After School Nightmare Vol. #5
|
|
|
(c) 2005 Setona Mizushiro / AKITA SHOTEN. All rights reserved.
View all Media
|
|
|
January 24, 2008
by: Adam Beck
Mashiro’s feelings continue to fluctuate as he is faced with an ultimate decision.
 (c) 2005 Setona Mizushiro / AKITA SHOTEN. All rights reserved.
Manga Description: THIS DREAM DRAWS BLOOD…
Things are heating up in both worlds! Determined to prove himself as a guy, Mashiro goes the distance to win Kureha. But will the new power of their bond survive the most shocking revelation so far – the true identity of the malevolent knight?
From the Creator of “X-Day”!
Manga Review:
Content: (This section may contain spoilers.)
After School Nightmare is one of those series that you just want to read over and over again. This fifth volume provides even more support towards this point as there are some well plotted out events that all add up in being a unique experience. Getting back to Mashiro and Sou’s last conversations, we witness the downfall of the two’s relationship as Mashiro reminds himself of who he believes he is. This ultimately not only leads to the relationship between the two going sour, but their minds becoming warped and occupied as well. The first chapter of the exciting series makes a bold and emotional stand when the feelings between Sou and Mashiro swirl down the toilet, and at the same time resurface to plague each other. Probably the most drastic and amazingly paced scenario within the first chapter has to be the sexual connection between Sou and his sister Ai. The two have always been close, and Sou has even commented on how he wishes he could find a girl like his sister… but I would have never expected things would get so heated that it would involve the two in a forbidden act. This event opens up even more boundaries and questioning between the two because while they have strong feelings for one another, Sou’s feelings for Mashiro won’t ever disappear. These feelings and relationships affect the overall performance of our two heroines of the story and create an even larger conflict than the last volume’s double-crossing efforts.
It has been a while since two chapters in the series have been connected almost fully within the dream world; the 18th and 19th chapters – second and third of this volume – are intertwined within the dream world, which pushes Mashiro’s mental mind past all boundaries. But before getting into the dream world, the first thing I noticed was Kureha’s drastic character change as her attitude becomes more cold. Anyone who has enjoyed Kureha’s timid character style may be thrown off because it would seem she has advanced in the character development department quicker than any of the other characters in the story, offering an emotion that reminds me of her avatar in the dream world. This is the first time she has showed so much strength within her words and it does bode well with the advancing storyline. Getting into the dream world, the snotty princess and the gender confused Mashiro find themselves working together in finding the key. Ai once again expresses her feelings on not graduating from the class yet only to tell Mashiro that he must leave because it is burning Sou’s heart too much. The ending of this scenario finishes both in blood bath and in an anticipated conclusion to Mashiro’s decision, not really leaving any room for surprises. I really enjoy the scenery and each little trap that was placed into the dream world that is put forth in this volume. While there are only couple traps shown, Ai’s death was the most well plotted out, with the perfect amount of drama put behind it, almost making you feel that she truly died. Besides Ai’s death, my favorite part of the story within the fifth volume was the end of the 19th chapter because it resembles a certain scene from Romeo and Juliet. It also advanced Kureha’s emotional state in presenting a short but well deserved relationship concept between her and Mashiro. Mashiro and Ai are then shown waking up in each others' arms at the opening of the 20th chapter; it doesn't tell us much, but it did give a hint at Kureha’s mental state and possibly a glimpse at her future.
Now the last chapter is one of the least interesting parts of the story - it does offer a bit of action between Sou and Mashiro, but overall I felt the dialogue falling a bit short of what it usually presents. For example, the conversation with Sou’s mother didn’t really explain anything nor did it advance any emotional aspect towards Sou. The only thing the last chapter in the volume is good for is leaving it off with a bit of a cliff-hanger as we are treated to a conversation between the nurse behind the dream world and a female student who’s face is not revealed. It is difficult to say who this girl is being that it only shows her shoes and stocking, but it is either pointing at someone who has already been revealed in the dream world, or a new face. Either way, it is indicating more traumatic events in the future releases, something anyone who has been following the series should be anticipating.
The only problem I’m having with the series is that all the hints are way too big and give away plot twists too easily. Still, After School Nightmare is still an excellent read with many entertaining adventures that should attract many readers. The character development this time around has taken a drastic leap and the story seems to be twisting apart and foreshadowing the next move with relatively large hints in each chapter.
 (c) 2005 Setona Mizushiro / AKITA SHOTEN. All rights reserved.
Art: I have commented on the series’ beautifully immersive visuals, that are while not amazingly detailed, still sticks out as well crafted artwork when combined with the story. The visuals really do a lot of the storytelling; the amounts of traumatic events that have fallen upon Mashiro have all been drawn with superb grace, creating a believable atmosphere. As I said, this isn’t the most detailed manga you’ll find, but this can be a good thing as there are no crowded areas, nor are there any times when the visuals will become an eyesore. I did notice a bit more attention to detail in the environments compared to previous releases, but nothing of significance for the series. For example, the background looks beautiful in the part of the night when Mashiro goes up to Kureha’s room because it offers a bit more variety than the in-school environments. Another good example is within the dream world; for the most part, most dreams contain that clean white style, but in the mansion Mashiro travels to, it contains beautifully shaded environments, something that I haven’t seen much of from the series.
Translations: Go!Comi really knows how to deliver in this department as there are no apparent overlooked or untranslated Japanese sound effects. Sound effects are presented in its original Japanese lettering with an English-translation nearby. Honorifics are a mixture of present and missing; for example, Mashiro will call Kureha without any prefixes, while Kureha will call Mashiro, “Mashiro-kun.” That said, most of the characters pretty much call each other by their general names and don’t necessarily use any prefixes. What I am surprised about is that, while previous volumes included four or so beautifully colored pages at the beginning of the manga, the fifth volume has no such thing.
Extras unfortunately don’t improve - only offering a brief look into the next volume and a short one page for translation notes. It’s sad to see so little for such an amazing series, but truthfully, that is far from a concern because I doubt anyone would be purchasing this graphic novel for the extras.
Bottom Line: After School Nightmare is far from a nightmare of a series. It contains some of the most psychological mind games that I’ve read before, and all are performed magnificently. Characters are interesting, and while the overall storyline is starting to drift off, the amount of occurrences within Mashiro’s life is well worth a read. I am a bit disappointed that Go!Comi didn’t include the usual color pages at the beginning of the manga as they have done in past releases, but still, it doesn’t knock the overall experience with this volume significantly. With so many twists and turns, this is one series that contains even more anticipation around each page.
|
|
|
|
Content |
Many romantic and sexual themes this time around, and along with the quickly developing characters, making this one volume to remember. |
9.0 |
|
|
Art |
A slight improvement from previous volumes as there are more shaded areas, but overall, the artwork does most of the talking and storytelling in this wonderful adventure. |
9.0 |
|
|
Translation |
The English-translation is perfect; there are some clever Romeo and Juliet references along with some well-crafted dialogue. There are no color pages this time around though. |
9.0 |
|
|
Verdict
After School Nightmare started off with a big question mark, and everything is slowly beginning to unravel. The character development have changed drastically as Kureha’s attitude fluxuates around her lover, Mashiro, and Sou’s life seems to be in a downturn with his feelings. With terrific storytelling elements, and a very unique and compelling storyline, this is certain something no one should miss.
|
|
9.4
[not an average]
+ Strong character development.
+ Many new mental conflicts.
+ Beautiful artwork.
- Tends to be a bit predictable at times.
|
|
|
Title Media 
Return to Homepage
Discuss this in the Forums
|
