The Animal Liberation Alliance, a terrorist group, raids a research institute and takes away a pregnant chimpanzee. Fifteen years later, Charlie, the half-human, half-chimpanzee Humanzee born that night enrolls into high school. He befriends Lucy, but little do they know how fragile their peaceful days really are.

The ALA attacks New York City, killing several people in a bombing. When news about Charlie's past ties to the ALA resurfaces, the town grows suspicious of his terrorist connections. Unfazed, Charlie goes to school as usual, not realizing what the ALA has in store for him as a mysterious man approaches Lucy.

Lucy visits Eva, the chimpanzee who gave birth to Charlie, at The Kornberg Primate Research Institute. There, she meets Dr. Fowler who tells her a few secrets about Charlie's birth. She later joins Charlie's family for dinner as Hannah celebrates Charlie's first friend, unaware that the ALA members are lying in wait.

Charlie suddenly goes missing. While Bert and Hannah search everywhere for him, Charlie is calmly confronting Rivera, Lippman and Min-su of the ALA. He gives them an ultimatum and things seem to be heading towards a peaceful conclusion until Rivera makes a drastic move.

Charlie is finally released from custody with the help of Congresswoman Dafne M. Linares, who ran on the platform of animal rights. When he returns to school, however, the warm reception he once received is now replaced with scorn and slander. Despite all this, Lucy takes steps towards getting Charlie his civil rights.

Charlie goes viral once again for stopping a fight between Ozzy and student activist Gare. Instead of thanking him, Gare questions why Charlie is not more passionate about animal rights. Disappointed with Charlie's stance, Gare livestreams about feeling powerless as an activist when he receives a mysterious invitation.

Students panic and the world watches in horror as a masked man livestreams himself shooting students in Shrews High. Deputy Philip Graham storms into the school, but is shocked to find Charlie trying to save the wounded. Meanwhile, Lucy comes face to face with the shooter as he prepares for one final and very public message to Charlie.

Public anger over the school shooting leads to a growing number of attacks on vegans and activists nationwide. As anti-ALA sentiments intensify, misinformation about Charlie protecting the shooter raises suspicions about his terrorist connections, leading to a confrontation with the townspeople.