Beast Complex
Short stories set in the same world as Beastars, exploring carnivore-herbivore conflict.
Beast Complex (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. It is a compilation of short stories set in the same world as the series Beastars; its original run served as a predecessor for Beastars, and some of Beast Complex’s stories expand on characters from Beastars. The stories take place in a modern world occupied by anthropomorphized animals of various species. The animals are divided into carnivores and herbivores, and eating meat is illegal since it can only be sourced from anthropomorphic animals. Carnivores and herbivores often come into conflict due to the former's craving for meat. It was first serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from March 2016 to March 2019. In 2021, the series resumed serialization.
- Creator
- Paru Itagaki (Story & Art)
- Format
- Manga Anthology
- Publication Period
- 2016–2019
- Relation to Main Series
- Spin-off / Shared Universe
- Key Characters
- Various original protagonists and side characters
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The series began as a doujinshi created by Paru Itagaki in 2013 while studying filmography at Musashino Art University. She self-published it under the pen name 'Itagaki Hadome'. That doujinshi was a romance story about a wolf named Legoshi, who worked as a stylist assistant, and a rabbit named Haru. It had three volumes with three chapters each. Itagaki also made a short film adaptation of the series. The praise from her friends for the manga inspired her to become a mangaka. The doujinshi introduced characters and setting elements (such as a war resulting in the illegalization of meat and the creation of a black market to sell it) that would be reused in the 2016 series and Beastars. Otherwise, it is unrelated to the ongoing Beast Complex. In 2015, Itagaki began to work on the new Beast Complex. She published the first stories in Weekly Shonen Champion throughout 2016. It was originally intended to be a four volume limited series. Itagaki made Beastars in response to her editor asking for a longer and more sustainable story. During Beastars' run, three more Beast Complex stories were published. After Beastars concluded, it was announced that Beast Complex would restart to expand on the world of Beastars.
In Their Own Story
Stories 1-6 were published in Beast Complex volume 1. Stories 7-12 (and in the English version, story 14) were published in volume 2. Stories 13-19 were published in volume 3. Stories 20-25 were published in volume 4.
Reader's Guide
Beast Complex is a compilation of short stories set in the same world as Beastars. The stories take place in a modern world occupied by anthropomorphized animals of various species. The animals are divided into carnivores and herbivores, and eating meat is illegal since it can only be sourced from anthropomorphic animals. Carnivores and herbivores often come into conflict due to the former's craving for meat. The series was first serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion from March 2016 to March 2019. In 2021, the series resumed serialization. Some of Beast Complex’s stories expand on characters from Beastars.
Did You Know?
- Beast Complex was originally a doujinshi created by Paru Itagaki in 2013 while studying filmography at Musashino Art University, sold under the pen name 'Itagaki Hadome'.
- The original doujinshi was a romance story about a wolf named Legoshi (who worked as a stylist assistant) and a rabbit named Haru.
- The doujinshi introduced setting elements like a war resulting in the illegalization of meat and the creation of a black market, which were reused in Beastars.
- Beast Complex was originally intended to be a four volume limited series.
- After Beastars concluded, it was announced that Beast Complex would restart to expand on the world of Beastars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Beast Complex?
Beast Complex is not a single character but a spin-off manga anthology written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki. It serves as a gritty companion to the main series, exploring darker themes through interconnected short stories set in the same anthropomorphic world.
What are Beast Complex's powers or role?
As an anthology rather than a narrative about specific abilities, its role is to expand the universe beyond Cherryton Academy into society's criminal underbelly. It focuses on psychological thrillers and horror to reveal the savage psychology of species coexisting uneasily.
How does Beast Complex's story end?
Because it is an anthology of separate stories published between 2016 and 2019, there is no single overarching conclusion for the entire series. Instead, each individual chapter concludes its own specific narrative arc regarding its unique protagonists.
Why is Beast Complex important to fans?
It provides a mature, darker perspective on the world that contrasts with the school-focused main story by delving into crime and psychological drama. This spin-off deepens the lore by showing how the carnivore-herbivore conflict manifests in adult society outside of the academy.
Is Beast Complex part of the official Beastars canon?
Yes, it is an official manga series created by Paru Itagaki that shares the same universe and continuity as the main Beastars story. However, it functions as a standalone collection of side stories rather than continuing Legoshi's specific journey.
More in World & Setting
Elsewhere in the Beastars universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record