Netflix’s 48-Episode Masterpiece Scores Historic Record as First Anime on Animal Planet

In the anime world, some stories are so unusual that they can find a home almost anywhere. BEASTARS is one of them. The Studio Orange anime has now reached a surprising milestone. Its first season is set to air on Animal Planet Japan, making it the first anime ever broadcast on the channel.

The timing is also interesting because BEASTARS has now completed its 48-episode anime run, with the final season concluding in March 2026. After becoming a major Netflix hit, BEASTARS is now heading to a network that feels almost too perfect for its animal-filled world.

Netflix Hit BEASTARS Is Headed to Animal Planet Japan

Legoshi and Haru in BEASTARS Final Season Part 2. | Credit: Netflix

BEASTARS Season 1 will start airing on Animal Planet Japan on October 15, 2026, at 10 PM JST (via the official website). New episodes will air every Thursday at the same time, according to the announcement made through the anime’s official X account, which also confirmed that this will be Animal Planet Japan’s first anime broadcast.

The timing feels strangely fitting. BEASTARS takes place in a world where animals live much like humans. Carnivores and herbivores go to school together, build friendships and fall in love, but there is always a fear of what might happen when natural instincts take over.

The story follows Legoshi, a quiet gray wolf at Cherryton Academy. His life changes after the murder of an alpaca student and his growing feelings for Haru, a small dwarf rabbit. What follows is not just a mystery or a romance. It is a story about fear, discrimination, identity, and the struggle between instinct and choice. And that makes Animal Planet an amusingly fitting new home for the series.

The Storytelling That Makes BEASTARS a Masterpiece

The uniqueness of BEASTARS lies in the fact that the animal world featured in the series is not just an aesthetic one; the different species help tell a much bigger story about society and the way people judge each other.

A good example would be Legoshi; he seems to be the kind of character whom people should be afraid of. His size and sharp teeth become a source of fear for the people around him, even when he has no intention of causing harm.

Then there is Louis, a red deer who represents almost the complete opposite of Legoshi. He is confident, respected, and determined to prove that herbivores can stand at the top of society. Their differences make the story much more interesting because neither character fits neatly into a simple hero or villain role.

Haru adds another layer to the story. Despite her small size, she refuses to let other animals decide her worth. Her relationship with Legoshi also brings out one of the anime’s biggest ideas: attraction, fear, and social rules do not always follow the lines society creates. Studio Orange’s animation makes all of this even stronger.

The CG animation gives the characters natural movement while keeping their animal features important to their personalities. Every species feels different, but the emotions remain easy to understand. With 48 episodes across three seasons, BEASTARS has completed a story that mixes mystery, romance, drama, and social themes without losing its strange charm. Its move from Netflix to Animal Planet Japan is another reminder of how unusual and memorable this anime remains.

Now the big question: Have you watched BEASTARS? If yes, then what makes BEASTARS such a memorable anime for you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

All the seasons of BEASTARS are currently available to watch on Netflix.