skysenshi (04.18.2004)
Man-Eaters...Literally
You know there’s something unique about a hentai title when you notice little details that make it different from the rest of the flock. In School of Darkness’ case, it’s the essence of sweet revenge. Let’s delve a little deeper into this angle a bit later, shall we?

First things first, School of Darkness actually reminds me of Angel of Darkness. It’s easy to mistake one for the other, for obvious reasons (d-uh? Check the title). Both were set in campuses, or at least had student-teacher situations. Both had diabolical beings resulting from human experimentation. Both have central characters getting possessed by said diabolical being. Both never ran out of male chauvinist pigs hell-bent on slaking their lust on every female flesh in sight.

I mentioned sweet revenge in the first paragraph. That’s where the difference lies. School of Darkness is divided into three parts, wherein the first volume stood on its own while the second and last volumes form one whole story. The first story had one violated teacher exacting vengeance on her rapist boyfriend by draining his life force…and this only after her vaginal muscles do the unthinkable. She then goes on to suck the life of every sex maniac that crosses her path. It’s not that she hates these maniacal bastards, it’s just that they’re such easy prey. And all these are thanks to an ancient demon that must feed on men.

The second story is about an experimental flora that must fuse with a superior creature so that it may evolve into something powerfully sinister. It’s not the plant itself that I’m concerned with. It’s how the teacher Yayoi’s relationship with her fiancé, Tatsuya, develops. At first glance, you’d think they’re the love team of the century: Tatsuya treating Yayoi with utmost care; brushing her hair with his hands; adorning her tresses with pretty white flowers; kissing her gently as they lay on a bed of floral beauty. But wait! Don’t let Tatsuya get hungry, because he metamorphs into a sadistic moron who bosses everyone around. Not only that, it turns out that he’s not as sweet or faithful as I was initially set up to believe. Now this is where the interesting part comes in. Yayoi, thanks to the experimental plant, leads Tatsuya into thinking that his being a first class a-hole is perfectly all right with her. And then when his guard is completely down…KATCHAK! Let’s just say, I wouldn’t wish to be a man at that moment.

You might say that male mutilation is common in h-anime of the horror genre, although this is the first time I’ve actually seen dismemberment. Most of them usually just cut off arms and legs…you know, limbs that aren’t important in Hentaidom. But not with this one. It hits right where it hurts most. What makes School of Darkness unique is that phallic symbols no longer dominate the scenes. Almost everything is about the vagina, from the backgrounds down to the actual monsters.

Ok, I know I sound like I enjoyed seeing men being treated that way, but I don’t. There is one guy in this anime that is worth saving. Who that is, I’d leave it up to you to find out. Unfortunately, as with all H horror flicks, there is nary a happy ending to be found here. My heart goes out to that guy. Excuse me while I sit in a corner and cry.

The digitally re-mastered artwork and animation progress from very bad to very good. So if you find yourself sneering at the first volume’s crude art in disgust, wait till you reach the final volume. Bonuses are standard NuTech: Dubbing/Subbing options, preview trailers, animated chapter previews, and photo galleries.

H-scenes are very graphic, although I find myself wishing they were longer. Nevertheless, I would still recommend this to the avid anime porn fan—even to the guys out there. It’s just a matter of knowing when to close your eyes. Heh.