Change can be frightening, but it is inevitable. As scary as it sounds, it can also be incredibly exciting. You can discover something about yourself that you had never considered. We often do not choose when change happens and the only real choice left to us is learning how best to embrace it. Studio Trigger and Netflix have joined forces for their newest anime, BNA, or Brand New Animal. This exciting new anime from the makers of Promare and Kill La Kill is one of the best anime of 2020. Filled with incredible storytelling, animation, and characters, it really only falls short due to its length.
The Premise
Set in the near future, there exists two different types of people: Humans and Beastmen. Beastmen are humans born with the power to transform into anthropomorphic animal forms. From changing into dolphins to bulls to alligators to migratory birds, Beastmen have incredible abilities. As history has shown us, however, humans are resistant to and fearful of change. Feared and rejected, the Beastmen found Anima City, a massive metropolis dedicated exclusively to the Beastmen. It lies right across from mainland Japan, but it is ultimately sealed off from the human world. It is far from perfect, as only the strongest survive, but it is the only place that Beastmen can live without persecution from humans.
The Story
Michiru Kagemori (Cherami Leigh) sees this city as a potential oasis. Having suddenly become a Beastman herself, she flees to Anima City, meeting a mink named Marie in the process. Suddenly, a terrorist attack strikes during the 10th Anniversary Festival of Anima City. In the chaos of saving lives and stopping the perpetrator, Michiru meets Shiro (Ben Diskin). Having subdued the terrorists, Shiro is puzzled at the existence of Michiru. In this world, you are born either Beastmen or Human. No human changes into a Beastman later in life. Furthermore, unlike regular Beastmen, Michiru is able to isolate which parts of her body transform. For example, she could only grow a tail or a paw rather than fully transform.
Together, they embark on a quest to discover how Michiru gained her abilities. Along the way, they learn how to handle change, encounter discrimination, test their trust, and struggle to determine what “fighting for rights” truly means in an untamed world. Amidst all of this, they begin to uncover a dark and sinister plot that is slowly brewing.
Animation Style
As an action sci-fi anime, BNA features the incredible trademark animation that Studio Trigger is known for. Filled with a sublime amount of color and intriguing designs, the animation has an absolutely smooth and kinetic degree of action and momentum that carries throughout the series. BNA’s tremendous animation effects are raw and fierce, even when there is no combat or blatant action. The series captures striking moments of flight and swift movement, particularly in one episode that focused on baseball. Naturally, if viewers enjoyed Promare, BNA is right up their alley. The animal designs are tremendously dynamic and diverse, but not chaotic. Character designs are distinct, allowing viewers to properly identify who is who throughout the season.
Much the same can be said of the color palette. BNA focuses on an art design that some have said is reminiscent of the “synth wave” scene. Calming and whimsical landscapes are painted in vibrant neon colors and ’80s digital music set the tone. BNA feels as if each moment is an illustration in a graphic novel or a grand painting in an art gallery. The sound effects top-notch and BNA‘s music will be playing through my head for quite some time. I couldn’t help but remember other visually eclectic and strong pieces, like a Don Bluth film or the Disney sci-fi epic, Tron. It’s clear Studio Trigger had fun making BNA as well, as they planted Easter Eggs for their other works, such as Kill La Kill, Inferno Cop, and Little Witch Academia.
Character Traits
As for the action, BNA may not exactly compare to other Trigger anime, but it works and often incredibly well. Shiro is unafraid to bare their fangs, get physical, and brutalize those who tick him off. Michiru likewise uses her special abilities to great flair and affect. For one, she can supersize her arms into “Gorilla Arms,” giving her massive strength that she uses to destroy obstacles. She similarly uses her tanuki powers to expand her tail and use it as a pendulum to break free of a small prison.
BNA notably has no fan service, which featured more prominently in previous Studio Trigger works. While I have no problems with fan service or lack thereof, BNA presents itself as a great entry point for those new to the anime medium.
Narrative
Great visuals can only carry a story so far, so it helps that the story is solid, albeit unfocused, and short. BNA also does a laudable job of addressing various themes in addition to racism and discrimination. The season touches on racial policy, genocide, big pharma, cultural resentment, border disputes, terrorism, and the overall exploitation of marginalized communities. It’s impressive how BNA tackles these topics and interweaves them into the main story of Michiru, Shiro, and, later on, Nazuna.
Through the lens of the show, these issues reveal and illustrate their inherent complexity. One such question explores equal rights made between Humans and Beastmen. If those “equal rights” lock out the migratory patterns of Migratory Bird Beastmen, then is it true equality? Can strict borders and keeping an entire demographic contained in one place make a cultural paradise? At what point does freedom fighting become terrorism? Considering the times in which we live, BNA is a thoroughly culturally relevant anime. BNA‘s plot will linger with viewers for quite some time.
Ultimately, it is a story change: Identifying change, learning about change, and embracing that change. It is about determining what kind of beast, or person, you want to be and how to redefine what is normal for a better world.
Voice Acting
BNA has a top-notch voice acting for its English Dub. Cherami Leigh aces Michiru. Her poise, aggression, and emotional vulnerability are brilliant in her role as Michiru. As someone that recently watched the first two seasons of Sword Art Online for the very first time, seeing her as Michiru and not SAO‘s Asuna was a surprise and a welcome one. Cherami has a way of evoking a character’s courage and their will to fight for what is right.
Ben Diskin has miraculously found himself in the Netflix Furry Trifecta. Before playing BNA’s Shiro, he was Haida in Aggretsuko and Jack in BeastStars. As Shiro, Ben becomes a less talkative, tough type, lending authenticity to Shiro’s size and sheer strength. His voice works extremely well for capturing Shiro’s rage, internal conflict, and his strong, authoritative tone. He can demonstrate vulnerability as well, as Shiro attempts to learn more about Michiru and her role in this world of Humans and Beastmen. Diskin noticeably grows into his character as the season progresses.
Nazuna the pink wolf and Micheru’s best friend is voiced by Xanthe Huynh. She has voiced a variety of characters in games and anime, including Sword Art Online. Nazuna does not become a main character until halfway through the season, but her chemistry with Michiru is infectious. The two tumble through heartbreak and friendship, conflict and resolution, and other moments that truly swell the heart.
Reba Buhr stars as Marie, the Mink. While she is more of a supporting character, Reba’s performance as the secretive Mink is also positive and enthusiastic. The supporting cast as a whole performs an admirable job as well.
Its Major Flaw
Brand New Animal would probably be the very best anime of 2020 if not for one aspect: The length. BNA is only twelve episodes long and is so energetically charged that it feels as if the ending comes too soon. BNA does so many things right, but we simply don’t have enough time to get lost in the world. The themes it establishes are powerful but could have been expanded upon.
We see a variety of terrestrial Beastmen, but we see only one aquatic Beastman in Episode 3. There must be more aquatic Beastmen out there whether in Anima City or elsewhere, but we never see them. Episode 5 is a slice-of-life episode that puts the main plot on the back burner in favor of Michiru joining bears to play baseball. Yet we don’t see more of this. Do the Beastmen of Anima City play other sports, play video games, or eat burgers? Do they work and, if so, where and how? What are the other sections of the city?
Fortunately, BNA ends conclusively, but the world is so inviting and vibrant that one can only hope that a second season or movie is on the way.
The Final Word
Brand New Animal lives up to the wild and untamed style Studio Trigger is known for. It’s a show that provides powerful and culturally relevant themes, a strong story, and amazing characters with top-notch performances. BNA amazes and dazzles with incredible action sequences and spectacular animation. It’s a show that taps into your feelings and encourages you to redefine what kind of person you want to be, to see the world in a different light, to adapt, and to make things better.
As someone who grew up on anthro shows like Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series and Swat Katz, seeing BNA filled me with great joy and excitement. We are beginning to see fully realized anthro creatures and in-depth worlds. The sub-genre is demonstrating how it can better reflect the world we live in while sharing the thrill of meeting new characters. BNA is exceptional for both those who are new to anime and those who are ready for a brand new experience.
Be the best Beastman you can be.
Learn more about Brand New Animal on the official website.
For more anime coverage, check out our review of the Studio Trigger film Promare, our thoughts on the beautiful Weathering With You, or the most recent film of the My Hero Academia series Heroes Rising.
