Beastars Vol. 10by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Legoshi and Riz fight. It's interrupted, and Legoshi sets a date for them to finish: New Year's Eve. Legoshi eats a larvae, and has a vision. After witnessing the part of the black market where carnivore meat is bought and sold, Louis and Ibuki bond a bit.Last volume Legoshi realized he couldn't take on the bigger and stronger Riz, but now he's ready to fight? It comes across like Legoshi has a death wish. He's also feeling extra protective of his herbivore friends, and he's fed up with Riz's act. I do appreciate Legoshi's realization of why he can't understand Riz. Pina's comparison of it being like the wall between being a virgin and not being a virgin works well, and makes it click for Legoshi (in a panel that will make you laugh). Eating insects is legal, but Legoshi eats it alive. It's a compromise that Legoshi can live with that will also help him understand Riz better. Legoshi's vision upon eating the larvae is weird, but also enlightening in a philosophical way. The scene is followed up rather humorously, thanks to Gohin's comments. It's after eating the larvae that Legoshi feels ready to take on Riz, but his mind is still a bit distracted. As part of this distraction, Legoshi thinks about his grandpa, and we learn something monumental about Legoshi! It also sheds a tiny bit of light on the topic of inter-species relations, which is plot-important. I'm shocked, but I'm also curious. What effect will this truth have on things? How will it manifest? The fight with Riz goes better than expected, but we definitely get a sense of just how big and dangerous the bear is, especially knowing how big Legoshi is. It being interrupted only adds to the tension and build. Plus, there's the follow-up exchange between Riz and Pina that provides some shocking scenes! Also, I love Legoshi's solution to meeting with Louis without being recognized by the Shishigumi: cross-dressing! I love that it's not played for humor (the humor comes from Ibuki thinking Louis has weird taste in women), and that Gohin helps Legoshi with this. It's surprising learning that carnivore meat is also sold on the black market -- and to herbivores, no less! What's even more interesting is that carnivore meat is sold as "medicine" to cure different ailments. The example in this volume is brutal, but the way it's presented captures some of Louis' desensitization. I love this knowledge, and this scene creates an opportunity for Ibuki and Louis to bond. I want to know how this will affect things for both of them, not just Louis, moving forward. There's a chapter that seems random: Gohin treats a female Tibetan sand fox, a species incapable of showing emotion on their face. The chapter does touch on the responsible thing carnivores should do when they kill and eat a herbivore, but it's not quite enough to really add to the plot. Plus, there's a weird and sudden shift in the chapter from the patient resisting and having a flashback, to being dressed up at a fancy dinner with Gohin. This volume is a bit of a slow burn, but it does have action and character growth. I definitely want to know how New Year's Eve will play out! Written: April 19, 2021
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