Houkago Hokenshitsu

Mashiro being "half" female and "half" male is a plot point, but it is not about being trans nor intersex. This series deals with gender identity, but you'll do yourself a disservice if you judge it by 2010+ standards and judgment. This is an old series from the early 2000s, and as I said, it does NOT deal with trans or intersex issues and was never meant to. A good manga focused on trans experiences is Wandering Son/Hourou Musuko.

Now onwards for the whole thing.

After School Nightmare is very special. In more ways than one. I don't even know if I'll be able to do it justice, and that scares the fuck out of me, but I'll try. That's all I can promise myself and you. I'll try my best to explain why it's special and why I love it.

To start with, Setona Mizushiro is one of my very favorites; all her works are fucking good. Almost all of them are very twisted, and that really speaks to me. She also has a trilogy of BL series called The Mouse Dreams of Cheese, and one very old series called 1999 Shangai, that I loved to pieces.

But that's not the series I'm talking about here, or that I chose as the one I have the most to say about. After School Nightmare or ASN for short is brimming with symbolism and psychological themes since the very beginning.

For example, Mashiro, the MC, is both female and male and struggles with gender identity throughout the series, and it's never forgotten nor pushed aside when the plot deems it needed. This series addresses seriously gender identity, rape, and all kinds of psychological torment head-on, with a sensitivity more authors should emulate.

Mashiro thinks of themselves as male at the start of the series and even uses male clothing because his top is that of a male. However, his lower half is of a female, which shames them a lot. From the start, their struggle is understandable and is also part of a mystery that is woven masterfully by the author.

This series actually has three main characters, as shown in the cover. Those are the three major stars and also who the series focuses on the most. Mashiro is in the middle, while Kureha is the girl on the right, and on the left is Sou.

This series is a love triangle, but at the same time, it is above the typical love triangle. Mashiro likes both of them. Kureha speaks to his male side, but Sou speaks to her feminine side, both sides of which they feel are fighting inside of them.

The plot is pretty out there, and that's also why I love it. The characters go to the infirmary to enter a dream world once they're ready for graduation, where they can compete for finding a key that is inside one of them. They have to kill the dream selves until the key appears. Once the key appears, they can open the door, graduate from the school, and everyone in the school will forget them. Inside the dream, they are exposed as their true self, in a very allegorical way. In fact, there's a massive amount of allegory in this series, which makes it so good. This series made me think, made me doubt and inquire, and when I discovered the truth? I was blown away!

Mashiro in real life presents as male to the whole of the school and keeps hidden his female part, while in the dream self, he has no choice but to show themselves as both. I'm not going to say who and what Kureha and Sou are in the dream world because those would have to be riddled with spoilers that are best experienced firsthand. I'll just say, I was not only very surprised but really like how tactically the author dealt with their themes and subjects.

In the dream world, not only do they show themselves as their true self, but the characters have to deal with psychological problems that have haunted them. Once they face those problems and gain strength, they can fight and try to win the key.

I'm just going to say that I cried a lot when the manga finished. I was deeply invested in the series and the outcome for these three characters that I kept loving more and more. They're flawed, you might hate them, or despise them at times, because they're raw and too real, but that's also what makes them so captivating.

Safe to say this manga is very loaded, is a heavy read, and there are triggers to be had here, but if those sound like things you're on-board with? Then I say, you really, really must read this series!

I swear, it's worth it. I know the art needs getting used to; it's not the typical shoujo fanfare. I know at first nothing makes sense, and you'll get more confused. But it is so, so worth it to experience this at least once in your life! ಥ⌣ಥ

This manga series stands out as one of the most inventive and imaginative I've ever come across. From the moment I began reading, I was utterly captivated and couldn't stop until I reached the end. The narrative keeps you on edge throughout, with everything falling into place perfectly by the conclusion. It masterfully intertwines a touching romance with chilling horror elements that make your heart race at every twist and turn. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to everyone!

You can find the complete series available at mangafox.com.

I seldom delve into the realm of shoujo manga, mainly because I find that they usually fall into two categories: those brimming with blushing heroines, princely boys, and convenient fairy tales, or the darker side attempting to be mysterious but often ending up filled with gothic fashion and whiny characters. While there are exceptions that brilliantly defy these stereotypes, predictability tends to bore me.

However, "After School Nightmare" stands out by blending these two types of shoujo manga, adding a psychological twist to create an unconventional balance between fairytale romances and dark, depressing narratives. Rated 16+, it leans more towards josei, packed with heavy content, sexual situations, and strong themes of incest. At times, its psychological impact was so intense I felt like retreating into a cave.

The premise is questionable. Imagine dealing with school life, insecurities, and sexual frustrations as a teenager, then add a gender-identity crisis. Mashiro, our protagonist, is neither fully male nor female, born with a body half-male from the waist up and half-female from the waist down. Living as an intersex being, he never feels comfortable in his skin, unsure whether he belongs as a male or female. Our other main characters include Sou, a mysterious classmate with trust issues, and Kureha, a girl terrified of men to her core.

"After School Nightmare" begins when students with inner conflicts must attend a weekly after-school class to 'graduate.' The subject? Dreams. All students enter a collective dream where they must find a key to open the door to 'Graduation.' What this means isn't explained until the final pages, yet it's constantly speculated about.

The dreams are fascinating, abstract and symbolic, revealing character stories, struggles, and sanity more clearly than dialogue could. Participants aren't in their usual bodies but take on forms reflecting their inner selves. They enact gruesome scenes, learn about each other, and most importantly, themselves.

The story and writing are clever, rich with metaphors, allusions, and thought-provoking ideas layered intricately. Characters respond realistically, unlike many mediocre stories where everything conveniently aligns. Setona Mizushiro gives her readers credit, presenting nothing bluntly and pushing us to figure things out ourselves, including the ending.

"ASN" boasts rich characters, both main and supporting. Minor characters are given importance, interconnected to the dream. Mashiro, one of the most interesting characters I've encountered, struggles with his gender identity, viewing life through a gendered lens. For instance, he kisses a girl because "that's what guys do," without considering his feelings. The Boys VS Girls debate arises, questioning which sex is better or stronger.

Kureha and Sou, equally compelling, make the story captivating. Kureha makes Mashiro feel like a man, while Sou makes him feel like a woman. Their love for Mashiro adds complexity and intrigue.

Mizushiro's artwork combines classic shoujo style with unique traits, like oddly drawn eyes and long lips. She keeps backgrounds simple, focusing on clean lines. Mashiro's design is amusingly androgynous, potentially uncomfortable for those averse to yaoi or yuri due to his ambiguous appearance amidst Sou and Kureha's affections.

The pacing is slow yet not tedious, setting a solemn tone allowing events to sink in. The story has a quiet, dark feel due to this pacing.

Reading "After School Nightmare" feels like being in a nightmare, unpleasant yet impossible to put down. It restores hope that not all shoujo manga follow formulas and some authors respect their readers' intelligence. School's a nightmare, but the true horrors lie in extra-curricular lessons.

It's been several years since I read this manga, and it still makes me mentally groan whenever I recall it. The story felt incredibly shallow and sometimes even offensive in its treatment of gender, sexual orientation, and similar themes. Granted, it was created in the early 2000s when societal perspectives were not as advanced as they are today. However, I don't think the characters were portrayed well, and the entire experience left a sour taste in my mouth.

If none of these issues bother you, then you might find the manga enjoyable. Nonetheless, I would advise anyone who might be sensitive to how gender and sexual orientation are handled to proceed with caution.

This manga was so captivating that it left me speechless, with tears in my eyes, due to how quickly and deeply it resonated with me. The story revolves around Mashiro Ichijo, who faces significant conflicts because he has a male upper body but female genitalia. Two people enter his life: Kureha Fujishima and Sou Mizuhashi. He likes both but struggles to decide which one to pursue because he can't determine if he identifies as a boy or a girl.

The struggle to discover his true gender is a central theme throughout the manga. The 'class' that he and other students join after school forces him to make a decision about whether to live as a boy or a girl so that he can graduate and be free from his previous worries.

What touched me most about this manga is its real-world relevance. It addresses the universal struggle of finding oneself and understanding one's identity. People can relate to the lead character (apart from the unique physical aspect) and empathize with him. Additionally, his simultaneous feelings for two people resonate with many readers; it's just that those two people happen to be of different genders, adding to Mashiro's confusion.

The fact that Sou and Kureha are male and female, respectively, is crucial for Mashiro to understand which gender he feels more comfortable embodying: the protector (male) or the protected (female). Sou sees Mashiro as female, regardless of his outward appearance, while Kureha, who despises men, sees Mashiro as both male and female. This unique perspective allows her to trust him because he doesn't fit the typical mold of masculinity.

Beyond the main plot, the numerous twists and turns made the manga truly enjoyable for me, especially since I love surprises! These twists are not confusing like some can be.

The characters were well-developed, and I appreciated how Mashiro handled his dual identities. He convincingly portrayed both male and female roles, often leading to humorous moments where he stumbles over his words and blushes easily.

Kureha has a tragic past that fuels her hatred for men. It's heartwarming to see her grow comfortable with Mashiro due to his unique situation, and they help each other overcome their respective challenges. Through Kureha, Mashiro begins to understand the gender he feels more aligned with.

Sou's backstory is also intriguing, though I won't reveal too much to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, he had a deep connection with his older sister. On the surface, Sou appears cool and indifferent, but there's more to him beneath the surface.

I loved this manga immensely and would highly recommend it to anyone considering giving it a read. I'm so glad I did!

Houkago Hokenshitsu falls short as a manga centered around an intersex character, clearly lacking in-depth research and thoughtful representation. The portrayal of women and LGBTQ+ individuals is so poor that it was infuriating to read on. While the premise had potential, the weak characterization and egregious misrepresentation overshadowed any appeal. Additionally, there's an unsettling vibe to the setting that feels off-putting and unrealistic, adding to the overall discomfort.

The characters Sou and Kureha were incredibly grating, and the main character (MC) lacked depth and proper development. Sou, in particular, was aggravating with his actions towards the MC. Watching the MC fall for someone who treated them so poorly because of their supposed "female instincts" was deeply frustrating.

What bothered me most, however, was how the MC’s sexuality dictated their gender identity. According to the story, falling for a man made them "female," while falling for a woman made them "male." This conflation of sexual orientation and gender identity is fundamentally flawed. Moreover, the MC’s desire to identify as male stemmed from societal stereotypes that men are strong and women are weak. Although I could accept this mindset at the beginning, the story never challenged or corrected these sexist and misogynistic beliefs, which was ultimately disappointing.

Houkago Hokenshitsu, translated as "After School Nightmare" in English and authored by Mizushiro Setona, is a coming-of-age narrative that delves into the journey of self-acceptance and discovery. The story introduces us to Ichijou Mashiro, our protagonist, who faces a unique challenge: he is neither entirely male nor female. Living comfortably as a boy until his first menstrual cycle, Mashiro's life takes an unexpected turn.

While bildungsroman tales are common, Houkago Hokenshitsu stands out with its original approach to the genre. Without revealing too much to avoid spoilers, here’s a brief overview: following Mashiro's first period, he encounters a mysterious nurse who leads him to a secret class held in the school basement. Here, students engage in dream battles to obtain a key necessary for graduation. Unlike typical battle royales, these conflicts occur within dreams and don't result in real death. Moreover, characters aren’t exactly 'real' since this is a fictional manga, right?

The purpose of this class is for participants to confront their inner issues symbolically through their dream appearances. Characters rarely look like themselves due to their dilemmas being represented visually and to maintain anonymity. This dream world mustn't spill over into reality.

The central characters—Mizuhashi Sou, Fujishima Kureha, and Ichijou Mashiro—all face personal demons and undergo significant development. Sou starts off as overly assertive but becomes more tolerable as the story progresses. Kureha, initially portrayed as androphobic, evolves into a heroic figure and was emotionally the strongest among the main trio. Mashiro experiences profound changes, though discovering them is left to the reader. Each character's growth feels natural and authentic.

A love triangle involving the three characters adds complexity, marked by manipulation, arguments, and shifting alliances. It isn’t your typical romantic subplot but rather a nuanced exploration of relationships. Supporting characters, even those with minimal screen time, feel relatable and have depth, contributing to the story's authenticity.

Houkago Hokenshitsu lacks a singular antagonist; instead, internal conflicts drive the plot. Characters navigate their mental struggles independently or with external help, sometimes reacting violently under stress. These varied challenges keep the narrative engaging.

As a character-driven shoujo manga, it excels in exploring psychological depths through dialogue-heavy scenes, complemented by well-drawn fight sequences. The art style is simple yet clean, eschewing overly large eyes and excessive screen tones for a refreshingly minimalist pencil line aesthetic.

In summary, Houkago Hokenshitsu is a standout example of shoujo manga, blending originality with compelling character studies. Its twist ending leaves readers stunned and eager for re-reads. Highly recommended.

A (highly) unique manga, yet it doesn't deserve the high praise it receives on MAL. What stands out is how reviews often miss the mark in capturing the essence of the manga. This is understandable given the difficulty in reviewing a work with significant character developments without spoiling everything. However, this does not excuse how most reviews seem to focus more on the synopsis than the entire story. Two main points I'd like to highlight against other reviews are: 1) This isn't a twist-within-a-twist manga. There are few early clues for major plot shifts, making them feel more like abrupt changes than twists. This is crucial because liking the earlier chapters won't necessarily predict your enjoyment of later events. 2) This isn't primarily about gender themes. While gender issues are prevalent, they're ultimately inconsequential and resolved simplistically by the end. This shouldn't deter those planning to read it but should reassure those who might find the theme boring or cliché. Reaching the ending clarifies this aspect, though I can't guarantee the journey is worth it just for that. Regarding other elements: Character personalities play a big role, but don't expect deep psychological analysis. Many solutions rely on 'rule of cool,' which adds uniqueness but can be frustrating if you seek deeper insights into characters' mental states. Each mini-arc typically resolves superficially. The ending exacerbates this issue, so bear in mind that despite some characters becoming annoying or boring, pushing through is rewarding. Some characters do improve significantly only to regress and then improve again. If a character's behavior makes you want to quit, keep reading. The payoff lies in unexpected developments near the end, which make up for any previous dissatisfaction. In conclusion, while I personally didn't enjoy this manga much, its unique charm kept me engaged. Finishing it felt worthwhile even without any single event winning me over.