Ep 3. Rhino Melancholy

In BNA season 1 episode 3, titled "Rhino Melancholy," the story unfolds further as Michiru continues to navigate her new life as a Beastman in the bustling city of Anima-City. The episode begins with Michiru and her friend Shirou encountering a group of Rhino Beastmen who are protesting against the policies of the city's leader, Mayor Rose. The Rhino Beastmen are upset about the lack of job opportunities and the displacement of their community due to the city's rapid development.

As the protest continues, things escalate quickly when the Rhino Beastmen start to become violent, and Michiru and Shirou find themselves caught in the middle of the chaos. Despite her best efforts to mediate and calm down the situation, Michiru ends up getting injured and is rushed to the hospital.

While recovering at the hospital, Michiru meets a young Rhino Beastman named Nazuna who is suffering from a rare condition that causes her to slowly turn to stone. Nazuna's grandmother, who is also a Rhino Beastman and a skilled herbalist, asks Michiru for her help in obtaining a rare flower that only grows in a dangerous area outside of the city. Michiru agrees to help, but little does she know that the quest will take her on a dangerous journey that will test her physical and emotional strength.

Throughout the episode, Michiru grapples with her own identity as a Beastman and the moral complexities of the city's policies. She begins to question Mayor Rose's intentions and motives and seeks answers from the city's leaders. She also learns more about the struggles and challenges that different Beastman communities face and the underlying tensions that exist within the city.

As Michiru embarks on her quest to obtain the rare flower, she must face a series of obstacles and overcome her own fears and doubts. The journey takes her through dark and treacherous forests, where she encounters dangerous beasts and tests her survival skills. Along the way, she also learns more about herself and her own strengths and weaknesses.

In the end, Michiru successfully obtains the rare flower and brings it back to Nazuna's grandmother. The experience teaches her the importance of unity, empathy, and compassion, and she begins to understand the complexities of the different communities in Anima-City. The episode ends on a poignant note as Nazuna's condition worsens, and Michiru is left to contemplate the fragility of life and the power of hope.

Overall, "Rhino Melancholy" is a powerful and emotional episode that delves deeper into the themes of identity, community, and social justice. The episode showcases Michiru's growth and development as a character and sets the stage for more poignant and thought-provoking storylines to come.