Rainbow: Nishakubou no shichinin

"Rainbow" tells the story of seven boys in a harsh reform school in post-WW2 Japan and their attempts to survive, escape and realize their dreams in the outside world. They have to deal with a sadistic guard and an abusive doctor that use their authority to make their lives miserable and destroy every ray of hope that they might have. In the process, their bonds grow stronger and stronger. In the 26 episodes of the anime, the story remains fast-paced and engaging, and by the end, we have a chance to see all the characters develop in interesting ways, and the story reach a powerful, satisfying ending. For me, this was one of those special series that you enjoy so much and remember the characters (and the author) with fondness (similar ones are "Kaiji" and "Akagi"). I strongly recommend it.

Around ten years after World War II, a group of juvenile delinquents are sent to Shounan Special Reform School, a type of juvenile prison, to deal with the atrocities and injustices they experienced during the war. There is already an inmate living there who is now trying to teach the youngsters about friendship and guide them through various difficulties that arise.

"Rainbow" did a great job of showing the bonding of the characters like no other anime before, in my opinion.

The story that is told is anything but boring and really captivated me.

The characters themselves are also beautifully written.

There is also a good drawing style.

Rainbow only doesn't get a 10/10 from me because I wouldn't mention it in my favorite animes, but that's more because there are simply anime series that have flashed me a lot more.

The anime is really HIGHLY recommended!

This is one of those hidden gems in anime that you are glad to find. I believe that this anime doesn't get the recognition it deserves, because this is surely a deeply emotional, engaging story with heart and substance.

There are a lot of lessons to be found in this anime, from friendship to perseverance, hope but also about the cruelty that humans are capable of. Also, this could be seen as a sociological critique of post-ww2 Japan, showing some of the ugly truths we don't want to know about.

This anime focuses on young men abandoned by society, and while they are imprisoned, they are far for being bad people. The viewer can realize that true friendship and bonds can be found even in the worst places of earth, and that nobody should give up to hope and dreams, regardless of their background.

Not perfect though, i believe that the anime sometimes is a bit indulgent in giving the viewer a "happy" resolution to almost all of the mini-stories going on with the characters, and i feel that the anime didn't reached it's full potential in depicting the cruel side of prisons, and human beings. It is like... it can get pretty dark, but i feel that the author was concerned that the viewer wouldn't be satisfied if the anime were too pessimistic.

In the end, this is an excelent anime, one of the best seinen out there, and ayone looking for a mature story, albeit dark at times but with a glimp of sunshine, you can't go wrong with this.

Honestly, I love this anime. It is absolutely a work of art and a masterpiece' The story is very interesting and is full of so many plots and unexpected scenes that would totally shock the audience! It's about how 7 kids were placed in the same cell in a disciplinary school and became strong friends. They were violated and abused by a guard and a doctor in the prison even though all they wanted to do was to be free. They especially wanted their "Bro" to be free more than them! The guard and doctor were trying their hardest to keep "Bro" in the disciplinary school by framing him and tempting him to break a rule in order to save his friends or to save his own life! I honestly think that I've cried more watching this anime than in Naruto. I don't think it's just me but every time I see an antagonist doing something wrong to the boys I've always felt like punching him. The anime truly taught me that strong friendships would last till the very end. In my opinion, I don't think much people even know about this anime even though it's worth attention. Plus it's only 26 episodes! I honestly 110% recommend this anime for any anime watchers not only because the anime is a masterpiece but because it should receive the attention it truly deserves!

Truly when speaking of a Seinen, Mature, Adult-like animes Rainbow is definitely one of the top ones. This show almost leaves no place for the comedy side of anime which I like. I prefer less comedy more seriousness and this anime delivered it to 100% The story, drama, characters, development, build up, this anime got everything, there are happy moments, there are sad moments, and as we follow these 7 individuals in a tough environment, each with different backgrounds and struggles and dreams, you start to like them one by one as they progress with their unbreakable friendship, in this anime you will see the very represenation of what True Friends Are For. I recommend it 10/10