Kageki Shôjo!! Season Zero #1

Kageki Shôjo!! Season Zero, originally titled Kageki Shoujo!, was created by manga artist Kumiko Saiki and first serialized in the magazine Jump Kai in 2012. The series was conceived as a narrative exploration of the rigorous, high-pressure environment of a fictionalized elite opera music school, heavily inspired by the real-world Takarazuka Revue. Saiki intended to provide a grounded, sometimes intense look at the competitive dynamics and personal sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of traditional Japanese performance arts.

Following the cessation of the magazine's publication, the series underwent a period of transition before being revived and expanded upon as Kageki Shôjo!! under a different publisher. This initial run is noted for establishing the foundation of the characters' relationships and the atmospheric tone of the academy setting. While it was initially a niche title, it eventually gained significant critical appreciation for its character depth, ultimately leading to a successful anime adaptation that brought broader recognition to the foundational chapters collected in this volume.