+Anima 4

+Anima #4

by Natsumi Mukai

In an alternate-reality fantasy world, four special +Anima beings, who possess animal-like characteristics and are shunned by "normal" society, travel to find others like themselves and seek to gain acceptance in a world cruel to anyone or anything that is different.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2002

About the author

Japanese Name (迎夏生)
Loves stuffed animals & owns dogs (corgis).

Reviews

[Amy Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PREVIOUS VOLUMES!

The best volume yet! Nana, Cooru, Husky, Senri and temp party member Rose get to Maggie-Vil, and encounter a precocious girl who convinces them to fight in the colosseum. Rose finds her vulnerable brother Pinion.
The sub-story of the govt being interested in children with powers (+Anima, Pinion’s eidetic memory and drawing skills) is treated lightly, but is kinda dark!
We also get to see a child turn into a swan +Anima in a life-threatening situation, developing the origin story/theory of +Anima.
Also, Nana and Husky get character development.
The crew ‘escape’ and travel onward, finding work for themselves and preparing for the winter.
I want number 5!!

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cooro and Husky aren't like other boys. They're anima, children with animal features and qualities. After breaking free of their servitude at a cruel freakshow circus, they go on a journey in search of others like themselves. Cooro is a crow and Husky is a fish. As they travel the world doing good deeds, they recruit a bear boy, a cat woman and a bat girl. Together they get into all kinds of wacky antics while fighting against the oppression their kind faces on a daily basis.

The low rating isn't because this series is bad, it's just extremely cliche and childish in my opinion. I think it would be good for young kids who have no experience reading manga. It's extremely light, simple, easy to follow and doesn't contain anything overly violent, dark or sexual in nature. For someone like me who generally reads books and manga with excessive gore, dark themes and adult content it definitely didn't appeal to me that much, even though I was in the mood to read something lighter than I'm accustomed to.

Not a bad manga, just not for me. Even so, it's undeniably cute and wholesome. I think it would appeal to kids and young girls, especially if they have minimal experience reading manga.

***

If you're looking for some dark ambient music for reading horror, dark fantasy and other books like this one, then be sure to check out my YouTube Channel called Nightmarish Compositions: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPs...

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celui-ci fait des parallèles historiques au coleuseum, et l'idée qu'il est impossible d'en sortir une fois dedans. L'auteur fait aussi des parallèles au gens qui veulent avoir du pouvoir à tout pris, influencer les gens, pour des gains purement personnels.
Magdala manipulent les enfants de son entourage, les faisant croire que leur temps devraient seulement exister pour son plaisir.
Alors que c'est just une histoire d'enfants, l'auteur instaure l'importance de la communauté, des amis, de la confiance, d'aider pour but d'aider, pas pour une raison cachée.
Un texte simple mais recherché, qui instaurent des belles valeurs pour les enfants qui le lisent.

[Michael Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an anime-style manga cartoon with charming detailed artwork and a weird-but-satisfying story line about shape-changing animal children trying to find their way in the world and only managing to find comfort and friendship in each other. A crow-boy, a fish-boy, a bat-girl, a bear-boy, and more, unusual creatures with engaging personalities. I recommend it if you can still find copies of it anywhere.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a very warped little girl in this one, but seeing as how it's a light-hearted series, she doesn't seem like a lost cause.
It's nice to finally be getting a little more lore about +Anima. I hope it goes more in depth later.

[Lys Robison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my thoughts on the book by reading them on my blog http://lysbooklist.blogspot.com/p/ani...

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting storyline and a new town! Glad some things got resolved but others are still up in the air! Can't wait to read the next volume!

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume had the most action yet. There were some funny moments. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

+Anima is starting to dig in a bit on long running plot points. It's possible to understand things starting here but it's best to go back to the beginning.

This volume features the longest arc for +Anima yet, the five chapter long Maggie Coliseum. Cooro and company stumble upon an opportunity to earn some money when they travel to Maggie Village and their tradition of coliseum fights. But there's something off about their host, and a familiar face from their travels shows up with problems of her own to share...

It's nice to see a somewhat more complex story in +Anima. In addition to some interesting predicaments and questions raised we get more background on +Anima themselves and their origins. This is also an important arc for Rose, as we meet the younger brother she's been working to support. While I would have liked it to get even deeper into some of the sub-plots, there's a good amount of new information here and the tale itself is engaging and well told.

The final chapter, called Little Flower, settles things down a bit again with a peek at the everyday attempts of the group to find work in a new town. I assumed from the title and Senri's collecting habits that this chapter would be about him, but it instead focuses primarily on Nana and Husky. It's a cute Little story with several nice character moments.

So this volume gives us the first long arc of the series, a great deal of new insight into numerous outstanding plotlines and has great spotlight moments for our characters. A very strong installment overall.

[Rhapsody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this volume, in which all the chapters except the last were focused around the same adventure, opposed to the earlier volumes which had a different encounter each chapter. The group visits a city called Maggie Vill, where people earn money by fighting in the Colosseum. Cooro and Husky decide to make money that way, and Nana is taken in by the ruler's young daughter, who is keeping lots of children prisoner as her "friends." Husky and Cooro are imprisoned when they attempt to escape and Rose, a cat +Anima, discovers her brother Pinion has been kidnapped by the Astarium researchers for his unique abilities. With Senri's help, Pinion is freed and when the researchers attempt to take him back, the young princess helps the group escape.

The last chapter is about Nana, who wants jewels but can't afford them, and how she and Husky become a little closer even though he hates girls. I really liked this last chapter, which was just really sweet.

We also learn a little more about +Anima. People apparently aren't born +Anima, which is what I assumed. They become +Anima when they're near death. A boy Shinion who was imprisoned and then attacked by giant cats turned into a waterbird +Anima to escape. I am really liking how bit by bit, we're learning more about +Anima.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books! They are so adorable and lovable. They are well-thought out and interesting and wonderful. Her characters all seem so real. They all have problems and really specific and personal histories that go back pretty far. Her characters aren't perfect, and she is able to make them come to life and feel like real human beings.
I love the idea behind this manga. I love the idea of being able to transform into an animal and have cool powers and be special. (I wish I could do it. That would be so cool!)
My best friends gave these to me to read. They were the first manga I ever read in my entire life and I didn't get it at first. They had the books and I tried reading it, but I couldn't figure out how to read it backwards, and so the first book they read it out loud to me <3 Aren't they sweet? Anyways, I decided that I wanted to continue reading them online, and I was just planning to just look at +Anima a little bit and I ended up reading like the first 7 books in two days (It would've been sooner except I had school and sleep and whatnot, stupid distractions!)
Senri is my favorite!! He is so adorable! I definitely recommend these books to those who love mangas, and to those who love animals, and to those who love interesting stories. This is a very good series with wonderful writing and amazing art!

[Sarah Maddaford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although better than the last about skipping around, we still only got glimpses of anything bigger than traveling around and trying to make enough money to feed Cooro. This whole volume is spent at a coliseum in a huge town run by a woman named Maggie and her daughter Magdala. The fights are much tamer than historical gladiator battles, with serious injury and killing being against the rules. Magdala is a spoiled child, used to getting her way with everything. I can see where Nana would be tempted by the lifestyle, but Nana proves too easily swayed by pretty things more than once in this volume. The idea that her goal is to own jewels is pretty shallow to me. Of course, Cooro's biggest goal is his next meal and Husky is fairly materialistic as well. Although there isn't anything terribly shocking (violent, sexual or otherwise) this volume manages to convey some pretty heavy themes. One of the big questions is: Is safety and security worth giving up everything for? Of course I'm even more interested in the back story of the characters now that I know the conditions for turning into a +Anima.

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooro and company visit a town that goes by the name of Maggie Vil', named after a highly beloved woman from almost fifty years ago whom was named Maggie. Now days, Maggie Vil' is run by that woman's daughter and somewhat her daughter as well. Maggie's daughter, Maggie, runs the coliseum that quite resembles that from Roman times, just not near as brutal. Cooro and Husky decide to participate in a match when they find out that the prize money is one thousand gillers! But will they be able to face up against muscle toned macho guys? And when Rose finds her brother in that village, will her and her brother ever be able to go back to their relatives again?


Ayyaahh, another cute volume~. I believe that this may have been the volume that I stopped at. I think I stopped after the Maggie Vil' chapters. Maybe? Well. All I've got to say is it sure was an enjoyable read, back then, and even now! :*

[Lanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Slightly better then the last couple of books, since we had a story that lasted longer than 1 or 2 chapters. & the ending story with husky giving nana a present was super sweet.

The art was nice of course & we finally got to see some world building. Yay for kind of explaining where anima+ come from. Even if I do think I was really lame... -_-

But again, my main issues still stands. Very little character development, seemingly no over arching plot, and just much lost potential that I want to cry.

Anima+ could have been so great... But it's just to little kiddie for me to get all fan girly over.

Sigh!

Still. Slightly better. Maybe it's heading in the right direction? Here's hoping. I'll read the rest, but still not something I find super awesome or anything. Maybe this really is best read by kids? Hate to say it, but I think it's true.

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this instalment Cooro and his fellow +Anima arrive at Maggie Vil a town famed for its gladiatorial combats ruled over by a woman named Maggie who isn't as good as she seems. Husky becomes the prisoner of Maggie's daughter Magdela.

We also learn how +anima are born - it seems like when a child/adolescent is in a life threatening situation they can manifest +anima powers.

Story is OK, still a little directionless in terms of major plot arcs, but the artwork is absolutely gorgeous. So cute! and the characters are great fun.

If you like things like Saiyuki you'll adore this.

[Ravyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the part when Cooro and friends were in Maggie Vil and at the colosseum. It was also nice to see Husky showing a different side rather than him just being this grumpy guy who always seems ticked off at everyone. I hope there will be some more growth in his and Nana's relationship. It was really nice to see him starting to get over his hatred towards girls, and it seems like there might be a really nice friendship (and possibly more?) starting to develop.
Anyway, I look forward to finding out what everyone's stories are concerning how they became +anima. On to the next volume!

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the point in the series where things get a little darker. In Maggievil the arena is all the entertainment you need... but when you're the entertainment for those pulling the strings, that changes things. And the collection is more like slaves.

Ever wonder how you get +Anima powers? This volume reveals the secret that is a lot darker than you think. You get them when having them is the difference between a life or death situation. Now the question is...how did our main characters earn theirs?

This series has 10 volumes.

[M. Illum · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the group comes to a city caled Maggie Ville. Huskey, a fish + anima, and Cooro go to the arena to fight and try ro win some money. Nana, a bat + anima, meets Maggalina, the daughter of Maggie, the head misterest of Maggie Ville. Nana becomes one of Maggalina's so-called friends. When the whole group meets again in the middle of the arena, a different boy tarnforms into a bird + anima for the first time.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Colosseum segment was interesting. They finally reveal how someone actually becomes a +anima. Though, it feels much more tragic now that I know the truth. I was thinking that is was just something that you could be born with, but apparently you have to go through a near death experience. *shudders* I feel so much more sympathy toward these kids now.

But... Awww!! Husky did something very sweet for Nana. That was very adorable.

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book swept me away to this other wonderful world. The setting was brilliantly set. I could totally see it in my mind. But the characters were definitely my favorite part. They are all so colorful, interesting, exciting, and hilarious. The main character is just perfect. The plot moved fast enough that I couldn't stop reading lest I miss something, but the author still took the time to flesh out the details. The details are what really make or break a story.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what I like about this book is that it gives a chance to see ho +aninma become into existence that touches the cast of characters that we have. In the long segment of Maggie Villiage, we see sides of husky and his strength (and the reason why he loves his staff); we see Senri and his protection of who he considers important; we see Cooro acting like his typical self and finally, we see Nana making a choice she had to make.

Overall I love it. I just love this whole sweet series.

[Classified:p · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book is from the point of veiw of a girl, for the first time. The little group of talents meet more than just a new face.... I cant tell you more. I wont. I do not spoil books for people as long as I can help it!

[Sandra (Page by Page) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume confirms every guess on why people could become a +Anima. In this volume, my favorite character will be... Husky! He's the voice of reason in the group and actually care without showing it. Awesome!

[Rici · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diesen Band mochte ich viel mehr, man lernte wer kämpfen kann und das es in dieser Welt unterschiedliche politische Strukturen gibt. Zudem ebenso, wie +Anima entstehen! Etwas mehr Information ist ganz nett. Und die Jungs sind mal nett zu Nana gewesen, sodass sie sich auch freute.

[Mariah h. · Rating 5 out of 5]

it the 4th book arnt u happy! have u ever woundered how the kids became +anima well ull see how it can happen in this vol. this one isint as funny as the others but it has its moments^_^

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to read this book.

[Braiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

That the gang met a girl with bat like powers

[Loveliest Evaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about this manga that I like? I mean, I just don't what it is that I love about it.. The art style is very cute, I guess.. it's just a good manga ^_^

[Lil' Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still a big fan os huskey!
this one was really nice

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read/rated this in grade school.