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Anima 

Author: Dany & Dany

Publisher: Yaoi Press

American release date: 2008

Format/Genre: Manga/Yaoi

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: 18+/Explicit Content

Overall Personal Rating: A-

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In a future world as envisioned by Dany & Dany, cyborgs are the norm, although there are strict regulations as to their separation from the human race.  Flavor this with a huge dose of steampunk, and welcome to Anima!

Synopsis:

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Patrick Owens is a passenger on the inaugural voyage of the ship Theleme, accompanied by his android Ed.  Patrick is a bit of a cynic, viewing the world as mostly a corrupt place.  But as he and Ed attend a performance on board the ship by the great ballet dancer Danya, he feels that there may be something divine left in humanity.  When Ed accidentally topples into the ship’s pool, this precipitates a chance meeting with the dancer, who is able to help with the android’s antiquated joints. An immediate attraction springs up betwen Danya and Patrick.  Danya is under pressure from his manager, a former dancer, who now lives vicariously through his pupil and his career.  Patrick suggests that they blow off steam in the virtual fantasy suite, playing a simulation game – something Danya has never done, as his life has only been about dancing.  The game turns into virtual lovemaking which blows their minds.  But when Patrick suggests that real lovemaking will be even better, Danya runs!

Danya is not what he appears to be – he has a secret, and Nikolaj, his manager, knows what it is.  In fact, he’s responsible for it.  It was three years before, that it occurred, and it involves something called the Anima program.  As a result, he keeps Danya under his thumb.  And Patrick’s presence is not only undesired, it threatens to be potentially explosive.  If Patrick learns Danya’s secret, and what Nikolaj is up to, the results won’t be pretty – and Danya’s career will be in ruins.  He can’t take that chance, therefore Patrick has to go.

Despite Danya’s fears, he and Patrick are getting closer and closer, until Danya is warned that Nikolaj has something deadly in store for Patrick – and he has to act to save the man he loves.

Commentary:

I was pleasantly surprised with Anima.  It’s a really cute manga, as well as hot – the scenes between Danya and Patrick are pretty smokin’.  I figured out Danya’s secret pretty quickly, but that’s okay, it never detracted from the story.  I liked the two protags, and disliked the manager – and of course I liked Ed, who wouldn’t?  There is love and romance and action and potential heartbreak.  The mangaka did a good job with the artwork, even if I am not a particular fan of most western styles.  There is a great attention to details, and the steampunkish outfits and backgrounds are interesting and stylish.  The heroes are both good-looking, in that heartbreaking, big-eyed style often favored by mangaka.  It’s a sweet romantic manga, and I would recommend it it those who favor the HEA

Overall Grade: A-

Interestingly, anima are also, in Jungian psychology, the unconscious feminine qualities which the male mind possesses, and vice versa for females.

“In the Radius”: If you like Anima, look for more Dany & Dany titles, such as The Lily and the Rose, and I.D.O.L.

Tags: anima, dany & dany, m/m, manga, Romance, yaoi, yaoi press

Julie  Jun 28 Yaoi Manga