TheAssassination Classroommanga is currently in hot water—at least in the U.S. This 2012–2016 series, which originally ran inWeekly Shonen Jumpbefore being adapted into a popular anime, has recently been targeted by a group called the Coalition of Conservatives in Action. This group compileda list of about 100 books they believe should be removed from public school shelves.
According to New Mexico’sLas Cruces Sun-News,the first two volumes ofAssassination Classroom, published in English by VIZ Media, are part of the list of banned titles. The Coalition argues that these volumes contain explicit content, makingAssassination Classroomthe only manga on their list. Other works on the list includeThe Wind-Up Bird Chronicleby Haruki Murakami,The Handmaid’s Taleby Margaret Atwood,The Bluest Eyeby Toni Morrison, andWickedby Gregory Maguire.
Assassination Classroom Is Caught in U.S. Book Ban Attempts
Debate Between Parents and Educators
Although VIZ Media ratesAssassination Classroomas Teen Plus, the Coalition of Conservatives in Action has included it in their “Parent’s Guide to 95+ Explicit Books in Las Cruces Public Schools: How to Protect Your Children from Porn in NM School Libraries.”They argue the manga is pornographic, though if that were the case, it would have been rated 18+ or Mature instead of Teen Plus.
Sarah Smith, vice chair of the Las Cruces Coalition of Conservatives in Action, pulled the book list from one created by a former Moms for Liberty member, with help from other coalition members. “We focused on content parents might find inappropriate based on their kids’ age and maturity,” she said. Las Cruces High School librarian Karen Hanson-Sharp disagreed, stating, “Banning books hurts education. It limits critical thinking and won’t stop teens from learning about these topics—it just pushes them to less reliable sources.”
The Origins and Popularity of Assassination Classroom
Koro-sensei: The Unstoppable Teacher Tasked With Destruction
Assassination Classroombegan as a manga by Yusei Matsui that ran inWeekly Shōnen Jumpfrom July 2012 to March 2016, with all 21 volumes published by Shueisha. VIZ Media licensed the series for English publication in 2014, making it available worldwide. The manga’s popularity led to an anime adaptation that aired from 2015 to 2016. There was also a live-action movie released in 2015 and a sequel in 2016.
The story centers on a mysterious creature named Koro-sensei, who destroys 70% of the moon and declares that he will destroy Earth in one year. During this time, he becomes the homeroom teacher for Class 3-E at Kunugigaoka Junior High School, wherethe students are tasked with assassinating him by the end of the year. However, Koro-sensei has incredible abilities, and the students try various methods to take him down.
As Koro-sensei trains his students in the arts of killing, it becomes clear that, in fact, he is educating them on how to become good adults. It is an unusual and fun spin on the “tough teacher” trope that is so common not just in manga but in many forms of Japanese entertainment. Going beyond its exterior of comedy and action,Assassination Classroomis, in fact, one of the most emotional shonen manga in recent years, with a finale that is bound to elicit tears from even the toughest fans.
Manga Bans in U.S. Schools: A Growing Trend?
Will Assassination Classroom Spark a New Wave of Manga Bans?
Assassination Classroomisthe latest manga to be banned or challenged in U.S. schoolsor libraries because of violence or mature themes. For example,Akirawas criticized for its graphic violence, andDeath Notefaced bans in some areas for its dark themes.NarutoandOne Piecewere removed from some schools due to their fight scenes, whileGantzwas banned for its explicit content. These bans often spark debates about what is appropriate for younger readers.
Assassination Classroom Sparks Anime Reboot Rumors Following a Special Anniversary Event: Here’s What We Know
Assassination Classroom celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new art tribute that features Koro-sensei and all of Class 3-E.
It’s unclear ifAssassination Classroomwill lead to a new wave of manga bans in the U.S. or if this is just an isolated incident. But only time will tell if it’s the start of a larger trend or merely a one-off.
