A Beastly Feast

A Beastly Feast is the 11th episode of the BNA: Brand New Animal anime series.

Overview
Nazuna's live concert starts an unwanted tragedy for beastmen, including Shirou.

Summary
While Nazuna and Michiru happily discuss Nazuna's first live concert, Shirou and Flip along with the help from Marie plan their best course to stop it. With Michiru's understanding and help, their goal to stop Nazuna's confession succeeds. However, Boris' intervention cause Alan's plan to induce Nirvasyl Syndrome on most beastmen happen. Witnessing the event before him and is left helpless, Shirou's howl of desperation is the last thing he remembers before his beast instinct takes over.

Plot
Michiru goes to visit Nazuna in the morning. As she walks inside the building, she notices the poster of a wanted criminal, with Shirou's photo on it. She sighs and continues to trot, and when she passes a room she is called by Jackie. Jackie is there with the rest of Bears Basketball Team, enjoying loaves of bread as she claims the "bread crust" is tasty, in which Michiru reacts if she has only ever eaten the crust of bread instead of the whole of it. As usual, Jackie's excitement takes her over as she offers Michiru a bite, and Michiru's refusal can't help her to escape. Nazuna happens to pass by and after watching the scene asks Michiru if Jackie is her friend. Michiru approves and apologizes for the fuss, but Nazuna only replies with a flat expression of how Michiru can easily make friends. Noticing Nazuna's presence, Jackie and the Bears Basketball Team members joyfully greet her and thank her for the food. Unaware of all of them, Marie is disguising as an acolyte of the cult and spies on them.

The duo girls then move to Nazuna's room. Michiru questions if it's really okay for so many Beastman to gather in the live event. Nazuna reacts while quoting Alan's words that "Being positive and feeling festive is very important.", and Michiru recalls that when she first comes to Anima City, there's a festival also being held. Since the live feed will also be broadcasted, Nazuna says that she picks fun songs and ask Michiru's opinion while handing her the plan. Michiru looks at it for a moment and protests about the song Nazuna picks; the tanuki objects her pick of a song because she looks "dumb" when singing it and also Nazuna doesn't consider to put "Night Running" on her list, to which Nazuna responds that it doesn't seem to fit the event. The duo then sings the said song together, and at the end of the song, Michiru says that it's decided that they'll pick the song for Nazuna, whereas the latter grumbles that she can't always choose what Michiru likes. Michiru takes another look at the plan and notices about MC's confession and asks Nazuna about it. Nazuna answers that it's when she says aloud that she's actually a human. Surprised, Michiru confirms if it's okay for her to blurt it out and Nazuna once again quotes Alan's saying that once he finishes the cure, the confession is needed to alleviate the stress of beastmen. Hearing the answer raises doubt on Michiru as she visibly looks conflicted but she decides to not say anything about it. All the time they are talking, Marie is keeping eyes and ears on them from the air duct.

Far from Anima City, Mayor Rose is still being locked at Minister Shiramizu's place. After contemplating for quite some time, she decides to flee. Escaping from the rooftop, she makes her way out of the house but is caught by the guards. Bullets start firing and during her escape, she is intercepted by two guards. Fortunately, Ishizaki comes to save her and deal with the guards. He lets Mayor Rose take her time to run away as he deals with the guards, which Mayor Rose feels thankful for as she leaves. However, she cannot simply run all the way to Anima City due to increased guards on the border of the city which is the tunnel. She hides in the bushes and waits until night, but she still cannot proceed further. Pinga suddenly appears out of nowhere and informs her that the road is swarmed with police and beastmen suppression forces and walking to Anima City is not an option. Mayor Rose recognizes him and asks why he is here. They continue their conversation mid-air as they proceed to fly to Anima City. Pinga tells her that he finds out that things are getting out of hand by intercepting government calls so he investigates and finds her being chased by humans. He also elaborates further that he won't want something to happen to her before she properly buries his fallen comrades. On their way, they notice a horde of drones moving toward Anima City. Pinga chimes in, saying that those are anti-beastmen mobile weapons. Realizing where this goes, Mayor Rose urges him to hurry to Anima City.

Somewhere around the wharf, Shirou and Flip plan to execute their move. Shirou walks to Flip's car and questions about the boats. Flip informs him that he has 1,000 freighters ready to go, and another 5000 of large cruisers in the next 5 days to balance out the number of people from the cult. Shirou apologizes for the inconvenience to him, but Flip only responds that if Anima City disappears it'll pain him too. Marie then appears before them and voices her surprise at them working together while also letting Shirou know that Silver Wolf Order is looking for him. Knowing that Marie will come with an intel, Shirou demands an answer to whom asks her to start the search, which Marie replies that no one does and she volunteers to do it before someone does because she knows the rates will go higher that way. She also spoils the intel by saying that Michiru may be involved with the whole affairs as well and tease them that it's okay if they don't want to know. Shirou reacts with throwing her a bundle of money and asks her to speak up. Marie begins talking and tells them about the intel she receives, starting from the live event as well as the fact that the guru or Nazuna plans to blurt out that she is actually a human and the reason behind it that she believes is that it'll help to relieve the stress of beastmen once the cure is made. Shirou is left surprised by the whole information.

Nazuna prepares to leave for the live event, followed by Michiru. Michiru once again asks about her confession if it's really necessary, and Nazuna replies with the reason for her doing it to prevent Nirvasyl Syndrome from taking over. Still doubting about it, Michiru only says that if Shirou knows it he'll be mad. Nazuna wonders about it since she's doing it for beastmen's sake. She is then called by Borris who reminds her to leave soon. Nazuna asks him if Michiru can come as well, but Boris answers with a negative because they will be watched. Michiru then dismisses the conversation and says that she also has another plan to do. Nazuna reminds her not to be late and with that, she leaves. At the same time in the Medical Center, most of the machines are occupied to produce some kind of armaments loaded with vaccines, with Alan keeping eyes on them.

Later that evening, Michiru arrives at the live event and notices so many beastmen in it. She muses that it's more crowded than the festival she attends back then. Her trail of thoughts is disrupted by someone calling her name. Surprised, she looks around and notices a huge mobile skeletal Ginrou statue with Gem's voice from it. The head of the statue descends and meets her eye level, revealing Gem and Melissa in it who are controlling the statue. Michiru curiously asks if they are the ones who make the statue, which Gem and Melissa reply that everyone in the city participate to build the statue to show their appreciation for Ginrou-sama in her live event. Melissa recalls of their past, as well as mentioning that everyone must have some bitterness in the past, and how Ginrou's existence help them to stay afloat and keep living. That statue is everyone's sign of gratefulness for being protected for over a thousand years. Gem carries on by saying that their gratitude may not reach Ginrou, but remembering her first time meeting Shirou, who is the real Ginrou, and how he cries from his heart feeling the joy and happiness from all the beastmen on the festival back then, Michiru answers that it definitely will reach Ginrou and Ginrou will probably cry tears of joy as well. Gem and Melissa are temporarily stunned by Michiru's answer, but they eventually agree with her and they'll be happy if it's true. It is then when she notices Shirou in the crowd who is clad in a black jacket but he disappears right afterward. Following him, Michiru leaves Gem and Melissa without saying a word, much to their confusion.

At the backstage, Nazuna is preparing herself. Boris enters the camp and Nazuna inquiries Michiru's whereabouts, and Boris only says that she's not there yet. Nazuna grumbles about Michiru's tardiness even on such a situation. Meanwhile, Michiru is still searching for Shirou. His presence apparently makes Michiru forget her main motive to come which is to help Nazuna. The crowds are just too much for her to keep an eye one by one to look for him. Shirou apparently is preparing with Flip and Maire for their plan. Flip opens his rear door while saying that Kuromaki will get The Family's things on the boat and only the slum people are left, who are pretty much easy to indulge with money. Shirou picks the stack of money from the car and hands it to Marie, asking her to get as many people out from the concert as she can. He takes another stuff and it's a handgun. Flip comments if he really needs that, to which Shirou replies that failure is not an option. Flip then offers their help but Shirou is against the idea of provoking the audience so he only tells Flip he will call him in case things go awry and let him deal with the guru by himself.

Michiru finds herself in the middle of the crowds, unable to accurately locate Shirou. Realizing that she can do something about it, she closes her eyes and calms herself. Focusing on her sense of smell, she shapeshifts into a wolf beastman and starts tracking Shirou's scent. She manages to find Shirou's trace, starting from him in the concert area, then moving to the back alley where he arms himself with a handgun, and eventually his current position, crouching at the top of the backstage. Back at Nazuna's place, Boris reminds her that it's almost time that the lost beastmen have been waiting for her appearance. Nazuna encourages herself once again and leaves the preparation camp.

Meanwhile, Shirou is still on watch, seeking for Nazuna but still doubting himself of what to do. He then sights Nazuna appears to enter the stage and before he can do anything, Michiru rams him and the gun flies from his hand. Because of it, Shirou misses the only opportunity offered; Nazuna is nowhere to be seen. Michiru recovers from the collision force and can't believe her eyes that Shirou is trying to kill Nazuna. Shirou calmly tells her not to interfere but as he crouches to pick up the gun, Michiru stretches her arms and snatches it first, aiming at him threateningly. At the moment, the live concert has begun as Nazuna performs on the stage with her song. Everywhere in the city, the show is broadcasted; most beastmen are watching the live event.

Both Michiru and Shirou completely ignore the concert as they are currently dealing with their conflict. Still aiming the gun at him, Michiru begins with apologizing that she should've been able to understand his feelings regarding beastmen forcibly turned into humans; she herself has experienced the fear of turning into someone, or something else, so she understands how stressful it can be. However, things become even more confusing because here, she spots him trying to assassinate Nazuna, her precious friend, and she won't know what he's trying to do unless he tells him. As she breaks down in emotion, Shirou walks to her and grabs the gun. He apologizes and tells her that he has no intention to hurt Nazuna. However, he needs to stop the live event, or Nazuna in particular from confessing that she's actually a human. If she happens to do so, it will trigger the Nirvasyl Syndrome to the majority of the beastmen. Michiru questions if the confession is really the trigger, and Shirou proceeds to explain that beastmen have deeper emotions and stronger prejudices than humans; they are naturally stubborn. If they find out that the one they believe the most and who give them hope is a human all along, or they've been tricked all the time, the shock they will experience is incomparable thus triggering the syndrome. It's exactly the opposite of what Alan tells Nazuna, and as Michiru asks this to Shirou, he confirms it by saying that Alan knows it hence he tells Nazuna the opposite way. They still don't know what Alan's real intention is, but more importantly, they need to stop the confession first. Shirou asks her if she is able to persuade her and when the confession takes place. At the same time, Nazuna begins performing her second song, which is Night Running. Realizing that Nazuna takes her suggestion and put in into the show, Michiru knows the details of the concert and says that in the plan, Nazuna will fly above the audience and land at the other side of the stage before she makes the confession. Michiru then decides to fly and wait for her there and Shirou tells her not to provoke the audience. She nods and goes aloft, but unfortunately, Boris spots her trying to interfere. Shirou goes to another way, but Inspector Tachiki already awaits him there. Tachiki tells him that Alan has ordered them to guard there, knowing that Shirou will come that way. Shirou asks Tachiki to let him go and atone his sin later, but Tachiki is firm with his position. Shirou then mentions that the city is in danger and all he wants is to protect all beastmen. Tachiki is left perplexed with the things Shirou says.

At the planned spot, Michiru arrives in time before Nazuna is there, but Nazuna's course abruptly changes as she flies back to the stage. Apparently she is informed by Boris through a sound system that there's been a change of plan so she follows the order obediently. Landing gracefully, Nazuna begins to greet all the beastmen and engage with them in a casual conversation. Michiru tries to find another way to stop her, and that's when she spots the Ginrou's statue. As Nazuna keeps engaging with the excited beastmen, Michiru slowly approaches her with the statue. When she almost reaches the confession part, telling everyone that she has something to tell, Michiru confronts her with the moving statue, eliciting confusion and surprise for both the audience and Nazuna herself. Michiru then reveals herself from its head, much to Nazuna's perplexion. She begs her not to do the confession and pleads her to trust her. Having sudden disturbances like that, Nazuna insists to continue talking, and she reveals that the things she wants to tell everyone are that she feels grateful for the Ginrou's statue that they build for her. Michiru is extremely relieved that Nazuna doesn't do the confession, though the latter quietly demands her to explain about it later. Outside of the concert area, Shirou is also grateful that Michiru is able to stop the confession.

While he and the police are distracted, the swarm of Engel Machines starts entering the area. Shirou proceeds to follow the march and as Tachiki attempts to stop him, Engel Machines start surrounding him and his team. One of the machines changes its course and stops Shirou. The machine then starts firing and the commotion it makes causes the audience to be confused. Boris then steps in and accuses Nazuna of being a human and not a Ginrou. He makes up a story that he's personally also tricked by her and that she becomes a beastman because of a drug made by Sylvasta Pharmaceuticals. He presses further along the line that she dares to pretend to be the sacred Ginrou the beastmen believe for. Boris continues his speech and keeps spilling them with negative emotions. Because of this, some of the beastmen have the symptoms of Nirvasyl Syndrome thus leading the Engel Machines to barge into the concert area. Boris finishes up with the provocation that humans want to destroy beastmen by faking Ginrou and making those weapons. The accumulates stress induce Nirvasyl Syndrome, one by one, to beastmen all over the Anima City, especially those who join the live event. The live event turns into complete chaos as the rampaging beastmen start tearing each other and some of them almost get Nazuna but Michiru quickly saves her. Alan observes the whole situation from Medical Center and claims it as his success.

Flip and The Family fight the machine with their arsenal and protect the beastmen who don't go rampage, but the number of machines keeps increasing. Shirou comes to help and smash the machine which almost shoots them. Moving fast, Shirou keeps destroying the Engel Machines but one of the beastman he saves goes rampage and lunges at him. Dodging the attack, Shirou escapes to a higher point; but then the view before him struck him with great grief. The sight of the numerous rampaging beastmen, dozen of fallen beastman, and all the carnage all reminds him of the tragedy in Nirvasyl back then in the past. This shock of the sight before him fully reawakening Shirou's memory, revealing that beastkin were the ones who destroyed his village and not humans as he believed. Devastated by the truth and feeling deep shame at blaming the wrong people for the destruction of his home, as well as the fact is was his own kind who committed the damage in the first place, Shirou falls into despair. Shirou starts blaming himself for being unable to prevent a tragedy his own kind started and feeling unworthy of being called a protector to anyone. The shame, the despair, and the stress build up inside him; ultimately resulting in him succumbing to the syndrome as well and joining the rampage. Michiru notices his terrifying howl and decides to jump in just in time to stop him from approaching The Family. She tries to stop him and brings his consciousness back, but she is easily overpowered by him. Her futile struggle ends when she is caught by him and she is defenseless to protect herself from the impending danger. Nazuna watches in horror as her friend is chomped by the Nirvasyl-affected Shirou.

Characters

 * Michiru Kagemori
 * Shirou Ogami
 * Melissa Horner
 * Gem Horner
 * Marie Itami
 * Pinga
 * Barbara Rose
 * Koichi Ishizaki
 * Alan Sylvasta
 * Boris Cliff
 * Nazuna Hiwatashi

Trivia

 * Flip mentions Kuromaki name in the episode. This may refer to the rooster who is Nina's personal bodyguard and has been serving as Flip's driver in some episodes.
 * Nazuna sings two different songs in the live concert. The first one is "WISH" and the second one is "Night Running".
 * Shirou appears in different outfit on this episode; a black leather jacket instead of white coat. The color variation ( white and black, as in Yin and Yang ) may refer to which side he is fighting with; white coat, as him previously fighting alongside the good force ( police and Mayor ) whereas black jacket indicates him taking side with mafia. One thing to note that his purpose does not change at all, which is to protect beastmen and Animacity.
 * Michiru is able to copy Shirou's smell-detecting ability, even though there's no evidence if her sense of smell is in the same level as Shirou.
 * This is the only episode where the ending song plays in grayscale.