The Beast Player (獣の奏者, Kemono no Sōja)[a] is a Japanese novel series written by Nahoko Uehashi and published by Kodansha between 2006 and 2009.

It focuses on a girl who can control the greatest of beasts as she gets involved in a war between two territories of one kingdom.

The original novel has been adapted as a manga serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Sirius since October 25, 2008, and as an anime television series, called Erin (獣の奏者エリン, Kemono no Sōja Elin)[2] produced by Production I.G and Trans Arts that aired in Japan on NHK from January 10[1] to December 26, 2009.

Sohyon, who is from a secretive nomadic tribe called the Ahlyo, is the head Toda Steward.

On the day of the execution, Elin attempts to save her mother, but Toda surround them before they can escape.

Elin washes ashore in land governed directly by the Yojeh, the divine ruler of Lyoza.

He tells her that communicating with Beasts is a mortal sin, and he warns her that allowing Leelan to fly will cause unspeakable disaster.

That winter, an injured wild Royal Beast named Eku is brought to Kazalumu for treatment.

When the Yojeh and her adult nephew Damiya approach, Eku moves to protect his cub.

The Aluhan is the only person who commands Toda troops, so he is widely suspected of having ordered Yojeh Halumiya's assassination.

When Yojeh Seimiya rejects his peace offerings, he sends his eldest son Shunan.

Damiya demands that Elin train an army of Beasts and threatens to kill Esalu if she does not.

She recounts the story the Ahylo told her: The king of Ofahlon, threatened by his neighbors, asked the Toga mi Lyo tribe to raise an army of Toda.

The victorious king built an empire, but the remorseful Toga mi Lyo rebelled.

The Toga mi Lyo swore to never again reveal how to control Toda and Beasts, and they became known as the Ahlyo.

Kodansha started publishing the series in English on their newly-launched K Manga website and app in 2023.

[9] In April 2024, Kodansha USA announced that they licensed the manga for digital English publication, with the first volume being released on May 14.

[15] The US edition of The Beast Player was the 2020 Michael L. Printz Award honor book for best young adult novel.