Beastars Vol. 4by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Legoshi struggles with his feelings for Haru, especially when he learns she's close with someone else he knows. Some of Louis' past is revealed. Juno makes her intentions known to Louis.This volume opens with an inter-species sex scene (not pornographic) and an explanation about sex versus breeding partners in this world. Given this explanation, I don't understand why the mean girl rabbit of an endangered breed was so mad at Haru in a previous volume. Also, the scene shows us a flashback to how Haru and a certain someone met. It's oddly done. Haru's mind wanders to the flashback while she's having sex with this person. So, she's clearly not into it. And yet, this volume shows us how very much in love with this person she is. It doesn't mesh. I love Juno. The manga-ka mentions that they didn't care for Juno until after her interaction with Louis, and it's the same for me: that's when Juno shines as more than the new cute girl. She shows her strong side without being fierce. I also love the insight the manga-ka shares as to why they created Juno and how she balances Haru in the story. I can't wait to see what she brings to the story moving forward. The way Legoshi struggles is true to his character. He internalizes, puts up a mask, but he also has a flare of jealousy, becomes determined to confess his feelings, and wants Haru to be happy. It's pleasantly complex and realistic. I also love how he is considerate of their height difference, crouching down to talk eye-to-eye; while this isn't how one would talk to a peer in the human world (and could be seen as disrespectful), the predator / prey aspect makes it even more thoughtful and respectful here. Louis' history is DARK. And we only know a piece of it. It ties in with the black market, throwing an even darker shade over that whole thing. It can be a very triggering section to read, though it actually refrains from showing as much as the previous volume did. We get a peek at the books Louis owns as well, which shed light on the whole world of carnivores versus herbivores, among other things. This information helps us understand the intense feeling around whether a carnivore of herbivore should be the Beastar, and what that means for everyone. And this flashback is followed by Legoshi accidently learning of a conspiracy of carnivores to take Louis out (it uses the word "lynch", actually) so that he can't become the Beastar. It is setting this series up to take another dark turn, but it also sets up a new angle for Legoshi's path, which gives me hope and feeds a continuous suspicion I have about where this series is going. This series captures my interest more with each volume, but it's not for the faint of heart. NOTE: I will have more thoughts on this in a future write-up, but if you're watching the anime on Netflix and are curious about the manga, be warned that the anime takes a very light-hearted approach to (and doesn't delve as deep into) the darker scenes. Written: March 27, 2020
|
|
|
Home |
Features |
Columns |
Culture Vultures |
Report Card
Indicia | Contact | Archives © Sequential Tart, 1998 – 2021 |
