When I started this manga, I wanted to give up immediately. The premise was utterly detestable. It was filled with holes, didn't make sense, and was hateful. Unless this was a system established in a third world country, there is no way to keep a system like that in place without every single person involved being thrown in prison.

The art was quite good and while the premise was silly and incomprehensible, the story itself didn't indulge in it in a sickening way. It was a mediocre ride until right before the end. I am happy to say that Shitsurakuen is a manga with a good ending. Few manga and even less anime have good endings. I'm glad I kept reading and found a satisfying conclusion.

... Last updated on June 30th, 2012, 11:53pm

Shitsurakuen is a good story with an ending that'll leave some people strongly dissatisfied, while other people won't mind it.

I have to say, the execution wasn't so great, but it could've been worse. There's a lot of stuff crammed in in some way, that makes sense at the moment, more or less, but it doesn't let you absorb everything. The manga really could have used a little bit less cramming.
I can't really remember much of the manga, even though I read it in one go and finished just now, but I'm one of those, who understand why the ending is as it is and I'm okay with it. There's a lot hidden in it and I'm really not up to talking about it, but I'm satisfied.

Give it a twirl and then decide whether it's worth buying, or maybe just borrowing.

... Last updated on April 15th, 2012, 6:36am

There was so much here to exploit. The art was pretty, the characters were tolerable, and the set-up . The set-up was everything , and yet what do we get? A half-baked story about a girl who seems like the female version of Naruto saving a bunch of other girls in a not so very good battle manga. What you're just going to get rid of the overwhelmingly sexist environment of the school so quickly? What about the Iwahijiri - are they still pulling the same crap they did with the school? The list could go on... Also, a lot of the characters had random changes in heart, which I felt the author threw in to be able to end the story, rather than to be able develop a complex one that could have broken a lot of norms generally associated with shounen.

I really wish someone else had been put in charge of this story after the initial set-up. It's a fairly shallow read if you don't want something too meaningful, but for a story that could have been amazing, it just doesn't get there.

... Last updated on February 24th, 2012, 10:49am

After watching Utena, my rating on Shitsurakuen dropped.

And indeed, Shitsurakuen is using a lot of Utena's elements with no surrealism. The new elements that the author add are:
- Virtual reality unlike the projector in Utena
- Harem instead of one girl
- More shoujo-ai elements (Like the Utena Movie)
- The protagonist is given a glove instead of a ring like in Utena
- It hasn't to do anything with revolution or the world
- More stupid characters

Okay, the first thing you wonder is, why the girls attend and they do not simple leave to attend to another when they face such circumstances. It is never explained but it is letting you to assume that they probably have a scholarship and they must attend to this reputed school. Or they are spied and they are unable to tell to their parents. Either way, it is not excused so it makes it more stupid.

And let's see... Utopia is an Academy where all of the guys torture the girls and the girls cling on them. It's just so pathetic... They enjoy being puppets. Basically all of them act like Anthy from Utena. And one day, the girl that wants to become a knight and save Princesses appear and start saving them. (And yes, in a male uniform like Utena.)

Sora is kind of annoying she is repeating like 4757383845 times that she will save each girl. And all of the guys are trying to eliminate her, except this guy that is pretty much like Akio. (Without the amazing car scenes of course.)

Sora's harem has no development at all. Take for example, Kohaku; She is a girl with no personality whatsoever. She is just blushing whenever she is around Sora. The second girl? Pretty much the same. It was only Reiko as a tsundere that showed something better. And we have the mysterious girl that is an old friend of Sora (And apparently Sora's yuri interest that is LIKE Anthy) whom she needs to be saved and later she has also a symbolic presence.)

Of course, the fairytale-like plot is not missing from here either; We see some scenes where the knight save the princess, etc. Utena much, again?

I have to admit though, that the designs are better than the ones in Utena. Although the fights suck and neither Utena did had any good fights.

I know I did a lot of comparison to Utena but it is just so damn similar. Anyways, entertaining for a one time read.

I loved this manga, I once gave it a ten, but now it's a nine. Once readers get to the last chapter they would think "WTF?!" The last two chapters messed up everything. I don't know if this manga should even be labeled as "shoujo-ai."

But the manga is superb as a whole. It might not be my top 5 best manga anymore, but it's still great.

Ok i get what others are saying. trust me i have been reading this for a while but around chapt 22 it wraps up the plot and it all makes a lot of sense. the randomness and the whole good vs evil mess that's so over done its a bit much at times all has a purpose. so if you can get through it, its a pretty good read.

... Last updated on July 1st, 2011, 12:36pm

The first four letters of the name says it all. Skip this series. Even for people who like shoujo-ai/yuri, this is plain retarded, especially the protagonist (Sora?). Although, it's typical that the biggest idiot becomes leader. Just look at America (my own country, BTW T_T) between 2000-2008...

My first question is why would any woman , or man who has even a shred of decency, go to such a school? My next question is why is every single guy in this a complete a-hole?
I do like shoujo-ai manga but this is way to rediculous. I'm a guy and after reading the first three chapters i had to stop because it was making me so mad. No man who has any brain in his head would treat a woman, or any other living being, like that! There is also no woman who would go along with this "game" just because they get an education; they would definately get the f**k out of ther the second they sawhow woman were being treated and go to another school. This manga did a better job at making men look evil than the Lifetime tv network.

I don't care if its a carbon copy of Utena or not. Alot of manga recycle the same ideas and tropes, so it shouldn't really matter. Is it good or is it at least entertaining and fun that's the question for me.

Well I have to say I like the concept of an oppressive school, girls as weapons, and virtual reality. However, its handled way too simplistically. It could have been a real complex story and even analyzed the reasons for oppression. Instead its just a school owned by a company run by misogynists. Convenient and boring. How does the virtual reality thing work? People seemed to get injured in duels so how are they hooked up to it? Not explained. Even the main character is confused by it, but just accepts it. There's alot of holes in the story.

The art is decent. The girls are nice looking, but the fights aren't drawn too well.

I can't really stand the main character Sora. She wants to be a knight and protect the girls she says, ugh. The character is in high school, but has the mental and emotional development of a seven year old. She could learn important things from her friend who has been there longer, but just as her friend is going to say something significant Sora gets up and runs off. This happens a couple of times and stupidity is not charming its annoying.

There are many things that bug me about this series. I think it had potential, but after reading 15 chapters I'm tired of waiting for Sora and this story to develop half a brain.

Despite its "I will protect you" themes, the story is pretty unique itself.
It hints at you to stand up to things that may seem impossible: to make a difference.

Each chapter is like 50+ pages, which is pretty good. Art is well done, even some action scenes.
Can't help but like this manga. (This could do pretty well as an anime too lol)

... Last updated on July 15th, 2010, 12:42pm