Wow, I can't believe it. After 10 years, one of my favorite mangas has finally ended.
Gakuen Alice, also known as Alice Academy, is primarily a story of Sakura Mikan. When her best friend, Imai Hotaru, leaves their small province to enroll in the special Gakuen Alice, she decided to follow her and also enroll. Inside this school she made friends, developed relationships and learned about her past and destiny.
I first learned of GA through the anime version. It was being shown in our local television years ago and my sister was constantly watching it. One morning, I watched it with her (the episode was about Kaname-senpai and Bear) and ended up loving the show.
I bought a DVD of the whole series and got sucked into the story and their characters. I was especially invested in the relationship of Mikan and Natsume and I love Natsume so much that I named our new dog after him. Haha.
When I finished the series, I was quite surprised and disappointed that it didn't get a proper conclusion. The love triangle between Natsume, Mikan and Ruka was also not resolved. Apparently, the manga is still on going at that time. So, I decided to continue the story in the manga. I was shocked to learn that the story was actually quite dark in the manga later on. The anime was just really intended for kids, I guess.
I wasn't able to read it religiously as I would like due to my busy schedule and I put it on shelf for quite a few years. But now, I'm reading it again (I'm currently on Chapter 130) and the final chapter is finally released! I'm having mixed emotions. I'm happy but also sad. I will miss Mikan, Natsume, Hotaru, Ruka and the whole gang.
I love Tachibana Higuchi and I'm amazed with her imagination and creativity. I look forward to a new manga series from her.
<Spoiler>
The manga's English scanlation is currently up until chapter 176 only but the raws for chapters 177-180 (final chapter) are already released. Below are some of the raws. They are in no particular order. It is already 4 years after and Mikan is now 16. Natsume and Ruka grew up really hot. Whew!
I grew up with Gakuen Alice...I remember watching the anime when it first came out years ago. Then, I picked up the manga. It quickly became one of my favorite series and now holds a very special place in my heart. I, too, put the series on hold...college made it hard to keep up. But, once the series was announced "over" I picked it up again. And...I never expected it to be so sad. I love that it is in many ways-many authors don't tread the "Tragedy" tag; especially series that begin so upbeat and comedic. I came to love all the characters, so it really pulled my heart strings to see them suffer as they did. I just wish the ending was more definitive...Hotaru...
ReplyDeleteBut, Mikan and Natsume will always hold a very special place in my heart. As will this series.