My Review (Part 1)
School is starting for many of my readers and some will be facing bullying on a daily basis. In grade
school I faced ridicule for having a body different than my classmates. Though the long-time boyfriend thinks what was said was ridiculous it does not change how it affected my view of myself for years afterwards. Revenge Classroom stuck in my mind until I sat down to experience it. Before I get into the review I am warning readers this manga contains rape, references to self-harm, disturbing imagery, and has been described as 'f***ed up.
The Characters
Ayana Fujisawa: Before the bullying Ayana had a
kind, sociable personality, and cared deeply for her friends. She initially endured the beatings, burns, and harassment with a stoic resignation believing it could change. After the pivotal push into traffic Ayana grows increasingly unstable. She is psychotic with a manipulative personality reveling in violence. Ayana does have moments where she appears to display a sense of remorse and guilt but over time they turn into twisted reasoning. She never loses the passive victim mentality when attacks are happening and foregoes self-defense. The girl is so many contradictions it is downright terrifying.
Ai Nomura: After being manipulated into Ayana's first plot she grows to see her as a tragic-heroine. She is sociably awkward admiring the 'popular' girls from afar. Ai is a follower who latches onto Ayana's strength offering herself as a tool in the girl's plots. Some readers may see her as having a female love interest in Ayana. Realistically it's more of a sick fan girl who adores her hero.
regarded as a friend by many of the class's boys but has no true feelings of friendship for anyone. Ren controls the class from the shadows manipulating his choices through threats. He 'protects' Ayana by only allowing abuse from the other boys when he is present. This boy is f***ed up in more ways than one can comprehend.
Mari:Unlikely ally and former tormentor of Ayana. She admits to her jealousy playing a role in bullying Ayana. She rescues her past victim but doesn't want friendship. Her goal is revenge.
Mao: Female leader of the girl's bullying of Ayana. She hates her with undisclosed passion and shows it. Mao faces rejection with anger and leads by demanding others follow. Any opposition is met with severe consequences which her flunkies help her carry out. She is one sick SOB.
Daisuke: Leader of the male bullies he only answers
People like Daisuke make me sick. I will never understand them. |
The Art
The side of Ayana you do not want to meet |
Almost all the manga characters are reminiscent of
Manga character Deja vu |
My Review (Part 2)
It's still to suspicious! |
Revenge Classroom rescued itself from averageness when Ayana's plans began to have unintended
What are you doing Emi? She's not on the roof! |
The manga is still ongoing so the final results have
yet to make themselves known. I enjoy seeing the alliances building on something different than friendship. Ayana lost her respect for that a long time ago so it makes sense a kind action would not put the brakes on her plan. Her plots are sickening. Some might say she should have only cherry-picked those who actively bullied her. I agree with Ayana those who ignored he bullying or rarely
took a stance are also to blame. All it took in one bullying instance was a single person standing up to the bullies to stop them. If no one cared enough to reach out a helping hand then they aided the bullies in believing they have a right to act with cruelty.
From an emotional standpoint this manga saddened me a great deal. Ayana's actions are wrong. No one
Bullying has no beautiful ending |
To the Reader
I consider Revenge Classroom a mature read. I don't
This image stays with me. No one there to save her. |
Readers who enjoy horror will have a lot to
experience in Revenge Classroom. The suspense is a definite part in this as one doesn't know what will happen as a result of Ayana's actions. Interestingly this is clearly a school life manga with the whole premise involving classmates. There is almost zero comedy in the manga. Romance could potentially be said to exist but I found it difficult to spot any which could be considered a good thing. To sum it up: if you are looking for a happy break from reality in a school life genre then read 24 Colors, Orange Marmalade, or Ouran High School Host Club because you won't find it in Revenge Classroom.
Final Score: 7.5
I have no words to describe it
Details
Name(s): Revenge Classroom; 复仇教室; 復讐教室; Fukushuu Kyoushitsu
Author(s): Yamazaki Karasu
Artist(s):Kaname Ryu
Year: 2013
Chapter(s) 16 as of 8/12/2016
Genre: Tragedy, School Life, Suspense, Drama, Psychological
Status: Ongoing
Anime: No (if there is I couldn't find it)
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