Here is one of the secrets to its success: it's not really trying to make political statements about our world. The statements, or their exploration, are a product of creating a very strong world, inhabiting it with characters instead of caricatures, and then just setting the wheels in motion.
What is it exactly being a carnivore vs being a herbivore about? Is it something as simple as being strong vs being weak? Can't say it isn't. Is it also about being a man vs being a woman? Sure, sometimes. Is it belonging in a different race? Maybe, sometimes.
That is why it's potent. No direct comparisons can be made with our world, it's a much more organic experience. Scoring points by repeating your intended audience's politics back to them is easy, but Beastars wants to get to its truth, which might also be our truth sometimes.
It doesn't always work. Ibuki's arc in this season did not work for me at all. Louis's arc this season was hard to swallow in general. Haru, one of its best characters, was mostly absent. But, when Beastars works, there's nothing else like it. The way it revealed its secret was exemplary and so was most of its aftermath. The fact that we got to see five minutes devoted to Peach-chan and her friend defining the limits of their relationship by shopping and taking pictures together (characters that would be considered extras at best) with such heart and accuracy is nothing short of magical.
That is Beastars at its best. It's a work of art. Sometimes unwatchable. Many times excellent. Always proud to be what it is. Personal.
P.S. It looks great and probably has one of the best voice actor ensembles of all time.
