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School Judgment #1
School Court 01: Der Mordfall des zerstückelten Suzuki
In order to curb the crime running rampant in the elementary school system, a new solution has been enacted in the form of the School Judgment System. Now the young students themselves will be responsible for solving the issues that befall them. But are they up for the task?At Tenbin Elementary, there is only one way to settle a dispute—in a court of law! All disputes bypass the teachers and are settled by some of the best lawyers in the country…who also happen to be elementary school students. The accused this time is a boy named Tento. His crime? Murder of the beloved class fish Suzuki! Luckily for him, the state has sent him a defense attorney, Abaku Inugami. But is this wild young lawyer skilled enough to argue his client off the hook?
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First published February 2, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 14, 2017
I am incredibly disappointed with the lolita element to this title. I get that there's a whole genre,and some people "like" it, but it is completely out of place here. It was absolutely unnecessary and frankly very offensive. To use nudity and sexual attraction to young children (even in its minutest form) as comedic titillation (in a comic for children, no less), there is something wrong here! For that alone, I don't recommend this title.
I thought that the story struggled to establish itself. It was a bit too extreme and obnoxious too quickly, and the main character too unlikeable. It didn't help that his introduction to the series (as a genius arguer) was done through a barrage of nonsensical and poorly established argument. It was the argument of a whiny child... Which I guess he is. But, I believe he's supposed to exhibit greater mental faculty which was just failed to be established from the first chapter.
However, after the pacing and scenario were fleshed out, I did begin to enjoy the title. But, I'm just not sure if I am willing to read more.
Obata's art is the star of this title. His style is versatile; moving from the incredibly cute to the horrifyingly grotesque. But never too much of either, and always the right amount at the right time!
I thought that the story struggled to establish itself. It was a bit too extreme and obnoxious too quickly, and the main character too unlikeable. It didn't help that his introduction to the series (as a genius arguer) was done through a barrage of nonsensical and poorly established argument. It was the argument of a whiny child... Which I guess he is. But, I believe he's supposed to exhibit greater mental faculty which was just failed to be established from the first chapter.
However, after the pacing and scenario were fleshed out, I did begin to enjoy the title. But, I'm just not sure if I am willing to read more.
Obata's art is the star of this title. His style is versatile; moving from the incredibly cute to the horrifyingly grotesque. But never too much of either, and always the right amount at the right time!
August 16, 2023
Creative and funny, but Ronpas became very repetitive and boring imo.
March 4, 2016
I can't deny I liked this. The idea of the legal classroom alone is intriguing enough for a series, let alone having its pages decorated by Takeshi Obata. I like the idea of the cases and there are quite a few going on in this volume which unfortunately does make the plot rather choppy. But the characters are consistent carrying through the book. Also not sure if part of the choppiness, but one character, the lawyer, seems to have some connection to the bloody massacre in the past. If these are plot teasers this could prove interesting for book 2.
February 28, 2016
I've been looking forward to seeing this new concept from the famous Obata. The art is fabulous, naturally, and the story execution is pretty good. I enjoyed it. The three star rating is just my personal taste. I enjoy manga with over-arcing stories more than episodic cases. The courtroom battle poses are hilarious, though.
February 11, 2017
Meh. I'm clearly NOT the audience for this one. Ohbata's art work is fantastic, but the whole thing felt quite juvenile to me in way that just didn't work. I think my daughter might enjoy it quite a bit--she's thirteen--but I couldn't get into it.
June 7, 2021
This was read on the Shonen Jump app. This was an interesting idea, but fell down a bit in the execution. Some parts felt a bit too jokey for me, and others seamed to make little sense overall. I did enjoy it for the most part, and I see potential with the background story of Abaku.
August 12, 2019
(Forgive me the cliche, but it feels so satisfying to use it for this book) In a world where the education system is corrupt and broken, redemption is found in the form of the students themselves: "by the students, for the students." These students who are trained in the ways of law and travel between schools are given the authority to coordinate trials to maintain ethics and justice. At Tenbin Elementary, two student lawyers arrive as transfers and cause an instant sensation upon their arrival; the school will never be the same!
Is it ridiculous? Yes, but I loved it. Abaku Inugami joins literally legions of idiosyncratic cynical geniuses from every aspect of pop culture. He's L, He's Dr. Gregory House, Tony Stark (in a way), Sherlock--it's not new, but I find him as enjoyable, even with his ridiculous catchphrase, "I'm going to ronpa the hell out of this one!" He's got a dark backstory we only get brief glimpses of, and puts up with zero nonsense, but is usually right and leaves the people around him better off than they started. His nemesis is cutie-pie prosecutor Pine. She may look adorable, but under the wiles lie a savvy and calculating determination. Though her competitive nature causes her to push the boundaries of ethical procedure, she manages to retain overwhelming public support.
Of course, it's quickly clear that this is going to be a real contest---it would have been nice to see a little more ambiguity or push-and-pull between the sides, but it's plenty entertaining enough to convince me to read further. I'm also hoping we'll get to see some stronger female characterizations in upcoming volumes. Most of the girls tend to either fall into the beautiful and passive angel category or they're villains in one way or another, jealous and scheming.
Hard to say exactly where this series falls since this is only the first volume, but I'd be tempted to skew it towards younger teens based on this alone, for the goofiness. There are definitely some hints of darker stuff--particularly the bits and pieces we get about the violent episode that kicks off the School Judgment System, but the majority of what's covered is fairly tame, and even Inugami's debut case, which starts melodramatically, is a bit more (or less?) than it appears. Fan service is pretty indirect (comparatively) limited to a couple of *very* fleeting snippets, a couple of teasing comments about Pine, and again, a case that involves a hidden camera hints at more than it shows.
Is it ridiculous? Yes, but I loved it. Abaku Inugami joins literally legions of idiosyncratic cynical geniuses from every aspect of pop culture. He's L, He's Dr. Gregory House, Tony Stark (in a way), Sherlock--it's not new, but I find him as enjoyable, even with his ridiculous catchphrase, "I'm going to ronpa the hell out of this one!" He's got a dark backstory we only get brief glimpses of, and puts up with zero nonsense, but is usually right and leaves the people around him better off than they started. His nemesis is cutie-pie prosecutor Pine. She may look adorable, but under the wiles lie a savvy and calculating determination. Though her competitive nature causes her to push the boundaries of ethical procedure, she manages to retain overwhelming public support.
Of course, it's quickly clear that this is going to be a real contest---it would have been nice to see a little more ambiguity or push-and-pull between the sides, but it's plenty entertaining enough to convince me to read further. I'm also hoping we'll get to see some stronger female characterizations in upcoming volumes. Most of the girls tend to either fall into the beautiful and passive angel category or they're villains in one way or another, jealous and scheming.
Hard to say exactly where this series falls since this is only the first volume, but I'd be tempted to skew it towards younger teens based on this alone, for the goofiness. There are definitely some hints of darker stuff--particularly the bits and pieces we get about the violent episode that kicks off the School Judgment System, but the majority of what's covered is fairly tame, and even Inugami's debut case, which starts melodramatically, is a bit more (or less?) than it appears. Fan service is pretty indirect (comparatively) limited to a couple of *very* fleeting snippets, a couple of teasing comments about Pine, and again, a case that involves a hidden camera hints at more than it shows.
September 4, 2023
J'ai eu un peu de mal à m'accrocher... L'idée du tribunal par des enfants me semble bonne, mais mal réalisée. Déjà parce qu'on ne comprend parfois pas tout à l'histoire, le scénario étant des fois un peu fouillis. Et aussi parce que les enfants ne sont pas assez enfantins... Donc peu crédibles. Et le regard porté vis à vis des jeunes filles, emprunts de sexisme, et franchement malaisant. J'en attendais mieux
April 2, 2017
I expected nothing less from Obata sensei of Deathnote and his art did not disappoint. Enoki's novel script about the use of law to settle school issues by students themselves is interesting and innovative. A refreshing read.
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February 15, 2016Very interested in finding out the back story of the protagonist.
July 21, 2016
half-baked idea.
April 11, 2018
I was fairly disappointed with the plot. The characters were okay but I was wanting more from the creator of Death Note. It just falls flat for me.
May 17, 2018
Not great. Skimmed the last bit.
February 22, 2024
The judicial satire Manga School Judgment: Gakkyu Hotei was originally deemed not good enough for print. The editors of Shonen Jump felt that the premise of elementary schools becoming the new frontier of a court of law was too one-note. Editors were also not very impressed with the art of creator Nobuaki Enoki, calling it 'lacking'. Yet, the publisher's new online Manga app Jump LIVE, now Shonen Jump+, needed new material. With a new artist added to the project Hikaru no Go's Takeshi Obata, Enoki was reinvigorated and a second draft was quickly worked up.
In 2013, Gakkyu Hotei debuted on phones across Japan and the world. The first case on the docket 'The Suzuki Murder and Dismemberment Case', sees the diminutive Tento Nanahoshi on trail for the violent death of homeroom 6-3's mascot, a fish name Suzuki. For the defense is 12-year old Abaku Inugami, a lover of video games who will 'ronpa (Japanese for break, tear, destroy) the hell out of' anyone who persecutes his clients unjustly. The prosecutor is Pine Hanzuki, who may look like a typical sweet and innocent Gyaru glam girl. But inside her lurks the heart of a fearless hunter!
Originally intended to be only 10 chapters long, the series was soon rebranded in a serialized form in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014. Reaching its climatic 24th chapter, Gakkyu Hotei went into permanent recess in the summer of 2015. English audiences were introduced to the complete series divided into 3 volumes the following year.
School Judgment: Gakkyu Hotei is something rare to a non-Manga fan such as myself. It was enjoyable! With its storyline divided up in ways where readers can solve the mystery alongside Abaku and Pine, these cases read like a Japanese version of Ellery Queen. Plus, there's the added mystery of Abaku Inugami's troubled past which plays out throughout the entire story. Years prior, he was present during a classroom massacre which led to the judicial reforms that turned elementary schools into courts of law. His journey as a travelling solicitor has brought him Tenbin Elementary, where Abaku plans to stay and kill the student who slaughtered his former classmates.
In 2013, Gakkyu Hotei debuted on phones across Japan and the world. The first case on the docket 'The Suzuki Murder and Dismemberment Case', sees the diminutive Tento Nanahoshi on trail for the violent death of homeroom 6-3's mascot, a fish name Suzuki. For the defense is 12-year old Abaku Inugami, a lover of video games who will 'ronpa (Japanese for break, tear, destroy) the hell out of' anyone who persecutes his clients unjustly. The prosecutor is Pine Hanzuki, who may look like a typical sweet and innocent Gyaru glam girl. But inside her lurks the heart of a fearless hunter!
Originally intended to be only 10 chapters long, the series was soon rebranded in a serialized form in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in 2014. Reaching its climatic 24th chapter, Gakkyu Hotei went into permanent recess in the summer of 2015. English audiences were introduced to the complete series divided into 3 volumes the following year.
School Judgment: Gakkyu Hotei is something rare to a non-Manga fan such as myself. It was enjoyable! With its storyline divided up in ways where readers can solve the mystery alongside Abaku and Pine, these cases read like a Japanese version of Ellery Queen. Plus, there's the added mystery of Abaku Inugami's troubled past which plays out throughout the entire story. Years prior, he was present during a classroom massacre which led to the judicial reforms that turned elementary schools into courts of law. His journey as a travelling solicitor has brought him Tenbin Elementary, where Abaku plans to stay and kill the student who slaughtered his former classmates.
Read
May 24, 2021The basic premise is already bizarre & not believable and then bizarre stuff keeps on happening, but honestly, that makes it more interesting to me. This manga is for a certain kind of person, I think. If you're very attached to reason, science and worldbuilding, I think you'll be disappointed. I, on the other hand, love a bit of zaniness to color the books I read, so I really relished the first 2 books.
The art's good, the characters are pretty fun and the set up leads to great court scenes and a lot of cool "ah-ha!" moments. The lawyering and fast-paced cases are super entertaining and, as someone who argues wayyyy to much, I felt a deep connection to the protagonist lol.
Some shots were a little bit tasteless (these are elementary school kids!) but it's not that creepy as of yet.
The art's good, the characters are pretty fun and the set up leads to great court scenes and a lot of cool "ah-ha!" moments. The lawyering and fast-paced cases are super entertaining and, as someone who argues wayyyy to much, I felt a deep connection to the protagonist lol.
Some shots were a little bit tasteless (these are elementary school kids!) but it's not that creepy as of yet.
June 30, 2017
A fun and fast-paced court drama manga. This book reminded me of the Ace Attorney game series especially given our Abaku's job. It also is reminicent of a murder mystery, which I also like.
This is the book that taught me how to ronpa. I was of half a mind to use Abaku's opening ronpa about handheld game devices; I'm adicted to my 2DS, my game of prefrence being Fire Emblem Fates. I eventually thought better of it. I'm still honing my skills seeing as I would like to pursue a career in the law.
I would say this would be a good introduction to manga for new comers.
This is the book that taught me how to ronpa. I was of half a mind to use Abaku's opening ronpa about handheld game devices; I'm adicted to my 2DS, my game of prefrence being Fire Emblem Fates. I eventually thought better of it. I'm still honing my skills seeing as I would like to pursue a career in the law.
I would say this would be a good introduction to manga for new comers.
July 8, 2023
After several cases of rampant bullying across the country, Japan has instituted a new means of dealing with disputes in the classroom—a court of law of children, by children, and for children!
So, I’m not going to do a deep dive on this one—mainly because I don’t believe I’m the target audience for this series. I found it to read a little young—despite there being ample discussion about technical legal terminology.
The art style, also, didn’t really appeal to me. Obata has done much better designs.
I think this would be a good choice for a younger reader who enjoys mysteries~
So, I’m not going to do a deep dive on this one—mainly because I don’t believe I’m the target audience for this series. I found it to read a little young—despite there being ample discussion about technical legal terminology.
The art style, also, didn’t really appeal to me. Obata has done much better designs.
I think this would be a good choice for a younger reader who enjoys mysteries~
July 6, 2018
Sort of like if the Ace Attorney flashback with Phoenix on trial for stealing Edgeworth's lunch money was an entire system of law? I liked it more than I thought I would, because the cases really are somewhat reminiscent of the outlandish stuff that can happen in an Ace Attorney game. But I really, really dislike most of the characters, especially the awful grade school defense attorney. I doubt I'll read more of this, but it wasn't terrible.
March 14, 2020
I really like the idea behind this one and at its best it reads like a Phoenix Wright manga, which makes it frustrating that I didn't like it more. Unfortunately, some of the cases are just too obvious and all of the worst attributes of shonen manga were out in full force. Not recommended.
March 7, 2025
This is a manga about an elementary school courtroom drama. There are four short stories in this volume and the start of a fifth. The early stories were so-so, but they got better as they went on. My fourth star recognizes this improvement.
December 27, 2017
Holy crap this manga is ridiculous. You don't even need a willing suspension of disbelief. It's so over-the-top, but very enjoyable.
January 7, 2018
Good! A lot of things are going on all at one time but is still enjoyable.
June 29, 2018
Review by K.M. : "Very interesting. A way of looking at bullying."
August 18, 2018
Hard for me to say anything other than “eh”. I was expecting big things because of the connection to death note, it’s okay I guess, just not my thing.
November 9, 2018
Historias de corte infantil, predecibles y con apenas intriga. El dibujo de Takeshi Obata es espectacular, como siempre.
May 12, 2019
At first I gave it two stars but that was way too kind.
October 29, 2019
S'okay comic.
January 16, 2020
Very interesting, loved all the law and debates just a little harder to read but still amazing.
September 29, 2021
First off it was weird and I didnt get it, but the artwork is amazing as most of Takeshi's artwork. if your not in it for the story and the artwork I would take a quick look at this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews