The nature docuseries “New Animal Kingdom: Japan” is a stunning look into the intricacies of the survival challenges and triumphs of a variety of different animal species across Japan. My love for Japanese culture led me to this documentary, and I’m glad I watched it — it’s a masterpiece that will leave you in awe. If you love animals and wonder how modern life impacts their well-being, then this docuseries will immediately draw you in.
The series begins by detailing the life of a home-free adolescent male fox.
Follow the fox’s journey through roads and cities as it treks to the far North to meet a mate. But even if the fox can successfully mate, will he and his mate have enough resources to survive the harsh conditions of the new environment? And will the effects of deforestation ultimately rip the foxes’ home away from them?
You’ll also discover breathtaking snowy landscapes, abandoned fishing villages, and holy temples where wild deer wander of their own free will. The deer owe their freedom to the Japanese people, who revere them and keep them out of captivity. Although this life may sound ideal, what happens when deer migrate into large Japanese cities, encountering thousands of people who treat them like royalty? Can the deer build sustainable habitats in crowded cities, and will their proximity to humans threaten their livelihoods?
Additionally, you’ll follow the matriarch of a large group of cranes in the search for hospitable marshlands.
This journey sparks challenges due to the human impact on both the marshes and the climate as a whole. Will this family of birds establish a safe home, or will they perish in their efforts?
Japan isn’t just home to foxes, birds, and deer; it also hosts a family of badgers in one of its cities.
Unfortunately, badgers aren’t native city-dwellers, and the city could pose challenges to the father-led badger troupe. When this badger family forages for food in the heart of the city, will they find enough to eat? And can they survive the constant rush of cars and trains in their journey for sustenance?
Whether you love Japanese culture, enjoy watching animal documentaries, or care deeply about our impact on animals and their environment, this docuseries is for you. The series features dark but beautiful stories of animal survival in cities, and it’ll remind you of just how much your actions matter to the animal kingdom. We’re shrinking animals’ homes and pushing them into cities, but “New Animal Kingdom: Japan” is a beautiful reminder to us all that our disregard for animals who once lived on wild land actively threatens their survival.
Are you planning on watching “New Animal Kingdom: Japan?” Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Photo via Amazon Prime New Animal Kingdom: Japan.
