My Thoughts on Assassination Classroom
I thoroughly enjoyed this anime, and I found it to be a pleasant viewing to wrap up this class. The series follows a group of outcast students who are tasked by the government to kill a mysterious and powerful entity who will serve as their teacher for a school year unless they fulfill their mission. The show provides a fun coming of age story that incorporates many relatable feelings towards the rigorous nature of school and the hardships of growing up. Ultimately, the class and their new teacher bond over the experiences and the knowledge and wisdom he imparts to help them complete their assassination, move forward in their education, and succeed in life. Koro Sensei shows his students that no matter how people view you, you have the potential to obtain something valuable by being diligent in your education.
Throughout the show, there is a conflict between Class E and the rest of the classes at the junior high school. The students in Class E are looked down upon heavily, humiliated for being the outcasts of society and worthless, and painfully discriminated against in their academic existence. The leader of the school makes active attempts in keeping the status quo of inferiority of Class E. In spite of this, Koro Sensei inspires the class to grow beyond their labels of underachievers and instead take pride in what they do. The students use these pieces of wisdom to push themselves in their studies, and develop in their assassination training. I like his message a lot and I think Koro Sensei provides invaluable advice to students who need reassurance in themselves that despite difficult circumstances, they can achieve greatness. Koro Sensei fulfills the teacher’s purpose by giving the children the tools they need to succeed.
Other aspects of the show I enjoyed was the dedication to competition and the relatability of the characters. I found myself feeling the dread that marks the end of term exams, which become arenas where students showcase their hard work in order to not only prove themselves to one another, but also validate themselves in their own eyes. Koro Sensei’s instruction about failure also was particularly powerful. The fears and motivating factors of failing to apply oneself and be worthy of talent, and also meeting competition by rising to the occasion, are all aspects of education that I still grapple with. I felt that the series provides valid and useful sentiment that can empower students to succeed.
Since labels can be internalized, this restricts one’s mindset to just that, instead of freely paving a path for oneself. If one is constantly told they are a failure, they will be much less motivated to break out of that mold. This is exactly the predicament for Class E before Korosensei arrives. It really shows how a teacher can go a long way in the development of students if they truly express genuine care in their teaching methods.














