Gakuen Alice

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At any given point in our lives, there is probably a moment when each of us might think think, "It would be awesome to have superhuman abilities"- or something to that effect. Indeed, everywhere we look, in media, books, music, that wish is reflected- But what might it be like if humans really had special powers?

Often, when people look at something they want, they tend to look only at the positives; "Superpowers? Sure!!" was the way my mind worked before reading Gakuen Alice. But when a person has more, more is required of them… and what if what was given was unwanted?

So starts the story ... of Gakuen Alice; an institute set up specifically for kids with special talents, called “Alices”. The possibilities seem endless- teleportation is a common ability. Shadow-charming, mind reading, predicting the future, hallucinations, and flying… are no longer distant dreams. At a glimpse, Gakuen Alice is heaven; what could a kid want more than to spend time with other supernaturals, away from nagging parents and the stress of the outside world?

Yet… as the story progresses, we learn that things are not so simple; beneath the mask of an academy set up for kids who are deemed “special” lurks a shadow.
Though many students who pass through the gates of Gakuen Alice never have any reason to encounter this dark reality, those who do cross paths with it are thrust into a life of unimaginable suffering and terrors. Once inside the shadow, one cannot escape; age does not matter. Young, old... even those who have long since left behind the gates are bound to the Academy, and for one reason only; having seen the academy’s true side, and for their individual talents.

Our main character Sakura Mikan enters the Academy through a set of special circumstances… and they certainly can’t all be by coincidence. As the gears of fate move on, Mikan begins to learn that life really isn’t all “good”. The world of the Alices is a tough world to live in, and as Mikan begins to learn of her past, she realizes further that things are never as they appear- and suddenly, superpowers don’t appear so super anymore.

Yet, in the midst of the darkness and pain brought onto Mikan and her friends, they learn that there are two sides to every coin. As they go through adventures and misadventures together, they learn priceless lessons on love, hope, trust, and above all, “kizuna” (bond). Through these bonds and relationships, Mikan and her friends are able to get through even when the odds come crashing down on them.

Personally, I was amazed at all the twists and turns in what I simply thought of as a school comedy for children. Gakuen Alice is much more, a true masterpiece that will remain in readers' hearts for generations. The tears, laughter, love, and a whirlwind of emotions come right at the reader through the pages of the story. Gakuen Alice is a story to be enjoyed by readers all over the world through the years.

This story felt like it had potential early on but at some point got lazy and didn't trust its audience to any really deep and meaningful character development. When I say this, I really mean just for the main characters. Suprisingly, some side characters get some decent development but for the most part things feel forced. Granted, this is geared for a younger audience so perhaps I'm just too old for this. But my age most definetly is no excuse for that horrifiying excuse for an ending. The end dropped the series by at least a star. I always save at least 2 stars ... to be based on the ending and this manga lost both for that lazy ending. Ugh, this manga had some very cute art, premise and characters going for it. But it had to break every law in their world last minute for that out of left field ending.

*Spoiler Alert*
I'll just make a pros and cons list and explain it briefly, but before that I would like to say I love Gakuen alice so much. It has been part of my childhood and always will be, but what prompted me to write this review is not satisfaction rather dissatisfaction.

Pros:
1. Very good comedy
2. Good chemistry between characters
3. Nice slice of life moments
4. Good world building
5. Good intentions

... Cons:
1. Not enough explanations for why the antagonist is doing what he's doing
2. Too one sided and plot machine (a. "Oh I have to save Natsume because he and Mikan are meant to be." Hello? Did you ever think about your parents? b. It's ok as long as Natsume is saved Mikan won't get sad that there's no assurance that I get to meet them cause you know romance>everything else. c. Noda new that Hotaru would want to save Natsume and wanted to stop her, but he still took them back. Well that's because the Author wanted that to happen even if it doesn't make sense.)
3. Not enough things explained even though the author had enough time, it being 180 chapters and all.
4. Too childish. (Natsume doesn't die; instead of Mikan overcoming Natsume's death he's saved and thus spared her feelings. However, her parents life doesn't seem to be meaningful enough to save.)

Even if this Manga wanted me to feel about forgiveness, moving on, and being strong it didn't. It in itself denied the very thing it was aiming to do.
Overall I am torn, because it is part of my childhood, but it's quality was going downhill.