictive. Its definitely a little weirder with anthropomorphic creatures as the characters but it serves the story line of carnivores dealing with their primal instincts while trying to live beside herbivores. Its what I think add another layer to it.

Overall, really enjoying both the manga and the anime which is what got me into the mangas. Give the series a shot if you are questioning it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

The ending to this one had me rolling it was so funny.

The world of Beastars has become increasingly darker since the wrapping of the Tem’s Killer arc. For starters, last volume showed that Legoshi has a taste for meat now that is proving troublesome. Plus he has a criminal record, and now he’s fighting off speciest carnivoes with his grandpa – who is a Komodo dragon – in an alley. Now with Beastars Volume 13, we get to see more of what society looks like outside the safety of a high school. While they were still children when Legoshi began frequenting the Black Market and Louis became a mob boss, it’s very clear that their childhood is long behind them now whether they are ready for it or not.

Beastars Volume 13 is created, written, and illustrated by mangaka Paru Itagaki and localized and published in English by VIZ Media through their Signature imprint. This volume is translated by Tomo Kimura, adapted in English by Annette Roman, and features touch-up art and lettering by Susan Daigle-Leach.

Now that he has a criminal record, Legoshi is working in a noodle shop instead of attending high school. This job begins to connect him to other members of society that we had yet to see, including denizens of the sea where the values and laws are surprisingly different from those on land. As we see Legoshi interact with these new characters, Itagaki is given the chance to flex her world-building muscle by showcasing even more layers to the society of her fantasy world.

With a new spotted seal and an expanded relationship with Seven, the lamb nextdoor neighbor, we begin to see different perspectives of the world. For the sea creatures we see an entirely different way of thinking about the world, and from Seven we see the way herbivores are ignored while carnivores are not. These little slice of life moments build out what it means for Legoshi to enter the working world and see it as an adult.



But that’s not all. Last volume we also learned that the newly introduced Beastar horse Yahya and Legoshi’s Komodo dragon grandfather Gosha have a long history. From friendship to antagonism, Beastars Volume 13 has the two of them attempt to settle their historic grievances through battle all while a new drug hits the city’s streets.

Beastars Volume 13 is very different from where the series started. In fact, I haven’t seen a more concise and interesting way of showing a character grow over time than by slowly removing the world around Legoshi and pushing him into a new one. Sure, Louis’ time with the Shinigami gang was dark and important, but Legoshi’s growth over time combined with him unwillingly losing the protection of his childhood and the school system is a tragic and powerful device that helps push his character development even further.

Itagaki’s world is filled to the brim with history and context that we keep seeing expanded through character work like Gosha, Legoshi’s grandfather. This creates a dynamic world that is moving and living outside our main characters in a way that is set to make it iconic. While we see the world expand through new characters and situations, it’s the intimate relationships and connections between them that solidifies the strength of Beastars as a series.

Beastars Volume 13 continues Itagaki’s stride of improving with each volume, with a story that is accelerating but also settling its characters into a history, one of the bonds we make with people, the pressures they put on us, and how society comes into play with it all. From Gosha’s family history to his friendship with Yahya and even Legoshi’s own friendships, Itagaki has created a world that keeps growing in the best ways.

Thanks to NetGalley & Viz for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one, it was great meating (wink) more animals in the Beastars world. I really love the seal dude, he seems so chill!

I love Legoshi's budding friendship with Seven and how complex it is, Seven offers a more adult perspective on the Beastars world but is also brutally honest with Legoshi in order to help him better understand the complex politics between species.

Another great volume in a complex but fascinating series!

In light of everything that’s happening in Beastars, this volume feels like a bit of a breather. We’ve got more worldbuilding outside Cherryton (in fact, Haru and Louis make only brief appearances here), with Legoshi acclimating to his modern life post-meat offender status. This feels more in line with Beast Complex, since it delves into the lives of those living in the Beast Apartments. (In fact, some of these characters end up being featured in Beast Complex’s later chapters, so my assumption isn’t far off.)

We’ve got another character to introduce here, with Sagwan the seal coming into play. He’s big fun to be around, and also of marine culture, so it’s a fish out of water character arc for him! I do like how he and Seven play off of Legoshi’s innocence (the former being a nude-happy and laid-back dude, while the latter is a mature, experienced woman), and they fill the gap that Haru and Louis left back in Cherryton.

The biggest flaw here is that much of this feels filler; it’s great that we’re seeing more of Beastars’ universe, but it’s a lull that’s accentuated by the characters not doing much. Yayha and Gosha’s former friendship is explored, but that’s the only thing of plot relevance I could see here. Beastars is a wonderful series, and I know the next volume will definitely have more in store for us.

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

Legoshi dropped out of his school and now lives on his own, making a living working at a ramen bar while learning how to live life as a registered meat offender. Legoshi lives in an apartment complex that isn't exactly in the best of neighborhoods, and being a registered meat offender, is stereotyped often and thought to possibly be at a higher risk of a new drug going around affecting carnivores. BB is made of the blood and bones of herbivores and drives a carnivore's desire for meat. At least with Legoshi, the authorities find themselves in a place of surprise.

We also get a bit of back and forth between Legoshi and his grandfather, showing a little bit more of the history there, as well as his grandfather's connection to the current BEASTAR. What will the BEASTAR think of Legoshi?

And there is an interesting aspect involving marine animals in this volume, something that has not yet been explored in previous volumes.

Another fine installment, and auto-buy, and I can't wait for the next one! A worthwhile series for anyone interested in a truly intriguing world and story.

Itagaki wows once again in BEASTARS, Vol. 13. Intrigue continues to build as Legoshi continues adjusting to life away from Cherryton Academy. I was also glad to see more development of Yahya and Gosha's relationship. In this volume, Itagaki plants seeds that will hopefully come to fruition in later volumes, and I'm excited to continue reading.

Another solid installment in the series! I continue to enjoy each volume. I loved getting to know Legoshi's background a bit more, and it makes more sense now why Legoshi is the kind of wolf he is. We see some characters that we haven't seen for a while, and I honestly love the new character that will be playing a bigger part here soon. He has been hinted at in the last couple of volumes.