Jacqueline grew up in a forgotten land at the border of three nations, where survival was never guaranteed. In a world that gave her nothing, her younger sibling was her whole world. But everything changed the day her sibling awakened as a rare "special beastkin." Taken away by the state in the name of protection, they were torn from Jacqueline's side. Left with nothing, Jacqueline was forced to take on one more burden from the very person responsible for separating them—Margo, her sibling's guardian. This time, it was a mysterious young bird beastkin named Demi.

Let Loose has a story and art by Aji. English localization by Lezhin. Published by Lezhin (June 19, 2026). Rated M.

Erica Friedman
Rating:

Right from the first panels, the story is action-filled and emotional enough to keep your attention.

In a war fought by multiple kinds of beastkin, Jacqueline is lost and alone. Her only family disappeared, her memories a muddle of pain and desire; she is rescued by a criminal warlord named Demi. Demi's human form is tall, silver-haired, and strong; as a beast, she is a massive eagle with dangerous talons. Jackie is a black panther, a mammal stuck in Volk, a country of avians. The war may be over, but not everyone is happy about it, and tensions run high.

Jackie and Demi have a past, as well. Of course they do. Once upon a time, Jackie was told to care for a young Demi. Now Jackie, lost and alone in a dangerous place full of enemies, strikes a devil's bargain with Demi – Demi can have her, if she'll help Jackie find her lost sister. A sister who is a soldier behind enemy lines, one who has the same “curse” as Demi. Whatever that might be in a world of shape shifters.

Fanservice here takes the form of Demi looking hot as blazes in a suit and causally being a stone butch. If you're used to more heteronormative sex, you might be surprised that Demi dominates Jackie by bringing her to climax, instead of the more typical “suck this” straight scenario.

Let Loose has competent, grippy art, a story that is at once fast-paced and sort of slow to unroll. A lot of action, decent sex scenes that feel, not realistic, but at least real-ish. Demi and Jackie's relationship is a bit of a cringey plot complication, but hopefully, and apparently, their new relationship will overwrite some of that. This might be good if you're looking for something other than a power-differential relationship, and like occasional furriness.