+Anima, Vol. 1

Cooro fell from the sky when he was a baby, like a dark angel. He is a "+anima", or a human with some of the powers of an animal; in Cooro's case, he can grow the wings of a crow. Husky is also a +anima, with the abilities of a fish, and is being used as a circus freak in a traveling sideshow. The 11-year-old Cooro frees Husky, and the two flee together, trying to find a new home. In this world, normal humans hate and fear the +anima, even their children. Cooro and Husky soon meet others like themselves: the taciturn Senri, who grows claws like a bear, and the cute but hapless Nana, who has been using her bat abilities to pickpocket. The ragtag bunch agree to travel together and find a new family with each other. +Anima is unabashed shonen manga, with adorable, magical children with golden hearts and mysterious secrets yet to be revealed. The characters are likable, and the drawing clear and stylized. It's an enjoyable romp for comic readers with a sweet tooth. (June)