BEASTARS 21

Beastars #21

by Paru Itagaki

メロンの狂気と共に始まった“愛肉の日”の縄張り争い。各種族の血を燃やした松明を掲げて争う各組。そこにひとつ、不思議なにおいが紛れ込んだ。それは…!?
誓いの炎は新時代への道しるべ。最終決戦がいま、始まった。

Genres: Manga, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Drama, Fiction, Romance

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2020

About the author

Paru Itagaki ( 板垣巴留, Itagaki Paru) is a multi-award-winning Japanese manga artist, known mainly for her work Beastars. She is the daughter of Keisuke Itagaki.

Reviews

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a great volume! I love the villain, and starting to love Louis too! I was disappointed that the inara-gumi and doku-gumi were not more developed in the previous two volumes but glad they were in this one.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An altogether great volume... except for Legoshi vs the Inarigumi. For some reason Legoshi still cannot fight women so his only way of dealing with them is... to crossdress as a woman and in the middle of their big gang fight have a conversation about how difficult is to fight without accidentally flashing your panties when your skirt moves. I know Legoshi has to confront his treatment of women but it's the one topic Beastars fails to make engaging every time it pops up in the series. Everything else, from Louis' broadcast to the Shishigumi to the development with Melon? Great stuff! But the Inarigumi fight is a blight on an otherwise great final arc.

[Grace Arango · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was holding my breath A LOT while reading this volume oh my

[Mangrii · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 / 5

Metidos de lleno en el arco y batalla final, en este penúltimo volumen de Beastars, asistimos a varios puntos importantes para el desenlace de este enfrentamiento campal. Legoshi enfrentando al grupo Inari, el Beastars protegiendo a la ciudadanía y Rouis dando su discurso como presidente del conglomerado.

Un tomo frenético, con momentos inolvidables y tan expresivos como el del apagón, y otros que no consigo terminar de entender, como la incapacidad de Legoshi a tratar con las mujeres, una vez más. La disputa territorial esta en su punto más álgido y solo quiero ver, como termina Paru Itagaki TODO esto en un solo tomo.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penultimate volume!

All out gang war leads to the start of the final showdown between Legoshi and Melon for control of the black market and, really, the entirety of herbivore and carnivore relations in this very weird anthropomorphized fantasy allegory.

One volume to go!

[Hal Incandenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Next stop: scontrone finale!

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most action packed one so far. I have no clue how it will all end!

Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Literally what the hell is even going on

[Santiago Gª Soláns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ha estado entre las dos y las tres estrellas, y al final un par de capítulos sueltos han decantado la tercera. La verdad es que me parece excesivamente alargado y con una enorme pérdida de interés, aunque mantiene puntuales momentos de brillantez. Ganas de que termine, la verdad. Menos mal que solo queda un tomo.

[Met · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un volume un po’ deludente: trascina lo scontro fino al prossimo volume - che ci può anche stare in realtà, ma Beastars mi aveva abituato a degli intermezzi riflessivi e ispirati. Non a questa diluizione degli eventi.
Ma perdono tutto, e spero in un finale che mi lasci un segno.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not ready for when the last volume comes out at the end of the month 😭

[Walindor · Rating 5 out of 5]

✔️21/22

[magda · Rating 4 out of 5]

goodreads pleeeaseeee register my read books on the reading challenge 😭
EDIT I FOUND OUT HOW: This can probably be done on mobile too, but on pc you have to set the finished reading date

[Martina Koa Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molto bello il risvolto psicologico che spiega i moventi dell’antagonista. Sorprendente anche verso che punto sta virando la storia e con essa tutti i personaggi

[Agnese Rosengren · Rating 5 out of 5]

MA IN CHE SENSO MANCA SOLO UN VOLUME ALLA FINE? 😭💔

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75/5

[Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not emotionally prepared for Legoshi to dress in drag out of the blue during this turf war

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

[Sage 🌻 · Rating 5 out of 5]

fucking incredible

[Inas · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm gonna write this review for ALL of the volumes combined. so yeah. spoiler alert.

my favorite character is louis. my least favorite is the bunny. what's her name again? ugh. i forgot.

i mean, srsly, what's not to like about louis??? he sacrificed his own leg for legoshi!! that's like a whole new level of selflessness.

my favorite arc was the battle with the white bear (polar bear?). after that it kinda went to shit.

I'M SO MAD THAT LOUIS AND THAT GREY WOLF DIDN'T END UP TOGETHER.
THEY WERE SO CUTE UGGHHHHHHHHH

oh and i was SO sad when louis' dad died. i knew he barely appeared in the manga but he was just so kind. he gave louis everything he needed and always supported him no matter what.

not much else to say, i guess...
i just really liked the series. i was about to watch the second season after reading the manga, but then i realized, why bother? i know all the plot already.

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The penultimate entry of mangaka Paru Itagaki's Beastars series opens with a synopsis of recent events and visual depictions of the dramatis personae. Protagonist Legoshi, the gray wolf, wins the trust of the Doku-gumi populated by Komodo dragons, becoming an official turf war contender, the leonine Shishi-gumi keeping watch on him while facing the Madara-gumi composed of jaguars. The lupine's next opponents are the vixens of the Inari-gumi; however, Legoshi struggles due to his reluctance to battle females, ultimately settling on dressing in drag to battle on equal terms, which he finds difficult.

During the war, rain begins to precipitate despite no prior indicators of cloudy weather, a so-called "sun shower" that extinguishes all torches in the black market. The main antagonist Melon, the offspring of a male gazelle and female jaguar, has flashbacks of when his mother wanted to take baths with him, which involves a childhood trauma of seeing the backprints on her fur resembling swarming insects. Meanwhile, Louis continues his press conference as the new president of his adoptive father's business, the Horns Conglomerate, where he openly speaks about the black market and accuses members of the press of having been to it alongside other carnivores in the city.

Consequentially, the madness transpiring in the black market begins in the city streets, with a battle for supremacy between carnivores and herbivores. The rain causes a blackout that gives the former group an advantage, with the current Beastar, Yahya, the horse, walking between them as a gesture to the carnivores. The power does return, with Legoshi continuing his battle with Melon; the Shishi-gumi also use Legoshi's rabbit trainer, Kyu, as bait, in which case she attempts to escape. Louis is eventually forced from his address for inciting riots, although the Shishi-gumi come to his rescue, the police giving chase as well.

The twenty-first volume ends with Legoshi and Melon's battle undecided, with Itagaki afterward including story panels where she ponders the conclusion of her manga, along with brief bios of the Inari-gami and Madara-gami. Following these is a Japanese word chain game and a list of the background music the mangaka listened to while producing her series. In summation, this entry of the Beastars series is enjoyable as its precursors, with endearing characters, action, and twists. However, as before, Itagaki ignores the gray area between carnivores and herbivores since omnivores do appear outside the human race in the animal kingdom.

[Balerion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5

Oh man, what a volume! It’s all led up to this massive fight between Legoshi and Melon and I’m loving it.

I will point out the one thing I didn’t care for though, which was Legoshi crossdressing to feel more like a woman while fighting the Inari-gumi. It just seemed random and unnecessary. I feel like it would have been better if he could fight them as equals, would have shown good character development since he’s always been weird around women. But sadly he’s still the same in that regard. This is the only reason why I’m rating this a 4.5, other than that this volume is perfect.

But that is my only complaint, the rest of the volume was fantastic! We learn more about Melons past yet again and it becomes all the more clear as to why he is so deranged and disturbed, what he went through during his childhood is truly fucked up. Speaking of Melon, I love the metamorphosis he has made into being more like his carnivorous side. He looks truly menacing now.

I also love that Louis is exposing people to the truth that is the black market and how so many carnivores eat meat still. He’s not being accusatory, he’s just being real with people who will rather hide behind their illusion of what they think the world is like. The Shishigumi coming for Louis’ rescue was one my favourite scenes. Also when they called Louis their prince made me so happy. I love that Louis has this harem of lions who care about him so much lol.

Oh side note but Pina visiting Riz is the sweetest thing ever!! I love these little moments showing Pina being a good guy, he’s still a player but he’s got a good heart lol.

Finally that reveal at the end!?! Melons dad isn’t dead??! I wonder, if this is true if that could end the violence, or is Melon too far gone to be saved? I’m crossing my fingers because I would love some sort of redemption, but I’m not sure if it’s possible. Will just have to find out!!

I can’t believe it’s all almost over, I don’t want it to end!!

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

LEGOSHI IN DRAG... TWO!!

God, what a volume. We finally see one of our bottom lines laid out clearly. Even though carnivores crave meat... that doesn't make them bad people. Most people want to live in harmony and don't want to hurt anyone, or discriminate against anyone. And even if carnivores go to the black market, they care about the herbivores around them, and want to protect and take care of them, struggling with their instincts.
When you try to keep something natural hidden away and secret, it can threaten to consume you whole, and become the forefront of your mind. It seems to be that way with carnivores and eating meat. Eating meat is something that can't be discussed out in the open, which can lead it to becoming a secret obsession.

I felt weirdly touched when I saw Pina and Riz hanging out in this volume. Riz is a pretty horrible person, but just like all other carnivores, he was struggling with his instincts too, and with the fact that he was actually horribly lonely. Pina considers Riz his first friend, and of course he's seen all the most horrible sides of Riz since Riz threatened to kill him and almost did... so he knows exactly who Riz is without Riz having to pretend, exactly like he wanted with Tem. It touches my heart deeply while still being so tragic.

[Estibaliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25

5 visible stars only because, you know, I'm a Beastars fan... but I have to say, even though this volume was fun and action-packed, there was one moment that didn't work for me at all, and I actually found kind of annoying and pointless, if not plain diminishing. And yes, you guessed it, it's Legoshi's crossdressing as a way to be able to overcome his inability to fight females (???). Like a dress and heels is what defines a girl (rolling my eyes).

I do love this series, but I think it's been loosing its focus a little bit lately, so I might be ready for the final volume, though a bit scared of what Itagaki is going to do to wrap everything up. Also, the fact the blurb for the next volume defines it as a bittersweet ending, is not really encouraging.

Still, Legoshi, Louis, and co. will be forever in my heart.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legoshi has triumphed over the Domo-gumi and has moved on to the Inari-gumi (Fox gang) that is all female. Again, Legoshi is a good boy but I had to put the book down for a second.

Meanwhile, Melon (and the Shishigumi) face off against the Madara-gumi (Jaguar gang) as Melon remembers his childhood trauma.

Meanwhile, meanwhile, Louis is inciting the media by speaking hard truths that few want to think about.

Meanwhile, meanwhile, meanwhile, Yahya and Gosha are dealing with a riot just outside the Black Market where herbivores and carnivores are battling.

There's A LOT going on in this volume which is understandable since the next one is supposed to be the last. Go, Legoshi, GO!

This series has 22 volumes.

[Rowan bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Rating of whole series*

Never expected a book about a troubled anthropomorphic wolf who's in love with a rabbit half his size would be one of the best things iv'e ever read. Beastars has so many elements that make it so good like romance, psychological horror, action and diversity. I believe Beastars uses anthropomorphic animals as not only a stylistic choice,but to depict an allegory of gender dynamics. I felt Beastars was very interesting, funny and shocking with good pacing. This overall created a really surprising reading experience. All the characters are dynamic and complex with personal conflicts, goals and aspirations that make this story so addicting. The only reason this book isn't a 5/5 is due to the rushed ending and the flood of character introductions near the end.

[Paracosm · Rating 4 out of 5]

30-07-2024 / 3-08-2024
The final combat has started, finally. I do wish all these new characters had been introduced beforehand, not just right now, but Im not gonna ask for much. What I do wish is that Haru was present, AT ALL. We dont even get her POV. It bothers me that a random rabbit that was introduced two volumes ago has more importance in the finale than Haru. Who was a main character for half the series. I also wish Gosha and Yahya were doing anything at all, besides stand there.

Louis gives a speech that sends the entire city into a riot. Im baffled about how the herbivores are suprised about the black market. Thats a secret that would involve half the nations population to shut up, theres no way nobody talked. The hand holding part was kinda cute.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh... Hermano, si pasan de un personaje a otro, obviamente se va a perder el hilo de la trama(? Cómo pasó la coneja a ser socia de los leones? Hubiera estado interesante saber. Cómo se agarraron las manos en la oscuridad? Eran colo herbívoros o todos los animales en general? En fin, por ahora, o para siempre, preguntas sin respuestas.
Me queda un tomo y espero que se tome su tiempo y no sea tan apresurado como este. En su afán de cerrar todo, saltan de uno a otro sin parar y al final terminan no contando nada. Lo unico seguro es que están moliendo a palos al prota y es el que menos apareció en este tomo 😅

[Timothy Pitkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good volume as we are finally at the main fight between Legosi and Melon. Also, I do love that the Shishigumi is showing their absolute loyalty to Louis and I do hope that they return ,maybe they could come back as Louis security team seeing as he is the C.E.O. of a big company. There are many other great moments like the idea that the carnivores are holding hands with the herbivores during the black out without realizing it showing that the society does want peace between the two sides.

[MoonMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The manga takes a turn to character interactions a bit more in this volume, before the finale and conclusion in the next volume.

I'm one to like dialog and reactions among characters, so this was a nice break from the constant battles and fighting which occurred in the previous volumes.

I'm excited to see what the ending will be next time, at the same time I wish there was more BEASTARS on the way. Sometimes a story having its definite conclusion is good. I guess I'll find out in the next volume though once it is released.