Vitamin

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I remember being obsessed with this when I was in middle school and high school. I used to re-read this story constantly. I will say that it's an absolute masterpiece. The story itself is short, but it accomplishes so much within the story.

Summary: The story is about a young girl named Sawako. She's just an average girl for the most part. She has a group of friends, she has a boyfriend, and she's going to school. She's really good one subject, average in most of them, and bad in one. Just a normal student, until something goes ... wrong.

This story doesn't hold back. It gut punches you with emotions and the disgusting actions of others. You feel exactly what Sawako feels, and it's relatable to those who have been bullied. You wish your bullies would just die, and you constantly ask "why my?!" You are just angry, sad, frustrated, and helpless. Vitamin really allows you to feel those emotions with Sawako, as if you were Sawako herself.

It also is an accurate depiction of bullying. The self isolation, the ostracization, lack of help from teachers, wanting to hide it from your parents, and then just wanting to stay home. You dread going to school, because you know what's going to happen.

The ending was just perfect. I don't even want to hint at the ending, so I'll just leave it at that.

Tactical narrative with depth, growth and a solution.

There's a scene from 'Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai' that is quite comparable to what this manga 'Vitamin' achieves:
There's a commissioned painting of scenes from Hell in the back room that has been giving the madam of the house visions of death. The dread doesn't let her sleep, and almost causes a fire in the house. The househelps approach the artist community and ask for a solution. Master Hokusai takes one look at the painting and notices it is "incomplete" - and draws in something that alleviates the restless fear.

'Vitamin' offers a route of hope to the victims of ... ijime (bullying). It's the first manga I've read that successfully redirects the fear, dread, anger, paranoia, hate, and suffering into a productive and positive outlet - with a tactful taste of revenge that only makes the character rise, instead of making her resort to the same level of violence. That too, in 3 chapters. There's so much depth and character growth offered here, it's an entire journey.

And three very crucial things that stood out that no other manga has managed to offer:
- A character that hides her relationship from her parents (I'm from an orthodox family, and relate to this SO much - my parents still have no clue that I've been in relationships since the past 10 years. Not all families are open about relationships and welcoming as the shoujo genres show.)
- Parents who switch channels when a kiss/love scene shows up (yes, still do that!)
- Trying to please your partner when in a relationship, and hating it. (It's very sticky and tricky area not being able to say no. You tend to blame yourself here not realising that it's actually not okay. It's not a space you're genuinely happy about, despite having deep affections and appreciating the sense of love. It's probably equatable to bearing humiliation, now that I think about it.)

After reading this story, my first reaction was to write a review not for this manga, but for 'Hibari no Asa'. Because I really wish Hibari got to read this manga and Sawako's journey. That's the power these two narratives and their characters managed to have over me.

And as much as revenge narratives are popular, and blood and gore are thrilling for fiction, the horrific part is that reality is quite different. This story actually teetered on the fringe of mass violence and self harm. Neither of which are a solution. And when you're standing alone, bad can turn to worse any moment - tables can easily turn. It's not simple, it's not easy, and unfortunately, there's no one-solution-fits-all. How do you cool your head, confront the situation, and find a way to heal?

I hope those who have faced such abuse find this story and feel that there may be a way they can also redirect their energy. A creative outlet like arts or performance, or gardening, or a sport could potentially help.

This story raises a big question to educational institutions and teacher trainings - what the hell are you doing for these kids? And the bullies who do this for amusement, means there's so much latent creative energy there going to waste too. They also don't have an outlet for boredom. Implementing more recreational activities and facilities could really be a solution for physical and mental engagement. And really just respecting individuality.

This story really got to me in a way most don't I actually felt how the characters felt, and this this happens very little. when the girl was getting bullied i felt her emotional trama, the feeling of being frightened to live through it again and not wanting to, so she stayed home and drew manga. I understand the reason drawing manga was to important to her coping process, and I feel like after she realized she had a purpose to go on, she grew into a stronger person overall. The ending of this manga really got to me as well, you can understand her ... reasoning for ripping the certificate and leaving because it was like she ripped apart the reason for her suffering and left it in the past, as she left the ceremony.

-The story for me was a 9/10 vote because I felt like it could've had a little romance at the end, like that guy that the boyfriend got jealous of at the beginning, but that being said it's just because I'm a major romance fan.

-the art was about a 7/10 vote because it was good art don't get me wrong, but I felt like there could've been a more unique output on how the characters were presented. But overall the point of the story the artist wanted to get across did get across and that's what matters.

-the characters in this manga got a 8/10 vote because they progressed very well paced, and we got to see the main character grow stronger over the course of the manga. But I still felt as though something was missing and therefore it concludes why my vote is what it is.

-My enjoyment overall was 9/10, I loved this manga it was very emotionally tempting locking onto the emotions I don't usually feel, but as I stated before I am a major romance fan, therefore if there was a hint more romance I probably would've enjoyed it even more.

My rating on this manga is 8/10. Over this manga is great if you want quick emotional locking onto goodness, or you just want a strong development in the main character, because trust me the main grows so much throughly this. But still I felt it could use a little Bit more romance, JUST A PERSONAL PREFERENCE THOUGH!! Overall I loved it and recommend anyone who's willing to read, to do so. :)