Animan, Vol. 1

by Takuya Okada, Ko Ransom (Translator)

Are we the predators, or the prey? When an unsuspecting father and daughter stumble upon a strange gathering of humanoid animals with a taste for fine cuisine, their worst nightmare is about to begin. Here, creatures who are not quite human—and not quite animal at that—raise humans as livestock and slaughter them to put meat on the table. Through this bizarre and horrific tale, society’s morals are put to the ultimate What does it truly mean to consume another living being?

Genres: Manga, Horror, Seinen

208 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 2025

Reviews

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Tender is the Flesh had a baby with Sweet Tooth and Beastars, it would be Animan. This was so weird and I kind of loved it.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a man and his young daughter are involved in a serious car accident in the countryside, they are rescued by the fantastical residents of a mysterious village—animals who walk and talk like humans and run their own apparently advanced society. However, the animals’ enthusiasm for the upcoming feast is rather alarming…

Now, now, humans. Why are you making such a fuss? We will be ever so grateful for your sacrifice. We’ll even do our best to use all of your body, and not let anything go to waste. Deal? Oh, please stop your dramatics. We will say a prayer of thanks over your meat, and we will cook it very nicely and carefully. Ok? Well, that’s too bad, because our religion says we animals are God’s special creation, and you humans were put here for us to eat. Plus, human meat tastes so, so yummy! We’ve seen how badly you humans treat one another, so you have no place to argue for mercy. Bon Appetit!

Different readers will have different reactions to this dark and often gruesome manga. However, perhaps those just looking for a bizarre horror read will come away with some self-reflection. All of the little stories and platitudes we tell ourselves about slaughtering animals suddenly seem rather inadequate when applied to us!

[Zbigniew Gacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ale poryta historia, nic nie jest tym czym się wydaje. Szybko pochłonąłem tom pierwszy i chętnie posmakuję tomu drugiego. Ale to historia dla kogoś o mocnyn żołądku, mniam.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.

After a car accident strands a father and his daughter, they find themselves on a farm with anthropomorphic animals who are very welcoming and accommodating. The niceties are dispensed fairly quickly, however, when they reveal that their farm is raising humans for their consumption. They set the father and daughter outside for a hunt as the animals chase them down with guns and hunting “humans” trained like traditional hunting dogs. The village surrounding this farm is full of further animals with jobs sustaining a small society all for the sake of raising quality humans, dedicated to preparing delicious dishes from much of the slaughtered person, and respecting the life that was given for the sustenance.

There is quite a bit of violence and gore in this manga, but it also lays bare the cycle of slaughter and consumption that humans participate on a daily basis as we raise and consume animals for our nourishment. This is eye opening and says a lot about being thankful for the life we take in consuming an animal, and there is also opportunity for discussion about the disconnect between consumers and buying meat in the supermarket or from a restaurant without understanding or paying mind to where it came from. However, this story moves beyond and loses the plot a bit with scenes of bestiality. The back 1/3 of volume one develops hastily into a larger society with tumbling world-building that goes much too fast, almost like it was rushing to keep readers engaged before they cancelled the series. It develops into something else entirely different than the commentary on consumption where it began.

Sara's Rating: 5/10
Suitability Level: Adult

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, a clandestine village of animal-human hybrids that hunt and eat humans is a neat idea. A bit “on the nose” but fine. Fun, even.

The cabal of elite humans and chimeras who oversee these facilities and eat the poorest in some “survival of the fittest” display of wealth and power is a little less cool—especially in this current climate? Could have done without that. Like, I get it.

Do you have anything particularly interesting to say about any of that? No?

Anyway.

This is pretty gnarly and gruesome. If you enjoy wanton cruelty and violence with some edgelord, shallow philosophical elements, you’d probably enjoy this series~

[Liza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uh what was that. Honestly in general, a very interesting base concept but I feel like it kept trying to be edgy in the sense? Also there was a very unnecessary SA scene that pretty much was just, "let's be violent towards women cause we can".

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un manga in cui gli animali mangiano gli umani e gli umani mangiano gli animali e i mezzi animali mangiano gli animali e i mezzi umani mangiano gli umani e gli animali mangiano gli animali e gli umani mangiano gli umani e gli animali mangiano i mezzi animali e

[LaneReadsALot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out good but got really confusing. Loved the art though!

[Philmore Olazo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll be honest. I wanted to read this out of morbid curiosity. But really, that was a dull end.

At first, this is just a horror story about a reverse situation in which anthropomorphic animals eat humans, as we do with beef and other animals. Still, it became a really weird sci-fi, and conspiracy-centered story. Not a very good one mind you.

A man gets into a car accident and wakes up in a room, where he’s greeted by what he thinks is a kid disguised as a pig. But he’s shown that those are not costumes, but animals with human-like features.

He tries to escape with his daughter but is hunted down like game and quickly recaptured and returned to his cell.

While the gore scenes are shocking, they’re not a big deal either. Just run-of-the-mill blood and guts. They do aid the story, though. It’s trying to reverse the idea of eating animals for sustenance. However, how these animen act, makes this idea less effective since, despite their intentions, they act just like animals.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Animan by Takuya Okada is a powerful and reflective graphic novel that exposes how the world is ruthlessly controlled by strong capitalists, while the weak are reduced to mere pawns—used for research, survival, and even food. The storyline is gripping, thought-provoking, and filled with tension that keeps you hooked throughout. I especially loved the plot and the impactful ending, which left me eagerly waiting for the release of Volume 2. The graphics are stunning, and the characters leave a lasting impression long after you finish reading. It was so compelling that I ended up binge-reading the entire volume in a single day.

[Stronkberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only the strong survive and the weak will perish. I liked the many plot shifts that happen in just this one volume, it keeps the reader from guessing what is happening. The story asks, what if humans were farmed like cattle, hunted like game by antromorphic animals who feed on humans, meat that is stuffed in the humans' own organs, precisely cooked and to be devoured by elitist animals. It is ironic to see the switch, which didn't elicit empathy from me but a cold, harsh, though of, "better the animals, than me." Anyway if you get grossed out on gorey scenes, don't pick this up. If you want an interesting read try this out.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good and very interesting. Do I want to read it again or continue the series? No.

I knew this was a horror manga and would be gory. It did its job well.

I don’t want to spoil anything because the story, about a father and a daughter who wind up on a farm run by humanoid animals, was very well done and very thought provoking about how animals are treated, where does our food come from, how we tinker with nature and don’t fully understand or care about the consequences and power/privilege.

I thought I was ok with a hardcore horror manga but I’m not. This might give me nightmares. If horror and gore doesn’t bother you then I recommend this one.

[Zephorah Dove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where will the story go from here?! Thanks so much to the publishers for the DRC. Reading this felt morally wrong but it was also intriguing.

I got major Animal Farm vibes from this volume (Animal Farm turned cannibalism). The flow of the volume was interesting; at no point did I know where it was going or who was going to do what. The twist and introduction of chimeras was done well and seeing how it's a whole network was creepy.

This volume is truly a 3.5 read . I want to read more but I'm also questioning if my stomach can handle actual food after this.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic start to a horror manga. I really like how the story flowed in this; it has twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Might not be for everyone, since this is pretty twisted. It's about a society of beast men, who hunt and slaughter humans for food. It critiques the classist society and was a lot more thought provoking than I expected.
There's a good hook at the end for the next volume, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I'm not sure how long this series will be, but I'm glad we're getting more horror manga licensed in English.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting and gruesome and had twists at every corner. I thought I knew where it was going and then there'd be a new development that threw me off. I kept wondering how this would become a series and even now I still don't know. Is it going to follow Chika? Are we going to follow more random characters and learn more about this fucked up society? I don't know, but I don't think I'm quite curious enough to find out.

[Adhara Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this manga. I feel like they are trying way too hard to be "disturbing" while not giving anything fresh. I was expecting a little bit more, but they chose a safe approach - when I was hoping for a critique of eating meat, instead it's like everyone eats everyone, and that's fine. But I will give them a second chance to prove me wrong.

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

64%

What da hell😭 what did I just read

This was interesting though. Kinda reminds me of Beastars or sumn like that, but mixed with The Promised Neverland lol. This got way more messed up than I thought it would. Might get the second volume whenever it releases just to see where it goes.

[Charlotte R.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no idea what to make of this one yet. I appreciate the bizarre horror atmosphere, and the underlying idea is intriguing but I’m still a bit confused about the plot, character motivations, and the story’s ultimate direction. Will see how volume 2 goes.

[Raaven💖]

This series is messed up but I keep on reading

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have so many questions that I need answers to. So guess I’ll be picking up volume 2

[Anna Frohling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something Peta would post and go 'still like cheese?'

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT THE HELL… THAT WAS AWESOME I NEED THE NEXT ONE STAT

[Alexandra Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disturbing story, my only real problem was the really unnecessary SA scene.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and thought provoking, but a bit fast paced for the first volume.

[Shep · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was disturbing and I loved it

[Kuba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Przeczytane na jednym tchu, chcę więcej takiej chorej jazdy bez trzymanki 😍

[Nicole Amburgey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure horror. Man, oh man, this was a brutal and excellent read. If you enjoyed Tender is the Flesh, but craved more violence- this is one for you!

[FBI · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting. It's dark, disturbing, and shocking, all whilst including softness and vulnerability. Excellent book, will be buying further volumes.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing, but fun.

[Tasha Brooker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Animals eating humans as livestock. very disturbing