Rainbow
Synopsis
Japan, 1955: Mario Minakami has just arrived at Shounan Special Reform School along with five other teenagers who have been arrested on serious criminal charges. All assigned to the same cell, they meet older inmate Rokurouta Sakuragi—a former boxer—with whom they establish a close bond. Under his guidance, and with the promise that they will meet again on the outside after serving their sentences, the delinquents begin to view their hopeless situation in a better light. The seven cellmates struggle together against the brutal suffering and humiliation inflicted upon them by Ishihara, a sadistic guard with a grudge on Rokurouta, and Gisuke Sasaki, a doctor who takes pleasure in violating boys. Facing such hellish conditions, the seven inmates must scrape together all the strength they have to survive until their sentences are up; but even if they do, just what kind of lives are waiting for them on the other side? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is divided, with many praising the anime's strong themes of friendship and survival amidst brutal conditions, while others criticize its inconsistent plot, shallow characters, and over-reliance on shock value. Some viewers found it emotionally gripping and well-executed, while others felt it failed to live up to its potential due to underdeveloped elements.
Strengths
- Excellent portrayal of friendship and brotherhood under extreme conditions.
- Brutal and emotionally engaging story that keeps viewers hooked.
- Strong character development, particularly for the main seven inmates.
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent and illogical plot points.
- Shallow characters with weak development.
- Overreliance on shock value and explicit content.