The Ending Of Beastars Season 2 Explained

"Beastars" is one of the most unique anime series that Netflix has in its extensive collection. Taking place in a world where anthropomorphic carnivores and herbivores live side-by-side, "Beastars" follows Legoshi, a grey wolf who must overcome his natural instincts in favor of his desire to protect those weaker than him. Meanwhile, a red deer named Louis is forced to make great sacrifices in order to take control of the Black Market that has dominated his life ever since he was a child.

The Netflix anime is adapted from Paru Itagaki's manga of the same name, which debuted in 2016. In a 2020 interview with Otaquest, Itagaki credits Disney and her crush on "The Lion King" villain Scar as a catalyst that led to the creation of "Beastars." The anime adaptation premiered in Japan in October 2019 and was released internationally on Netflix in 2020 (via What's On Netflix).

The second season of "Beastars" is just as shocking as the first. In the final episode, Legoshi faces off against Riz, the carnivore who murdered Tem before the start of the series. Additionally, Louis quits the Shishigumi, seeks out Legoshi, and offers the character his leg. Legoshi accepts and becomes stronger. With this strength, he can fight and defeat Riz. Each moment of the final season, particularly the ending, sheds new light on the characters and brings them to a new place.

Throughout the season, Legoshi engages in extremely rigorous (and often torturous) acts as part of his training with Gohin. In addition to the training being physically exhausting for Legoshi, his mental state is constantly overwhelmed as he fights his true nature while slabs of meat surround him. He nears success in his journey to becoming closer to the herbivores when he is able to restrain himself from eating the meat. Legoshi goes a step further and buries the meat. In doing so, he honors the herbivores sold to the Black Market.

Given everything Legoshi goes through in Season 2, it is shocking when he devours Louis's leg in the finale episode. However, it does not mean he has regressed. The scene actually signifies Legoshi's great strength and his love for herbivores. By doing so, he is able to bond with Louis, defeat Riz, and bring closure to Tem's murder. He quickly learns that embracing his instincts does not make him a bad person. Instead, it makes him even nobler. He only eats what he needs in order to do what is right. As a result, his relationship with herbivores — as well as his desire to both protect and honor them — becomes stronger.

It is a surprise to see Louis, an herbivore, offer himself to Legoshi in the Season 2 finale of "Beastars." However, this act is just as important for Louis's development as it is for the grey wolf's. 

As viewers know, Louis was branded at birth. He is destined to be killed and sold on the Black Market, eventually ending up as one of the pieces of meat Legoshi buries. He tries time and time again to take control of his life. He joins the Shishigumi and eats meat (despite his body rejecting it) in an attempt to become a carnivore. By being in a position of great power, he is untouchable, though it is a dangerous and difficult thing to maintain.

As hard as he tries, Louis does not successfully change his life until he helps Legoshi. It is important to note that the leg he gives bears the brand that foretells his future. For Louis, the number four on the bottom of his foot is a constant reminder of the gruesome fate in store for him. By removing that number from his body and having Legoshi subsequently eat it, Louis fully rejects his fate. He has finally broken free from the Black Market and every part of it, and he can now live his life however he sees fit.

From the beginning, "Beastars" has not shied away from how the animalistic society regulates its carnivore civilians. This is seen in Season 1 as carnivores are only allowed to eat artificial meat in place of the actual thing. These rules are further explored with the character of Riz, who must take mandated medication to suppress his baser instincts. Though it does the trick, it leaves Riz with horrible headaches. 

After meeting and befriending Tem, Riz stops taking his medicine. When he confesses this to Tem, the alpaca runs away. Overpowered by his instincts, Riz hunts him down and devours him. He tries to make sense of what he was done, even going as far as romanticizing the incident. He says Tem offered himself up and, because of this, they have engaged in the ultimate bonding experience.

When Riz sees that Legoshi can become closer to Louis without it ending in the deer's death, he realizes that what happened with Tem was not an act of love. By accepting this, he no longer sees Tem through a rose-tinted lens. Despite the love and friendship they shared, it doesn't change what Riz has done. He can finally grieve his friend — wishing he had instead thanked him for his part in Tem's life — without trying to justify how things ended.

After the events of Season 2, viewers must be wondering what will happen on "Beastars" Season 3. Although the manga has continued beyond the point where Season 2 ends (which means readers know the story's future events), it should not stop anime fans from speculating.

Perhaps Legoshi will still have problems overcoming his instincts despite his training. However, by recalling what happened with Louis, he may be able to move forward and find strength without having to eat meat each time. This will help him during times of struggle, especially when he is around Haru. His relationship with her may only get stronger, and it may even allow them to explore a romance without fear or prejudice.

When it comes to Louis, he has the world in front of him with his tattooed foot is gone. He can return to school and once again compete for the rank of Beastar. He may even be able to explore his relationships now that he is no longer bound to the Black Market. Louis finally has the chance to develop and live the life a teenager should have.