Sunday, March 14, 2010
+ Anima - Overall Impressions
I'm not really sure where to start other than to say this is an excellent series. The artwork has a light-hearted, playful quality to it that I really enjoy, and the detail is amazing. Many of the characters have a specific animal quality to their physical form (i.e. crow wings, bear claws, fish tails, etc.) each of these are beautifully rendered, as well. The humorous outtakes and super-deformed figures are also perfectly illustrated, which only enhances my enjoyment of the series and it's characters.
The story itself may seem a little shallow at first, but like so many other great manga series, it eventually evolves into a multi-layered plot which can be enjoyed on several different levels. The characters are much the same way - seemingly stereotypical at first, but quickly developing into wonderfully dimensional roles; you can't help but feel and care about them as their journey progresses and you learn more about their pasts.
Overall, I think this would be a great series to have in any library collection. Plus, it's only 10 volumes and they've all been previously published, so you don't have to keep up with new releases and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg.
Posted by Miranda at 5:04 PM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Dramacon - Overall Impressions
This super-cute ameri-manga is a must for any fan of cosplaying or conventions. Although only three volumes long, the plot flows nicely and the characters actually get some development, each moving (at least a little bit) out of their stereotypes by the end. There are some scenes that might seem over-the-top and maybe even a little cheesy to older readers, but the series doesn't have "drama" in the title for no reason.
One of the things I enjoyed most was how the passage of time was depicted. Each book represents a new year (and a new con); this enabled the author to do things with the characters - their lives and personalities - that, with such a short series, might not have been possible otherwise. I've read quite a few of Tokyopop's 3-volume ameri-manga releases, and this is one of the few that I've felt really managed to pull off a cohesive, completed plot.
As for the artwork, it's beautifully rendered with very few noticeable flaws and just the right amount of humorous imagery thrown in. Even without the fun storyline, I probably would have bought these books just for eye candy alone. Ms. Chmakova has a wonderful eye for both beauty and detail.
Overall, I found this series to be a very enjoyable experience, with fun characters and a charmingly sweet storyline. So, if you think Dramacon might fill an empty niche in your library, I highly recommend you give it a try.
Posted by Miranda at 12:29 PM 0 comments
Tags: Age 13+, Ameri-manga, Drama, Dramacon, Humor, OEL, Romance, Shojo, Svetlana Chmakova, Teen, Tokyopop
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
+ Anima, Volume 10
Volume: 10 of 10 Author: Natsumi Mukai
Type: Manga
Publisher: Tokyopop
Genres: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Humor
Age Rating: Teen, Age 13+
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
Based off of this volume alone, this volume would be fine for either your Juvenile or YA section.
Jr. High/Middle School - Yes
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Non-sexual Nudity
- One of the young female characters takes a bath; obviously her nudity is suggested, but nothing is actually seen
- A young female character is shown nude in profile; however, it is very nondescript and not sexual in any way
Violence/Gore
- While nothing is really seen, it is implied that one of the characters, while still in the womb, survived the death of his mother only because crows were picking at the body and the character was able to "break free" thanks to their ministrations
Posted by Miranda at 5:49 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
Thursday, September 10, 2009
+ Anima, Volume 9
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Violence/Gore
Reviews
Posted by Miranda at 4:00 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 8
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
- Concubines and harems are mentioned, but not really explained
Violence/Gore
- Flashbacks of two main characters nearly being killed; very little blood involved
- Character is kidnapped and a fight ensues; some blood involved, but less than previous volumes
Posted by Miranda at 3:26 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 7
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Violence/Gore
Posted by Miranda at 2:42 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
+ Anima, Volume 6
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
- The characters are attacked my a massive bear; there's lots of fighting and some blood splattered about here and there, but nothing more graphic than that.
Posted by Miranda at 9:12 PM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 5
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Posted by Miranda at 3:08 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 4
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Violence/Gore
Posted by Miranda at 2:32 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 3
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
- The main characters all visit a hot spring; nudity is suggested but not shown
Posted by Miranda at 12:37 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
+ Anima, Volume 2
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Violence/Gore
- Various monster deaths with lots of monster blood
- Character enjoys licking the bloody wounds of several other characters; it's NOT sexual, he just seems to enjoy the taste if blood. ^_^;
- One of the characters gets attacked, but only mild bits of blood are involved
About.com: Anime
Otaben
Posted by Miranda at 6:03 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
+ Anima, Volume 1
Type: Manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
- A nondescript profile of a mermaid on a poster
Violence/Gore
Reviews
Posted by Miranda at 4:51 AM 0 comments
Tags: + Anima, Action/Adventure, Age 13+, Fantasy, Humor, Manga, Mukai Natsumi, Teen, Tokyopop
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Dramacon, Volume 3
Type: OEL, Ameri-manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Parental Eyebrow Raisers
Language
Violence/Gore
- One of the characters gets into a car accident; some mild blood spattering is involved
Sexuality/Sexual Themes
- There's one scene between the main characters that gets kind of heavy, but all their clothes stay on.
Alcohol/Drug References
Posted by Miranda at 3:40 AM 0 comments
Tags: Age 13+, Ameri-manga, Drama, Dramacon, Humor, OEL, Romance, Shojo, Svetlana Chmakova, Teen, Tokyopop
Dramacon, Volume 2
Type: OEL, Ameri-manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Sexuality/Sexual Themes
Alcohol/Drug References
Posted by Miranda at 2:03 AM 0 comments
Tags: Age 13+, Ameri-manga, Drama, Dramacon, Humor, OEL, Romance, Shojo, Svetlana Chmakova, Teen, Tokyopop
Dramacon, Volume 1
Type: OEL, Ameri-manga
Public Libraries - Location Suggestion
According to the Publisher - What the Age Rating Means
Non-sexual Nudity
Sexuality/Sexual Themes
Homemade Mech
IGN
Manga Maniac Cafe
New York Public Library
Posted by Miranda at 12:41 AM 0 comments
Tags: Age 13+, Ameri-manga, Drama, Dramacon, Humor, OEL, Romance, Shojo, Svetlana Chmakova, Teen, Tokyopop











