Apr 19, 2024
Kakegurui Midari transports us to the formative years of Midari's role within the Student Council showing us the underlying layers of her character as she forges a rather unlikely camaraderie with Ayame Nereba & rivalry with Nana Ootori, an ill-fated soul trapped by the Council's despair-inducing games. We are poised to explore the morally ambiguous and shadowed corners of Midari's past, as she goes through the high-stakes world that would ultimately lead to her becoming one of the Council's pivotal figures.
While being nearly 60 chapters, each one is only 10-15 pages, so it's actually a very quick read. Unfortunately the pizzazz from the main series
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is rarely seen here with a lot of game theory dumbed down or ultimately inconsequential. Art and panelling here is a hit or miss. Just overall very lackluster and there is very little to chew on in terms of excitement, concepts, and execution. Just wish they did more like Kakegurui Twin did to Mary.
***ENDING SPOILER BELOW***
All issues aside, the conclusion serves as a poignant reminder of the melancholy that envelops Midari. Her character is undeniably entertaining, yet it is her underlying sorrow and self-destructive behaviour that emerges as the dominant theme. This sadness finds its roots in the unexpected behavior of Ayame, someone who had previously impressed and piqued Midari's curiosity. The fact that Ayame, despite the palpable danger, is willing to risk her life rather than harm Midari, is a testament to Midari's inherent qualities that make her worth saving, even in the eyes of someone as eccentric as Ayame. It was a surprising turn of events, and I confess, I had anticipated a different outcome. I half-expected Ayame to take her own life, in an attempt to undermine Ootori and inflict emotional torment on Midari. Alternatively, I thought she might somehow secure her freedom and then coldly desert Midari, deeming her unworthy of her time.
What I admire most is the way Midari confronts her feelings for Ayame and openly acknowledges why she keeps her close. In a sense, she has discovered a friend, a kindred spirit, in Nureba, and the addition of Ootori as their new intern adds an element of humor to the story. Witnessing Midari grapple with Ayame's unwavering resolve to eliminate Ootori if necessary, provided she felt threatened or it guaranteed her survival, was honestly really fucking good. The growth Midari undergoes in understanding Ayame's firm commitment to her survival while rejecting the opportunity to satisfy her desires is a significant moment, casting doubt on the frequency with which she truly wishes to inflict harm on others.
In the end, it becomes evident that Midari is a complex character with a penchant for hedonistic masochism and a yearning for companionship & authenticity. I hold out hope that she and Ayame may eventually find a way to form a deep and authentic friendship even in the background of the main story.
Basically, Kakeuguri Midari is an alright addition to the main series albeit somewhat underwhelming. Witnessing Ayame's display of determination and her desire to assert her independence and right to make her own choices was a gratifying aspect. It serves as evidence of her personal growth and maturation. Her confrontation with Ootori, wielding a sense of threat, was undeniably impressive. However, in light of the overall narrative tone, the resolution seemed a bit too harmonious. Kakegurui has always had this issue of presenting the risk of death but barely ever following up on that danger.
Regarding Ootori, her ultimate fate was some absolute clown-tier tomfoolery, a departure from expectations, and further emphasized the far-reaching consequences of her actions within the student body and the relentless scrutiny of the Council.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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