After School Nightmare

Name: After School Nightmare
AKA: Houkago Hokenshitsu, 放課後保健室
Author: Mizushiro Setona
Status: Completed
No. Of Volumes: 10
Genres: Psychological, Romance, Gender Bender

The Plot

Like most teenagers, Mashiro Ichijo has a secret. But Mashiro’s secret is that he’s neither fully male nor female! So far, Mashiro’s been able to live his life as a boy, but all this changes when he’s informed of a new class he must take in order to graduate from his elite prep school. To pass, he must find the “Key”…and the only way to find it is to enter into a nightmare world where his body and soul are put at the mercy of the worst kind of enemies: his classmates! (Source: Go! Comi)


Review Section


The Story

The whole storyline got me addicted.Its exciting & thrilling like what nightmares are meant to be (in a good way). Its psychological theme here requires some in depth thinking as you connect the ending with the whole mysterious graduation in the story.What I like is also the straight to the point of the whole gender problems Mashiro has all the way from the 1st page.
The thrilling parts in the nightmare are interesting as each character in the nightmare has their motives & ways of getting the "key". I have read that some people did not understand the ending as it makes you think & wonder about what really happen but if you give it some thought, the story connects & you will enjoy it.


The Characters

In my opinion the characters are the ones that stood out in the manga.Each character has their have their own set of problems & nightmares to overcome.The development of Mashiro is main focus here.As he deals with the dilema of his gender, he grows stronger & firmer in what he believes in.The characters relationship with each other seem to change & develop as well.The 3 main characters overcome their fears while building a friendship.Their thinking & actions make sense to what they do.


The Art

Afterschool nightmare's coloured covers are mostly in pastel colours.This makes it shoujo-ish & fairytale like but what lies behind the covers lie a story of dark contents.Since its dark, the art isn't sparkly like most shoujo mangas.Even so, the art is clean & not messy.Scenes can be interpreted easily without squinting your eyes to figure out what is happening.Its also a wonder how Mashiro can look good as a guy & the same time look pretty in a dress XD

You may enjoy this if you:

• Like Psychological stories
• Are looking for a refreshing & unique shoujo manga
• Like gender bender
• Want something dark
• Do not mind the shounen-ai feel in mangas
  

Note:

After School Nightmare contains mature themes like sexual references & violence.Don't say I never warned you :p.Age rating may be more suitable for those 16+ as recommended by Go Comic!