The impressive 3D style anime from Studio Orange, which deals with dark themes such as depression, sexuality, addiction, and racism, is slated for a 2024 release.
Another animated series has been cut from a major platformer, but this time it isn’t Warner Bros. Discovery’s fault. And at least this show will see some type of planned finale. The Twitter account for Netflix’s hit anime series Beastars recently announced that its third and final season is now in production and will premiere in 2024. While the cancellation was revealed in December 2021, fans can now rest assured that the series will still have its well-deserved last hurrah.
BEASTARS Animated Series, "Final Season" New Arc is confirmed! Scheduled for 2024! which will be available on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/Zlko5N2pgu
— Beastars (@beastarsanime) September 5, 2022
Based on the hit manga by Paru Itagaki, Beastars follows deep, compelling characters in a world full of anthropomorphic animals, much like Disney’s Zootopia. However, that is where the similarities end. This mature series deals with heavy topics such as depression, intimacy, sexuality, addiction, racism, and human trafficking. The protagonist Legoshi, a teenage wolf, must come to grips with the death of his herbivorous best friend while also developing feelings for a rabbit named Haru, whom he simultaneously wants to love and kill (Okay, a wolf and rabbit friendship is another similarity). In addition to its adult themes and fascinating story, the animation style of the anime has garnered both critical and audience acclaim.
While most anime projects feature 2D animation, Beastars features an impressive 3DCG style, as well as stop-motion, and even pop-up book style animation. According to the show’s leading English voice actor, Jonah Scott, “Studio Orange has taken incredible care into each frame and shot, and it does a lot for us as viewers and actors. Legoshi’s facial expressions were actually inspired by the original Japanese actor’s performance, like where his eyes would go and how his lips would pucker. When CGI is done right, and there are a few not done right, you really get the nuances there and that’s why people are saying this is unlike any other anime they’ve ever seen before.”
The anime’s first season boasts a 94% critical rating, with an audience score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, while season 2 holds a 76% audience score. Beastars was also awarded Best Opening Sequence, in addition to eight other nominations, at the 5th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Season 2 was recently nominated in three categories at the 6th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2022 but did not receive a win.
The experimental series is developed by the amazing Studio Orange, which is currently working on the upcoming project Trigun Stampede, a CGI reboot of the classic 90’s action anime of the same name.
Catch the final season of Beastars sometime in 2024 on Netflix.
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
