MINIMA! Volume 2 by Machiko Sakurai(2008).
© Del Rey
Mania Grade: B
Manga Series: Minima!
Issue: Volume 2
Rating: Teen (13+)
Story and Art By: Machiko Sakurai
Publisher: Del Rey
Price: $10.95
Manga Series: Minima!
Issue: Volume 2
Rating: Teen (13+)
Story and Art By: Machiko Sakurai
Publisher: Del Rey
Price: $10.95
MINIMA! Volume 2
By: Nadia OxfordReview Date: Friday, July 04, 2008
You generally wouldn't expect a manga starring a stuffed animal to deal with themes like hostage negotiations, insanity and abandonment, but that's what's on the menu in Machiko Sakurai's Minima! series. There's still plenty of cuddles to be had, but the manga's stuffed star, Nicori, is more about doling out life lessons than enduring hugs.
Nicori is a stuffed meerkat who has come to life to interact with his shy owner, Ame. Nicori reveals that all stuffed animals have the power to talk, but merely choose to sleep the days away. Nicori, on the other hand, is outgoing and eager to live amongst humans. He proves it by revealing himself on television in hopes of becoming a movie star. His plan is foiled by not-nice people who capture and hold Ame hostage to lure Nicori.
Volume one of Minima ended on a cliffhanger with Ame's kidnappers threatening to kill her if Nicori didn't turn up. Taking responsibility for the situation, Nicori suits up in some pretty adorable armour put together from a thimble, sewing tape and a pincushion. Volume two picks up right away with the kidnapping subplot, but resolves it a little too quickly and moves on before the reader can feel much in the way of tension. This is a bit of a shame because Ame's kidnapper is an interesting character: he, too, has heard dolls talk to him, but the scorn of others has made him something of a psychotic outcast.
Most of the volume focuses on Ame's reluctance to express her true feelings towards her popular love interest. Ame herself seems to get upset and cry a lot over the matter. There's nothing wrong with expressing emotion, but Ame gets more upset about the prospect of losing her unestablished boyfriend than she does about being kidnapped and threatened with death. Not a particularly endearing trait for a lead character.
Nicorai's courage and compassion is somewhat more likable, especially when he learns a hard lesson about humanity through the exploits of an abandoned cat. It's a little preachy, but at the same time, baby kittens are just so cute.
In all, Minima is a good choice for anyone who is looking for a tablespoon of 'tude to compliment “cute.”
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