Beastars, vol. 19

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- Beastars, vol. 19. Paru Itagaki. 

C. 161

- The ideological clash between Kyuu and Legosi: The first tries to assault and provoke him to make him react, but the second is only interested in his ideas about fragility. 

162 

- The origin of Melon, his story with his mother. At first glance it is an horrific tale straight out of a slasher or a serial killer thriller. But certain details suggest Melon’s narration is not entirely accurate. For example, the fact that his mother does not react at all when he attacks her. As Melon himself describes it, it is dreamlike at times. Or nightmare-like. 

163 

- Indeed, Agata wonders if Melo’s story was real or invented. 

- Next we’re shown Agata’s origin, wherein it becomes clear that his entire life he’s been lead by what others expect of him, even if he himself doesn’t believe in it. Be it because of his species, his fur color, or his position in a hierarchy. 

- Even at the end he ends up doing as ordered by what is almost a revenant, a zombie: Dolph, back from the dead seemingly and urging Melon to attack him with a hacksaw or a chainsaw. “I can take it!” he claims. 

164 

- Yafya and Gosha: A meeting between old friends, close to a reconciliation. But old friends involved in very dangerous things, from Melon to poison that bleed clean through four stories. 

165 

- Death of Oguma, who in the end was an extremely pitiful man. His every relationship was determined by how much money were they worth, and he never held his adoptive son until the very last moment. 

166 

- More world-building: This herbivore festival. But under Louis and Haru’s skeptical gaze, there is little spirituality and a lot of commercialism here. It’s attended due to social custom and family traditions. 

- It’s also a meeting between Louis and Haru, each carrying their own obsessions and traumas. 

167 

- A transitional chapter: From Louis and Haru reconnecting to the strange competition between Melon and Legosi. 

168 

- A bizarre duel that parodies Japanese game shows. But it also illustrates the difference between these two: Melon has hard data, but Legosi better understands the ways in which different species may relate to each other. 

169

- Finally, we see the deep resentment Kyuu houses. She can’t stand not being Gouhin’s only disciple and then tries to attack a stranger based solely on a wound he has that she takes a sign of sexual conquest. 

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