Beastars Creator’s New Manga Has a “Venom” Twist

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Peru Itagaki achieved great success by crafting an anime universe where predator and prey lived together, much like our own world. Beastars, now in its final season on Netflix, continues to build upon the series that introduced many anime fans to the tale of Legosi and Haru. However, this doesn’t signal the end of Itagaki’s career. In fact, the creator is currently working on a fresh manga titled “Taika’s Reason” which features a concept reminiscent of Marvel’s Eddie Brock’s symbiote. Symbiosis is no stranger to anime, and Itagaki is skillfully employing it in the upcoming “Taika’s Reason”.

For those who haven’t encountered the well-known anime series Beastars yet, it revolves around the complex relationship between Legosi, a wolf, and Haru, a rabbit, who are characters in a school setting where carnivores and herbivores coexist. A murder mystery looms over their harmonious existence. The creator of Beastars, Peru Itagaki, has concluded the series, and the anime adaptation from Studio Orange is trying to catch up with the final season which debuted on Netflix recently. Itagaki’s latest manga may not share the same universe, but it appears that the artist intends to explore similar themes in his new work.

Taika’s Reason: A Symbiotic Romp

In the fresh manga by Itagaki, titled “Taika’s Reason“, we encounter a unique bond between humans and beasts that deviates significantly from the Eddie Brock-alien suit dynamic. The central character, Ao, is in an unusual predicament, being tied metaphorically to Taika, a dogman inhabitant of a world filled with both dogmen and catmen. An intriguing plot unfolds as Taika, the dogman, kills Ao’s father, causing her to conceal the gruesome details.

When it’s decided to turn the family pet into a “dogman,” the animal seems to struggle with concealing its remorse. Unlike Ao who doesn’t wear an alien suit enhancing her abilities, she must cope with this creature bound to her arm due to their mutual secret. In Japan, the initial chapter of the manga has dropped, so for those anticipating an animated version, it may take a while before we see Taika’s Reason on television if ever.

Anime Runs in The Itagaki Family

Interestingly enough, Peru Itagaki joins the ranks of his family as the creator of another breathtaking anime series. Notably, their father, Keisuke Itagaki, is the mastermind behind “Baki The Grappler.” Intriguingly, this earlier work has also been adapted into an anime and can be found on Netflix. Although the themes and styles of these two franchises differ greatly, it’s not impossible to imagine a collaboration in the future—after all, the world of anime is full of unexpected twists!

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2025-01-18 19:41