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先生の白い嘘 [Sensei no Shiroi Uso] #1-2
Sensei's Pious Lie, Vol 1.
Torikai's work is a frank and nuanced examination of the emotional and practical effects of sexual violence, rendering the messy realities in gorgeously refined linework and dialogue far more naturalistic than most manga. The author veers away from blunt indictment to paint one of the most complex and fascinating psychological portraits of both rapist and victim in any medium. Very much not just for manga fans, Sensei's Pious Lie will appeal to readers of graphic novels and literary fiction in general.
24-year-old Misuzu Hara is a shy, introverted high school teacher, content to play the passive role of observer...until her quiet life is shaken to its foundations by two men: one her friend’s fiancé, the other her own student.
In Sensei’s Pious Lie, Akane Torikai weaves a complex web of sex, ambivalence, desire, and violence that combines to produce one of the most nuanced and affecting explorations of the intersection between power and gender available in any medium.
18+
24-year-old Misuzu Hara is a shy, introverted high school teacher, content to play the passive role of observer...until her quiet life is shaken to its foundations by two men: one her friend’s fiancé, the other her own student.
In Sensei’s Pious Lie, Akane Torikai weaves a complex web of sex, ambivalence, desire, and violence that combines to produce one of the most nuanced and affecting explorations of the intersection between power and gender available in any medium.
18+
382 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2014
About the author
Akane Torikai
69 books32 followersAkane Torikai (Japanese: 鳥飼茜, Torikai Akane) is a Japanese manga author.
Torikai entered the manga industry around 2004, working as an assistant to Minoru Furuya, while publishing her own short stories in shojo (girls') manga magazines, including 'Bessatsu Shojo Friend' and 'Be Love'.
Torikai acquired fame with her longer comics, serialised in seinen (adult) manga magazines. Her works usually tackle controversial topics, often with a feminist perspective. Among her books are: Sensei's Pious Lie (2013-2017), about a young female teacher dealing with sexual assault; Jigoku no Girlfriend (2014-2017), featuring three young women sharing an apartment and looking for their place in modern Japan; Wandering Cat’s Cage (2017-2018), set in a dystopian matriarchal society that limits women freedom; Saturn Return (2019-2022), on a young writer investigating the suicide of a friend.
Torikai entered the manga industry around 2004, working as an assistant to Minoru Furuya, while publishing her own short stories in shojo (girls') manga magazines, including 'Bessatsu Shojo Friend' and 'Be Love'.
Torikai acquired fame with her longer comics, serialised in seinen (adult) manga magazines. Her works usually tackle controversial topics, often with a feminist perspective. Among her books are: Sensei's Pious Lie (2013-2017), about a young female teacher dealing with sexual assault; Jigoku no Girlfriend (2014-2017), featuring three young women sharing an apartment and looking for their place in modern Japan; Wandering Cat’s Cage (2017-2018), set in a dystopian matriarchal society that limits women freedom; Saturn Return (2019-2022), on a young writer investigating the suicide of a friend.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 20, 2022
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
This was a really tough one to read when it comes to sexual violence against women, so do be wary of that before picking this one up!
That being said, I think this story is really important and this first volume is really well written. I'll definitely be continuing with the upcoming volumes!
This was a really tough one to read when it comes to sexual violence against women, so do be wary of that before picking this one up!
That being said, I think this story is really important and this first volume is really well written. I'll definitely be continuing with the upcoming volumes!
May 8, 2022
Wow, this was such a deep compelling mind provoking read. It touches base on a lot of serious topics, like rape, blackmail, coercion, bullying, and the aftermath they have. Like another reviewer said, everything does hit you all at once in this story, there’s no pacing when it comes to the trauma. The characters are deeply flawed from their experiences, giving us a raw perspective of what they experienced, their mindset and how they cope.
It dives into how there’s different forms of assault/sexual violence, how victims can find themselves enamored with their abuser, but at the same time disgusted by them, and themselves, their body’s. How bullying can cause someone to allow themselves to be used just so they feel some form of worth and desirability.
The manga even tackles male vs female hierarchy, gender bias, and maybe even mental health (I’m guessing this from the last chapter) basically this is a HUGE think piece and definitely just raised the bar for future Josei in my opinion.
It dives into how there’s different forms of assault/sexual violence, how victims can find themselves enamored with their abuser, but at the same time disgusted by them, and themselves, their body’s. How bullying can cause someone to allow themselves to be used just so they feel some form of worth and desirability.
The manga even tackles male vs female hierarchy, gender bias, and maybe even mental health (I’m guessing this from the last chapter) basically this is a HUGE think piece and definitely just raised the bar for future Josei in my opinion.
June 21, 2022
Sensei's Pious Lie was serialised in the seinen magazine Monthly Morning Two from August 2013 to September 2017. This year Kodansha finally published its first English release.
Akane Torikai "propose[s] a story that would present challenging ideas about sex and how men use power in these situations, while also exploring how these kinds of difficult situations could be overcome".
Akane Torikai has done a great job writing about sexual assault, rape, toxic masculinity, vulnerability, blackmailing and trauma.
This is definitely a heavy topic and not suited for everyone, make sure to read a bit about the plot before reading it just because of the nice cover art.
Torikai on the question if reading manga can change how people think:
Yes, I do think that manga can change how people think and act. It’s more like this shows readers that there are people out there who think like this. You’re showing ideas that maybe you don’t have yourself. What I’m doing is showing what people are already thinking and doing and I’m putting it out there in pictures and stories around that. People can read these stories and think, “Oh, I’ve thought things like that,” or “That way of thinking is totally wrong!” It’s not offering up anything new – the things I’m depicting in my manga are nothing new, at least not in my manga – it’s more like I’m just putting a name to it and giving it some concrete form.
If you want to get a deeper dive into Sensei's Pious Lie check out Deb Aoki's interview with Akane Torikai here https://mangasplaining.substack.com/p...
It's worth a read.
Akane Torikai "propose[s] a story that would present challenging ideas about sex and how men use power in these situations, while also exploring how these kinds of difficult situations could be overcome".
Akane Torikai has done a great job writing about sexual assault, rape, toxic masculinity, vulnerability, blackmailing and trauma.
This is definitely a heavy topic and not suited for everyone, make sure to read a bit about the plot before reading it just because of the nice cover art.
Torikai on the question if reading manga can change how people think:
Yes, I do think that manga can change how people think and act. It’s more like this shows readers that there are people out there who think like this. You’re showing ideas that maybe you don’t have yourself. What I’m doing is showing what people are already thinking and doing and I’m putting it out there in pictures and stories around that. People can read these stories and think, “Oh, I’ve thought things like that,” or “That way of thinking is totally wrong!” It’s not offering up anything new – the things I’m depicting in my manga are nothing new, at least not in my manga – it’s more like I’m just putting a name to it and giving it some concrete form.
If you want to get a deeper dive into Sensei's Pious Lie check out Deb Aoki's interview with Akane Torikai here https://mangasplaining.substack.com/p...
It's worth a read.
May 2, 2024
Letti volumi 4/4.
Protagonista di questa mini serie è una professoressa che insegna letteratura giapponese in un liceo che nasconde un terribile segreto: viene ripetutamente v*olentata e minacciata dal marito della sua migliore amica. Attorno a lei gravitano altri personaggi, ognuno con problemi legati al rapporto con l'altro sesso, all'amore non corrisposto e al desiderio di potere sulle vite altrui. Come faranno i protagonisti a sopravvivere ai propri drammi?
Il manga è uno specchio di una realtà cruda e purtroppo ancora oggi molto attuale, quali sono gli effetti a lungo termine delle violenze? Quanto incidono i traumi infantili sulla vita adulta? Perché non riusciamo a troncare le relazioni tossiche? Questi e altri quesiti vengono affrontati con maestria in quest'opera. L'autrice è riuscita ad essere cruda e cruenta ma contemporaneamente delicata. Una lettura molto impegnativa, con tanti TW ma che consiglierei a tutti.
Protagonista di questa mini serie è una professoressa che insegna letteratura giapponese in un liceo che nasconde un terribile segreto: viene ripetutamente v*olentata e minacciata dal marito della sua migliore amica. Attorno a lei gravitano altri personaggi, ognuno con problemi legati al rapporto con l'altro sesso, all'amore non corrisposto e al desiderio di potere sulle vite altrui. Come faranno i protagonisti a sopravvivere ai propri drammi?
Il manga è uno specchio di una realtà cruda e purtroppo ancora oggi molto attuale, quali sono gli effetti a lungo termine delle violenze? Quanto incidono i traumi infantili sulla vita adulta? Perché non riusciamo a troncare le relazioni tossiche? Questi e altri quesiti vengono affrontati con maestria in quest'opera. L'autrice è riuscita ad essere cruda e cruenta ma contemporaneamente delicata. Una lettura molto impegnativa, con tanti TW ma che consiglierei a tutti.
January 2, 2023
3.5 stars
This book is HEAVY. The panels are stunning and packed with expression and nuance. There are so many layers to this story and these characters that I ended up taking this one slowly. Definitely check trigger warnings, what I can say is that there is graphic, on page sexual assault throughout the story and it’s horrifying. Hayafuji is THE villain. I feel like I want to SCREAM every time he’s on the page.
The trauma these characters live with everyday is gut wrenching and it’s interesting to see the way it influences their interactions in their day to day lives. I hated the way Miss Hara treated Nizuma and Minako deserves so much better. Ugh I will be continuing on with caution 😬
This book is HEAVY. The panels are stunning and packed with expression and nuance. There are so many layers to this story and these characters that I ended up taking this one slowly. Definitely check trigger warnings, what I can say is that there is graphic, on page sexual assault throughout the story and it’s horrifying. Hayafuji is THE villain. I feel like I want to SCREAM every time he’s on the page.
The trauma these characters live with everyday is gut wrenching and it’s interesting to see the way it influences their interactions in their day to day lives. I hated the way Miss Hara treated Nizuma and Minako deserves so much better. Ugh I will be continuing on with caution 😬
December 21, 2022
When I picked this up, I definitely didn't read the description close enough, because what I was expecting, and what I got were completely different.
This story isn't bad, but it is heavy, and made me feel extremely uncomfortable (purposefully so I think). It is a nuanced look at sexual awakenings, sexual coercion, and the lines between arousal, rape, and everything in between. I wasn't ready for quite how brutal this got.
This story isn't bad, but it is heavy, and made me feel extremely uncomfortable (purposefully so I think). It is a nuanced look at sexual awakenings, sexual coercion, and the lines between arousal, rape, and everything in between. I wasn't ready for quite how brutal this got.
August 14, 2023
4.5, very good. doesn’t shy away from the complexities of agency, sex and rape culture in japan. nuanced characters with a myriad of life experiences that reflect upon their choices and perspectives. i definitely want to read the whole series! cw for graphic depictions of rape and sexual assault, as well as gaslighting and verbal abuse
March 4, 2025
UGLY!!! COULDVE DONE SO MUCH MORE THE CHARACTERS ARE SO DUMBB IT MAKES ME ANGRY I ALREADY STARTED VOLUME 2 AND I WAS LIKE WAIT WHAT IS THIS MIND BOGGLING STUPIDITY ITS ONLY MAKING ME ANGRY WHY AM I READING ITTTTTTTT OMGGGGG IT ACTUALLY MADE ME SO ANGRY
(edit: I wanna give it a 0 so..)
(edit: I wanna give it a 0 so..)
July 20, 2024
I don't recommend going into this series blind: I knew what it's about, yet I was still taken back by how explicit and uncomfortable it gets. This is an ambitious story that tackles misogyny and rape in Japan. It's perhaps overly ambitious, because it introduces so many characters and covers so much ground that I don't know if the mangaka can do all of them justice. On top of that, I have mixed feelings about how certain scenes are portrayed. Still, I appreciate how nuanced the writing is.
January 27, 2024
a surprisingly good manga!
December 23, 2025
This was very graphic and realistic. So much, in fact, that it upset me.
Do double-and triple-think before picking it up; some people's stomachs aren't ready for this stuff.
What I didn't like about the book was the fact that the FMC, even though she is a victim of sexual abuse herself, is neither a feminist nor a victim supporter. She slut-shames teenage girls and blames men for anything having to do with sexual violence when they can be victims too.
Do double-and triple-think before picking it up; some people's stomachs aren't ready for this stuff.
What I didn't like about the book was the fact that the FMC, even though she is a victim of sexual abuse herself, is neither a feminist nor a victim supporter. She slut-shames teenage girls and blames men for anything having to do with sexual violence when they can be victims too.
February 2, 2024
3.5/5
I almost immediately started reading this after seeing a post online. This is a difficult read to review, much less binge read. Yet, I personally feel it overall did a great job highlighting the complexities of sexuality, autonomy and abuse.
For starters, the art is gorgeous. It creates some extremely compelling panels and poignantly portrays the manga’s events. The pages are vivid and rich, greatly contributing to the reader’s experience.
So that in mind, it’s certainly an artful read. However, I have some gripes with this. This was a very ambitious manga in its choice of topic and level of depth/detail. It has a lot to say in very few volumes and picks quite unconventional circumstances for its characters in order to do so. Without spoiling, it gets to a point where characters’ decisions feel nonsensical and unrealistic, causing the plot to feel incoherent. Examples being (generalized) Not to say that I was expecting a plot based read, but the zoomed in, gritty emotional feel carried in the earlier sections ends up feeling washed up by the end. Despite the premise and beginning being so compelling, I ended up detached from the characters and reading what felt more like cinematic commentary and food for thought. To some extent, I believe this is what the author intended. Yet on the other hand, the manga felt like it progressed into thematic soup.
While there is still a lot readers can chew on and take away from said thematic soup, it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It also takes a certain headspace to be able to take anything away from this manga in my opinion. Overall, if this manga was slightly longer and better utilized build up, the story could have progressed more naturally and had cleaner execution of its themes.
I almost immediately started reading this after seeing a post online. This is a difficult read to review, much less binge read. Yet, I personally feel it overall did a great job highlighting the complexities of sexuality, autonomy and abuse.
For starters, the art is gorgeous. It creates some extremely compelling panels and poignantly portrays the manga’s events. The pages are vivid and rich, greatly contributing to the reader’s experience.
So that in mind, it’s certainly an artful read. However, I have some gripes with this. This was a very ambitious manga in its choice of topic and level of depth/detail. It has a lot to say in very few volumes and picks quite unconventional circumstances for its characters in order to do so. Without spoiling, it gets to a point where characters’ decisions feel nonsensical and unrealistic, causing the plot to feel incoherent. Examples being (generalized) Not to say that I was expecting a plot based read, but the zoomed in, gritty emotional feel carried in the earlier sections ends up feeling washed up by the end. Despite the premise and beginning being so compelling, I ended up detached from the characters and reading what felt more like cinematic commentary and food for thought. To some extent, I believe this is what the author intended. Yet on the other hand, the manga felt like it progressed into thematic soup.
While there is still a lot readers can chew on and take away from said thematic soup, it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It also takes a certain headspace to be able to take anything away from this manga in my opinion. Overall, if this manga was slightly longer and better utilized build up, the story could have progressed more naturally and had cleaner execution of its themes.
March 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this. Yes, it is EXTREMELY HEAVY. But it's so engaging I just got sucked in.
If you are sensitive to rape and sexual violence you either need to avoid this or tread very lightly.
If you are sensitive to rape and sexual violence you either need to avoid this or tread very lightly.
July 10, 2022
Oh My, what a gut punch. This is the kind of manga where everyone is kind of despicable but the realism of the heavy stuff they are dealing with makes them utterly fascinating characters to follow. The themes of sexual awakening, frustration, and manipulation are intense and uncomfortable. This work won't be for everyone, but for me, it kind of reminded me of Scums Wish but with the emotional intensity of someone like Oshimi or Asano. Akane is actually married to Asano, and they both excel at creating challenging dark stories.
The art too is pretty impeccable, very expressive, and uncomfortably erotic. I love that Kodansha is releasing these in omnibus formats (this book contains volume 1 and 2 of original run).
The art too is pretty impeccable, very expressive, and uncomfortably erotic. I love that Kodansha is releasing these in omnibus formats (this book contains volume 1 and 2 of original run).
September 17, 2023
Una sèrie de 4 volums que m'ha deixat força trastocada en què la violència, l'abús i el desig són protagonistes a través dels ulls d'una professora de 24 anys víctima de violacions sistemàtiques per part de la parella de la seva millor amiga, i un alumne seu d'uns 17 anys que també ha patit una agressió sexual d'algú proper. És un relat molt cru, punyent i esfereïdor amb un ventall de personatges ben complexos i genuïns. Per sort al final es veu certa llum al final del túnel (cosa que no m'esperava), però ha estat un tràngol llegir-la sencera d'una tirada... Això sí, il·lustracions TOP, quina autèntica meravella ♥
May 13, 2022
content warning: SA, suicide, gender based violence
(reviewing the whole series already since i completed it last night)
of course it's written by inio asano's wife!! im in pain!!
an incredibly complex human drama about sexuality and societal roles. i was uncomfortable reading it but only because i resonated with the protagonists experiences. everyone is so messed up and flawed (save for one extremely unforgivable character) but in some way justified or at least is given a brief history by the end of the story.
i liked it in a way i never wanna read it again
(reviewing the whole series already since i completed it last night)
of course it's written by inio asano's wife!! im in pain!!
an incredibly complex human drama about sexuality and societal roles. i was uncomfortable reading it but only because i resonated with the protagonists experiences. everyone is so messed up and flawed (save for one extremely unforgivable character) but in some way justified or at least is given a brief history by the end of the story.
i liked it in a way i never wanna read it again
May 5, 2024
El inicio de la serie es muyprometedor, con una profesora joven que ha sufrido un trauma y no ma tiene las distancias con sus alumnos., al menos con uno en particular. Un trazo muy claro y bien realizado con una historia donde va presentando personajes
May 8, 2022
Holy hell that was mentally exhausting. This has become my favorite read of the year so far
April 10, 2023
Check out this review on my personal page, where it looks better
---
Four and a half stars. I'm reviewing the entire series.
What's the deal with women? You nod along like you're listening while they talk or complain or whatever, and then they either let you fuck them, or they don't.
Our protagonist, a high school teacher in her mid-twenties, was a solitary introvert even before she was raped by her only friend's fiancé. It happened a few years ago, but the man has kept the protagonist in bondage by blackmailing her, both by threatening to break her friendship with his fiancée, and to divulge some private photos he took of her. In the beginning she kept quiet because she didn't want to hurt her friend, but over time, as she retreated further into herself, she grew to believe that she deserved it, that she was responsible for turning him on. After all, doesn't she masturbate regularly to memories of herself being dominated by this rapist who calls her at random hours for a bit more degradation?
The protagonist feels dirty, broken, and undeserving of happiness. Those around her consider her a calm and cool-headed young woman, but in reality she's coasting through life in the throes of anhedonia, going through the motions with no chance of improving.
We meet the other protagonist of this tale: a seventeen-year-old student of our main protagonist. He's withdrawn, more interested in gardening than people, and generally considered a non-entity by his female classmates. One morning in class, some local bitch annoys him, which somehow leads to him bending over to pick up something and getting a close-up view of this bitch's panty-covered privates. As the girl berates him for being a pervert, he assures her, despondent, that there's no way he could ever get turned on by that pussy. Cue the rumors of him being gay. However, the truth slowly comes out: he's been seen frequenting the company of an older woman. They were even seen leaving a love hotel together.
The school won't tolerate students getting it on with adults, merely because it may tarnish the school's image. Our main protagonist, the kid's homeroom teacher, is tasked to make him assure that he hasn't been sexually involved with an adult, regardless of whether or not it's true. However, he admits it casually. When the teacher, who doesn't want to be involved in such matters nor talk about them, prompts him for what actually happened, he opens up: the older woman was his boss at a part-time job, and he had felt pressured into having sex with her. Ever since, he's been afraid of vaginas.
The teacher breaks down. She refuses to accept that this kid could have been raped, because she considers that as a man, he's always able to overpower the woman and leave. She tells him that she knows what he's looking for: he wants to be forgiven for being a man, for the knowledge that throughout his life he will defile women over and over again, destroying beauty and innocence in the process.
The teacher bursts into silent tears. As she composes herself, having blurted out a fraction of what she meant for someone else, the kid finds himself stunned. He has connected with this woman's suffering like he hadn't with any other human being. However, he believes that there must be a way for both of them to get back to living.
What follows is an emotionally complex tale about men and women and the way they hurt each other willingly or unwillingly. So complex, in fact, that about half of the emotional nuances might have gone over my head, but then again I'm one of the most emotionally oblivious fuckers around. Maybe you'd have better luck with it.
I loved this series. At about three-fifths of the way through, the quality decreased a bit; some scenes meant to hit hard fell flat, often due to the choices in the composition of the scenes. I was tempted to rate it three and a half stars then, but the ending floored me with how the author tied up various character arcs, along with the compelling conclusions we got out of this troublesome mess.
One of my biggest surprises in a while.
Cheating alone would usually be enough to make someone hate their partner. And what you did was worse. Anyone else would find it completely unforgivable. You hate women so much that you can’t help but explode into violence. But to me, and only me, you were always gentle and caring. And I think I found the value of my own life in the fact that I was the only one who could handle a pathetic man like you, who could staunch the endless flow of bile.
---
Four and a half stars. I'm reviewing the entire series.
What's the deal with women? You nod along like you're listening while they talk or complain or whatever, and then they either let you fuck them, or they don't.
Our protagonist, a high school teacher in her mid-twenties, was a solitary introvert even before she was raped by her only friend's fiancé. It happened a few years ago, but the man has kept the protagonist in bondage by blackmailing her, both by threatening to break her friendship with his fiancée, and to divulge some private photos he took of her. In the beginning she kept quiet because she didn't want to hurt her friend, but over time, as she retreated further into herself, she grew to believe that she deserved it, that she was responsible for turning him on. After all, doesn't she masturbate regularly to memories of herself being dominated by this rapist who calls her at random hours for a bit more degradation?
The protagonist feels dirty, broken, and undeserving of happiness. Those around her consider her a calm and cool-headed young woman, but in reality she's coasting through life in the throes of anhedonia, going through the motions with no chance of improving.
We meet the other protagonist of this tale: a seventeen-year-old student of our main protagonist. He's withdrawn, more interested in gardening than people, and generally considered a non-entity by his female classmates. One morning in class, some local bitch annoys him, which somehow leads to him bending over to pick up something and getting a close-up view of this bitch's panty-covered privates. As the girl berates him for being a pervert, he assures her, despondent, that there's no way he could ever get turned on by that pussy. Cue the rumors of him being gay. However, the truth slowly comes out: he's been seen frequenting the company of an older woman. They were even seen leaving a love hotel together.
The school won't tolerate students getting it on with adults, merely because it may tarnish the school's image. Our main protagonist, the kid's homeroom teacher, is tasked to make him assure that he hasn't been sexually involved with an adult, regardless of whether or not it's true. However, he admits it casually. When the teacher, who doesn't want to be involved in such matters nor talk about them, prompts him for what actually happened, he opens up: the older woman was his boss at a part-time job, and he had felt pressured into having sex with her. Ever since, he's been afraid of vaginas.
The teacher breaks down. She refuses to accept that this kid could have been raped, because she considers that as a man, he's always able to overpower the woman and leave. She tells him that she knows what he's looking for: he wants to be forgiven for being a man, for the knowledge that throughout his life he will defile women over and over again, destroying beauty and innocence in the process.
The teacher bursts into silent tears. As she composes herself, having blurted out a fraction of what she meant for someone else, the kid finds himself stunned. He has connected with this woman's suffering like he hadn't with any other human being. However, he believes that there must be a way for both of them to get back to living.
What follows is an emotionally complex tale about men and women and the way they hurt each other willingly or unwillingly. So complex, in fact, that about half of the emotional nuances might have gone over my head, but then again I'm one of the most emotionally oblivious fuckers around. Maybe you'd have better luck with it.
I loved this series. At about three-fifths of the way through, the quality decreased a bit; some scenes meant to hit hard fell flat, often due to the choices in the composition of the scenes. I was tempted to rate it three and a half stars then, but the ending floored me with how the author tied up various character arcs, along with the compelling conclusions we got out of this troublesome mess.
One of my biggest surprises in a while.
Cheating alone would usually be enough to make someone hate their partner. And what you did was worse. Anyone else would find it completely unforgivable. You hate women so much that you can’t help but explode into violence. But to me, and only me, you were always gentle and caring. And I think I found the value of my own life in the fact that I was the only one who could handle a pathetic man like you, who could staunch the endless flow of bile.
August 25, 2023
Recensione dei 4 volumi dell'edizione italiana scritta per il sito ComicsNerDC e che potete trovare qui sotto e al seguente link: https://www.comicsnerdc.it/2023/04/12...
Cosa succede nella mente di chi subisce violenza sessuale? E come vive il suo carnefice? E la società come si comporta verso chi denuncia violenza? Questi temi sono al centro del potente manga di Akane Torikai, La professoressa mente. Una serie che Planet Manga ha raccolto in 4 volumi disponibili anche in un box che li racchiude tutti. Protagonista è la professoressa del titolo, Misuzu Hara, che insegna letteratura in un liceo. Conduce una vita tranquilla ma in realtà nasconde a tutti un terribile segreto. Subisce violenza fisica e psicologica da parte di Hayafuji, immobiliare di successo e fidanzato di Minako, la più cara, unica amica di Misuzu.
La professoressa non ha nessuno a cui potersi confidare e come potrebbe. La società la vede male, una donna ancora single e solitaria non rispettata neppure sul luogo di lavoro. Ma non trova neanche un po’ di solidarietà femminile. Minako spesso le fa diverse frecciatine, a criticarla e farle credere di immaginarsi le cose. Si vanta di quello che crede un uomo perfetto e una relazione perfetta con il matrimonio come suo obbiettivo nella vita.
Ma forse anche lei si rende conto che tutto non è perfetto. Hayafuji spesso la da per scontata, non vuole avere rapporti sessuali con lei e il suo impegno nell’essere una fidanzata e una moglie impeccabili non sono ripagati. E non immagina lontanamente che Hayafuji abbia violentato Misuzu ma anche altre donne, che le illuda nell’essere amate da un uomo di successo e, nel caso di Misuzu, le ricatti con foto compromettenti costringendola in una spirale dalla quale non riesce ad uscire.
La donna non può fare nulla se non subire la violenza, addossandosi colpe non sue, non accettando che sesso e amore siano qualcosa di piacevole e bello. Che lei possa essere felice. Inizierà però un percorso di consapevolezza e di cambiamento grazie ad un suo studente, Niizuma. Anche lui è stato vittima di violenza da parte di una donna adulta e subisce angherie da parte dei compagni di classe. Misuzu dovrebbe riprenderlo come confà al suo ruolo di insegnante ma va oltre, lasciandosi fuggire frasi personali che fanno intravedere i suoi tormenti interiori.
Niizuma colpito da quelle parole decide di voler scoprire cosa nasconde e aiutarla. Cosa non facile viste le loro posizioni e la paura di Misuzu ad aprirsi. Si incolpa continuamente della violenza subita, ad odiare gli uomini e non sapere come uscire dalla paura costante che prova.
La professoressa mente è un’opera complessa per come affronta queste tematiche assolutamente attuali, i pensieri e la misoginia dei diversi personaggi e della società in generale. Troviamo frasi comuni anche nella nostra realtà che riescono ad acquisire forza, a turbare il lettore che viene sbattuto in questa cruda realtà dove le donne contano nulla, sono asservite agli impulsi degli uomini, non riescono e possono reagire. Se lo fanno si scontrano con la violenza fisica oltre che psicologica, e con altre donne non sempre comprensive ma anzi che giustificano i comportamenti degli uomini.
Il disegno della Tokirai è in tal senso potente al pari delle parole perché non nasconde ma anzi mostra, con pause, soffermandosi sui volti, sulla nudità. Mostra la violenza con crudezza e realismo, che non si riesce ad ignorare per la forza che trasmette sulla pagina. Lo riesce con un cast ampio di diversi tipi di donne. Sono vittime di violenza sessuale e non, di discriminazione sul luogo di lavoro o in famiglia, inascoltate o non considerate mai all’altezza. Come Misuzu che a scuola è sempre criticata dai colleghi che si intromettono sulla sua vita personale senza davvero conoscerla.
Dall’altra c’è la sua amica Minako che invece è una donna ideale, servizievole verso Hayafuji. Non fa domande, non ha dubbi su di lui, vuole essere una moglie perfetta che bada a suo marito, alla casa, ai futuri figli che vuole avere. Non ha dubbi o paure verso Hayafuji e la sua fedeltà. Non capisce Misuzu e si considera migliore di lei. Per questo ignora certe situazioni, certi fatti che riguardano l’uomo che ama tanto. I piccoli dubbi e insicurezze vanno via facilmente e non la preoccupano. Sul finale però dovrà affrontare la verità e il lettore è incuriosito da lei e da come reagirà. Per questo è un personaggio interessante proprio per come vive un mondo che è ben diverso dalla realtà contro la quale dovrà però scontrarsi.
Anche se il focus de La professoressa mente sono le donne, importanti sono i personaggi maschili dove spicca indubbiamente Hayafuji. Non si cura delle donne, per lui sono oggetti da usare per la sua soddisfazione personale. Gli piace Minako per il suo carattere mite e che non nutra alcun minimo dubbio su di lui. Tutte le sue azioni terribili paiono non avere conseguenze su di lui. Anche quando in ufficio arrivano accuse di violenza sessuale loro si preoccupano della reputazione dell’azienda e non che tali accuse siano vere o false. Verso il finale si renderà conto delle sue azioni, frutto del suo passato forse comune a diversi ragazzi.
Difficile definire la conclusione della sua storia, la sua redenzione se così la vogliamo definire. Indubbiamente Misuzu che prende forza in se e vuole liberarsi dal suo giogo per essere felice oltre al fatto che Hayafuji sta per diventare padre, lo cambia. Inizia a riflettere su quello che ha fatto e i sensi di colpa iniziano ad affiorare e a non farlo vivere la sua vita come faceva prima. Non viene redento, non viene compatito, però riesce a riflettere su certi comportamenti maschili e maschilisti.
Parlando di ciò non possiamo tralasciare Niizuma. Lui si trova al centro di brutti pettegolezzi che lo portano ad avvicinarsi a Misuzu, a cercare di capirla e aiutarla. Si interroga sull’essere uomo, su cosa deve fare per migliorare la percezione della sua professoressa verso di loro, a potersi fidare. Non è un personaggio perfetto nel senso che fa i suoi sbagli, ma riesce a dimostrarsi positivo, tormentato ma capace di cambiare ed essere una spalla per Misuzu.
L’importanza di questi personaggi maschili serve anche a mostrare come questioni femminili coinvolgano direttamente anche gli uomini. Troviamo le due diverse percezioni, con una donna che è una poco di buono se va con tanti uomini, ma un uomo è ammirato da tutti se va con più donne. Oppure avere rapporti sessuali con una persona adulta differente per uomini e donne. E la pressione di dover comportarsi in un certo modo per non incorrere in pettegolezzi, sguardi malevoli delle altre persone. Uomini o donne si trovano uniti, a dover capire e combattere pregiudizi per una società migliore che guarda al rispetto dell’altro al di là del suo genere.
La professoressa mente è un manga che andrebbe letto per come esplora l’animo umano e le sue diverse sfaccettature. Mostra diversi personaggi in tutti i loro difetti e pregi e racconta una storia di coraggio quella di Misuzu che imparerà ad accettare se stessa, il suo corpo, la sua sessualità. Imparerà ad accettare se stessa e a capire che può essere felice, anche di vivere l’amore non come una costrizione ma come qualcosa di piacevole e insegnarlo ad altre persone. Perché rimane una professoressa e deve trasmettere ciò ad altre persone e fare in modo che altre ragazze imparino a distinguere la violenza dall’amore e a denunciare.
#gifted
Cosa succede nella mente di chi subisce violenza sessuale? E come vive il suo carnefice? E la società come si comporta verso chi denuncia violenza? Questi temi sono al centro del potente manga di Akane Torikai, La professoressa mente. Una serie che Planet Manga ha raccolto in 4 volumi disponibili anche in un box che li racchiude tutti. Protagonista è la professoressa del titolo, Misuzu Hara, che insegna letteratura in un liceo. Conduce una vita tranquilla ma in realtà nasconde a tutti un terribile segreto. Subisce violenza fisica e psicologica da parte di Hayafuji, immobiliare di successo e fidanzato di Minako, la più cara, unica amica di Misuzu.
La professoressa non ha nessuno a cui potersi confidare e come potrebbe. La società la vede male, una donna ancora single e solitaria non rispettata neppure sul luogo di lavoro. Ma non trova neanche un po’ di solidarietà femminile. Minako spesso le fa diverse frecciatine, a criticarla e farle credere di immaginarsi le cose. Si vanta di quello che crede un uomo perfetto e una relazione perfetta con il matrimonio come suo obbiettivo nella vita.
Ma forse anche lei si rende conto che tutto non è perfetto. Hayafuji spesso la da per scontata, non vuole avere rapporti sessuali con lei e il suo impegno nell’essere una fidanzata e una moglie impeccabili non sono ripagati. E non immagina lontanamente che Hayafuji abbia violentato Misuzu ma anche altre donne, che le illuda nell’essere amate da un uomo di successo e, nel caso di Misuzu, le ricatti con foto compromettenti costringendola in una spirale dalla quale non riesce ad uscire.
La donna non può fare nulla se non subire la violenza, addossandosi colpe non sue, non accettando che sesso e amore siano qualcosa di piacevole e bello. Che lei possa essere felice. Inizierà però un percorso di consapevolezza e di cambiamento grazie ad un suo studente, Niizuma. Anche lui è stato vittima di violenza da parte di una donna adulta e subisce angherie da parte dei compagni di classe. Misuzu dovrebbe riprenderlo come confà al suo ruolo di insegnante ma va oltre, lasciandosi fuggire frasi personali che fanno intravedere i suoi tormenti interiori.
Niizuma colpito da quelle parole decide di voler scoprire cosa nasconde e aiutarla. Cosa non facile viste le loro posizioni e la paura di Misuzu ad aprirsi. Si incolpa continuamente della violenza subita, ad odiare gli uomini e non sapere come uscire dalla paura costante che prova.
La professoressa mente è un’opera complessa per come affronta queste tematiche assolutamente attuali, i pensieri e la misoginia dei diversi personaggi e della società in generale. Troviamo frasi comuni anche nella nostra realtà che riescono ad acquisire forza, a turbare il lettore che viene sbattuto in questa cruda realtà dove le donne contano nulla, sono asservite agli impulsi degli uomini, non riescono e possono reagire. Se lo fanno si scontrano con la violenza fisica oltre che psicologica, e con altre donne non sempre comprensive ma anzi che giustificano i comportamenti degli uomini.
Il disegno della Tokirai è in tal senso potente al pari delle parole perché non nasconde ma anzi mostra, con pause, soffermandosi sui volti, sulla nudità. Mostra la violenza con crudezza e realismo, che non si riesce ad ignorare per la forza che trasmette sulla pagina. Lo riesce con un cast ampio di diversi tipi di donne. Sono vittime di violenza sessuale e non, di discriminazione sul luogo di lavoro o in famiglia, inascoltate o non considerate mai all’altezza. Come Misuzu che a scuola è sempre criticata dai colleghi che si intromettono sulla sua vita personale senza davvero conoscerla.
Dall’altra c’è la sua amica Minako che invece è una donna ideale, servizievole verso Hayafuji. Non fa domande, non ha dubbi su di lui, vuole essere una moglie perfetta che bada a suo marito, alla casa, ai futuri figli che vuole avere. Non ha dubbi o paure verso Hayafuji e la sua fedeltà. Non capisce Misuzu e si considera migliore di lei. Per questo ignora certe situazioni, certi fatti che riguardano l’uomo che ama tanto. I piccoli dubbi e insicurezze vanno via facilmente e non la preoccupano. Sul finale però dovrà affrontare la verità e il lettore è incuriosito da lei e da come reagirà. Per questo è un personaggio interessante proprio per come vive un mondo che è ben diverso dalla realtà contro la quale dovrà però scontrarsi.
Anche se il focus de La professoressa mente sono le donne, importanti sono i personaggi maschili dove spicca indubbiamente Hayafuji. Non si cura delle donne, per lui sono oggetti da usare per la sua soddisfazione personale. Gli piace Minako per il suo carattere mite e che non nutra alcun minimo dubbio su di lui. Tutte le sue azioni terribili paiono non avere conseguenze su di lui. Anche quando in ufficio arrivano accuse di violenza sessuale loro si preoccupano della reputazione dell’azienda e non che tali accuse siano vere o false. Verso il finale si renderà conto delle sue azioni, frutto del suo passato forse comune a diversi ragazzi.
Difficile definire la conclusione della sua storia, la sua redenzione se così la vogliamo definire. Indubbiamente Misuzu che prende forza in se e vuole liberarsi dal suo giogo per essere felice oltre al fatto che Hayafuji sta per diventare padre, lo cambia. Inizia a riflettere su quello che ha fatto e i sensi di colpa iniziano ad affiorare e a non farlo vivere la sua vita come faceva prima. Non viene redento, non viene compatito, però riesce a riflettere su certi comportamenti maschili e maschilisti.
Parlando di ciò non possiamo tralasciare Niizuma. Lui si trova al centro di brutti pettegolezzi che lo portano ad avvicinarsi a Misuzu, a cercare di capirla e aiutarla. Si interroga sull’essere uomo, su cosa deve fare per migliorare la percezione della sua professoressa verso di loro, a potersi fidare. Non è un personaggio perfetto nel senso che fa i suoi sbagli, ma riesce a dimostrarsi positivo, tormentato ma capace di cambiare ed essere una spalla per Misuzu.
L’importanza di questi personaggi maschili serve anche a mostrare come questioni femminili coinvolgano direttamente anche gli uomini. Troviamo le due diverse percezioni, con una donna che è una poco di buono se va con tanti uomini, ma un uomo è ammirato da tutti se va con più donne. Oppure avere rapporti sessuali con una persona adulta differente per uomini e donne. E la pressione di dover comportarsi in un certo modo per non incorrere in pettegolezzi, sguardi malevoli delle altre persone. Uomini o donne si trovano uniti, a dover capire e combattere pregiudizi per una società migliore che guarda al rispetto dell’altro al di là del suo genere.
La professoressa mente è un manga che andrebbe letto per come esplora l’animo umano e le sue diverse sfaccettature. Mostra diversi personaggi in tutti i loro difetti e pregi e racconta una storia di coraggio quella di Misuzu che imparerà ad accettare se stessa, il suo corpo, la sua sessualità. Imparerà ad accettare se stessa e a capire che può essere felice, anche di vivere l’amore non come una costrizione ma come qualcosa di piacevole e insegnarlo ad altre persone. Perché rimane una professoressa e deve trasmettere ciò ad altre persone e fare in modo che altre ragazze imparino a distinguere la violenza dall’amore e a denunciare.
#gifted
December 28, 2023
This was a rather disappointing read. The female characters are portrayed to be incredibly weak. I kind of understand what the author was trying to convey but this is a terrible book and I don't think this will be of comfort to anyone going through sexual assault.
There was also a strange relationship between a teacher and a student that was utterly disgusting. I don't know what the author was trying to achieve with this but it just seemed wrong. All the characters were shallow and unlikeable but they made us think it was normal for them to behave in such an outlandish manner.
The fact that the protagonist's best friend still loved her husband after knowing fully well that he was a rapist and raped her best friend is disgusting. I feel like they tried to make it feel normal but there is nothing normal there. They tried to make us pity him but there is nothing to pity there.
All the relationships in this manga were incredibly unhealthy. All the men were portrayed to be sex hungry and abusive. None of them could love, while the women were these feeble beings that are incapable of standing up for themselves or speaking up. This book is a joke. It was poorly written and the message can be easily misinterpreted.
There was also a strange relationship between a teacher and a student that was utterly disgusting. I don't know what the author was trying to achieve with this but it just seemed wrong. All the characters were shallow and unlikeable but they made us think it was normal for them to behave in such an outlandish manner.
The fact that the protagonist's best friend still loved her husband after knowing fully well that he was a rapist and raped her best friend is disgusting. I feel like they tried to make it feel normal but there is nothing normal there. They tried to make us pity him but there is nothing to pity there.
All the relationships in this manga were incredibly unhealthy. All the men were portrayed to be sex hungry and abusive. None of them could love, while the women were these feeble beings that are incapable of standing up for themselves or speaking up. This book is a joke. It was poorly written and the message can be easily misinterpreted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2026
4⭐
Este manga me ha sorprendido bastante, me gusta mucho la manera en la que está escrito y como tratan los diferentes tipos de abuso, como es además distinto dependiendo del género y como puedes sentirte tú según la edad y la situación.
Hay que tener en cuenta que es un manga bastante crudo, hay extorsión, violencia sexual, abuso a menores, manipulación...partiendo de eso si eres capaz de leer este tipo de obras te das cuenta de que está muy muy bien escrito.
Los personajes, según mi forma de verlo, son bastante realistas, cada uno tiene sus propias circunstancias, todas malas prácticas, y cada personaje tiene un punto de vista en base a sus situaciones, y me gusta mucho ese enfoque.
Se trata también el tema de la diferencia entre los géneros, como las mujeres se sienten oprimidas por la figura masculina, pero siento que con Nizuma dan el enfoque contrario ya que el se siente presionado y también oprimido por algunas figuras femeninas.
Me parece una obra súper interesante así que voy a seguir leyéndola.
Este manga me ha sorprendido bastante, me gusta mucho la manera en la que está escrito y como tratan los diferentes tipos de abuso, como es además distinto dependiendo del género y como puedes sentirte tú según la edad y la situación.
Hay que tener en cuenta que es un manga bastante crudo, hay extorsión, violencia sexual, abuso a menores, manipulación...partiendo de eso si eres capaz de leer este tipo de obras te das cuenta de que está muy muy bien escrito.
Los personajes, según mi forma de verlo, son bastante realistas, cada uno tiene sus propias circunstancias, todas malas prácticas, y cada personaje tiene un punto de vista en base a sus situaciones, y me gusta mucho ese enfoque.
Se trata también el tema de la diferencia entre los géneros, como las mujeres se sienten oprimidas por la figura masculina, pero siento que con Nizuma dan el enfoque contrario ya que el se siente presionado y también oprimido por algunas figuras femeninas.
Me parece una obra súper interesante así que voy a seguir leyéndola.
June 22, 2023
Uncomfortable to read but I like they way it portrays the situation as complicated as it may be to do so. I hated the teacher because of how she talks to his student based on her own experience and not from an adults rational point of view (WHICH IS WHAT A 16 YO NEEDED FROM HIS TEACHER) but still I get both of their perspectives and why they act they way they do. I guess it’s not the kind of story for everyone considering the topic it develops and how sensitive it is in general for all kinds of public..💂
April 11, 2024
Psychological rape culture relationship drama
A psychological drama involving gender, sex, sexual trauma, rape, cheating, relationships, and rape culture (particularly the psychology of the victim). It follows multiple characters as they experience and perpetrate these themes, though the focus seems like it will be on a female teacher and her male student who were both victims of sexual coercion. Contains sexually explicit scenes and rape scenes. It's grounded if a bit dramatic and doesn't feel like it's fetishizing the coercion/rape, though I still found it pretty cringey.
A psychological drama involving gender, sex, sexual trauma, rape, cheating, relationships, and rape culture (particularly the psychology of the victim). It follows multiple characters as they experience and perpetrate these themes, though the focus seems like it will be on a female teacher and her male student who were both victims of sexual coercion. Contains sexually explicit scenes and rape scenes. It's grounded if a bit dramatic and doesn't feel like it's fetishizing the coercion/rape, though I still found it pretty cringey.
May 12, 2024
It was a thought provoking read but is definitely extremely triggering. I don't know how to talk about it. I can't even forget about it by calling it fiction as I know some people must have experienced the horrible things that happened in this manga. It feels very real in that way. I do want to know what will happen in the story next but I don't think I am strong enough to continue this. I will probably get to it someday but definitely not soon😅😅.
March 11, 2025
J’avoue que je devrais lire les descriptions des livres avant de les lire. Ça m’aurai permis de me préparer psychologiquement à ce genre de scène qui sont assez explicite et lourde émotionnellement. J’étais choquée je ne m’attendais pas à ça, mais quelle claque. Après j’ai aussi l’impression que c’est du voyeurisme et j’ai peur que ça continue dans cette direction donc je réserve mon jugement à plus tard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
very heavy trigger warnings for SA with this one. But it's a compelling look at the psychological trauma as a result of assault. its a hard read for sure. makes me angry but also its a bit validating because I understand why the characters feel the things they feel. the internal conflict, the guilt, the hatred, the disgust. may continue reading the series but I'll need to cleanse the palate with something lighter
August 11, 2023
This is definitely not a manga to put into younger hands due to the topic ( first sexual experience, rape,...)
The story centers around a young teacher under the influence of the man that raped her and how she reacts and handle some of her students when she sees possible signs of what happened to her happening to one of them.
The story centers around a young teacher under the influence of the man that raped her and how she reacts and handle some of her students when she sees possible signs of what happened to her happening to one of them.
October 8, 2023
i didn't expect this to be so hard to read.
if problematic topics aren't for you, i would definitely not recommend reading this.
The cover definitely doesn't match the manga.
i'll do some research. if it has good ending, i might continue reading it. but if it doesn't , that's it with this manga then.
if problematic topics aren't for you, i would definitely not recommend reading this.
The cover definitely doesn't match the manga.
i'll do some research. if it has good ending, i might continue reading it. but if it doesn't , that's it with this manga then.
October 14, 2023
TW for multiple sexual assault depections, this is a serious exploration of these themes but still quite hard to get through
Intense, psychological exploration of themes of sex, gender, power, violence, etc. between both teenagers and adults. It was a tough read but super interesting and intentionally conceived.
Intense, psychological exploration of themes of sex, gender, power, violence, etc. between both teenagers and adults. It was a tough read but super interesting and intentionally conceived.
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