Synopsis

The story is set in Hyakkaou Private Academy, a high-class elite school housing the children of Japan’s most wealthy and influential people and with many future leaders and professionals among the student body. However, the student hierarchy in this school is not determined by academic performance or athletic ability, but rather by gambling. Students are ranked by their monetary contributions to the student council, which fuels an intricate gambling system where students freely bet their fortunes against one another after class. Those who win earn popularity, prestige and connections, while those who lose and fall into debt become “house pets”. Pets who are unable to clear their debts by the graduation receive “Life Schedules” which dictate their futures as they pay their debts with their lives.

My thoughts

We have a manga and a anime version. If you are into gambling or pretty much likes the adrenaline rush of winning a gamble, I would suggest this is a good one to read and watch as well. Both manga and anime revolves around the character ‘ Yumeko Jabami ‘ who enters the academy as a transfer student. She is unlike others who gamble for a social status, she is a compulsive gambler. She has good observation and memory skills and she starts defeating the top students of the student council thereby threatening the hierarchy of the school.

Manga Vs Anime

Currently there are 81 chapters released and whereas we have two season in anime. I loved manga version a lot. The character development and the plot moves in a steady phase. Even if you are not into gambling, you will fall in love with Yumeko. The way she reads her opponents mind and tries to put them in a corner and she drives the pleasure in it. She is a genius and was able to find if opponent is cheating and uses a counter strategy without shedding a sweat.

In season 1 of anime, we pretty much have the same plot of Yumeko gambling all the student council members. In season 2,Kirari Momobami ( president of the student council), who is a compulsive gambler herself brings in her clan members into the academy and holds a student council election for her position. All the students of the academy are provided with a chip and everyone is given a fair chance to win and only through gambling. We have a new character ‘Rei Batsubami’ who acted as an antagonist in season 2 but he does not appear in manga.

Some notable characters,

Mary Satome and Ririka Momobami

Mary is shown to be incredibly sadistic, egotistical and twisted and taunts her fellow opponents during their gambling matches. She is egotistical both in and out of matches, often being confident in her victory. Her character is shattered when Yumeko wins in a game of ‘Rock, Paper and Scissors’. She experience a life of house pet. After regaining her status, she is no longer arrogant or cruel but started to care for Ryoto and Yumeko.

While student council election in progress, she was forced to become acquainted to Ririka, vice president of former student council. Ririka is instructed by Kirari to work with Mary to win this election. Mary was initially hesitant as she doesn’t like Kirari manipulation but accepts her help when Yumeko is poisoned. Mary helps out Ryota and Yumeko in the Nym Type Zero game against Miri and Miyo. She gains a huge victory in the game and saves Yumeko.

Ririka now follows her around wherever she goes, much to Mary’s annoyance. Mary wants Ririka to act out of her own will for once, and not just because of her sister. Mary asks Ririka to show her worth as a gambler and only by winning she will accept her as a partner. In manga, she wins against Rin and proves her gambling worth

Ending thoughts and Personal suggestion

If you need a good older teen gambling story, Kakeguri is a good book. It certainly keeps you hooked till the end. While anime gives a good ending for 2 seasons. The manga is currently in the student council election arc and it looks like anyone can win. Please do read the manga and please let me know your comments and suggestions in my blog. Thanks in advance.