Beastars

In a world of herbivores and carnivores coexisting at Cherryton Academy, Beastars (2019–2023, Kazé Manga) follows the gentle gray wolf Legoshi as he grapples with his predatory instincts after a brutal murder shakes the school. This 22-issue manga series, originally serialized in Japan, is best known for the work of creator Paru Itagaki, whose nuanced storytelling explores prejudice, desire, and identity through the lens of anthropomorphic animals. It matters for its mature, psychological depth and its ability to use a high-school drama to examine real-world social tensions, earning a devoted international readership.