This manga definitely isn't for everyone, as it is very often misinterpreted and trivialized. Many mention being lost in the manga, calling the bullies "lunatics" and "insane". Through all manga of Rensuke Oshikiri I've read, no character has been inherently bad, mentally ill nor plainly evil. There has always been a cause, and it is the point of the manga and a common theme occuring in his works - abuse breeds abuse.

Very heavy with a painful message, it requires more from you than passive reading. It is not to be read for enjoyment. I've started reading Misumisou as I've looked for series similar to Higurashi, not knowing what I get myself into. Most readers (me included) expected a classic revenge plot filled with gore. It is only an illusion after reading the synopsis.

The characters and bullying are exaggerated, yet the message is painfully real and applying to the world we live in. Each of the kids carried on the abuse they have received from their parents and surroundings - like a curse, it was carried through different vessels. The protagonist wasn't the only victim, violence became a way to cope for many deeply broken characters. The group bullying and flowing violence, turning abused children into monsters themselves is most likely a reflection on Japanese society (although it is most likely a problem in every country, it is not as severe as in Japan where bullying is a subject of many media for a reason).

Rensuke Oshikiri's art is my personal favorite together with widely acknowledged Junji Itou. It is perfect for what it is supposed to visualize - the ugly core of humanity, the part of the world nobody wants to see or think about. Which is shown by most viewers finding it very repulsive, going as far as criticizing the author's skills although they should never be questioned seeing the author's use of flow, perspective and overly realistically shown emotions. It obviously has its flaws (some expressions become repetitive after a longer while), yet calling the art "bad" is blasphemous.

This manga is very heavy, touching subjects nobody wants to think or know about. It is not about bullying and gore, it shows a very real part of society. The children are not mentally ill nor born monsters - they are victims, desperate for affection.

In the end, a very heavy scene occurs where one of the male characters steals the scene with seemingly bizarre behavior. It is very difficult to read, seeing the desperation and thirst for affection and love they have never received from their parental figure, which together with misery and extreme fear of abandonment bred shocking violence.

For someone expecting a "slasher", this is not the right manga. If you look for something very heavy, referring to very real problems of Japanese society and worldwide domestic violence, I sincerely recommend you to read Misumisou.