Anchihiiroo - Origin of an Antihero (Toonopolis Shorts, #1) [Kindle Edition]

Jeremy Rodden (Author)

Book Description

"Absorbing and compelling story with enjoyable characters."

- Book Stack Reviews

"I felt like I was watching a Japanese cartoon on Saturday mornings like when I was small as I read this story."
- Tiffany Fulton, author of Soldier Evolution Revolutionary Girl

"Though this is a much more serious tale than that of Toonopolis: Gemini, it is still a great story that all will enjoy."

- Books: The Cheapest Vacation You Can Buy

Anchihiiroo - Origin of an Antihero is a story about destiny and a young man's desire to make his own path in the world.

"The characters in this novella are extremely well structured. They are so real that you forget that you're reading about cartoon characters...well, until one of them says something wildly sarcastic."

- Martha Rodriguez, author of A Reel Cool Summer

If you like complex antiheroes like Batman, Rorschach, and Tyler Durden, read Anchihiiroo - Origin of an Antihero to see how the pull of good vs. evil can create a hero who walks the line between them both.

~~~~~~~

Praise for Toonopolis: Gemini, Book One of the Toonopolis Files.

"If you enjoy cartoons, world building, and fun adventures (like I do), this book is a great addition to your library."
- Ann Charles, award-winning bestselling author of Nearly Departed in Deadwood

"The randomness of the characters brilliantly evokes Douglas Adams if he were force-fed Saturday morning cartoon culture."
- George Sirois, author of Excelsior

Author Note: This is neither a sequel nor a prequel to Toonopolis: Gemini and is able to be read before or after reading any Toonopolis Files books!

Product Details

• File Size: 186 KB
• Print Length: 73 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Portmanteau Press LLC (October 15, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005VQGOUS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,689 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #51 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Short Story Goes a Long Way! October 27, 2011

By Martha

Format:Kindle Edition

I recently read Jeremy Rodden's book, Toonopolis: Gemini and loved it, so I was very excited to learn that Jeremy had written a novella about one of the characters in that book. What a great way to meet this interesting character, to learn his back-story and to see how he fits into Toonopolis: Gemini.

Toonopolis Short: Anchihiiroo is the story of Yoshi, later known as Anchihiiroo and even later known as Han'Eiyuu. The novella introduces us to five-year-old Yoshi at the moment he becomes an orphan and we follow him until he becomes a man. Throughout his life, Yoshi suffers at the hands of evil men and is cared for by gentle ones. There's an underlying tug-of-war in his heart between good and evil. He wants to protect his town from evil so the townsfolk won't have to suffer as he has. He trains for years to be the hero they need. But, he also feels a need to avenge the death of his parents and the training he receives at the hands of his sensei will prepare him for battle.

Will he ultimately be a hero or an anti-hero? Will he use his mind, body and spirit strength for good or evil?

As in Toonopolis: Gemini, the characters in this novella are extremely well structured. They are so real that you forget that you're reading about cartoon characters... well, until one of them says something wildly sarcastic and you quickly remember that you're in a toon world! That's the great thing about Jeremy's writing, just when you think something is very serious, he gets all goofy on you. The comic relief is perfectly placed and always welcome. And just as quickly, you're back in the action and loving it.

The story stands steadily on its own but, trust me, you're going to want to know what happens next and what happens next is in Toonopolis: Gemini. Read separately or together, these are two great stories that everyone will enjoy.

You've done it again, Jeremy! I can't wait to read more about your great characters. Keep the stories coming because we want to keep reading them!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great installment in the Toonopolis series! October 29, 2011

By A. Chambers

Format:Kindle Edition

I enjoyed reading Yoshi's story and learning how he ended up being the anti-hero he hated so much. This short isn't as funny as Toonopolis: Gemini; it's a more serious story, but it has funny moments. And of course, a snarky sidekick.
I'm still wondering about the whole brother issue, but I suppose I'll have to read the next Toonopolis installment for those answers. I think I can handle that.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to Animetown November 2, 2011

By Scott

Format:Kindle Edition

Anchihiiroo by Jeremy Rodden tells the in depth story of one of the "rogue" toons from Toonopolis: Gemini. I was happy to see this short, as Animetown was possibly my favorite section of Toonopolis from Gemini. With that in mind this could be a stand alone story to help you decide to read the full length book, but I really feel that it works much better after reading Gemini and having an understanding of the world Jeremy has created.

Anchihiiroo was born Yoshi in a simple fishing village. One day his village is attacked by pirates during the ninja pirate war. He escapes the destruction and is found and taken in by some kind people in the next town over. Unfortunately that town is also destroyed leaving him once again as the lone survivor. When Yoshi is taken in by the monks at the Suzaku temple, where a phoenix egg is awaiting a hero of legend to hatch.

The story tells of a young man with a tragic past who feels his life is totally outside of his control. This book is a wonderful supplement to fans of the Toonopolis universe and serves very well as an appetizer to hold you over until the next volume of the main story is released. While a bit more serious than Gemini there is still a good amount of humor. Anyone from the age of 8 and above can enjoy the world that Jeremy Rodden has created and I recommend picking this up for anyone in the family.

More About the Author

I spent the first ten years of my professional life in retail sales, working my way up to store management positions in two different Fortune 500 retailers. Along the way, I managed to earn a BA in Religion and English Writing from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA and an MA in Secondary Education from Holy Family University, also in Philadelphia.

After completing my Masters, I began teaching high school English. When my second son was born in May, 2010, however, my wife and I decided that it would be more prudent for me to be a stay-at-home dad, taking care of the new baby along with my first son, who was born in June, 2005. I have since had the challenge and pleasure of being a homemaker.

It was at this time that I finally grasped the stories that had been in my head since I was a teenager and wrangled them to paper. Toonopolis began as a silly interactive fiction game played with some real life and virtual friends. The game only lasted a few years but the world I had created and my characters never escaped my thoughts.

As a writer, I consider C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll to be my strongest influences. They were able to create magical worlds that readers of all ages enjoy, which is exactly what I want to achieve with Toonopolis. It is a lofty goal, indeed, but the only goals that will invariably be unachievable are the ones that are not set.

Welcome to my world. I hope you have as much fun as I do.