“B: The Beginning” is a Netflix original anime about a serial killer, a genius detective, and a boy with wings. It’s a crime drama dressed in supernatural trappings, and it mostly earns its ambition.
The premise is simple: Keith Flick, a legendary investigator of the Royal Investigation Service, returns to duty as a vigilante named “Killer B” emerges in the archipelagic nation of Cremona. The city is crumbling under crime and violence, and Flick is the man tasked with stopping the killer. Into this mess steps Koku, a demihuman with the ability to shape-shift parts of his body into wings and blades. He’s trying to save his childhood friend Yuna, and he might be an ally — or a target.
Trailer, via Netflix Malaysia.
Keith Flick and the Royal Investigation Service
Hiroaki Hirata voices Keith Flick, and he carries the weight of the show. Flick is a brilliant investigator with a personal stake in the case: he’s trying to solve the murder of his sister Erika, killed eight years ago. His performance anchors the series, giving Flick a weary intelligence and a quiet fury that keeps the procedural elements from feeling stale.
Asami Seto voices Lily Hoshina, the other half of the main pairing. She’s sharp, loyal, and often the one pushing Flick toward answers he doesn’t want to find. Together, the two leads form the core of the show’s investigation threads.
Yuki Kaji voices Kokuu, the mysterious youth with wings and blades. His character is less defined than Flick or Hoshina, but the show trusts him enough to keep his motives unclear for long stretches. That ambiguity pays off in the final stretch, where Koku’s past and his connection to the Market Maker become central to the plot.
The Market Maker and the Government
The antagonist is the Market Maker, a hidden organization that controls the government of the island of Cremona. Its goal is to understand the magical powers that Koku has and where they came from. This is the engine that drives the conspiracy thread, and it gives the show a scope that feels larger than your typical detective series.
The show spends significant time building out the political landscape of Cremona, drawing inspiration from the real city of Cremona in Italy and other cities of Lombardy such as Milan. The setting is rendered with a dense, gritty realism that grounds the fantasy elements in something that feels tangible.
Where the Show Stumbles
“B: The Beginning” isn’t perfect. The pacing drags in the middle of the first season, particularly during its setup chapters. Some of the exposition feels heavy-handed, delivered in monologues that slow the momentum rather than build it. The show also leans on its supernatural elements more than it needs to, sometimes letting the mystery take a back seat to spectacle.
The second season, titled “B: Succession,” picks up the pace and tightens the focus, but it doesn’t fully compensate for the unevenness of the first half. The resolution of some plot threads feels rushed, leaving questions about the Market Maker’s full intentions unexplored.
The Animation and Voice Work
Production I.G handles the animation, and the visual style is clean and efficient. Character designs are distinctive, especially Koku’s shifting forms, which are rendered with a fluidity that matches the story’s themes of transformation. The action sequences are well-choreographed, though they lean on stylized violence rather than realistic brutality.
The voice acting is consistently strong across the board. The chemistry between Hirata and Seto sells the partnership between Flick and Hoshina, and Kaji’s performance as Kokuu adds a sense of menace that keeps the audience guessing.
A World Worth Investigating
The strength of “B: The Beginning” is its world-building. Cremona is a city with a rich history, a corrupt government, and a populace caught between fear and apathy. The show takes the time to establish its social structures, its political institutions, and its cultural norms, which gives the central mystery a context that feels lived-in.
The show also handles its themes with care. The investigation of Flick’s sister’s murder is a personal tragedy that cuts through the political intrigue, grounding the story in human stakes. The relationship between Koku and Yuna adds a layer of tenderness that balances the show’s darker tones.
The Final Verdict
“B: The Beginning” is a flawed but ambitious anime that rewards patience. Its best episodes are genuinely excellent, combining sharp writing, strong voice work, and a compelling conspiracy. Its worst episodes are slow and occasionally convoluted, but the overall trajectory points toward a satisfying conclusion.
The series is available on Netflix, with both seasons running a total of 18 episodes across two seasons. The first season premiered on March 2, 2018, and the second season followed on March 18, 2021.
Key Facts Box
– Network: Netflix
– Seasons: 2, 18 episodes total
– First aired: March 2, 2018
– Last aired: March 18, 2021
– Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Drama, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Schedule Table
| Season | Episodes | Premiere Date |
|——–|———-|—————|
| 1 | 10 | March 2, 2018 |
| 2 | 8 | March 18, 2021 |
“B: The Beginning” is a worthy entry in the Netflix anime catalog. It’s not a flawless masterpiece, but it’s a confident, well-executed series that knows what it wants to be. The investigation is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the world is rich enough to support a longer run if the creators choose to pursue one.
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