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放課後保健室 [Houkago Hokenshitsu] #3
After School Nightmare, Volume 3
A haughty classmate from the Dream World tries to make Mashiro his slave! Meanwhile, tension and heat between Sou and our gender-confused hero escalate as Mashiro becomes obsessed with trying to discern the true identities of the other classmates. But then, why is Sou the only thing on his mind?! Both within the Dream World and out, our heroes face their most feared "realities."
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2005
6 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Setona Mizushiro
139 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 6, 2007
I'm utterly biased about these books, but that's because they're excellent.
You do sometimes run up against gender issues in manga. This series works with them in a way that other manga, particularly those that deal with genderfuckery, could learn a lot from.
The main character, Mashiro, clings to identifying as male for reasons that have more to do with clinging to classical male virtues. Men are strong, cool minded, chivalrous, protective. Women are soft, in need of protection, emotional.
You read a book and a character says something that makes you wonder if the author actually knows that that's a kind of fucked up thing to believe. This series rewards your faith. It's an excellent series, surreal but coherent, twisty, dark in the right places, with beautiful art and characters that make sense. In this volume, characters grow, are called on their issues, learn from them.
And then you're still left clutching at your chest and going, "What? What just-- what does that-- does that mean he's-- And she's-- what? I need the next volume!"
You do sometimes run up against gender issues in manga. This series works with them in a way that other manga, particularly those that deal with genderfuckery, could learn a lot from.
The main character, Mashiro, clings to identifying as male for reasons that have more to do with clinging to classical male virtues. Men are strong, cool minded, chivalrous, protective. Women are soft, in need of protection, emotional.
You read a book and a character says something that makes you wonder if the author actually knows that that's a kind of fucked up thing to believe. This series rewards your faith. It's an excellent series, surreal but coherent, twisty, dark in the right places, with beautiful art and characters that make sense. In this volume, characters grow, are called on their issues, learn from them.
And then you're still left clutching at your chest and going, "What? What just-- what does that-- does that mean he's-- And she's-- what? I need the next volume!"
December 31, 2025
i have no idea what's happening and the fact that i read it in german didn't help
July 18, 2014
4.5 stars.
In a way each volume seems to drag on just a little bit slower and slower as I read on. Mashiro isn't progressing with his resolve at all, and the only new things are the people graduating and coming in.
(Oh and that little bit where he fights himself to the death.) :3
I know I'm not saying s/he and his/her, but I'm just going off the gender that people who don't know his secret think he is.
I bet Sou's sister told him......... (Lol multiple ellipsis's for exaggeration.)
I know this is kind of selfish, but I really don't want Mashiro to end up with Sou, maybe just to show him up that being annoyingly persistent doesn't always work.
As slow as its going, I'm going to keep reading this series as to give it a chance and see where this goes.
In a way each volume seems to drag on just a little bit slower and slower as I read on. Mashiro isn't progressing with his resolve at all, and the only new things are the people graduating and coming in.
(Oh and that little bit where he fights himself to the death.) :3
I know I'm not saying s/he and his/her, but I'm just going off the gender that people who don't know his secret think he is.
I bet Sou's sister told him......... (Lol multiple ellipsis's for exaggeration.)
I know this is kind of selfish, but I really don't want Mashiro to end up with Sou, maybe just to show him up that being annoyingly persistent doesn't always work.
As slow as its going, I'm going to keep reading this series as to give it a chance and see where this goes.
May 3, 2016
I read it in italian.
April 5, 2023
Barely a 2.5/5 put down to 2/5. The storyline and drama/mystery surrounding the nightmare dream world brings it up to a 2.5 and maybe could've bumped it up to 3/5 like the last volume but nah. The mystery keeps getting better and more eongrossing. But I'm sorry the romance is so boring. And it starts retreading the water on the exploration of gender and intersexuality.
Three volumes in and Kureha is still finding something to get upset over, mope and doubt her relationship with Mashiro. And then Mashiro apologizes a bunch and says he doesn't understand women and then they make up. It is three volumes and this set-up has been used too much. And it doesn't seem like it'll stop getting used soon.
Speaking of repetitiveness, the story is struggling to find new ground on the intersex aspect as well. Since After School Nightmare doesn't seem to go much beyond the surface level on the issue there is only so much to explore. You can only have so many scenes which boils down to "But that's girly bro," "Well, that's manly," or "But are you a boy or a girl? How do you know? Are you feeling that way or are you relying on gendered stereotypes?"
It's also annoying to constantly hear Mashiro mention his gender only for every single character around him to ignore it and decide how his gender for him.
The mystery and drama is good. It was alright at first in this volume but it gets really good by the end of this volume. But the only "eh" art, bad romance, and stalling/retreading of topics means I just don't want to continue on. I'd rather just look up a plot synopsis of the mystery than read 7 more volumes of people deciding Mashiro's gender for him no matter what he says, Kureha getting heart broken for Mashiro ignoring her and then re-dating him like its fucking Joker x Harley Quinn, and Sou not admitting his gay feelings for Mashiro by misgendering him and focusing on his genitalia.
Three volumes in and Kureha is still finding something to get upset over, mope and doubt her relationship with Mashiro. And then Mashiro apologizes a bunch and says he doesn't understand women and then they make up. It is three volumes and this set-up has been used too much. And it doesn't seem like it'll stop getting used soon.
Speaking of repetitiveness, the story is struggling to find new ground on the intersex aspect as well. Since After School Nightmare doesn't seem to go much beyond the surface level on the issue there is only so much to explore. You can only have so many scenes which boils down to "But that's girly bro," "Well, that's manly," or "But are you a boy or a girl? How do you know? Are you feeling that way or are you relying on gendered stereotypes?"
It's also annoying to constantly hear Mashiro mention his gender only for every single character around him to ignore it and decide how his gender for him.
The mystery and drama is good. It was alright at first in this volume but it gets really good by the end of this volume. But the only "eh" art, bad romance, and stalling/retreading of topics means I just don't want to continue on. I'd rather just look up a plot synopsis of the mystery than read 7 more volumes of people deciding Mashiro's gender for him no matter what he says, Kureha getting heart broken for Mashiro ignoring her and then re-dating him like its fucking Joker x Harley Quinn, and Sou not admitting his gay feelings for Mashiro by misgendering him and focusing on his genitalia.
October 26, 2019
The after school games continue with Masahiro Ichijo making an unusual bargain with Shinome, the giraffe to discover the identity of the knight, only is that what he wants? Crucial revelations about him, Kureha Fujishima, and Sou Mizuhashi come to light in this volume. Masahiro Ichijo has decided to no longer run from his friends, resulting in his growth as a character, facing his own doubts, the fact that he cares about Kureha, yet he can’t stop thinking about Sou. Nor is he going to deny it. Kureha shows a kinder side (she’s perhaps the kindest of the players in the nighmare after Ichijo) while Sou revealed a sympathetic aspect for the first time in the series. The giraffe’s motivations for scheming are exposed, along with some of the knight’s, upping the intensity of the game. The artwork follows the theme and plot in taking the reader into a more surreal dreamworld, which reflects and distorts what everyone knows as reality in a beautiful, yet disturbing way. For all of these qualities, I give this four stars.
September 4, 2018
Even 13 years later this manga still sweeps me away -- I love watching the characters figure things out, and I love that they don't always manage it. So many manga that show the aftermath of trauma makes it look like all a person needs is a warm hug and then they're fine again, whereas the reality is more like this series -- some steps forwards, some steps back, some spinning in circles defending a position that a week before you'd decided not to defend -- it's a long, slow, circular process, even without dream sequences and giraffes.
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 30, 2020
Book #154 in the year 2020
Now Ichijo is desparate to find out who the Knight is and joins up with the new student, the Giraffe, who knows everyone's real identity, but the deal puts a struggle on the relationship between Ichijo and Kureha. Sou ups his persuit putting even more pressure on Ichijo.
Now Ichijo is desparate to find out who the Knight is and joins up with the new student, the Giraffe, who knows everyone's real identity, but the deal puts a struggle on the relationship between Ichijo and Kureha. Sou ups his persuit putting even more pressure on Ichijo.
July 12, 2021
In this volume we get introduced to a new character, who tries to win the game by cooperating with our main character, Mashiro. We also start to get an idea for what happens when a student "graduates" from the class. I highly recommend this series.
CW: Blood, Violence, Incest, Gender Dysphoria
CW: Blood, Violence, Incest, Gender Dysphoria
January 11, 2018
See my review for Vol 1.
April 16, 2021
I really liked the mystery and how the character dynamics played out in this volume. Also, that shocking cliffhanger! I knew something was coming but that was unexpected.
September 4, 2023
Ichijo had done decent character development at the end, but I wasn’t interested at all in Giraffe Guy.
December 20, 2016
Mashiro accetta la proposta di Shinonome: lo proteggerà e gli darà la chiave per diplomarsi e in cambio saprà chi si nasconde sotto l'armatura. Mashiro continua a riflettere sulla sua doppia natura e su ciò che comporta.
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 18, 2010
We meet a new character in this volume. A super-smart kid who's just arrived at the school. His form is a paper giraffe. And he claims he can tell who everyone in the dream is.
So he makes a deal with the main character, because the main character is desperate to find out if the knight is the guy he-totally-doesn't-like-because-he's-a-guy-and-not-gay. The main character has to promise to obey his orders in the dream, and then he'll tell him who everyone is.
Naturally things do not go entirely to plan.
His girlfriend is really, really starting to bug me. Be afraid of guys if you want, but don't be such a wuss about it and about everything else.
Also. Still creepy!
The next volumes will have to wait for a bit, as I just requested them through ILL.
So he makes a deal with the main character, because the main character is desperate to find out if the knight is the guy he-totally-doesn't-like-because-he's-a-guy-and-not-gay. The main character has to promise to obey his orders in the dream, and then he'll tell him who everyone is.
Naturally things do not go entirely to plan.
His girlfriend is really, really starting to bug me. Be afraid of guys if you want, but don't be such a wuss about it and about everything else.
Also. Still creepy!
The next volumes will have to wait for a bit, as I just requested them through ILL.
January 26, 2010
Volume three includes more symbolism, some of it not clear to me. I understand the obvious significance of the moon, for instance, behind Mashiro in the two page full color picture (which I don't like though it is drawn and colored well) but I am certain there is another significance that I don't understand, one that has something to do with the dark moon some of the other students can see but Mashiro can't.
I like the look at human nature this manga shows. It's more on the obvious side since it is aimed at teens, but it's truth has a big impact just the same. Seeing Mashiro learn and grow is a great aspect of this manga as well.
I like the look at human nature this manga shows. It's more on the obvious side since it is aimed at teens, but it's truth has a big impact just the same. Seeing Mashiro learn and grow is a great aspect of this manga as well.
September 14, 2017
ETA: I took one star off on re-read.
I'm glad that Mashiro's finally starting to open up to Sou, admitting to himself that maybe he isn't a HE after all, maybe he really is a SHE. Sou's attention, his admittance that he loved Mashiro the way she was, a tall, bony, beautiful girl, that it didn't matter to Sou that Mashiro dressed like a boy, trying to convince everybody - herself included - that she was male...
It's a bit difficult to choose the correct pronoun for a review because Sou sees Mashiro as a SHE, Kureha sees Mashiro as a HE and Mashiro? Has no clue. So I guess it depends on the situation and POV.
I'm glad that Mashiro's finally starting to open up to Sou, admitting to himself that maybe he isn't a HE after all, maybe he really is a SHE. Sou's attention, his admittance that he loved Mashiro the way she was, a tall, bony, beautiful girl, that it didn't matter to Sou that Mashiro dressed like a boy, trying to convince everybody - herself included - that she was male...
It's a bit difficult to choose the correct pronoun for a review because Sou sees Mashiro as a SHE, Kureha sees Mashiro as a HE and Mashiro? Has no clue. So I guess it depends on the situation and POV.
February 18, 2016
Gosh this manga exhausts me. I don't like any of the characters, they all have their own dirty issue and seems like they are all out of their mind. And I still cannot stop reading it. I am glued to the screen (currently reading it online). I want to know where they all go after they get the key, what Mashiro will choose at the end, being a girl or a boy; I want to know if he will fall for Sou, what will happen to Kureha and lots of things. But the love triangle is killing me, Sou's secrey is killing me; Kureha's lunacy is killing me; Mashiro's weak character is killing me.
For now I will stop. I need a breath.
For now I will stop. I need a breath.
February 29, 2008
ahh keeps getting better. Ichiro takes up Shinosama the giraffe on his offer...he'll help him get the key in exchange for the identity of the others in the dream. Ichiro learns the lolita-like child in the dream is "Ai". The giraffe gets the key, but Ichiro decides he wants to figure it all out on his own. Shinosama leaves the dream, steps into darkness with a wide-eyed horror striken expression, leaving us to wonder what is beyond graduation, where no one remembers you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2008
OK again you may be thinking "what the hell" but let me just say this: this series is to me as Sou is to Ichi, I hate it but I cant seem to get enough of it(that sort of came out wrong but i hoope u get the point).......BUT SERIOUSLY ichi just needs to accept that hes gay and move on with his like he is getting on my nerves.
October 15, 2010
Liked it not as much as I liked the previous two volumes.
Frankly speaking, I would have given up this series if I wasn't interested in the mysteries that really intrigue me. So, I'm gonna continue with the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next volume and I really hope, that it will be better, than this one.
Frankly speaking, I would have given up this series if I wasn't interested in the mysteries that really intrigue me. So, I'm gonna continue with the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next volume and I really hope, that it will be better, than this one.
March 14, 2014
next book in the series.
china or japan modern day, dream realm.
mashiro is trying to find out who the black night but kureha thinks he is avoiding her.
mashiro dynamic. messed up, loving, stupid. "you are pretty kureha youre adorable." page 23
dont get confused keep your eyes on the goal.
dont use reading strategy.
i loved it.
china or japan modern day, dream realm.
mashiro is trying to find out who the black night but kureha thinks he is avoiding her.
mashiro dynamic. messed up, loving, stupid. "you are pretty kureha youre adorable." page 23
dont get confused keep your eyes on the goal.
dont use reading strategy.
i loved it.
May 6, 2015
The story unfolds in a really interesting and odd way. I can't give this five stars because the characters behave in irrational ways that make me scream at the page...NO ONE TALKS OR THINKS LIKE THIS! But it has an odd charm and I'm enjoying this series...
August 3, 2022
Todo es tan figurativo y representativo en esta pesadilla que hay que prestar mucha atención al significado que quiere dejar la historia!, Y los vió!, alguien los vió, no puedo esperar a leer el siguiente tomo
October 2, 2007
Full review: http://oyceter.livejournal.com/646831... (minor spoilers for v. 1-4 in comments)
Read
November 7, 2008.....
November 24, 2008
luuuuurved it! it was interesting...
February 7, 2010
[See review under vol. 1:]
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews