Chapter 053 (Beastars)

A Cornered Rat Bites the Cat (強鼠なので猫を噛む) is Chapter 53 of the manga Beastars written and illustrated by Paru Itagaki, published in the Weekly Shōnen Champion of the Akita Shoten publishing house.

Synopsis
At the all-organism council meeting, made up of the leaders of each species, as part of the council's tradition, each of the leaders puts a part of their body in a vase with a special chemical, and they give the meeting a start. The principal of Cherryton Academy, Gon, welcomes everyone present. A rodent leader gets down to business and claims that even though Cherryton Academy generates the most talent, they haven't had a single Beastar in 5 years, which the members frown upon, which puts Gon under pressure. Council members complain to Gon because Louis, the leading candidate for the Beastar title, dropped out of school. Gon states that although he cares about Louis, he does not intent of giving him any special treatment because he is just a boy. Gon declares that a student's youth is very tough, a time of testing, infatuation, questioning self-worth and being against one's hidden wild instincts, and despite that, the system dictates putting an overwhelming burden on a single student, something that Gon was always against. He declares to those present that a hero is not created, he is born being one. Gon concludes by saying that his students are important to him and wants to see them grow. Even after his speech, the aforementioned rodent leader reproaches him that due to Gon's attitude, there was a murder in the Cherryton Academy, which he takes to the attention of those present, The rodent leader proposes that the student who captures the culprit be nominated for a Beastar, since that way a hero will be born. Leaving Gon in check, the other members of the council support and approve the motion (to Gon's displeasure).

At Cherryton Academy, a first-person view of the carnivorous killer is shown, who sees the school's herbivores as food. He runs into Legoshi who was looking for him. Legoshi asks him what is he smiling for?

Characters

 * Gon
 * Louis (mentioned)
 * Legoshi

Important Events

 * The Beastar title is explained in more detail.
 * It is revealed that there are two categories of Beastar, the first being a "Young Beastar" (chosen by an acclaimed school) and "Sublime Beastar" (when a young Beastar attains high social standing).
 * Cherryton Academy's predation case is resumed.
 * It is revealed that Legoshi knows the carnivorous killer.