A classroom filled with kids is challenging enough. But an all-girls monster school for monster training is another level of stress. The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1 has a hilarious blend of laughs, cuteness, and gore. For fans of beasties or films like The Monster Club, this story takes a hilarious and dark look at monsters-in-training in the lowest class. The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1 builds a fascinating and perilous monster realm.
Created by Suzu Akeko, translated by Jan Cash, and lettered by Alexis Eckerman, the story follows Class Z’s desire to graduate. But their atrocious grades and their penchant for trouble make that wish seem like a pipe dream. The Yen Press manga begins with Jiangshi Priest monster girl, Ichika Luo, one of Class Z’s students. Her body looks like a stitched-together doll. After a lecture from her siblings about studying for the next day’s test, Ichika hatches a plan to sneak into her professor, D-sensei’s office and steal the answer key. Readers immediately see the kinds of students that make up this class.
The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1 Is An Introduction
Worldbuilding is minor. Instead, this volume focuses on the different monsters that make up Class Z. So, it’s interesting in a comical sense. First, the priest, Ichika, keeps creating problems for herself because she wants quick solutions with zero effort. Next, there is the hot-tempered teacher D-sensei.
The contrast between D-sensei’s adorable masks, like bunny heads, yet his speed in snapping and executing his students for angering him inspires guffaws. After that, readers meet Ringo, a devil; Reika, a ghost; Saiko, a ghoula; and Mayoi, a cursed doll. Between them and the rest of the class, there’s plenty of pride without skill and poor impulse control, setting up funny moments, including hangings.
Class Rivalry On Another Level
It is not uncommon for different grades or classes to compete. But monster girls are on another level. Besides the creepy girl of Class Z, there are other classes. But Class Z finds themselves in the crosshairs of the creme de la creme; Class A. Albeit, it is somewhat Class Z’s fault—their penchant for quick solutions without considering the consequences angers the top girl in school.
As this is a live-in school, perks for dorming monster girls go by performance. As such, Class A gets the best in all regards—including baths and meals—and Class Z the worst. Class Z encroaches on Class A’s spoils, unaware they’re unleashing a grudge. Now, the top students, led by spider-legged girl Arachne, plot payback. Of course, it has to wait till after their tests. Comedic and mayhem-prone students make The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1 fascinating.
There are laughs, drama, competitiveness, and underlying drama in The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1. The story builds excitement about the monster realm, the human realm, and what these girls need to graduate or if they’ll even survive till graduation. It’s funny and creepy witnessing severed limbs and monsters eating other monsters. Add in wondering what other monsters the school has in store for readers, and it’s worth picking up The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls Volume 1—a school manga with a delightfully dark spin.
