BNA: Brand New Animal
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Humans and beasts clash in sometimes-violent anime.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
BNA: Brand New Animal
Community Reviews
What's the Story?
BNA: BRAND NEW ANIMAL is a Japanese anime series about a world where where humans and humanoid-like animals are trying to co-exist. When high school student Michiru Kagemori (voiced by Cherami Leigh) suddenly turns into a tanuki (raccoon dog) beastkin, she flees to Anima-City with the help of sly mink "beastkin" Marie Itami (Reba Buhr). Now living in a place where beastkins can live openly and freely, Michiru tries to find out why she is no longer human, and if she can be turned back. Helping her out is wolf beastkin Shirou Ogami (Ben Diskin). The two find themselves navigating some strange adventures, and are also determined to help stop the beastkin hunters that are terrorizing the city. But they soon discover that Michiru has a unique set of powers that she can use to help people, making the mystery behind her transformation even more intriguing.
Is It Any Good?
This entertaining series combines elements of horror, mystery, and superhero stories while addressing issues like racism and bigotry. While humans are presented as the more intolerant species, the beastkins have personalities that match their animal traits. While the divide between humans and beastkins is clear, the beastkin community reveals itself to be complicated and imperfect in its own right, and an interesting world to explore. It is because of this that BNA: Brand New Animal offers a number of interesting storylines that anime fans will find worth checking out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why humans in BNA: Brand New Animal do not want to co-exist with beastkins. What are the reasons they give for not wanting the animal beings around? Are any of these reasons valid for treating them the way they do?
Does Michiru ever accept herself as a beastkin? Should she? If she does become human again, will she feel about, or treat them, differently than before?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 30, 2020
- Cast: Cherami Leigh, Ben Diskin, Reba Buhr
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Science Fiction
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: June 7, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate