Who are Animasters
Animasters are people who collect, train, and battle Anima in structured Nexus Battles. They're the game's equivalent of competitive trainers. Individuals who develop bonds with Anima creatures and deploy them on grid-based battlefields. The player character is an aspiring Animaster who starts in Iia and works their way up through regional championships.
Social role
Being an Animaster is a recognized profession and social role across the Planes. Skilled Animasters earn respect, political standing, and the right to participate in higher-level competitions. The Arena system provides a formal structure: local Arenas have Arena Masters and deputies, regional championships filter out the less experienced, and The Amphitheater sits at the top as the ultimate venue.
The social hierarchy of Animasters mirrors real-world competitive circuits. You start at the bottom, prove yourself in local events, build a reputation, and gradually earn access to bigger stages. Hua's obsession with reaching The Amphitheater reflects how central this competitive ladder is to the Animaster identity.
Relationship with Anima
Animasters don't just use Anima as tools. The game repeatedly emphasizes the companion bond between Animaster and Anima. These creatures serve as "emotional companions and life assistants", they help with exploration, participate in mini-games, and live alongside their Animaster in daily life. The relationship is closer to pet ownership mixed with sports coaching than it is to commanding soldiers.
Types of Animasters
Not all Animasters follow the same path. Some, like Hua, are focused entirely on competitive battles. Others seem more interested in exploration or research. Kiana operates outside the normal Animaster hierarchy entirely as a Planestrider. The variety in how characters engage with Anima suggests the role is flexible. You can be a competitive battler, an explorer, a researcher, or something in between.