Vitamin

Vitamin was a fun manwha to read. The main subjects are couple, family and friendship problems, and the humor is present in every volume despite sad things happening.

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. :)

Vitamin's story starts with revealing a typical day of a normal teenage girl with an ordinary life, who's attending school and is surrounded by dependable friends, faithful boyfriend and caring family. Or it just seems so.

With a life, that perfect, just one wrong step is enough ruin it all.

Her life's being completely teared apart from the jealousy of the people around her. Everyone she has ever trusted, betray her after nasty rumours about her being an easy girl. "Trust us", "I will protect you", "We are sorry".. are the words she falls for and so the story begins.

There's noone who can lend you a hand when your selfish boyfriend, fake school friends, teachers and family are against you. Without even one person by your side, there's no way you can save your pride and running away from the problems makes the whole situation only worst.

How a young girl fights all alone against that, you can understand when you read this amazing piece.

Vitamin is the story of a young teenage girl who, after watching desperately as her life is turned upside down, seeks solace in her childhood dreams and rediscovers in doing so a passion she had long since forgotten.

A brilliant story that centres on the very real and very damaging issue of bullying and the resulting trauma. What seems to be to some no more than ‘harmless fun’ and to others a problem that is not their own, Vitamin highlights the emptiness and isolation that such tyrannizing behaviour can bring on.

A touching story that brought me to tears more than one, this manga is a must read for its graphic scenes, its strong family bonds and the way that one young girls dreams and hopes were able to overcome the horrors she’d been subjected to.

A 9 out of ten for me.

Pay attention on what I'm saying: "Vitamin" is an extremely good manga. Yes, it's definetively a story about bullying, but it touches many other significative issues to the youth.
Which makes the manga so outstanding, despite it's good portion of melodrama, is the realism of the situations. In many other shoujo series Kouta's abusive attitude towards his girlfriend Sawako would be fetichized, but what the author shows us is what the character actually is: an unrespectful jerk. And "thanks" his reckless behavior Sawako becomes a bullying victim and slut-shamed as hell( and slut-shaming is a problem in Japan, just see what happened to the AKB0048 member who admitted to have had encounters with a man). It's also worth noting the bold criticism the author makes to the Japanese school system. Sawako's teachers and principals are clearly only worried about how well the students will perform on tests and don't seem to realise(or simply ignore) the pain the girl is going through. Her salvation will be reconnecting with her childhood dreams that all the pressure and padronization of school killed.
The story may be heavy and feature some sexual and violent scenes, but I think teenagers really should read this manga. It's not an easy reading, but is relatable to young people and it's going to make you think after finishing it.

an absolute must read!! also quick as its just one volume..
the story is about the hardships a girl faces at school..bullying, peer pressure etc. and how she goes about it..
you really begin to feel what the main character is feeling and thats what a manga or any book should do...
and the polt is believable so youre able to relate with real life
dont want to spoil the manga so im not writing anymore!

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.

One thing i can honestly say is that i have never read a manga like this and doubt i'll come across one as good (in a while atleast).

The storyline itself is affective eventhough it is so short. You might think it would need more but it does not - amazing. And by the end of it i did not know whether to cry or clap for her bravery; but one thing i know is that it displays a totally new angle to bullying as well as beutifully potray the triumphing of it.

Got to have a simple mindedness about you to apprecaite this anime :)

This story is nothing short of amazing.

You can actually feel her pain at some points (at least I could).
I almost cried.

Just seeing the main character develop and become strong is outstanding.
This is a must read, even though it isn't very long.
It's well worth the read.

It's not an easy story to read. It's about a teenager girl, not the smartest, not the cutest, just a normal, ordinary girl who has friends, a boyfriend, who is cheerful and happy. And than something happens and everyone who she trusted turns againts her, bully her, even her own family doesn't understand her feelings.

It's a story about a girl who draws her own story and that becomes her "Vitamine". Because even when everyone is againts her, she wants to be strong and don't give up. That's what this manga tells us, to never give up, even if nobody is on our side, even is nobody seems to understand us.

This is a beautiful manga, and I'll always be glad for Keiko-sensei for drawing it.