Shell small (<2 mm), wider than high, formed by 3,5 whorls separated by an indistinct suture, with a low spire, widely umbilicate.
The protoconch has 1,75 whorls, measuring about 330 µm in diameter and with two distinct phases, the first one being completely smooth while the second phase is covered by a comma-shaped sculpture; there is no thickening. The teleoconch has 1,75 whorls and 3 carinae, one peripheral, one basal and one periumbilical. The ornamentation is composed of spiral cords, ribs, axial folds and rounded cells in the spaces between the cords.
On the adapical part, the spiral cords cross the axial striae, with 5-6 cords developed in zigzag on the first spire whorl; in the last 1/2 whorl, about 15 nodulose cordlets can be seen.
The space between the carinae has 15 spiral cordlets, viewed in an apertural position; on the last whorl more than 40 axial folds can be counted. Dorsum and base are convex, the spaces between carinae are concave. Base with a smooth wide area near the basal carina and 5-6 wide and narrow spiral cords intersected by weak axial folds; a third periumbilical carina angles and limits the umbilicus.
Aperture quadrangular; parietal area covered by a thick callous coating; columella arched and reflected towards the umbilicus; adapical part of the outer lip is crenulated externally by the termina¬tion of the spiral cords; in the periphery there are two angles that correspond to each of the carinae; the larger angle corresponds to the basal carina and expands the aperture laterally. Umbilicus wide and deep, allowing the previous whorls to be seen, limited by a carina which angles it; umbilical wall convex, smooth, with growth lines. Dimensions: the holotype is 1.80 mm in diameter.
Operculum fine, multispiral and with central nucleus characteristic of the species of Vitrinellidae. Radula taenioglossate, formula 2-1-R-1-2. Central tooth very wide; cutting edge with a main rounded central cusp and 3 smaller cusps at each side; lateral edges expanded and thickened, free from the rest of base for most of their length; base with a pair of denticles, ventral enlargement with a well developed U-like shape.
Lateral tooth elongate, similar to central one, but its base lacks denticles; cutting edge rather long, with a main central cusp and 6-7 smaller cusps at each side.
Marginal teeth long, curved; inner marginal tooth with 7-8 small cusps on the upper third of its outer edge; outer marginal tooth similar in shape and size to the inner marginal teeth, but lacking cusps.

The lower prominent carina with more distinct axial sculpture on its lower part is very characteristic of this species, and not present in others of its group. In some shells this prominence is attenuated.
The radula of Anticlimax maranii is typical of Rissooidea or Truncatelloidea, and shows a great similarity with that of Nozeba topaziaca (Hedley) (in PONDER, 1984: 55, fig. H). This close relationship between Tornidae and Nozeba, has recently been proven by CRISCIONE & PONDER (2013) after a phylogenetic analysis of species of Circulus, Pseudoliotia and Nozeba, among others.
Another species which shows a great similarity in its radula and operculum is Cyclostremiscus calameli (Jousseaume, 1872), a vitrinellid of the western coast of Africa (in ROLAN & RUBIO, 2002).
It is also very similar to the radula of Tornus subcarinatus (Montagu, 1803), type species of the genus (in ROLAN & RUBIO, 2002), but the operculum of this species is oval and paucispiral, with a subcentral nucleus.

Only known from Panglao Island, Philippines, between 10 and 24 m.