Assassination Classroom: Our Time

The idea for Assassination Classroom was sparked by the image of students pointing guns at their teacher in the opening chapter.

Yusei Matsui developed the premise and characters to fit this striking scene.

He decided on the “secluded E Class” setting to make the assassination attempts plausible without outside interference.

Matsui revealed that much of the worldbuilding and cast were reverse-engineered from this core concept.

The story is set at Kunugigaoka Junior High School, a prestigious institution with a strict ranking system.

Class 3-E is the “End Class” for students with poor grades or behavioral issues, situated in a rundown building isolated from the main campus.

Discrimination is blatant—students are ostracized, forced to use old facilities, denied club activities, and live under constant pressure to avoid dropping to E Class.

The class system is deliberately designed as a form of educational “showcase punishment” to boost overall academic performance through fear.

One day, the Japanese government introduces a bizarre, yellow, tentacled being, Korosensei, to Class 3-E.

He moves at Mach 20, claims responsibility for blowing up 70% of the Moon, and declares that he will destroy the Earth by March of the following year.

Korosensei requests to become the homeroom teacher of Class 3-E and proposes a simple deal: If any student can kill him during the school year, they will earn a 10-billion-yen reward and save the planet.

Special weapons and ammunition have been designed to harm only Korosensei, leaving humans unharmed.

While the assassination mission is daunting, students soon discover that Korosensei is a phenomenal teacher.

He supports them academically and emotionally, helping each student confront their personal shortcomings.

With a blend of absurd comedy, intense assassination attempts, and genuine school life lessons, the students grow closer as a class and challenge both their own limits and the unjust system they’re trapped in.

A year unfolds in the class’ attempt to assassinate Korosensei, facing rival assassins, government agents, and their own doubts as they unravel Korosensei's mysterious origins.

The final story arc involves a moral showdown over whether to save or kill their beloved target, culminating in a tearful farewell and a class graduation like no other.

Kunugigaoka Junior High School: Elite school with a brutal performance-based hierarchy.

Class 3-E ("End Class"): Isolated “failure class” used as a cautionary tale.

Anti-Teacher Weapons: Special knives and guns made of synthetic material that harm only Korosensei.

Tentacle Cells: An experimental bio-weapon that mutates humans, giving them superhuman abilities and monstrous appearance, as seen in Korosensei and certain assassins.

The Reaper (“Shinigami”): Title for the world’s best assassin—first used for Korosensei in his human days, later adopted by his former apprentice.

Heaven’s Spear and Earth’s Shield: Deadly satellite weapons deployed for the final assassination attempt.

The series quickly gained popularity, leading to various adaptations:

• TV Anime: Two seasons aired from 2015 to 2016, animated by Lerche, closely following the manga’s plot with minor original content and adaptations for sensitive real-world events.
• OVA & Jump Anime Tour Specials: Included special episodes and recaps.
• Live-Action Films: Two films, starring Ryosuke Yamada and Kazunari Ninomiya (as Korosensei’s voice and human form), were major box office hits in 2015 and 2016.
• Games: Several titles for Nintendo 3DS, as well as mobile apps and crossover appearances.
• Spin-off: "Koro-sensei Quest!" re-imagines the cast in an RPG fantasy world.
• Official guidebooks, educational materials, and a comprehensive fanbook were released.

The anime involved notable staff such as director Seiji Kishi and composer Naoki Sato.

The production team worked with Z-Kai (an academic company) to ensure the classroom scenes had realistic educational value.

Episodes adjusted for current events, such as the ISIL hostage crisis, leading to certain episodes being delayed or altered for broadcast sensitivity.

Noteworthy theme songs include:

• "Seishun Satsubatsu-ron" and "Jiriki Hongan Revolution" by 3-nen E-gumi uta-tan (the class's main cast)
• "Hello, shooting-star" by moumoon (ending)
• "Kaketa Tsuki" and "Mata Kimi ni Aeru Hi" by Shion Miyawaki (second season)
• The live-action films featured "Korosensations" and “Sayonara Sensation” by Sensations (a Hey! Say! JUMP subunit).

• Manga Taisho (Manga Grand Prize) 2013 Nominee (6th place)
• Ranked No. 1 in "Recommended Manga by Japanese Bookstore Employees 2013"
• No. 1 Male Division, "Kono Manga ga Sugoi!" 2014
• Yahoo! Search Awards 2015 (Anime Division)
• Japan Academy Prize for Best Newcomer (Ryosuke Yamada) for the live-action film

Assassination Classroom became a phenomenon, with over 27 million manga copies sold globally by 2023.

Both the anime and live-action films received critical and commercial success.

It was praised for its unique blend of dark humor, suspense, and coming-of-age themes, as well as for exploring topics like social hierarchy, discrimination, and the true meaning of education.

However, due to the premise of students attempting to kill a teacher, the series has faced occasional controversy and has even been banned in some places, such as schools in Florida, USA.

Fun facts:

Korosensei's unique round yellow head appears on everything from subway trains to official merchandise.

The series frequently collaborated with other franchises, such as "Gintama," "Kuroko's Basketball," and “Golgo 13”.

Multiple real escape games and educational books made learning fun with Korosensei’s unorthodox methods.

The series' influence persists, with periodic anime rebroadcasts and widespread streaming, ensuring that the lessons (and laughs) of Class 3-E continue to inspire fans worldwide.