Ganbatte! The Ties that Bind Us: An AnimeLit Charity Anthology

by Noelle Nichols, Abigail Falanga, Andi L. Gregory

Immerse yourself in a collection of anime-inspired stories from every genre. Experience the bittersweet memories of a tale’s end and the action-packed adventure of daring escapes and bitter betrayals. Explore the hunger inside you and the unwavering power of friendship through life’s trials. Rekindle your passion and reach out a hand to help those beside you——who says your favorite character always has to die? And when the journey is done and the curse is broken, wind down with friends, laugh, cry, and share a sip of your favorite bubble tea.

Filled with love and friendship each tale explores the ties that bind us and the perseverance of the human spirit. Ganbatte! がんばって！Give it your all.

This anthology supports charity!* Profits from the sale of this anthology will be split between the Anime for Humanity charity who spread mental health awareness to anime fans and the Animator Dormitory who help support and fund underpaid animators in Japan.

*This anthology is not endorsed or affiliated by either charity, we are only fans who care about these causes and want to help show our support by helping other fans of anime and those who create it.

Available for a limited time.

Genres: Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2022

About the author

Noelle Nichols is an author, artist, and dreamer who channels her passion for writing to find hope in the world. Her stories are focus on the bonds between people and their world, her works speak of human nature and honor in relation to what it means to be a good person.

Owing to her fascination with the choices people make, Noelle’s characters straddle the line between right and wrong. While she appreciates the heroes depicted in literature, she prefers exploring the depths of characters who inevitably fail, focusing on moments of change and the perseverance and growth that follows. Inspired by her own thoughts and Eastern philosophy, Noelle weaves together difficult situations with down-to-earth characters in order to invite readers to question the world around them.

When she’s not writing, Noelle is out hiking and enjoying the fresh scent of pine trees in the forests of Montana with her three border collies and her husband. She enjoys illustrating her stories and characters and loves to learn new skills such as playing the shamisen and, more recently, kumiko, a delicate Japanese woodworking technique of arranging pieces without nails.

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably have enjoyed the stories more if I was familiar with anime, but being only passingly familiar with it meant I mostly missed the references and the anime tropes this anthology pays homage to and borrows from also didn't quite work as intended for me. It's likely to be more appreciated by otakus and readers not as ignorant about anime as I am, I suspect.

[Beka]

July 1st, 2022: It’S RELEASE DAYYYY!!! You can now order this anthology in ebook, with paperback soon to follow! 🥳

June 22, 2022: Just read through the pass pages, and not gonna lie, I love these characters. 🧡 What you’ll find in my story:

🥀genderbent Beauty and the Beast
🥀kind-hearted, responsible cinnamon-roll prince
🥀female lead who knows what she wants & fears nothing—not even curses
🥀overprotective mage mother
🥀aaaaalllll kinds of magic
🥀alllllllllll the shojo tropes — Secondhand Kiss; Prince of the School; Taking Your Classmate Their Homework Leads to Dangerous Social Situations
🥀a fluffy kitsune-murder-kitten

~

My short story, “Cursed Crush, or Help! My Mum Cursed My Crush!”, a Beauty and the Beast retelling inspired by and embracing of shoujo manga and anime tropes, is releasing in this collection this summer!

If you love cinnamon roll male leads, girls who know exactly what they want, and romance that stems from mutual respect and friendship, you may enjoy this story! I had SO MUCH FUN writing it, and Theo and Mai may be some of my favourite characters I’ve ever written to date.

Here’s a small blurb for it:

"When his over-protective mage mother curses his crush, Theo must choose between the family that offers a cozy future, or standing up for what's right, no matter the cost.

Inspired by shoujo manga archetypes, "Cursed Crush" is for those who love fairy tales, twisted tropes, and lots of mishaps."

[Angela R. Watts]

I have a short story in this charity anthology!

A SHOT IN THE DARK is a dystopian, mafia short story! Darby, a newcomer of the Amante gang, is sent to assassinate the allied gang's son: but everything goes terribly wrong. Who knew you couldn't trust the mafia?

If you like nonstop action and tension, snark, thought-provoking themes, and, well, gangster stories (if you like: Banana Fish, 91 Days, Bungo Stray Dogs, or Gangsta... you'll like this one), don't miss out on A SHOT IN THE DARK.

[Christine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently I’ve been dabbling in the world of anime (and loving it!). I’ve been charmed by the way these stories romanticize the little things of everyday life and tell such unique stories. So when I heard an anthology of short stories inspired by anime was coming out into the world, I was ecstatic! And even more so because friends of mine shared their talents and have stories in this anthology! PLUS profits from this anthology go to charity. So it’s just a win-win-win situation.

And goodness did it not disappoint. This entire anthology was packed to the brim with engaging, sweet, and just downright epic tales!

With any anthology, there are always going to be stories I like better than others. But I felt as though every single tale in this anthology was worth the read. It had such a great mix of stories from quiet and sweet to action-packed, so there’s a little something there for everyone, but ultimately every story revolves around one theme: the ties that bind.

Finding deep connections with others and not facing this life alone is extremely important to me, so the overall theme of this anthology really touched me. I loved the varying directions each author took with this theme and all the original ways they portrayed the importance of togetherness.

As if the stories weren’t delightful enough, there is an illustration to go along with each tale at the beginning of every story! It was such fun seeing all the different art pieces and styles. This entire anthology was a feast for the eyes andhe mind, and I’m so glad I got to experience it.

Read on for quick thoughts on each story featured!

A Winter Sky
by Noelle Nichols

The anthology starts out with an emotional bang as we are taken on a journey of finding hope in a dying world and how the determination and sacrifices of a few can be the single seed that blooms into a forest. Nichols’ raw and aching prose pulled me in from the first paragraph and kept me captivated and seeking the light in a world turned so dark.

Mired in Despair
by Andi L. Gregory

This is a tale of a school girl who experienced an unexplained, supernatural nightmare that stole the boy she cares for. Though she is safe now, the pain and nightmare still linger in her mind day after day after day…and when what she thought was gone forever makes a return, the choices she must make feel impossible. This was one of my top favorites of the entire anthology. The writing, both beautiful and gut-wrenching, makes you feel every single bit of heartache Rikka does, the mystery kept me captivated and needing more, and the stakes had me on the edge of my seat. Short story though it was, it left such a lasting impression, and I applaud the author for making every word matter.

Kaeru-Sama
by Abigail Falanga

Masami, a clockwork frog, has one goal: retrieve a highly powerful magical orb. But that’s easier said than done, especially when he’s not supposed to let others know he’s a sentient clockwork frog. This is a The Frog Prince retelling, which utterly delighted me the second I realized it! And it’s a STEAMPUNK Frog Prince retelling. Because why have a normal frog when it could be a clockwork one? This was just a delight from start to finish, and I adored the brilliant ways the author brought in every element from the original fairy tale.

Supernova and 28
by T.M. Root

People with unique abilities, all sorts of secrets, and a lovable protagonist—this one really drew me in! I would love to see this one as a full novel because there was just so much to the worldbuilding. Some of it was a little hard to follow because it was a lot packed into a short story, but I was entirely intrigued despite getting a little lost sometimes. And our male protagonist and his quest to find the deep connections that, quite literally, feed him was a beautiful journey. I’ve really never read anything like this one before. I loved it!

A Shot in the Dark
by Angela R. Watts

This sharp, fast-paced tale of a woman entangled in the mafia and sent on an assassination attempt was chock full of high stakes and snark. Both things I love! All the dialogue was golden and had me cackling, but amidst the boatloads of sass and high-action danger, there was a touch of heart and hope as well.

A Curse Unseen
by Josiah Dyck

Set in an ancient Japan-esque world, we meet the Takahashi twins who are gifted with special elemental abilities. But when an unthinkable betrayal takes away everything they’ve ever known, they must rely on each other and do the impossible. I am HERE for elemental magic, and this story had a very unique take on it. I’m also here for deep brother-sister bonds which encompassed this tale and filled it with such heart. This one is full of epic battle scenes and action, but also deep and heart-aching emotion and the sheer determination to never give up. And that PLOT TWIST. It was mind-blowing.

Moshpulse Stage One: Slumsong
by Zimri A.Z. Zoran

This takes place in a futuristic world where a virtual reality dancing fight game is everything. But what seems like glitz and glamor and epic dance moves may not be all it’s cracked up to be. This had to be one of the most original stories in the whole anthology. This game the author created felt so real (and cool!), and I loved the characters and their awkward but sweet bond as their very different lives combined. This one is an experience. It’s hard to put into words, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

For a Friend
by Wyn Estelle Owens

What would you do if you were given the chance to save the life of your favorite fictional character? This story explores that very question I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves when our favorite characters die tragically (and sometimes unnecessarily). Oh man, did I love this one! I felt so validated in my frustration with unnecessary character deaths and how sometimes letting a character live can make just as much, if not even more, of an impact on the story. The entire concept of this story was absolutely brilliant!

Her Lost Sunlight
by Emmarayn Redding

This was another one of my top favorites which is surprising as it’s one of the very few that doesn’t have any sort of speculative fiction elements. It was a very slice-of-life story, but the gorgeous writing and the character’s journey of finding healing after being stuck in a rut for so long touched me to the core. I don’t want to say much because it’s best to go into this one and feel it all. And goodness did it make me feel! Aching and heartwarming and healing all at once. It was beautiful.

Pumpkin Oaksgourd’s Game of Hide and Seek
by Trey McIntosh

This was a rollicking little tale of a young witch and a deadly game of hide and seek. I loved the worldbuilding of this one. It was sort of…cutesy horror I guess you could say? The characters were hilarious and their shenanigans kept the more horror elements from getting too dark. It was just fun and had me giggling and grinning all throughout. It reminded me a little bit of Gravity Falls and Over the Garden Wall, two shows I love. So kudos to that!

The Wandering Warrior: Field of Eternity
by Rachel Anne Michael Harris

This was a thoughtful tale that spans many years about loss and life and continuously moving forward even after heartache. I loved the way it told the story through little snapshots of a girl’s life and the few times she meets a mysterious man who brings her comfort during her hardships. It was sweet, thought-provoking, and filled with the light of hope amidst the darkness.

The Harmony Girls Understudy
by Hannah Carter

I laughed SO MUCH throughout this story! Poor Cassius must take the place of his mom in her trio of female superheroes while she’s down sick. Unfortunately, that means he must also wear her very girly outfit and use a sparkly wand to tap into all the magical powers that come with being a superhero. I loved all the many hilarious tropes this one embraced and ran with, all while poking good fun at them. But, amidst the humor, we also saw some growth in Cassius. It was hilarious and spectacular and definitely another favorite of mine! (And I’m pretty sure there were heavy nods to Phineas and Ferb thrown in there as well, which is a definite plus in my book.)

Cursed Crush, or Help! My Mom Cursed My Crush
by Beka Gremikova

And yet another top, top favorite! Oh man, what a wild and delightful ride this story was. As the title suggests, our poor male protagonist’s mom curses his crush, and breaking the curse is anything but simple. I absolutely adored the cinnamon roll of a protagonist, his fearless and stubborn crush, and the WORLDBUILDING. It’s set in modern times but where everything is magic and it’s perfectly normal seeing mythical beasts roaming around. I want a whole series set in this world! And Gremikova’s writing is just perfection from the dialogue to the pacing to the high stakes to the character arcs. *chef’s kiss* I adored this one from start to finish.

Sisters in the City
by Erudessa Gentian

Another slice-of-life story about two sisters visiting family friends and experiencing the glitz and glam of city life. This was a cute and sweet tale of new adventures and young love. My favorite bit was the shenanigans brought on by the younger siblings. As well as the hilarious failed attempts of the mean girl from school trying to attract her crush. This one made me giggle for sure!

Boy’s Gardening Club
by Anna Lindwasser

The anthology ends with another extremely unique tale that is both fantastical and yet encompasses the complex and messy parts of life so very well. I loved how the entire tale was told from multiple points of view, giving us a glimpse of all walks of life and how, no matter who you are, life is hard and confusing and we all face difficulties. But even though being human is hard, it’s worth it. Both humorous and thought-provoking, this was a fitting end to a fantastic anthology.

CONTENT CAUTIONS

The anthology is mostly suited for a broad audience. The majority of the stories are pretty clean, though there are some with a bit of fantasy violence. A Shot in the Dark, Pumpkin Oaksgourd’s Game of Hide & Seek, and Boy’s Gardening Club had some language, themes, and/or elements that made me a little uncomfortable, but none of them were riddled with content.

I’d suggest the overall anthology for ages 14+.

CONCLUSION

From deep themes to hilarious mishaps to sweet romances to heart-stopping stakes and epic battles, this anthology had a little something for everyone. Though I’m still new to anime, I felt as though every author did a spectacular job capturing that anime feel in their story. I was so immersed in each one and applaud all these authors and artists for creating something spectacular.

If you like anime or would simply enjoy an anthology filled to the brim with great stories of love and friendship and the ties that bind us, then I heartily recommend this one!

[Emmarayn Redding]

I contributed a short story to this anthology! "Her Lost Sunlight" is a Josei-style drama inspired by the beautiful works of Makoto Shinkai and Kyoto Studios.

-----

When the handsome stranger she sees every day at the train station disappears, Ellen Mizushima wonders, "how can a life this beautiful feel so old?"

Ellen leads an idyllic life. She lives in a peaceful city, has friends, works at a lovely coffee shop... and yet something is missing. She's stuck. As an artist, she lacks inspiration, and as a person, she is terribly lonely. Life is taking her nowhere.
Desperate to reclaim some of her former zest for living, she breaks from her usual routines in search of what she can only call... Her Lost Sunlight.

Read this story and many more AnimeLit gems in the upcoming anthology, "Ganbatte! The Ties that Bind Us"!

-----

[Moriah Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The start of a new and redeeming genre! It's no secret among otaku that the big-wig companies like producing half-baked "anime inspired" content. Usually, it's inaccurate and doesn't even come close to what otaku love about anime! But this new genre changes that.

The first ever AnimeLit anthology is here! Inside, you can expect a wide variety of short stories with that anime flavor we know and love. Stories range from sci-fi dystopia/post-apocalypse to sweet toned shojo! (I thought the steampunk frog story was adorable and so fun!)

If you're looking for reads similar to Light Novels with anime tones, you're in the right place!

[M.H. Elrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this anthology. Some stories were better than others and some I had to skip altogether because they don't agree with my worldview. But, for the most part, I enjoyed the stories.
Here is an overview of the ones I read and what I liked about them:
A Winter Sky by Noelle Nichols: This story tugged at my heart strings. Although I was uncertain of the setting, I felt the emotional impact of this story.
Mired in Despair by Andi L. Gregory: By far my favorite story in the anthology. It was a heart-pounding, grab the edge of my seat, type of story that I read it quickly.
Moshpulse Stage One: Slumsong by Zimri A.Z. Zoran: To be honest, I didn't understand this story all too well. What I did get, I enjoyed-that there are dance battlers out there, and they duel one another through dance. That was fun.
Kaeru-Sama by Abigail Falanga: This was a very unique version of The Princess and the Frog. It was cute, fun, and enjoyable to read.
Supernova and 28 by T.M. Root: Another story that I wasn't sure I understood. There seemed to be a lot of information thrown at you at once. However, I did like how "CommuniKing" found his own family.
A Shot in the Dark: My second favorite story that could honestly become a whole book. I really liked the mafia vibes, as weird as that sounds haha. (To be fair, both characters were trying to escape the mafia).
For a Friend by Wyn Estelle Owens: I really loved how this author's portrayal of the typical anime premise of being thrust into the world of a book you love. This one tugged at my heartstrings, too because she was trying to stop her favorite character from being killed. Does she succeed? You'll have to read it yourself ;-)
Her Lost Sunlight by Emmarayn Redding: This story is one of processing grief, and it definitely had a great story of how the heroine does that in various ways. I really enjoyed its realism.
The Wandering Warrior: Field of Eternity by Rachel Ann Michael Harris: This story was the most allegorical of those included. I really liked the encouragement of Aidin. There were a few points where I wasn't sure who was who, but I thought it was enjoyable.
The Harmony Girls Understudy by Hannah Carter: A poor boy is forced to cross dress in order to save the world. Shenanigans ensue. Although not typically a favorite of this kind of story, I felt like Hannah treated her subject very well and it was quite cute.
Cursed Crush or Help! My Mum Cursed by Crush by Beka Gremikova: This was a fun short story. Portraying curses as evil and love as choice, I enjoyed this sweet, romantic tale.
Sisters in the City by Erudessa Gentian: Although this story broke all the rules of writing (multiple p.o.v's, telling more than showing, using adverbs), it was still cute. However, I did get confused because of the head skipping, and I usually can follow that pretty well.
Content: Some stories that I skipped have spirits/Halloween/lesbians, etc. Most of them were clean without any bad language (one A***). There was some blood/violence but it wasn't described so much that I was sickened. Sexual content was very minor, with mainly crushes/kisses/attraction etc. No actual sex on the page.

[Zimri A.Z. Zoran]

"Moshpulse Stage One: Slumsong" is my contribution to this anthology! (Cover Art for Moshpulse done by Melanie J. Morgan)

Quick Summary: A mishap separates Slum Zoner Ikkou Mizomura from his best friend and lands him alone in the upper class city streets, where the dance/monster battle-based sport of Moshbattle rules the upper echelons of society and the city’s secrets are swept neatly under the rug. A mysterious young woman agrees to help him, but the city isn't the only thing that has secrets.

Originally inspired by Yu-Gi-Oh! and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Moshpulse contains elements reminiscent of everything from sports anime like Haikyuu!! and Sk8 the Infinity to Super Sentai or Magical Girl shows like Saint Seiya or Sailor Moon.

Folks who enjoy anime like Yu-Gi-Oh! and its card-game anime brethren, Haikyuu!!, Free!, Sk8 the Infinity, Re-Main, Welcome to the Ballroom, Kono Oto Tomare, Saint Seiya, Ronin Warriors, Magic Knight Rayearth, or just Shounen, Drama, or nakama-heavy anime in general, you might like to give this one a shot!

[M.C. Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm writing this review after receiving an ARC copy of this anthology. These opinions are my own. That being said; this is a collection of well-written and fun stories. I was surprised at the number of fabulous writers gathered in this anthology. Spanning many genres, there will definitely be something for someone.
My favorites were 'Her Lost Sunlight' which feels like a beautiful, slice-of-life Miyazaki story, I just wanted to keep reading forever, and 'Pumpkin's Oaksgourd's Game of Hide and Seek', so reminiscent of Soul Eater, and a heck of a fun read! I didn't enjoy all of the stories, but the plots were mostly decent and ALL of them were well-written and thought out.
Well done all of you, you started out this new genre with a bang!

[Rachel]

My story "The Wandering Warrior: Field of Eternity" is part of this anthology! It was inspired by Link from Legend of Zelda and Zeno from Yona of the Dawn with a lose retelling the The Garden of Eden. It follows two friends and their encounters throughout the years and all the changes and ups and downs that go with it. It was a fun story to write and I hope/plan/have ideas for more stories for Aidin, my male protagonist, in the future.

If you would like to read this story and more, be sure to pick up a copy. The eBook is currently up for pre-order with the paperback coming soon.

Release date is July 1st!

[Sarah Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this anthology even though I’m not necessarily the “target audience” per se due to being very new to anime and manga.

So in my newness I think some of the stories were leaning on tropes I knew nothing about which made them a bit confusing, but I still enjoyed the majority of them and even came away LOVING a good handful based on how they made me feel and think or that I just enjoyed the characters—these are the ones I will happily reread! There is also a vast variety of genres from fantasy to contemporary to horror to even a couple loose fairy tale retellings and everything in between and beyond which was really neat to see.

And like I always do with anthologies my favorite stories are: A Winter Sky by Noelle Nichols, Mired in Despair by Andi L. Gregory, Moshpulse Stage One: Slumsong by Zimri A.Z. Zoran (this one was one of the confusing ones, but it’s on this list because I liked the characters), A Shot in the Dark by Angela R. Watts, For a Friend by Wyn Estelle Owens, Her Lost Sunlight by Emmarayn Redding, and Cursed Crush, Or Help! My Mum Cursed My Crush by Beka Gremikova.

So even if you’re not that into anime or manga I’d still say to give it a shot as there are some really great works in here and you might love some of them!


‼️Content (NOTE: this is for all the stories)‼️

Language: heck; hell (both as a swear word and a place); damned; prick; dammit; bastard; ass; pissed; dang; crap; holy crap; dillhole; flippin’

Violence: injuries and blood (not detailed); a shuriken stabs a man’s throat; characters point and shoot guns at each other; a character shoots/kills a man in self defense (not shown); a boy is nearly hit by a car; fighting with weapons, magic, and hand to hand (not detailed); a character is stabbed with a sword (semi detailed)

Sexual: kissing (not detailed); mild suggestive hints; a couple characters in one story are gay

Drug/Alcohol: people drink wine and rum at parties

Other: death and grief; a malicious force kidnaps people; magic; a cursed village; magical powers/abilities; spirits, demons, and spiritual activity; parents were killed in the past by a demon; a character is a witch; ghosts and a haunted place; a girl is cursed

[Thyra (T.M.) Root]

My debut short story is in this anthology!

In "Supernova and 28," an operative named Kei has a life-threatening secret he hides under his vain diva façade. But his secret is eating him alive - not just figuratively. Is there anyone Kei can trust to tell? He's always had more than enough resourcefulness and ambition to get by, but when stars align, will he recognize what's been given to him is a gift, not yet another fight to survive?

If you're a shounen fan, whether My Hero Academia, Haikyuu, or any in between, be sure to check out "Supernova and 28."

[Josiah Dyck]

As one of the contributors to this anthology, I’ve had the pleasure of being able to read a handful of them. And let me tell you, you’re in for a real treat!

My story, “A Curse Unseen,” is set in an alternative version of ancient Japan. Katsuo and Chihiro are twins who were raised in an order of warrior monks. They use elemental powers to hunt down demons and protect the innocent.

When merchants warn the two of them of strange sounds coming from an abandoned village, they decide to investigate. What lies in wait for them will shatter their world and force them to make tough calls. The path before them is one of hardship and pain, but they might be the only people who can prevent a greater tragedy…

If you’re a fan of action/adventure stories filled with compelling characters and intriguing twists, such as Attack on Titan and Chainsaw Man… you won’t want to miss “A Curse Unseen!”

[Andi]

I contributed a short story to this anthology inspired by Kenji Sakaki's "Enigma."


A dangerous miasma. An enemy who’s an enigma. Two friends whose lives are turned upside down.

MIRED IN DESPAIR is about a friendship torn apart by an unknown enemy—twice. Through it all, Rikka and Genji must stand together to face the one threatening to tear them apart—all while battling their own demons.

- - -

I also had the chance to read all of the other stories in this anthology and thoroughly enjoyed each one! You'll find sweet romances, daring escapes, and errant magic in the covers of this book alongside beautiful truths about life, dance-offs, and characters who fight to make their worlds better. I highly recommend all of these stories!