+Anima Volume 6

This sixth volume of +Anima continues the adventures of the characters introduced in the first volume: Cooro, the cheerfully impetuous crow-winged boy; Husky, the sulky hot-headed mer-boy who can't stand girls; Senri, the silent older youth whose right-arm is that of a bear; and Nana, the chatty bat-winged girl who main defense is her ultrasonic scream. This volume takes up the story that began in the previous volume when our heroes suddenly found themselves traveling with an old adversary, Igneous, and end up face to face with the Kim-Un-Kur, a mountain tribe that Senri originally came from. There are six stories in this volume, though the first four are in fact one story arc where we find out many things about Senri's mysterious past. In "That Which Sleeps", the shock of encountering his people, including a +anima like himself, leaves Senri unconcious; when he wakes, his amnesia has worsened and he cannot remember Cooro, Husky or Nana. In "Memories of Sunbeams Through the Leaves", Igneous must face a test set for him by the Kim-Un-Kur and Senri is confronted by a man from his past. In "Mad Beast", we learn the secret of Senri's past, why he only has one eye, and what happens if he ever loses his eye-patch. In "All That Protects You", Senri fights for his life and risks losing his humanity, but Cooro and Husky find ways to bring him back. The fifth story, "Beyond the Mountains", sets things up for the next volume where the focus will apparently turn to Husky and the mystery of his past. And the sixth story, "A Story in the Snow", is a sweet little aside as Cooro tells the others about an encounter he once had with an artist and his younger sister who wanted to see an angel. All are good stories, and we do finally learn how Senri came to be the way he is (though he still has a mystery or two left for the future) and we also get a few tantalizing hints about Husky's past which seems to be where the next volume will be going. Of the first six volumes, I feel this one is the most serious as well as being one of the best. Definitely another good read in a fun enjoyable series.

Continuing from the previous book in the series, the children find out more about their older, more quieter member of the group, Senri. They help him both overcome his past as well as protect him from it with their friendship that is so much more. Beautiful artwork carries the reader from page to page until the book is finished. Natsumi Mukai does a wonderful job of engrossing the reader in her fantastic other world. I recommend this series to any reader.

I bought this book for my son (12 years). It was the top thing he wanted on his Christmas List, especially after reading 1, 2, 3. He has read this several times since Christmas Day. If you are a fan of Pokemon, Yugioh, etc., you will love this series of books.