Beastars Vol. 8by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 7 Legoshi gets Gohin to train him to be stronger. Louis tries to break ties with his adoptive father, but things don't go as expected.Most of this volume focuses on Legoshi's training. It's interesting seeing how he physically adapts to things, as well as how he comes to terms with things. I especially like how he personalizes and detaches from meat; it's very respectful and fits the philosophy of a martial arts mindset. The fight scenes have him styled as a muzzled vigilante, which is interesting and quite unique in this world! The biggest change that everyone else sees, though, is Legoshi's haircut! I am enjoying this journey, which has reached a stage of maturity different from anyone else. However, I don't like that he's lost all jaw strength; I get the point being made, but it's too extreme, especially when his strength was well above normal. Before we get to an update on Louis, we're introduced to an okapi stripper in the Black Market. There is a scene where she spreads her legs for an audience (with the reader's perspective behind her), and a scene where she's performing oral sex on a bear, who then tries to kill her. It's scenes like this that remind us how dark and how "adult" this series really is, even when the rest of the volume is more high school angst. Louis' interactions with her and, later, with his father, shine a spotlight on his inexperience in the world despite his new leadership position. Both the okapi and his father have accepted their respective roles in this world, including the fact that they will someday die in it; it provides good perspective for Louis' demands to his father. I appreciate this reality check on the adult world of the Black Market, and seeing all the things that still bind Louis to his limited experience and knowledge; it kind of resets him at a starting point, so it's easier to want to follow his story again (instead of it being at an ending pinnacle). Also in this volume is an important conversation between Legoshi and Haru about their relationship, but also one between Legoshi and Pina, the new student introduced last volume. Pina presents as male and is promiscuous with the ladies, but Legoshi smells a female-scent from Pina! Now this has me curious! There's a chapter at the end that focuses on Sheila, a leopard trying to understand her relationship with potential herbivore friends like Peach, a sheep. I really like how social media is used to explain differences between carnivores and herbivores, but also between different types of carnivores. I also like how the two girls learn something about each other's species through fashion (namely what they can't wear and why). It's "girl-talk" but with actual substance to it. It's a great bit of world-building. Written: February 15, 2021
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