I originally found this manga through a series randomizer. This one popped up and I noticed it's genres included "horror" and "psychological," so I thought that I may as well give it a try, seeing as my first impression based on the synopsis and picture painted this manga as a good, enjoyable, dark manga, and in many ways I was spot on. But, as always, first impressions, especially those you form before you even begin to read a manga, are sometimes false.
-Story- 8
Ayana is bullied, hard. Not the normal type where it's a couple kids just teasing someone. Not the teen drama bullying here. We're talking full on physical, psychological, and emotion torture. The other students in her class ostracize, physically abuse, and even rape her, as well as steal her belongings, on a regular basis. So, one day, while waiting on a crosswalk, she is pushed (presumably by one of her classmates) right in front of a car and is nearly killed as a result. This incident, however, awakens a demon inside her called revenge. She wants revenge against every student in her class, including those who stood by and watched as she was constantly abused.
Now, in terms of originality, this story is something very fresh in a stale setting, the classroom setting. The mangaka forces the most extreme case of bullying into a lax school setting and sees what would result. I think it's safe to say that, if executed properly, this manga could become a very interesting, well paced, well thought-out series that could compete even with the higher tiered manga. However, now we run into the trouble of the execution of this original idea, and that is where we run into our first problem, believe-ability. It's difficult to imagine that a case of bullying as extreme as this could exist. Our human nature tells us that we would ideally care for all of those around us, or, by social contract, "pretend" to care for the sake of the relationships we selfishly desire. The story does NOT contradict either of these ideas. The bullies constantly unite against a single individual with the expectation of improving their social standing or, at least, to not be associated with that individual and hold their social standing. The primary issue isn't the believe-ability of the situation that Ayana is in, it is how the situation escalated to the level it is. Basically, why is she being bullied "so hard" and how did it begin in the first place? This question has yet to be answered (which doesn't mean it will not be later on). That is the primary detriment this manga has on me so far
-Art- 10
As with many mangas, the artwork is phenomenal. It can be both aesthetically pleasing and horrifying. This especially enforces the tone the manga tries to invoke. The character designs also reveal a bit about the characters themselves, some of their motives behind their actions, and their social standing.
I do want to mention specifically the character design of Ayana. She is designed very well to look like both, a normal student (albeit, a lonely one) and, what I like to call, a being of vengeance. This gives her a two-way contrast from the rest of her class.
-Character- 8
As I mention in the "Art" section, the characters, while occasionally having little (for lack of an appropriate word) screen time, are shown well in attitude and behavior, as well as their hidden motives being able to be analyzed through their designs, facial expressions, and subtle actions.
-Enjoyment- 9
As stated before through my first impression, this manga looked like an interesting and enjoyable read. I could just watch a girl get revenge against one classmate after another until only she remains on top. This was a misjudgment on my part. While her aim is to get revenge against her classmates, one after another, there are consequences for her actions, and for her classmates' actions. This is probably my favorite quality that makes this manga shine, in my eyes.
Summary:
-Overall- 9
This manga is more cerebral than one may first notice. Each character can be analyzed through a lot of their qualities and actions, and, while the premise may seem unbelievable in terms of the extent of the characters' actions, it is very real.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment on my profile any questions, compliments, or criticisms about my review, about this manga, or anything really.
