+Anima

Anima is a fantastic story for everyone, regardless of age. It features a sweet, touching, and occasionally humorous plot. I recommend it for people of all ages who enjoy stories about friendship.

+Anima was an overall amazing manga that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The characters felt real and developed significantly as the story progressed. The narrative was captivating, full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me on my toes. There was never a dull moment, and the plot was meticulously crafted with great attention to detail.

The art style was adorable yet detailed, striking a perfect balance that I appreciated. There was a calming atmosphere throughout the series, but it also had plenty of funny moments that made me laugh out loud frequently. The humor was well-timed and enjoyable.

This manga isn't overly serious; it doesn't have scenes that make you want to hide under your bed or feel disgusted. However, it's not quite suited for very young children either. In my opinion, +Anima is suitable for a wide range of ages, from young readers to adults. While there are some sad moments, they are always resolved in a satisfying way.

If you're looking for a good manga or just want a pleasant, quiet read, this would be perfect for you! It’s easy to get completely absorbed in the world of +Anima. It’s a highly underrated series with the potential to become an anime if it gains more popularity. Let's hope for the best! (By the way, this is my first review, so sorry if I got a bit carried away *awkward smile* :D)

This is one of the first manga series I've read. After finishing Fullmetal Alchemist, I moved on to this, which was quite a departure in style.

This manga is incredibly adorable, featuring a group of charming characters embarking on delightful adventures. The reason behind these adventures? Honestly, I can't recall. There might have been an explanation for why all the characters came together, but my favorite interpretation is simply that THE PLOT MUST GO ON!

The plot doesn't follow a traditional structure where each event builds upon the last. Instead, it's more like a collection of stories with the same set of characters being the common thread. Throughout the series, the characters do develop, and by the end, we get to know them quite well.

What stood out most to me was the art and character design—it was absolutely stunning. It perfectly complemented the tone of the series and made the story even more engaging. If the art hadn't been so good, I probably would have dropped the series halfway through.

One thing to note about this manga is that it's not very text-heavy. At one point, I managed to finish a volume within twenty minutes. Many pages contain few words, only sound effects, or are purely visual. So if you're interested in checking out the series, make sure to have several volumes handy. The series isn't long, and you'll go through it quickly if you read at a normal pace.

I highly recommend this series for anyone interested in manga, those looking for an easy read, or kids who want to explore the world of manga.

Hello! This is my first time writing a review ever, so please bear with me if it sounds a bit unprofessional. But hey, there's a first for everything, right? Enough stalling; let's dive into the review for the manga... +Anima!

Before I start, I want to mention that this review contains no spoilers, so feel free to read on if you're looking for a spoiler-free opinion. Also, this manga is quite old, and I'm not sure if anyone still cares about it, but I was bored and wanted something to write about. So, here we go!

First, let's talk about the story. In my opinion, the plot of +Anima is pretty unique and refreshing. While it might be considered basic and could have been more fleshed out, its slice-of-life vibe makes it an enjoyable read throughout. No matter what adventure (or misadventure) they encounter, I always had fun reading this manga.

Next up is the art. As an artist myself, I appreciate stories with amazing artwork, and I personally love the art style of this series. It feels nice, and the +Animas' animal characteristics blend seamlessly with the characters. It's also amusing how many of the male characters look somewhat feminine, but that's pretty common in anime and manga.

Moving on to the characters and their development. I genuinely like the main cast of characters. They are all unique, different, and have quirks that make them enjoyable to read about. However, I do think that most of the characters didn't undergo significant development throughout the story. Their personalities remained mostly the same, with minimal maturation. But somehow, I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing in this case because they are all enjoyable on their own.

Finally, let's discuss the overall enjoyment of the manga. There were parts where I wasn't having the most fun following Cooro and his quirky +Anima friends, but for the most part, I had a great time regardless of whatever random subplot they got involved in. Personally, I really enjoyed reading all 10 volumes of +Anima.

In conclusion, in my opinion, this was a refreshing, fun, and entertaining story to read. I think you'll enjoy it too, as long as you consider the pros and cons I mentioned above. Thank you for reading through my very first anime/manga review, and I hope you enjoy reading +Anima.

-Dokilita

When I first started reading this story, I liked the concept and most of the characters (Nana and Cooro annoyed me). However, by the time I reached the last two books, I began to feel concerned. The way it ended made it seem like nothing had happened. The story appeared to be no further along than it was at the beginning. Maybe I just set myself up for disappointment, as I was expecting a more conclusive ending.

Ahh, +Anima. Half the readers probably stumbled upon this manga because its name is, alphabetically, one of the first to appear on a manga-hosting website. The other half might have been drawn in by the word "anima" simply because it sounded pretty. Regardless of how we found it, +Anima turned out to be far more than a mere amusement; it was genuinely captivating in its own unique way. You can easily distinguish a professional storyteller from an amateur, and Natsumi Mukai undoubtedly falls into the former category. It's rare to find a story that combines stunning and consistent aesthetics with heartwarming character development and engaging subplots. Look no further, though, because +Anima is one of the most underrated manga I've ever read (according to MAL scoring). I write this review to shed light on the wonderful +Anima.

STORY: 10

Some people include character development under the "character" section of reviews. While I agree that character development is related to the characters themselves, many stories use character growth as their primary storytelling method. It's not just about physical journeys (though that is indeed the physical plotline of +Anima); story also encompasses the growth of characters and how their interactions evolve throughout the manga. Despite some reviewers giving lower scores for +Anima's story, I believe it deserves a solid 10.

The premise is straightforward. We have children who possess animal-like traits, either due to forced adaptation or being born with them. Cooro embarks on a journey to find other +Anima and travel with them, driven by a simple desire for fun. Given its somewhat linear overarching plot, it's easy to categorize this as a slice-of-life manga, which is perfectly fine. However, I disagree with those who give the story a lower rating because of this. Stories don't need to be complex to be wonderful. The purpose of +Anima is not to confuse readers or tell a save-the-world/damsel/treasure story but to portray the everyday lives of our protagonists.

"Given that it's a slice-of-life manga, how are the daily events of Cooro, Senri, Nana, and Husky?" you may ask.

"Well," I answer, "it's sweet, relatable, and shifts between fun and serious." Some episodes, like Husky being mistaken for a mermaid later in the series, bring a smile to your face. Yet, there are also moments of reflection and subplots that provide insights into the characters' pasts. More serious stories, such as meeting Senri’s tribe, emphasize the characters' backstories and why they've become who they are today. It's challenging to convey these endearing moments in a review, but each story provides a small moral or lesson implicitly told to the reader, not shoved down our throats. Beautiful storytelling indeed. The daily lives of our protagonists are interesting and allow readers to reflect on common morals, whether they agree with them or not.

ART: 10

The artwork is detailed and intricately drawn. It's not your typical shoujo with half-hearted bubbles or flowers in the background during moments of pleasant surprise. Instead, lush backgrounds of nature surrounding the party are depicted beautifully. If it's not nature, it's the bustling towns they move through. Line art is well-executed—bolder where emphasis is needed and more delicate for minor details like wrinkles in clothing. Given the age of this manga, the art style has stood the test of time because the mangaka knew how to draw. As mentioned in my review of He Dedicated to Roses, it's surprising how many mangaka can't draw despite their profession. The characters' clothing designs are excellent; one look at Cooro, and you see bright yellows contrasting with blues and reds, along with practical yet stylish layers. Wonderful work on the mangaka’s part.

CHARACTER: 9

Despite the colorful cast of protagonists that most readers grow to love, there are some irksome supporting characters within +Anima that feel underdeveloped. Characters like Fly could have been much more fleshed out but instead come off as rather two-dimensional, especially compared to the well-designed +Anima protagonists we all know and love.

Even if the supporting characters fall short, the main party more than makes up for it. Each member has a distinct personality. Cooro is playful yet mysteriously obedient and loves to eat; Husky is frugal, dislikes girls, yet looks like one himself; Senri... I must admit he's my favorite character due to his absent-mindedness, cooking skills, and forgetfulness. And then there's Nana, who isn't particularly likable at first but grows on you as she learns her place and even earns Husky's tolerance. Though these might sound like stock characters, rest assured they're not; the mangaka uses tiny details in their actions and clever dialogue to give depth to the characters.

ENJOYMENT: 9

It's a great read, but don't expect to finish it all in one or two sittings. It's slice-of-life, meant to be taken in small doses because it's calming and simply a pleasant read. Like Cooro and friends, take a bit of time out of your daily life to read a little at a time, making reading +Anima a slice of your own life's events.

I couldn't give it a solid 10 because some events weren't consistently strong; however, they were all well-done. Some were simply better than others, and when compared, the reader wouldn't get the same gratification from reading the weaker stories.

OVERALL: 10

This is a terribly underrated series, and I suppose being a slice-of-life can bring the story score down for certain reviewers. Don't treat it like a manga you can race through; that's simply not how you can enjoy +Anima. Read as much as you want, and stop when you feel you won't get any joy out of reading more. Then pick it up again, sprinkling it into the multiple slices of your own life to help sweeten a tame Sunday afternoon.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I started reading it just yesterday, on August 15th, 2009, and I am completely hooked!

It's so hard to put down because it has an awesome story and GREAT characters. What makes it really cool is that these kids have unique powers inspired by animals. For example, Cooro has wings like a crow, and Husky has a tail, fin, and the ability to breathe underwater like a fish!

This manga is truly captivating, and you will definitely enjoy reading it! :3