BNA
When it comes to Anime, demi-human characters and beastfolk aren’t a rare occurrence. In fact, it is one of the best media to portray them in, being capable of displaying their distinct and beautiful features quite easily. Be it with animal ears, claws, horns, fur, tails, or anything of this sort, these characters are just as lovable as any other cast member and, at times, are even more coveted in comparison.
What would happen if they ever came to exist in our world? Would it be all fluff and fun, or would it bring to light an uglier side of humanity? Some shows seek to answer these questions in unexpected ways, and the series below is one of them.
BNA, which stands for and is also known as “Brand New Animal,” is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 9th of April until the 25th of June in Spring 2020. It was produced by Movic, Fuji TV, Ultra Super Pictures, BS Fuji, TOHO animation, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Bandai Spirits, and Toho Music. It was brought to life by none other than Studio Trigger itself.
The central staff behind its creation included Imaishi Hiroyuki as Director on Storyboard and Key Animation, Ootsuka Masahiko as Sound Director, Episode Director, Executive Producer, and on Storyboard, Yoshinari You also as Director on Storyboard and Key Animation, and Miyajima Yoshihiro also as Episode Director and on Storyboard.
The show features the genres of Action and Fantasy alongside Anthropomorphic and Super Powers themes. It received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older.
The Anime series gave rise to a Manga adaptation of the same title. Targeted at the Seinen demographic, the series was serialized in Tonari no Young Jump and spawned from the creative minds of Author Nakashima Kazuki and Artist Asano.
Throughout history in the hectic world of BNA, humankind has continued to stay at odds with Beastmen. The Beastmen are a unique species possessing the ability to change their shape thanks to their inherent genetic "Beast Factor." Due to this seemingly eternal conflict, the Beastmen have now been forced to live in hiding.
Indeed not all places are plagued by this issue? Anima City thus exists as a haven for all these oppressed individuals, allowing them to live freely, away from human interference. Fate took a turn at a festival commemorating the city’s 10th anniversary, where protagonist Michiru Kagemori discovered that Anima City is far from the paradise it seemed to be. Michiru happened to be a human who had abruptly transformed into a tanuki without warming and now bore witness to an explosion at the Town square.
Following a confrontation by Shirou Ogami, a seemingly indestructible wolf who is the sworn protector and ally of all Beastmen, the duo begins their pursuit of the criminals behind the sudden bombing.
Along the way, the two start to discover that Michiru is not some ordinary Beastman and seek to investigate her mysterious past and uncanny abilities along the way. Could she possibly be the missing link between Humans and Beastmen while changing their world for the better?
BNA looks like a fast-paced, fun, and excellent show full of fantastic moments on the surface. This thought process is neither wholly wrong nor right. But at its core, this Anime explores the darkness that would persist in a world where Beastmen existed. Unfortunately, BNA only has 12 episodes to work with, despite the setting and plot line that had the potential to last many more episodes.
The world-building is well-paced and impressively done; viewers will understand how their world works within a few episodes. While the story itself is straightforward, it has many mysteries and unanswered questions. One such example is how Michiru possesses these incredible supernatural powers, considered unique even within their bizarre world.
As the series progresses, viewers can derive consistent enjoyment, and the prospects of a city like Anima are pretty exciting. A well-maintained balance between the comedic and serious elements allows this show to maintain a likable standard. The Slice of Life aspect is also neatly mixed in with darker elements within the atmosphere of urban fantasy.
BNA makes a conscious choice not to be too complicated or sophisticated, but towards the end, it feels like things would have been better if they had used a darker approach. It had the potential to be more grim and harsh without disrupting the series at all but decided not to. This is the only fault of this department, and it's a shame because it could have impacted viewers more while leaving a stronger impression.
The Characters of BNA are pretty lovable and well done. The character development wasn’t as significant, but this is understandable for a short series. Michiru doesn't change much through the series, but this part of her comes off as realistic.
People typically do not undergo much change within short periods, even more so if they are stubborn like Michiru. On the other hand, Ogami shows praiseworthy character development with a backstory that doesn’t disappoint. The remainder of the cast isn’t as noteworthy but is enjoyable, likable, and fun to watch. This is a pretty strong department of BNA.
BNA's unique Art style is non-generic, stylish, colorful, eye-catching, refreshing, and inspiring in the classic Trigger style. BNA can be characterized by its curvy, smooth, joyous, and dynamic style. When it comes to Animation, BNA is superb enough to keep viewers' eyes glued to the screen with a soft and beautiful style.
The Sounds and Music of BNA are pretty satisfactory and impressive as well. The Opening theme is "Ready to" by Michiru Kagemori (Sumire Morohoshi), and the Ending theme is "NIGHT RUNNING" by AAAMYYY. These have the feel of modern and urban society, accompanied by a mild futuristic vibe.
The OSTs follow a similar pattern and are overall fitting and entertaining. A more impressive and memorable track would be the song sung by Michiru and Nazuna, a beautiful culmination of their friendship. Overall, this department is enjoyable, amply fulfills its roles, and will have most listeners rocking to the beat.
Overall, BNA is an entertaining watch. Even though its story is lacking, the other departments are more than making up for it. One of the best things about this series is its super fun character interactions. Don't expect an overly complicated plotline that’ll have you scratching your head. If you’re interested, go ahead and give it a try. You’ll have a very entertaining watch!
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