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放課後のカリスマ #12
Afterschool Charisma, Vol. 12
St. Kleio Academy is a very exclusive school. To enroll, a student must be the clone of a famous historical figure. Wolfgang Mozart, Queen Elizabeth, Sigmund Freud, Marie Curie, Adolf Hitler—with such a combustible student body, it's only a matter of time before the campus explodes!
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
5 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Kumiko Suekane
39 books43 followersSUEKANE Kumiko: スエカネクミコ
Kumiko Suekane worked at a video game company before becoming a successful mangaka. Besides Afterschool Charisma, her other work includes Blood+ A, Once Upon a Glashma (Hajimari no Gurashuma), and Seijou Koucha–kan no Jijō (The Seijou Teahouse Affair).
Doujinshi circle: Little Garden
Writes doujinshi under: Macho
Other pseudonyms: Cinnamon
Published boys' love under the alias: Ryo Mutobe (むとべりょう)
Kumiko Suekane worked at a video game company before becoming a successful mangaka. Besides Afterschool Charisma, her other work includes Blood+ A, Once Upon a Glashma (Hajimari no Gurashuma), and Seijou Koucha–kan no Jijō (The Seijou Teahouse Affair).
Doujinshi circle: Little Garden
Writes doujinshi under: Macho
Other pseudonyms: Cinnamon
Published boys' love under the alias: Ryo Mutobe (むとべりょう)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 16, 2017
So Afterschool Charisma ends with a whimper.
All that build up, for not much of a payout. It fizzled in the end. The conclusion is definitely a conclusion, but it didn't leave me satisfied. I think the biggest problem is that I waited so long for the next volume to come out, and Afterschool Charisma just ultimately wasn't worth all that waiting.
It was a strong start with interesting political and philosophical debates strewn throughout, but the ending was pretty weak. Even with the heavy artillery.
All that build up, for not much of a payout. It fizzled in the end. The conclusion is definitely a conclusion, but it didn't leave me satisfied. I think the biggest problem is that I waited so long for the next volume to come out, and Afterschool Charisma just ultimately wasn't worth all that waiting.
It was a strong start with interesting political and philosophical debates strewn throughout, but the ending was pretty weak. Even with the heavy artillery.
February 4, 2017
Remember that show The Sopranos? How about How I Met Your Mother? Remember how people were excited for those shows...and then the ending happened...and people were angry? That was me with this series.
As a diehard lover of history I was so excited years ago when this first started being published in English. I was even willing to forgive the infrequencies of it's release (sometimes waiting up to 10 months for the next volume to come out). Every time a new book was released I made a mad dash to the bookstore to buy it - sometimes I had to order it in and bounce around waiting for it. I absolutely adored Napoleon and wanted so badly for more interactions between him and Elizabeth (proud shipper of these two, you guys).
Then...the ending. At first I thought there was some mistake. Maybe all of the volumes ended with "the end" but I hadn't noticed. In any case I found myself furious. I don't know if this was the mangaka's decision or the editor, or if the publication company pulled the plug but the ending was rushed. It feels as though someone said to the mangaka "please make the simplest, quickest, most ridiculous ending possible". There are a bunch of other words I thought up last night but I'm rushing and they aren't coming to mind. It almost feels like everything the characters went through was worth nothing because they pretty much came full circle, right back to the beginning...starting all over again at St. Kleo's. Only now they graduate...because let's totally ignore the horror of what they went through and have a party...ugh.
So many things didn't make sense!! Like "bad" Kai's decision...ARGH!!
The ending absolutely DID NOT do the series justice. I hope the mangaka redoes it sometime in the future because this was such an excellent series and deserves far better.
As a diehard lover of history I was so excited years ago when this first started being published in English. I was even willing to forgive the infrequencies of it's release (sometimes waiting up to 10 months for the next volume to come out). Every time a new book was released I made a mad dash to the bookstore to buy it - sometimes I had to order it in and bounce around waiting for it. I absolutely adored Napoleon and wanted so badly for more interactions between him and Elizabeth (proud shipper of these two, you guys).
Then...the ending. At first I thought there was some mistake. Maybe all of the volumes ended with "the end" but I hadn't noticed. In any case I found myself furious. I don't know if this was the mangaka's decision or the editor, or if the publication company pulled the plug but the ending was rushed. It feels as though someone said to the mangaka "please make the simplest, quickest, most ridiculous ending possible". There are a bunch of other words I thought up last night but I'm rushing and they aren't coming to mind. It almost feels like everything the characters went through was worth nothing because they pretty much came full circle, right back to the beginning...starting all over again at St. Kleo's. Only now they graduate...because let's totally ignore the horror of what they went through and have a party...ugh.
So many things didn't make sense!! Like "bad" Kai's decision...ARGH!!
The ending absolutely DID NOT do the series justice. I hope the mangaka redoes it sometime in the future because this was such an excellent series and deserves far better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2017
The ending of this series was disappointingly anticlimactic. Then again, I felt like it really lost steam somewhere in the middle, dragging out the story too long, making it too slow and complicated. There were a lot of good questions asked throughout the series, but while readers might have come to a decision on what they think about these issues, the series itself and most of the characters don't really seem to have done the same.
I suppose there are some questions that simply can't be answered, and the ethics of cloning is a certainly a complicated issue. However, in regards to one of those unanswered "questions"...I don't believe that clones would be "replaceable," and don't see how they could ever be considered such by anyone. Having the same genetic material as someone else doesn't make you the same person. All it means is just that--you have the same genetic material. Every person is a completely unique existence, regardless of the details of their conception and birth. This "question" feels like one with an obvious answer to me; I would've appreciated having more time spent on actual moral quandaries, like what should and should not be expected from clones of famous individuals. (How similar to their original should they have to be? Or should they "have" to be similar at all? A genius in one field might well prove to be a genius in another, after all. Is it fair--or right--to force anyone into walking a certain path, regardless of how much the world might "need" or at least benefit from their brilliance in that area?)
As you can see, this is definitely an interesting series that can really make you think. I just wish it had ended on a stronger note.
I suppose there are some questions that simply can't be answered, and the ethics of cloning is a certainly a complicated issue. However, in regards to one of those unanswered "questions"...I don't believe that clones would be "replaceable," and don't see how they could ever be considered such by anyone. Having the same genetic material as someone else doesn't make you the same person. All it means is just that--you have the same genetic material. Every person is a completely unique existence, regardless of the details of their conception and birth. This "question" feels like one with an obvious answer to me; I would've appreciated having more time spent on actual moral quandaries, like what should and should not be expected from clones of famous individuals. (How similar to their original should they have to be? Or should they "have" to be similar at all? A genius in one field might well prove to be a genius in another, after all. Is it fair--or right--to force anyone into walking a certain path, regardless of how much the world might "need" or at least benefit from their brilliance in that area?)
As you can see, this is definitely an interesting series that can really make you think. I just wish it had ended on a stronger note.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2017
This is the final volume of the series. I started losing interest in this series during the last couple volumes, so I was looking forward to the conclusion to see how exactly it was going to wrap up. When you begin this series, you have no idea what to expect since it initially appears rather light and fluffy, then turns dark real quick. Things started getting really confusing halfway through the series, especially when more of the repeated clones started coming in and you have to keep track of which one is "good" or "bad"... or if anybody is a good guy. Overall, it was a good attempt at a unique story, but I found Shiro to be lacking as a strong protagonist and many of the potentially interesting characters fell flat or got their stories cut short. I really don't understand what the deal with Hitler is though...
December 29, 2023
Series positives:
-Likable characters and redemption for some you would not expect. The array of historical figures was fascinating and fun.
-Critique of capitalism to a startling degree. How far will people go to declare clones a commodity rather than individuals they're enslaving? Pretty damn far, it seems.
-GORGEOUS artwork.
Series negatives:
-The Kais got way too confusing. I mostly managed to keep them straight until volume 11, at which point I entirely gave up. There's a conversation towards the end that I could not make sense of if you held a gun to my head. I understand the intent but feel the execution was terribly poor.
-The overt sexualization of 17/18 year olds, including nudity. This was largely in the first two volumes and, thank hell, petered off by the time the story picked up and the true plot of the series revealed itself.
-Rockswell never makes sense. His motivations are so nebulous. I don't buy the "he's bored and smart and this is his entertainment" angle at all. What's his plan with the way the ending falls?
Ultimately, on average, this was a middling series that grappled with some big ideas and had some shining moments at the midway point. The ending was fumbled and weak. I don't regret reading it, but can't say I recommend anyone seek it out. Freud surprised as a favorite character despite the fact I would learn necromancy specifically to bring the real guy back and punch him.
-Likable characters and redemption for some you would not expect. The array of historical figures was fascinating and fun.
-Critique of capitalism to a startling degree. How far will people go to declare clones a commodity rather than individuals they're enslaving? Pretty damn far, it seems.
-GORGEOUS artwork.
Series negatives:
-The Kais got way too confusing. I mostly managed to keep them straight until volume 11, at which point I entirely gave up. There's a conversation towards the end that I could not make sense of if you held a gun to my head. I understand the intent but feel the execution was terribly poor.
-The overt sexualization of 17/18 year olds, including nudity. This was largely in the first two volumes and, thank hell, petered off by the time the story picked up and the true plot of the series revealed itself.
-Rockswell never makes sense. His motivations are so nebulous. I don't buy the "he's bored and smart and this is his entertainment" angle at all. What's his plan with the way the ending falls?
Ultimately, on average, this was a middling series that grappled with some big ideas and had some shining moments at the midway point. The ending was fumbled and weak. I don't regret reading it, but can't say I recommend anyone seek it out. Freud surprised as a favorite character despite the fact I would learn necromancy specifically to bring the real guy back and punch him.
October 6, 2018
Considering the other books in the series, I felt that this book didn't do the rest justice. The ending was rushed and a little confusing and I really couldn't relate to the characters in this volume as I did in the previous 11.
It would just have completed the series better if the things that happened in the last few chapters had been fleshed-out a little more.
It would just have completed the series better if the things that happened in the last few chapters had been fleshed-out a little more.
March 31, 2019
I feel, not so much disappointed, but empty. I felt so attached to these characters and I wanted more emotion! Most of the time a final volume or super climatic volume will stop me in my tracks when the speech bubbles have bold text or characters are making big speeches. That only happened in the early volumes and the middle for me with this series, while with this volume I just kept breezing through, unable to latch onto the action. I wanted more at the end, instead of 2 or 3 pages maybe 7 or 8 talking about where the clones will end up, or maybe a brief but well-rounded flash forward to show the nead future! At the very least give me a graduation ceremony! Something! It felt so lifeless at the end, even though they were talking about the freedom with their futures! I'm sad but I feel like I can still fill in with my imagination.
My overall rating of the series would definitely be: 3.75/5
It got overcomplicated with not enough payoff, and a lot of the confusion with the Kais was unnecessary, especially since they made such a big deal out of one of them marking themselves as different and identifiable.
But I still feel like I got enough time with all of the characters so I could care about them and see it through to the end.
I would recommend this series ❤
My overall rating of the series would definitely be: 3.75/5
It got overcomplicated with not enough payoff, and a lot of the confusion with the Kais was unnecessary, especially since they made such a big deal out of one of them marking themselves as different and identifiable.
But I still feel like I got enough time with all of the characters so I could care about them and see it through to the end.
I would recommend this series ❤
June 1, 2019
Interesting series covering a lot of the questions and thoughts one could have about cloning. It definitely made me think about the subject as I was reading it. The summary of this series is a little misleading in regards to the series as a whole, but that didn't bother me very much and I actually expected where the story took me. I would've loved to see a little bit more at the end of the final volume, but I do think the story ended up in a very believable way.
There are definitely a few characters that I was more interested than others, but I did find all of the characters interesting. There were even a couple of historical figures that I had to look up because I hadn't heard of them before. There were a few scenes that involved female nudity in the first 5 volumes of this series that I did not appreciate and did not feel like they were appropriate in the situations that were being depicted. Other than that, I can't particularly think of anything else that I disliked about the series as a whole.
I did like the mangaka's art style and her depiction of these historical figures definitely made them unexpectedly relateable. I'll definitely be interested in reading more of her work in the future.
There are definitely a few characters that I was more interested than others, but I did find all of the characters interesting. There were even a couple of historical figures that I had to look up because I hadn't heard of them before. There were a few scenes that involved female nudity in the first 5 volumes of this series that I did not appreciate and did not feel like they were appropriate in the situations that were being depicted. Other than that, I can't particularly think of anything else that I disliked about the series as a whole.
I did like the mangaka's art style and her depiction of these historical figures definitely made them unexpectedly relateable. I'll definitely be interested in reading more of her work in the future.
February 20, 2020
All's well that ends well....right?
So after taking a short walk after completing the final volume in Kumiko Suekane's series about ups and downs of being a high school student, as well as the clone of a historical figure (good or bad), I have come to the conclusion that the series ends with a certain level of satisfaction, most of the questions answered....but still something is missing.
What is missing, who knows, and it most likely will not come to me until substantial time has passed, or until I am mindlessly humming to myself in the shower. Either/or really.
I still think the question of a clone's sense of individuality from the original, and others in society, is one for the textbooks on ethics. I think who gets to pick who is cloned, when they are cloned, if they are the completely authentic double of the original, and when that clone should be no more should be considered, if not prevented.
One of the first multiple volume manga series I have completed, "Afterschool Charisma" will find a place in my heart's bookshelf, even if it was far from my favorite series of all time. That is still to be discovered!
So after taking a short walk after completing the final volume in Kumiko Suekane's series about ups and downs of being a high school student, as well as the clone of a historical figure (good or bad), I have come to the conclusion that the series ends with a certain level of satisfaction, most of the questions answered....but still something is missing.
What is missing, who knows, and it most likely will not come to me until substantial time has passed, or until I am mindlessly humming to myself in the shower. Either/or really.
I still think the question of a clone's sense of individuality from the original, and others in society, is one for the textbooks on ethics. I think who gets to pick who is cloned, when they are cloned, if they are the completely authentic double of the original, and when that clone should be no more should be considered, if not prevented.
One of the first multiple volume manga series I have completed, "Afterschool Charisma" will find a place in my heart's bookshelf, even if it was far from my favorite series of all time. That is still to be discovered!
August 4, 2017
*Series Review*
I loved how this series started out. Clones of historical figures, karma biting back and killing said clones in the same way as their originals, kids scared for their lives because of a terrorist group. What's not to love?
The first volumes were great, I loved the execution of the different characters (Freud having should length straight hair and never smiling, Mozart with long flowing hair and a bad attitude, Elizabeth being tall and slender but sweet and naive in her young age). But I think it lost it's charm once the Kai's came into play and the terrorist group revealed themselves. Why didn't anyone go after the defunct clones? Why isn't Shiro as insane as the other Kai's?
Plus did Hitler have to be the bad guy? Really?
So many questions, not enough answers. But generally it was good and I'd give it three and half stars as a series.
I loved how this series started out. Clones of historical figures, karma biting back and killing said clones in the same way as their originals, kids scared for their lives because of a terrorist group. What's not to love?
The first volumes were great, I loved the execution of the different characters (Freud having should length straight hair and never smiling, Mozart with long flowing hair and a bad attitude, Elizabeth being tall and slender but sweet and naive in her young age). But I think it lost it's charm once the Kai's came into play and the terrorist group revealed themselves. Why didn't anyone go after the defunct clones? Why isn't Shiro as insane as the other Kai's?
Plus did Hitler have to be the bad guy? Really?
So many questions, not enough answers. But generally it was good and I'd give it three and half stars as a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2018
Finally finished reading the Afterschool Charisma series and I’m left underwhelmed. The first few volumes were super promising and I really enjoyed the art, but I felt let down midway through. Maybe I wanted it to go more towards a mystery or horror series vs being a sci-fi/military series. There were only a few things that I was bothered by, and it wasn’t a bad series, it just wasn’t for me. 🤷🏻♀️
3 out of 5 stars overall.
Recommended for fans of Ajin, though Afterschool Charisma seems to be aimed at a younger audience with some comedic moments and fan service.
3 out of 5 stars overall.
Recommended for fans of Ajin, though Afterschool Charisma seems to be aimed at a younger audience with some comedic moments and fan service.
January 13, 2020
When I first picked up this series, I thought it would be just a fun romp with famous clones getting into high school hijinks. It sure was not, and it really delved into some existential questions about degrees of humanity and destiny and the ethics/consequences of human cloning. I wish Joan of Arc had been in it more.
October 29, 2019
Do not play a drinking game with every time the word "clone" is used.
I think there was something lost in translation with the end of this series, very disappointing because I felt the story started so strong.
I think there was something lost in translation with the end of this series, very disappointing because I felt the story started so strong.
January 19, 2025
What a lackluster ending… seriously nothing happened in like the last four books. The author was even desperate enough to introduce new characters in volume 11.
The series had some potential, but really it never went anywhere
The series had some potential, but really it never went anywhere
February 21, 2018
Good volume.
October 9, 2022
So much promise in the first few volumes, mostly a muddled mess in the middle, and ultimately a let-down of an ending
July 28, 2023
big whoop but hey at least they’re happy….i’ll miss u napoleon
August 24, 2025
This was a pretty boring ending and the entire volume felt super rushed.
November 21, 2017
It took me a bit of a while to get the last book, (which might have killed the buzz for the ending)but aside from some confusion, it kinda felt...lackluster. It wasn't a bad ending(It is by far a better ending than the other book this author has written-which I won't even get into the rage I felt at such a rushed ending) but it wasn't satisfying. Maybe I just need to reread?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews