BEASTARS - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
The Moon
The moon symbolizes the awakening of carnivorous instincts and the loss of control.
It is most prominent when Legoshi first attacks Haru and during his final training phases, representing the raw, unavoidable truth of his predator nature that cannot be hidden by school uniforms.
The Stage / Drama Club
A metaphor for social performance and the roles animals are forced to play in society.
Much of the first season takes place within the club, where the literal acting on stage mirrors the figurative acting required of them to maintain the peace between species.
Eggs / Egg Sandwiches
Symbolizes restraint, routine, and the mundane side of carnivorous life.
Legoshi’s ritual of eating egg sandwiches every Friday represents his attempt to find a 'safe' and controlled way to satisfy his need for protein without causing harm to others.
The Black Market
Represents the repressed desires and the 'id' of the animal society.
It is the physical space where the society’s contradictions are laid bare—a place where herbivores are sold for meat while carnivores satisfy their forbidden urges in secret.
Philosophical Questions
Is true freedom the ability to follow your instincts or the ability to resist them?
The series explores this through Legoshi’s ascetic lifestyle versus Riz’s 'honesty' about his hunger, ultimately siding with the idea that restraint is the highest form of freedom.
Can a society be truly just if it requires the suppression of individual identity?
This is explored through the role of the 'Beastar,' a figurehead who must represent a perfect ideal that often ignores the messy reality of animal life.
Core Meaning
The core of BEASTARS is an exploration of the eternal conflict between biological nature and social morality. It posits that true character is defined not by the instincts one is born with, but by the conscious choices made to resist or channel those impulses. Through the lens of predator-prey dynamics, the creators examine the burden of strength, the resilience of the marginalized, and the hypocrisy of a 'perfect' society that survives by repressing its most basic truths. Ultimately, it suggests that coexistence requires the difficult, active work of understanding the 'other' without erasing the inherent differences that define them.