Name: The King’s Beast, Vol. 1
ISBN: 9781974725434

Rei Toma

Prince Tenyou is not what Rangetsu expected, and the political currents in the palace run deep and strange. Does Rangetsu have any chance of finding justice for her brother, or will she become just another Ajin casualty in the game of kings? -- VIZ Media

The King’s Beast, Vol. 1

A smoldering tale of romance and revenge set in the world of the New York Times best seller Dawn of the Arcana! Ajin boys who show signs of special abilities are conscripted to serve in the imperial palace as beast-servants—status symbols and shields for their royal masters, to be kept or discarded on a whim. When they were children, Rangetsu’s twin brother Sogetsu was ripped from her arms and sent to the palace to attend Prince Tenyou as a beast-servant, where he quickly fell victim to bloody dynastic intrigues. Now in a world that promises only bitterness, Rangetsu’s one hope at avenging her brother is to disguise herself as a man and find a way into the palace! Prince Tenyou is not what Rangetsu expected, and the political currents in the palace run deep and strange. Does Rangetsu have any chance of finding justice for her brother, or will she become just another Ajin casualty in the game of kings?

RAGHHAGHAGHGAHGAHGAHFA THANK YOU REI TOMA 

Katerina Thorson

4.5/5

Okay, so I would first like to say how absolutely stunning Rei Toma's artwork is. I mean it is out of this world gorgeous and I have never seen such beautiful scenes. My jaw dropped so many times when I would turn the pages to such gorgeous scenes and her characters are in such detail. I am also ashamed to say this is my first manga series by Toma that I have read. I heard The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 1 and Dawn of the Arcana, Vol. 1 are amazing as well and I have put them at the top of my to buy/to read list. 

This story follows Rangetsu an Ajin (human with animal features, like ears and tails, and some have special abilities/gifts) who has disguised herself as a boy to infiltrate the imperial palace as a King's Beast to avenge her twin brother's death. Toma also delves into the second class nature that these Ajin face. If young boys show that they have special abilities as Ajin they are enlisted into the army and young girls tend to be sold into sex work, brothels, or other awful situations. Which is exactly what Rangetsu escapes from when her mother attempts to sell her to a brothel. 

Since I have not read Dawn of the Arcana I don't entirely know if I am missing any background information; however, Toma does an amazing job at explaining the world in this manga and the classism of the Ajin and Humans. 

The story flowed so wonderfully and I found myself turning the pages so fast wanting to know what happens and see the relationship between Rangetsu and Prince Tenyou develop. I want to know more about Rangetsu's past, her time in the training camps, and how she came to be one of the best fighters amongst most of the Ajin. 

I can't wait to delve into the next volume, it definitely was a great start to a new series!

A smoldering tale of romance and revenge set in the world of the New York Times best seller Dawn of the Arcana! Ajin boys who show signs of special abilities are conscripted to serve in the imperial palace as beast-servants—status symbols and shields for their royal masters, to be kept or discarded on a whim. When they were children, Rangetsu’s twin brother Sogetsu was ripped from her arms and sent to the palace to attend Prince Tenyou as a beast-servant, where he quickly fell victim to bloody dynastic intrigues. Now in a world that promises only bitterness, Rangetsu’s one hope at avenging her brother is to disguise herself as a man and find a way into the palace! Rangetsu knows she must keep a low profile in the palace if she’s to have any hope of tracking down her brother’s killer. But when an Ajin is wrongly accused of murder, can Rangetsu stand idly by when she knows that Prince Tenyou has the power to prevent another horrible injustice?

The King's Beast, Vol. 2

5/5

The development of the story and characters continue to grow as we are given the next volume of The King's Beast. For the first time in her life, Rangetsu is questioning her own thoughts and feelings on the ability to trust someone. Most of her life is built on lies, pain, and suffering and giving in to that feeling of trust, especially to a prince of the Imperial Palace is hard. However, now her life has two priorities getting her revenge for the death of her brother and protecting the prince she is coming to trust. 

We were also introduced to more of the imperial family with the first prince and his Ajin. I absolutely laughed at Ran's reaction to the first prince's Ajin and how she is like "he's so weak". Toma definitely knows how to add in comic relief when the story around the characters is just so dark. Rangetsu also seems to be the first individual to ever push the first prince on his actions or lack of actions when it comes to the wrongfully accused ajin. Especially after the first prince get's a court case where a young female Ajin is accused of murder and he automatically says "guilty" without even looking it over. 

There is so much potential with all of these characters and I can definitely see Rangetsu getting that chance at a "found family" and having other's who want to protect her just as much. However, the drama is just unfolding since Prince Tenyou's personal messenger has found out her secret identity and she is still bent on avenging her twin brothers death. 

And now I have to wait until December for Volume 3's English translation!!! I don't think I can wait that long. Toma's artwork and storytelling is just so amazing and I just need everything that she creates.

Haya

Growing up, Mulan was my favorite princess so I’ve always loved the women in disguise trope. However, the storyline is quiet predictable and I’m not compelled to pick up the second volume.

Lorien O'Brien

Rangetsu hasn’t given up on vengeance, but nothing about the imperial palace is simple. Now that she knows and trusts Prince Tenyou, she has come to see that her most important duty is to keep him alive for the sake of all Ajin—even at the cost of her own life! -- VIZ Media

The King’s Beast, Vol. 3

Takecia Bright

Someone in the imperial palace is trying to kill Prince Tenyou, and Rangetsu has reason to believe it might be the icy third prince, Kougai. When things turn violent on the jiju field, Rangetsu decides to confront Prince Kougai directly—and ends up as the prize in a wager between royal brothers! -- VIZ Media

The King’s Beast, Vol. 4

Female Ajin are prohibited from serving in the palace, and so Rangetsu’s revenge depends on her ability to maintain her ruse. But when the attendant Taihaku discovers the truth and Third Prince Kougai’s suspicious are roused, will Rangetsu lose her place by Prince Tenyou’s side as well as her chance at vengeance? -- VIZ Media

The King’s Beast, Vol. 5

A smoldering tale of romance and revenge set in the world of the New York Times best seller Dawn of the Arcana! Ajin boys who show signs of special abilities are conscripted to serve in the imperial palace as beast-servants—status symbols and shields for their royal masters, to be kept or discarded on a whim. When they were children, Rangetsu’s twin brother Sogetsu was ripped from her arms and sent to the palace to attend Prince Tenyou as a beast-servant, where he quickly fell victim to bloody dynastic intrigues. Now in a world that promises only bitterness, Rangetsu’s one hope at avenging her brother is to disguise herself as a man and find a way into the palace! Rangetsu hasn’t given up on vengeance, but nothing about the imperial palace is simple. Now that she knows and trusts Prince Tenyou, she has come to see that her most important duty is to keep him alive for the sake of all Ajin—even at the cost of her own life!