What do you think?
Rate this book
放課後保健室 [Houkago Hokenshitsu] #6
After School Nightmare, Volume 6
After all the hardships they've endured, Mashiro and Kureha seem to finally be a happy couple... but the dream-world knows their true hearts, and when Mashiro meets another classmate that shares his nightmares, it may mean an end to him and Kureha for good!
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2006
2 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Setona Mizushiro
140 books159 followersMizushiro Setona (水城せとな in Japanese, or 水城雪可奈 in Chinese language) is a popular mangaka who started out in the dōjinshi circles.
Her first real dabble in the world of creating manga was in 1985 when she participated in the publication of a dōjinshi. She remained active in the dōjinshi world until her debut in 1993 with the short single "Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita" (Winter Was Ending) that ran in Shōgakukan's Puchi Comic magazine.
Though her current drawing style is high on the aesthetic value, her earlier works had less finesse. Regardless of the lesser emphasis on the visual elements in her earlier works, her popularity grew largely due to her unparalleled grasp for storytelling. Her works are noted for their slightly askew plots and deep exploration of the human psyche. Even her lighthearted Shōjo works usually have darker underlying elements. With an incomparable ability to craft stories that puzzle, sadden, assure, pervert, and move the depths of one's heart, she has gained a cult-like following. Her works include shojo, josei, and yaoi, and have been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, French and German.
Her first real dabble in the world of creating manga was in 1985 when she participated in the publication of a dōjinshi. She remained active in the dōjinshi world until her debut in 1993 with the short single "Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita" (Winter Was Ending) that ran in Shōgakukan's Puchi Comic magazine.
Though her current drawing style is high on the aesthetic value, her earlier works had less finesse. Regardless of the lesser emphasis on the visual elements in her earlier works, her popularity grew largely due to her unparalleled grasp for storytelling. Her works are noted for their slightly askew plots and deep exploration of the human psyche. Even her lighthearted Shōjo works usually have darker underlying elements. With an incomparable ability to craft stories that puzzle, sadden, assure, pervert, and move the depths of one's heart, she has gained a cult-like following. Her works include shojo, josei, and yaoi, and have been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, French and German.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 12, 2019
A dream session after school results in Masahiro Ichijo’s great weaknesses being exposed, a weakness a manipulative player uses to destroy him in the dream and get the key. Mashiro is shocked at her behaviour, but even more shocked when Kureha agrees with his enemy about Masahiro’s weakness and dumps him. To top it all off, Kureha starts hanging out with Sou of all people. Frustrated and lonely, Masahiro turns to someone he doesn’t really know about his problems, not realizing that that person has been watching him for a long time…
On the one hand, Kureha and Sou had valid points in their criticisms of Masahiro. On the other hand, Sou also had a point in criticizing Kureha because she was being too harsh. It’s interesting how Sou and Kureha are starting to bond, and heartbreakingly realistic how Masahiro sees them together and gets the wrong idea. Equally heartbreaking was how Masahiro confided in a friendly acquaintance, never noticing she has a crush on him. I was sorry to lose Ohara so soon, since she seemed like a very interesting character as well as a girl who knew Masahiro’s secret and fancied him regardless of this, without having all the expectations of him that Kureha did. The dream sequences were darkly beautiful, especially the second one with the knight. Poor Masahiro is at a crisis in the series where all of this past actions and motivations for them are called into question. The reader is left wondering what will he do next, as well as a compulsion to pick up the following volume.
On the one hand, Kureha and Sou had valid points in their criticisms of Masahiro. On the other hand, Sou also had a point in criticizing Kureha because she was being too harsh. It’s interesting how Sou and Kureha are starting to bond, and heartbreakingly realistic how Masahiro sees them together and gets the wrong idea. Equally heartbreaking was how Masahiro confided in a friendly acquaintance, never noticing she has a crush on him. I was sorry to lose Ohara so soon, since she seemed like a very interesting character as well as a girl who knew Masahiro’s secret and fancied him regardless of this, without having all the expectations of him that Kureha did. The dream sequences were darkly beautiful, especially the second one with the knight. Poor Masahiro is at a crisis in the series where all of this past actions and motivations for them are called into question. The reader is left wondering what will he do next, as well as a compulsion to pick up the following volume.
June 19, 2024
What exactly does it mean to be a girl or a guy? It is as simple as long hair, a cute smile and a frilly skirt? Or does being a woman require something else? Is a man simply a sense of duty, an urge to protect and a stoic attitude that can win any girl? If those images and ideals are stripped away, then what is left?
Read the full review on Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2024...
Read the full review on Well, Are They? A Queer Review blog
https://wellarethey.blogspot.com/2024...
October 7, 2017
That was really sad but at least we found out what happened to people who refused to attend the dream class. I always wondered why the kids didn't simply say no and/or didn't tell to their parents what's happening...
January 11, 2018
See my review for Vol 1.
February 6, 2019
THE MERMAID.
Quit being a white knight, Mashiro! Quit assuming everyone needs your help and that you know what is best for them!
Quit being a white knight, Mashiro! Quit assuming everyone needs your help and that you know what is best for them!
December 1, 2020
Book #170 in the year 2020
Ichijo and Kuhrea break up. Ichijo struggles more with his/her identity and emotions, leaning more toward being a girl than a boy.
Ichijo and Kuhrea break up. Ichijo struggles more with his/her identity and emotions, leaning more toward being a girl than a boy.
December 24, 2021
I really liked this one. It gave more insight into what the nightmares are.
September 7, 2023
Kind of confused and not sure who Momoka was in the dream? Also can’t believe there’s four more books of this angst.
March 9, 2011
Let me see if I can talk about this without babbling [ETA: nope.]: Mashiro has grown up as a boy, but actually he's half girl (specifically, the lower half of his body is that of a girl). After noticing that students around him are disappearing, he's called to a special nurse's office and begins participating in a mysterious "class" that takes place in a dream world. The students all appear as they really are inside their heart (apparently in our hearts we are things like suits of armor and faceless girls and hands), so he doesn't recognize any of his classmates. They are all supposed to find a key, which is hidden inside the body of one of the students, so they can "graduate." Once a student has graduated, nobody in the school remembers them.
I had heard this was a good title, and bought the first three volumes when I was in Japan. They sat on my shelf for months, and then I picked them up and read them practically all in one sitting...and thenimmediately ordered the next three from Amazon decided it might be a good idea to change my monthly manga order to the end of the month. I am totally obsessed with the story and can't wait for the next volume. Usually, I'm the type of person who sits back and waits to see what will happen next, but with this I can't help but try to figure out what's going on and spend a bunch of time thinking up crazy theories. Also, there's a love triangle, which might make me inclined to knock a few points of the score, but it's really there to illustrate Mashiro's gender confusion, so I can understand. (And I think Mashiro's confusion is understandable, given his situation, so I sympathize with him, even when he kind of acts like a jerk.) He wants to keep living as a man, but can't deny that he's drawn to Sou (and acts like a girl around him, heh).
...I seriously could go all day talking about this series, the parts I hate (when Mashiro is an idiot and Kureha needs to get lost and so does Sou's sister and what the fuck is going on anyway) and the parts I love (the mysteries and symbolism and interesting views on gender issues and Sou making me cry and MASHIRO + SOU 4EVA OMG), so I think it's best to stop here.
I had heard this was a good title, and bought the first three volumes when I was in Japan. They sat on my shelf for months, and then I picked them up and read them practically all in one sitting...and then
...I seriously could go all day talking about this series, the parts I hate (when Mashiro is an idiot and Kureha needs to get lost and so does Sou's sister and what the fuck is going on anyway) and the parts I love (the mysteries and symbolism and interesting views on gender issues and Sou making me cry and MASHIRO + SOU 4EVA OMG), so I think it's best to stop here.
June 23, 2008
Still dying to find out who Mashiro ends up with...Sou or Kureha, and whether he/she will decide to live as a boy or a girl. In this vol, Kureha believs that Mashiro stays with her out of pity and to play to prince role to a weaker girl, therefore enforcing his male traits. She dumps him. Mashiro is crushed, although still confused about his feelings. Sou, at Kureha's request, checks up on him after he doesn't come to school for several days, and he leaves food in his room (and his coffee sweetened just as he likes). However, when Mashiro returns to school he sees Sou and Kureha sharing lunch and misinterprets this as a beginning to a new relationship for them. A recent graduate of the class (or more likely, one who refuses to come for three consecutive meetings who just disappears from memory as though graduated--the "hand/arm" character leaves a girl's uniform for Mashiro in his locker. This gift is left after they have a heart to heart and we learn about her insecurities with her best friend finding a new best friend (and also that she has a crush on Mashiro)...and Mashiro confides his relationship problems with Kureha to her. She senses that he loves someone other than Kureha (and it isn't her either). Mashiro tries on the uniform in the end, although he hhas no memory of the giver, and it is a perfect fit. What will he choose?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2008
I continue to adore this series. Oh, the drama! (preview copy from publisher). Having now finished it, I'm once again on pins and needles awaiting the next book.
My favorite thing about Setona Mizushiro? Her relatively realistic psychology. She loves getting into people's foibles, hang ups, and phobias, and the fantastical landscape of the dream world she's created in this series lets her lovely art bring all of that to the forefront of the story. Also, unlike the five million other manga series that deal with gender switching and wackiness, this is the first manga series that seriously considers what it's like to be unsure of your own gender, and the conflict between what you feel you are inside and what it seems like it would be better to be in the outside world. The idea that it's easier to be a boy because you automatically have a higher status in society may be disappointingly true, but it's still true. I find it incredibly refreshing to see a story that has a character with a thus-far undetermined gender identity to actually address those issues instead of just saying, "Whoops! I'm a girl now."
My favorite thing about Setona Mizushiro? Her relatively realistic psychology. She loves getting into people's foibles, hang ups, and phobias, and the fantastical landscape of the dream world she's created in this series lets her lovely art bring all of that to the forefront of the story. Also, unlike the five million other manga series that deal with gender switching and wackiness, this is the first manga series that seriously considers what it's like to be unsure of your own gender, and the conflict between what you feel you are inside and what it seems like it would be better to be in the outside world. The idea that it's easier to be a boy because you automatically have a higher status in society may be disappointingly true, but it's still true. I find it incredibly refreshing to see a story that has a character with a thus-far undetermined gender identity to actually address those issues instead of just saying, "Whoops! I'm a girl now."
July 22, 2014
4.5 stars.
Mashiro has been so indecisive and inconsistent it is making me very angry with this series.
I mean, make up your mind! So you wanna be a man? Act like it!
Oh my goodness Sou walked by, 'giggle', oh crap no imma guy! A GUY!! But Sou's so cute even though he's a total jerk maybe I'll be a girl for him... NO. IMMA GUY FOR KUREHA AND I WILL BE HER PRINCE.
-_- seriously, he needs to make up his mind already.
'Sigh,' well, I'm extremely frustrated, and the only characters I actually LIKE keep GRADUATING. Gosh, and Mashiro's just like "I'm not going to graduate until I help everyone."
*Spills all his problems to a random classmate*
"I just don't know if I wanna be a guy or a girl. I want to protect Kureha but I keep hurting her, and Sou is a total jerk, but he's so hot I halfta have his attention." 'SWOON.'
He keeps making up his mind, and then seeking out the attention of Sou, purposely putting himself in situations where Sou can easily make a move on him, (just so that Mashiro can be a drama queen and scold him).
Lets see if this gets any better, but seeing how this is going I think not.
Mashiro has been so indecisive and inconsistent it is making me very angry with this series.
I mean, make up your mind! So you wanna be a man? Act like it!
Oh my goodness Sou walked by, 'giggle', oh crap no imma guy! A GUY!! But Sou's so cute even though he's a total jerk maybe I'll be a girl for him... NO. IMMA GUY FOR KUREHA AND I WILL BE HER PRINCE.
-_- seriously, he needs to make up his mind already.
'Sigh,' well, I'm extremely frustrated, and the only characters I actually LIKE keep GRADUATING. Gosh, and Mashiro's just like "I'm not going to graduate until I help everyone."
*Spills all his problems to a random classmate*
"I just don't know if I wanna be a guy or a girl. I want to protect Kureha but I keep hurting her, and Sou is a total jerk, but he's so hot I halfta have his attention." 'SWOON.'
He keeps making up his mind, and then seeking out the attention of Sou, purposely putting himself in situations where Sou can easily make a move on him, (just so that Mashiro can be a drama queen and scold him).
Lets see if this gets any better, but seeing how this is going I think not.
October 21, 2010
Two more graduations (only one of whom was a Dream Class regular--one more identity revealed! w00t!) and a shocking turnaround in Mashiro and Kureha's relationship. As I've said before, Kureha has really developed well in these last few volumes. The more she heals her mental damage, the more she's willing to face the realities of Mashiro's growing inner conflict. She makes a very brave decision in this volume which forces Mashiro to come to an important realization of his own. Meanwhile, Sou has distanced himself from Mashiro as well (about time, the poor masochist), and Mashiro is left on his own to deal with his issues for once. The desperate friendship he attempts to strike up with a quiet girl in his class named Momoka unexpectedly furthers his growing acceptance of the female side of his personality and ends the volume just as Mashiro is ready to step off yet another figurative precipice. The problem is (as the preview page shows us quite explicitly), this time, there may be no one there to catch him as he falls.
January 2, 2013
As Ichijou Mashiro’s hard kept secret is revealed to his classmates, Mashiro’s dream world is turned upside down. The after-hours class Mashiro signs up for is not at all what he expects it to be. Passing the class is his only chance of graduation and the horrors he finds there are only the beginnings to the mysteries yet to be revealed.
This dark series is filled with controversial and emotional issues that take the reader on a journey through what the characters are feeling and what they experience. There is always some sort of twists throughout causing the reader to re-think about the issues involved.
Interesting concept to say the least! The story itself invokes a creepy mysterious concept taking place throughout the school. I was impressed with the complexities of the students and situations involved throughout the series. Reading this series the author does an amazing job of making the reader feel the characters pain and suffering.
Note: This review was completed after reading volumes 1-10.
This dark series is filled with controversial and emotional issues that take the reader on a journey through what the characters are feeling and what they experience. There is always some sort of twists throughout causing the reader to re-think about the issues involved.
Interesting concept to say the least! The story itself invokes a creepy mysterious concept taking place throughout the school. I was impressed with the complexities of the students and situations involved throughout the series. Reading this series the author does an amazing job of making the reader feel the characters pain and suffering.
Note: This review was completed after reading volumes 1-10.
May 26, 2010
I keep giving all these volumes the same number of stars. But that's how I feel. Just sort of eh.
In a previous volume, the translator notes mentioned epicanthic folds. And had it all backwards! That it's Caucasians that have the folds, that the folds are desirable to some Japanese, so that they have surgery. I mean, seriously? This is the factual little cultural notes you're going to include for us in the back of the manga? And you're going to get it wrong? Seriously?
But, about this volume... skipping these weird dream classes is bad.
Because you might disappear and be forgotten.
Which is exactly what happens when you graduate.
So. I don't know.
And Ichijo's girlfriend showed some insight and guts and dumped his butt. So now he's waffling on the gender thing again.
In a previous volume, the translator notes mentioned epicanthic folds. And had it all backwards! That it's Caucasians that have the folds, that the folds are desirable to some Japanese, so that they have surgery. I mean, seriously? This is the factual little cultural notes you're going to include for us in the back of the manga? And you're going to get it wrong? Seriously?
But, about this volume... skipping these weird dream classes is bad.
Because you might disappear and be forgotten.
Which is exactly what happens when you graduate.
So. I don't know.
And Ichijo's girlfriend showed some insight and guts and dumped his butt. So now he's waffling on the gender thing again.
August 3, 2022
Me pregunto ¿a donde irán los que nunca se gradúan?, sin duda alguna creo que los libros llegan en el momento que mas los necesitamos (en este caso manga) pero este manga me ha hecho reflexionar mucho acerca de como creemos que darnos un tiempo para sentirnos mal nos ayudara con todo, pero de alguna manera sentir pena por uno mismo se vuelve adictivo... y terminas dando vueltas en circulos justo como lo comenta Mashiro.
March 21, 2014
next book in the series.
china/japan and in a dream realm.
his girl side is coming out and is feeling more toward sou now instead of kureha.
sou is dynamic. he is head strong, bland, and moody. page 113 " would you rather i push you"
when you lie your only hurting your self.
dont do reading strategy.
i loved it.
china/japan and in a dream realm.
his girl side is coming out and is feeling more toward sou now instead of kureha.
sou is dynamic. he is head strong, bland, and moody. page 113 " would you rather i push you"
when you lie your only hurting your self.
dont do reading strategy.
i loved it.
March 31, 2008
This series just gets better and better; several developments in this volume really surprised me, and they suggest that Mizushiro may deal with some of the built-in gender issues better than I had hoped.
May 30, 2012
The ending page leaves you wanting book 7. I can't wait to read After School Nightmare. Every character secrets are coming out, and almost every character is being defeated in the dream or their graduating.
I can't wait to see the outcome for Mashiro.
I can't wait to see the outcome for Mashiro.
February 19, 2015
The more I read from this series, the more disturbing I find it and it's notions about gender roles. And yet I CANNOT STOP. It's unhealthy.
November 24, 2008
luuuuurved it! it was interesting...
February 7, 2010
[See review under vol. 1:]
January 31, 2010
I'm so confused. Ironically, so is Ichijo.
July 23, 2011
Odd. I'm more interested in the stories of the side characters, then of our main trio..
January 26, 2011
As with V.5, Mizushiro went someplace I had not dared hope she would go. I begin to suspect the ending of the series will not leave me tearing my hair out in rage after all.
October 14, 2013
This volume leaves me wanting more.
August 21, 2014
An interesting read. The twists can make it a tricky one but that is part of the appeal.
July 25, 2014
Very interesting.
September 22, 2015
see full review @ Katie's Corner
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews