BEASTARS will finally return in December

In a significant announcement for anime enthusiasts, Netflix has confirmed the global premiere of BEASTARS Final Season Part 1 on December 5, 2024. The critically acclaimed series, based on Paru Itagaki’s manga, enters its final chapter with unprecedented stakes and complex narrative developments.

The conclusion will be presented in two parts, with Part 1 launching globally on Netflix’s streaming platform. The series continues its exploration of the delicate balance between carnivores and herbivores, now focusing on escalating societal tensions and mysterious “devouring incidents” that threaten to unravel years of peaceful coexistence.

Cast and Character Developments

A stellar lineup of voice acting talent joins the final season:

• Shinichiro Miki steps into the crucial role of Yahya, the current Beastar whose leadership philosophy differs significantly from his predecessors
• Veteran actor Shigeru Chiba portrays Gosha, a Komodo dragon with a complex past tied to the Beastar system
• Koji Okino brings life to Melon, a mysterious figure operating within the criminal underworld
• Tessho Genda voices Sagwan, a bearded seal whose age remains unknown
• Fumiko Orikasa joins as Seven, a Merino sheep representing the corporate world’s integration of herbivores

Production Excellence Continues

The final season maintains its high production values with the return of the original creative team:

• Director: Shinichi Matsumi (known for Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko)
• Script Supervision: Nanami Higuchi (Little Witch Academia)
• Character Design: Nao Ootsu (Banana Fish)
• CG Direction: Eiji Inomoto (Ghost in the Shell Arise)
• Musical Score: Satoru Kousaki (Monogatari Series)

Studio Orange continues its remarkable work on the series’s distinctive visual style, blending traditional anime aesthetics with modern 3D animation techniques.

New Story Elements

• Legoshi’s integration into broader society following his departure from Cherryton Academy
• Investigation of mysterious “devouring incidents” threatening social stability
• Exploration of the Beastar system’s origins and current role in society
• Continued development of relationships between Legoshi, Haru, and Louis
• Introduction of new locations and social dynamics beyond the academy setting

Musical Enhancement

The season features a new ending theme, “Feel Like This” by YU-KA, carefully chosen to reflect the series’s concluding themes and emotional resonance.

Anime’s Impact

“BEASTARS has consistently challenged viewers to examine prejudice, social hierarchy, and personal identity,” notes the production committee. “This final season elevates these themes to their natural conclusion, providing both resolution and deeper questioning of societal structures.”

International Reception

The series has garnered significant international acclaim for its mature handling of complex themes and unique visual presentation. Netflix’s simultaneous global release strategy reflects the show’s widespread appeal and cultural impact.

Future Implications

While Part 2’s release date remains unannounced, industry observers anticipate its arrival will complete one of anime’s most ambitious explorations of social dynamics and personal growth. The series’s conclusion is expected to influence future anime productions addressing mature themes and social commentary.

Beastars Synopsis

In a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, herbivores and carnivores coexist with each other. For the teenagers at Cherryton Academy, school life is full of hope, romance, mistrust and restlessness. The main character of this story is the wolf Regoshi, a member of the drama club. Despite his threatening appearance, he has a very soft heart and character. Throughout most of his life, he has always been the object of fear and hatred from other animals and has been accustomed to that lifestyle. But soon, he finds himself increasingly involved with his classmates who have their own insecurities and realizes that his life at school will take an important turn.