beastars i feel had such great potential, but is spoiled by the lackluster ending.

spoilers from this point forward. skip to summary

i started reading this after watching season 1 of the anime, because i could not wait for more of this world.

-characters

beastars has strong compelling characters that i want to see more of.
louis has one of the most interesting backstories and motivations in this manga by far. he reminds me of jean from aot, asshole-to-team-player arc, that was incredibly well done. you really notice when he starts to care for legoshi haru and juno, and the father figures of his life. why would he end up with the other deer? that does not make any sense to his character, he is literally helping his best friend end tension between herbivores and carnivores, and goes all this way to help save haru back at the beginning but then does not end up with juno?

-world building

the concept of a beastar, and the introduction of yahya (yafya?) was well done. connecting him to legoshi and his family was great, and i loved the trauma and issues that the mixed children go through. it was raw, realistic, and i felt sadness for his mother and grandmother and their struggles.

but all this fighting and bloodshed and loss for LEGOSHI AND LOUIS TO NOT END UP AS BEASTARS TOGETHER? WHEN WE HAVE GOSHA AND YAFYA AS PARALELLS? stupid.

-summary

beastars was a great experience with highly compelling characters and setting, yet is ruined by a rushed ending that tries too hard to be shounen when it's clearly not. read beastars for complex characters and relationships, not for fight scenes. damn shame it ends this way, but enjoyable ride nonetheless. just imagine the ending arc as non-canon i think it's better this way.