Chapter 1 of Rainbow establishes the three pillars of the narrative:

This chapter establishes the core theme of the series: seven boys, each from a different tragic past, forging an unbreakable bond to survive the atrocities and unfairness of the reformatory.

While George Abe’s story is brutal, elevates it to a nightmare masterpiece. In Chapter 1, pay attention to:

Inside their cell, the six boys meet a seventh occupant: (often called "Bro" or "Anchan"). Tension flares instantly when Mario, one of the newcomers, starts a fight with Sakuragi. Despite being outnumbered six-to-one, Sakuragi easily overpowers all of them, establishing his strength.

Ishihara leaves them with a final threat, locking the door. The boys are left bruised but unbroken.

A guard shoves six teenage boys into a cramped cell—Cell Six. The door slams with a deafening clang. The boys are dirty, bruised, nameless at first except for their numbers. They eye each other with suspicion and fear.