"After School Nightmare" is a solid 7, but not anything higher than that. The manga definitely has its good moments -- there are deep, meaningful layers that make it 'good.' However I found myself so confused and lost 85% of the time. The story is twisted and often doesn't make sense. There are scenes that the author just glides over without adding any more depth.
And let me add one more thing before I go on: to anyone who is considering reading this manga, although this manga is categorized as "Gender Bender" and "Shoujo," I wouldn't say that this was anything close to those genres. "Mystery", "Supernatural", and "Psychological" are more befitting.
OK, on we go.
Character (7/10):
The characters go from shallow to mature to screwed up to 'normal' in the blink of an eye. I guess that this is how 'real' humans are -- we're all weird and have our own problems and whatnot -- but really? I found myself becoming impatient with the characters. I think the Setona Mizushiro was so intent on making these characters more 'real' that it actually had the opposite effect and made them unrealistic.
Art (8/10):
I don't have anything against the art. It's not the kind that I consider eye-candy or gorgeous, but it's still good. The storyline distracted me from paying close attention to the art.
Enjoyment/Overall (7/10):
Once again, After School Nightmare is a solid 7. I don't think it deserves the 8s and 9s that the others seem to praise it with. HOWEVER, I would've considered giving ASN an 8 had it addressed issues about gay/lesbianism or gender fluidity. Even up until the 39th chapter of ASN, I believed that Ichijou's main struggle was finding his/her sexual orientation. All -- or at least most -- of the other students were struggling due to REAL reasons, whether it was standing up for one's self, or finding one's real voice, or learning how to overcome fears. But then BAM! This unbefitting supernatural sh** comes along and ruins everything.
**SPOILER, look away now if you don't want to be spoiled OR want to hear someone rant**
That ending though! I understood it, and it was sweet to some degree, but I was also incredibly frustrated. I don't care if anyone disagrees with me. I was enraged that I had just spent hours reading what I thought was a great, meaningful manga (and it is! to an extent) only to have this...meh ending.
