Manga Review: 'Assassination Classroom' Vol.1

It was just another ordinary day when, all of the sudden, 70% of the moon was destroyed. The culprit? A super-powered yellow octopus. It’s not just any octopus though… It’s the new teacher of class 3-E at Kunugigaoka junior high school. Where did he come from? How did he become an octopus? And what’s with that smile of his?

Koro-Sensei (the name the students gave to their new teacher) has given the students an insurmountable task. They have until graduation to assassinate him; if they are unsuccessful, he will destroy Earth. Can the students of 3-E become the assassins our world needs to complete their task and save the world?

Class is now in session.

Details:

Story: Yusei Matsui
Art: Yusei Matsui
Released: 2 December 2014
Imprint: Shonen Jump
Pages: 192

There is a lot of mystery surrounding Koro-Sensei. Not a lot of information was given about him in the first volume and he is a complete mystery. A large, yellow, sentient octopus that wants to be a teacher and has his students trying to assassinate him. That certainly sets the stage for an interesting story but I wish we could learn a few things more right from the start. The biggest question I have is why he chose to be assassinated by the outcasts of the school. The students of class 3-E are the lowest of the low and have been completely cast aside by the rest of the students and faculty. I can’t wait to see the students grow and develop their skills.

The story is interesting and the characters are relatable. They are a bunch of junior high school students that are a bit too normal at first glance, but each has his own unique talent. At several points in this volume, the art is superb. The students come up with some creative ways to assassinate their target. All the assassination attempts are shown in very fine art. Everything is highly detailed and depicted just as it should be or would be in an actual school setting. I have a lot of respect for Yusei Matsui as he not only writes the story but also handles all the art. Though I have never seen a ten-foot-tall octopus I am certain that Yusei captured him perfectly. In my opinion, the ability to write a great story and draw such exceptional art is a vast undertaking.

At several points in this volume, the art is superb. The students come up with some creative ways to assassinate their target. All the assassination attempts are shown in very fine art. Everything is highly detailed and depicted just as it should be in a school setting. I have a lot of respect for Yusei Matsui as he not only writes the story but also handles all the art. Though I have never seen a ten-foot-tall octopus, I am certain that Yusei captured him perfectly. In my opinion, the ability to write a great story and draw such exceptional art is a vast undertaking.

#SPOILER assasination classroom manga ending tho 😢 pic.twitter.com/QSM8jfHoTl

— Cosmic (@M3M3Galaxy) February 29, 2016

The characters are unique and each student has their own personality. When all is said and done, the students are just that, students. And like students, they all have their own personality, their hopes, and their dreams. The characters are one of the best aspects of this story so far. Not a single character is just a ‘filler.’ Everyone has their own story and that is part of what makes this story interesting. So far all we know about Koro-Sensei is that he can fly at Mach 20 speeds, he has an affinity for cleaning, and despite popular belief, he is from Earth. Koro-Sensei is unlike any character that you have ever seen before.

As far as first impressions go, Assassination Classroom Vol.1 was an excellent book and a great introduction to a series. I’d have liked to have had more information on Koro-Sensei but the mystery will add more allure to the series overall. The students and Koro-Sensei provide an interesting dynamic and I enjoy their interactions. The art and story meld together in a perfect fashion and paint a perfect picture. The overall undertaking of the students in this series is interesting enough and I’m sure that this series will deliver. A series like this is a rare sight to behold.

I have high hopes for this series and its future. I look forward to reading the next volume! If you pick up the manga, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Vamos a leernos los tres primeros tomos de Assasination Classroom. ¿Habéis leído este manga? ¿Qué opináis? pic.twitter.com/YIUpVAhdKx

— El peso del aire (@PesoAire) February 28, 2017