10 Books/Manga Like Beastars
Beastars is a popular psychological drama written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. This story takes place in a world filled with anthropomorphic animals and follows the relationship between a wolf named Legoshi and a bunny named Haru.
It was serialized In Akita Shoten’s Weekly Shonen Champion from September 2016 to October 2020. It spawned over 22 volumes and even received two anime seasons on Netflix that were praised for their storytelling and great use of CGI animation.
If you’re in the mood for more psychological or dramatic books/manga that offers a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Beastars. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
Tokyo Ghoul – Sui Ishida
Similarities – Themes
Tokyo Ghoul and Beastars are two manga that benefitted from their stellar anime adaptations. These interpretations allowed them to flourish and receive more attention from manga enthusiasts. Tokyo Ghoul offers various themes that Beastars’ enjoyers will find appealing. Like Legoshi, Tokyo Ghoul’s Kaneki lives in a divided society where social outcasts are commonplace.
Kaneki must learn to cope with his carnivorous intent as Legoshi does in Beastars, too. Both mangas offer a unique spin on this concept, though. Where Beastars features a world filled with anthropomorphic creatures, Tokyo Ghoul delivers a set split between humans and ghoul-like creatures. The hatred between both factions is similar.
The humans engage in arguments and fights with the ghouls, while the herbivores in Beastars are very cautious around their carnivorous classmates and neighbors. Both series contain extreme violence, but Tokyo Ghoul feels more gore-centric than Beastars. If you’re looking for an incredible manga that tackles similar ideas as Beastars, Tokyo Ghoul’s worth your time.
Dorohedoro – Q Hayashida
Similarities – Characters
Dorohedoro is a chaotic, action-heavy manga that will get your heart pumping. It offers a well-written story with characters who have excellent personalities. It takes place in a fantasy setting separated by two different areas. One is classified as the Hole, a worn-out environment filled with badly mutated organisms that magic users experiment on.
Our protagonist Caiman resides here. He’s a reptile man immune to magic who wants to meet specific magic users who can cure him of his illness. Despite the numerous obstacles that stand in his way, Caiman’s need to feast provides him with the most challenge. Luckily, he’ll receive a helping hand from a restaurant owner named Nikaidou.
Beastars and Dorohedoro feature characters who struggle with their identities and need assistance navigating the intricate landscapes they inhabit. Both authors know how to balance their series’ dark moments with their lighthearted ones. Humor is implemented to lighten both series’ moods and to provide readers with a break from their mature themes. Dorohedoro is more action-oriented and its art style looks grittier than Beastars. If this sounds enticing to you, I’d recommend reading Dorohedoro.
Death Note – Tsugumi Oba
Similarities – Psychological Concepts
Death Note is a popular work from Shonen Jump known for its captivating twists, gripping plot, and intelligent characters. Readers will be excited to explore another series that tackles complex themes and provides them with morally ambiguous characters. Death Note and Beastars explore the consequences that stem from wielding immense power and how it affects the society they’re a part of.
What drives Light is his constant need to feel like the number one authority figure. However, Paru Itagaki showcases how her characters in Beastars navigate the power dynamic between carnivores and herbivores. Death Note’s characters and setting differ drastically from Beastars, though. Light feels more egotistical and maniacal compared to Legoshi.
To some extent, he acts more like an antagonist than a protagonist you’d want to root for. Despite having a supernatural spin, Death Note takes place in an urban setting dominated by humans. As for Beastars, it’s full of anthropomorphic creatures and adopts more drama and romance elements compared to Death Note which leads more into its thriller aspects. However, if you’re after another well-crafted manga that examines the intricacies of morality, power, and societal norms, Death Note’s worth checking out.
Pluto – Naoki Urasawa & Osamu Tezuka
Similarities – Societal Commentary
Pluto is a unique work by Naoki Urasawa. It takes one of Osamu Tezuka’s classic stories and provides a dark and mature take on it. Specifically, Pluto provides a mature reimagining of Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy, preferably, “The Greatest Robot On Earth” story arc. This interpretation provides readers with an excellent cast, a beautiful sci-fi setting, and well-drawn action scenes.
It’s set in a world where robots and humans grieve over Montblanc’s death. He was a beloved Swiss Robot with great qualities and a goal to preserve nature conservation. A war veteran and detective named Gesicht investigates Montblanc’s demise and receives knowledge about the entity Pluto. He also learns of a ploy to dismantle the eight robots who fought alongside Montblanc in a war.
To protect the peace between humans and robots, Gesicht must thwart these evil villains’ plans. This is another story of an unjust society centered around two different branches of life. Where Beastars focuses on the discrimination between carnivores and herbivores, Pluto commentates on the angst and disgust between humans and machines. With its thought-provoking concepts, philosophical explorations, and engaging art style, you’ll enjoy this legendary work.
Attack On Titan – Hajime Isayama
Similarities – Drama & Themes
Newcomers probably know Attack On Titan more than Beastars. It’s a popular manga that served as a gateway for modern anime and manga enthusiasts due to its stellar anime adaptations by Wit Studio and Mappa. Attack On Titan feels more action-packed and horrific compared to Beastars, the two manga share some similarities with each other.
Both mangas explore the complex emotional and psychological states of their characters. You’ll bare witness to many characters in Attack On Titan grappling with their identity, beliefs, and the world around them. Societal conflict also plays a role in both narratives. This is shown through the rise of suspicion between humans and animal-like creatures.
At the same time, Attack On Titan offers grittier content than Beastars. Readers will be speechless at how many times Hajime Isayama places his cast in unsettling and graphical scenarios. Be it death or dispute over different beliefs, you’ll be amazed by the level of danger that Attack On Titan’s cast finds themselves in. If you’re looking for a story with a rich world full of death, mystery, and horror, Attack On Titan is worth checking out.
Beast Complex – Paru Itagaki
Similarities – Same Universe & Author
Beast Complex is another great animal-centric manga written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. Unlike Beastars, Beast Complex offers a collection of side stories. However, it focuses on the lives of anthropomorphic creatures who reside in an environment not too far off from our world just like Beastars. Expect the settings in Beast Complex to feel more mature, though.
Beast Complex does an excellent job of delving into the intricacies of its society and exploring how each species interacts with the other. Furthermore, Legoshi harbors similar traits to the multiple characters who appear in Beast Complex. There’s also a relationship between a camel and a wolf that somewhat mirrors the romance between Haru and Legoshi well.
Both stories examine the morality and ethics of their character’s actions with their respective locations, too. While Beastars is targeted toward a high school crowd, Beast Complex seems to target adults due to it having more mind-numbing concepts and darker themes. If you adored what Beastars was able to achieve then you’ll love Beast Complex too.
Hedgehog Harry – Matsuri Muramatsu
Similarities – Slice of Life
If Beast Complex was the adult version of Beastars, Hedgehog Harry feels like the child version of it. This is another manga that features a cast of animals who think and talk like humans. Despite being targeted toward children, Hedgehog Harry touches upon discrimination among the different species of critters that inhabit its world.
It doesn’t explore this concept as heavily as Beastars, but those who adored Beastars for its bold stance on it will appreciate what Hedgehog Harry attempts to achieve with its narrative. Hedgehog Harry’s protagonist Harry is outgoing, adventurous, and more naive than Legoshi. He’ll get into all types of trouble but isn’t afraid to tackle situations head-on.
Harry’s companions are just as fun and exciting to follow as Legoshi’s. His friend group consists of herbivores and carnivores like Legoshi’s and it’s always pleasing to see them interact with each other. This manga takes place primarily in the forest, unlike Beastars which has our characters going to school and getting into dramatic scenarios. If you’re looking for a family-friendly and lighthearted version of Beastars to read, Hedgehog Harry should suffice.
The Great Catsby – Doha Kang
Similarities – Drama
The Great Catsby is a webtoon with an anthropomorphic cast. It contains intense drama, memorable characters, and a realistic setting. Unlike Beastars, it offers a world full of cats. The cats participate in mundane human activities like attending work and spending time with their families in large households. The story takes place in a mature office setting and follows a nobody named Catsby.
Catsby lives a horrible life. His girlfriend left him, he’s a known alcoholic, and doesn’t know how to proceed with his life. Readers will examine how miserable his life will get as the series flies by. Like Beastars, this story dives into the complexities of one’s society and how it affects our protagonist’s mental state. It explores themes involving friendship, love, and acceptance.
As its name implies, readers can expect The Great Catsby to offer nods to the classic literature book, The Great Gatsby. Catsby and other characters receive excellent development throughout the story thanks to Doha King’s implementing meaningful challenges and societal issues that will push them forward. For those who want a story geared toward adults, check out The Great Catsby.
Odd Taxi – Kazuya Konomoto
Similarities – Animals, Tone, Themes
Odd Taxi receives immense praise for its strong mystery elements. It takes wholesome-looking creatures and implements them into a captivating narrative that will leave you impressed. It takes place in a world with animals who assume human-like roles in society. From attending stores to working in government offices, there’s no telling what you can expect from this world.
Our protagonist, Horisho, works as a taxi driver and spends his days picking people up and dropping them at their destination. The stories his passengers tell him will give Horisho a new perspective on life. It’s these casual interactions that make up some of Odd Taxi’s defining moments. Some stories will be lighthearted fun while others will make you cry.
Odd Taxi and Beastars explore themes revolving around identity, prejudice, and societal norms. Where Beastares highlights discrimination and segregation, Odd Taxi delves into mental health, loneliness, and social isolation. Odd Taxi offers stronger mystery aspects than Beastars, though. Nonetheless, you’ll find yourself enjoying what Kazuya Konomoto delivers in this work.
Devils’ Line – Ryo Hanada
Similarities – Themes, Romance, Drama
Devils’ Line is a fun action manga featuring a divide between humans and devils. It’s similar to Beastars in that regard but feels more action-packed. Readers will enjoy this series for its characters and the relationship that blossoms between its protagonist and his love interest. The story is set in a world where vampires walk the Earth, but can withhold their bloodlust.
However, if they’re pushed far enough they will attack anyone. At the center of it all is Taira, a university student who learns that her friend is a vampire. Taira’s buddy gets arrested but she becomes infatuated with Anzai, a human and vampire hybrid. Although things go well for the two, Anzai will struggle to keep his vampire instincts in check.
As one can tell, Anzai and Taira’s relationship mirrors that of Legoshi and Haru. Although the male protagonist loves his helpless mate, he’ll have to hold back his carnivorous instincts to keep the relationship healthy. Furthermore, Devils’ Line contains some pleasing fights like Beastars but takes it a step further with the violence. You’ll adore Ryou Hanada’s illustrations in Devils’ Line, too. Give this a read if you’re looking for a manga that’s slightly identical to Beastars.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Beastars.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!