Television series

Assassination Classroom

Name: Assassination Classroom
Genre: Comedy, Anime, Horror
Released: 2013
Cast: Takahiro Mizushima, Miho Hino, Mai Fuchigami, Teppei Akahira, Saki Fujita

Other titles called Assassination Classroom: the 2015 film.

A class of misfits must assassinate their indestructible tentacled teacher before he destroys Earth—except he's also the best teacher they've ever had. Assassination Classroom mines genuine warmth from an absurd premise, balancing comedy, action, and real emotional stakes. It's for anyone who likes their anime smart enough to make you care, weird enough to keep you laughing, and willing to earn its heart.

TVMaze rating

3.9

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you want a comedy about a classroom of misfits plotting against an absurd, oddly lovable teacher, with a sincere streak under the gags and room for the occasional genuinely creepy moment.

Skip it if the comedy runs on a repeated set-up, so if you need a plot that keeps reinventing itself, forty-seven episodes of the same engine may wear thin.

What it asks of you: Nearly fifty half-hour episodes at a brisk, bouncy clip, switching from slapstick to earnest, quieter scenes without much warning.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

My Hero Academia2016

A misfit student body learning to be heroes from inspiring teachers. Same structure of underdog growth and found-family bonds, with equally spectacular action and an enormous heart underneath the spectacle.

But Runs very long and can drag between arcs. The romantic subplot feels obligatory. Some episodes lean harder on filler than others.

Mob Psycho 1002016

An anxious, ordinary kid with extraordinary power who just wants to be normal. Manages comedy, action, and genuine character growth in its runtime. Same perfect balance of humor and emotional sincerity that makes Assassination Classroom work.

But The art style is deliberately unconventional and wonky—takes adjustment. Some episodes prioritize mood over plot clarity.

Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Story that leads to the Antarctica2018

Four misfits bond while chasing an impossible dream. Lighter in tone but identical in spirit: ordinary kids becoming extraordinary together, with real stakes and genuine affection between characters.

But The 'girl friendship' focus won't appeal to everyone. Moves deliberately—no action beats to puncture the quieter moments.

Sora yori mo Tooi Basho A Story that leads to the Antarctica poster

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Assassination Classroom

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Saiki Kusuo no Ψ Nan2016

Both use cosmic-level premises as permission to explore intimate character relationships; both understand that the joke is watching someone powerful forced into genuine human connection.

A student with godlike powers trying desperately to live a normal life. Flips the premise inside out: instead of a powerful teacher, an overpowered student just wants to be ignored. Same comedy DNA—absurdist humor grounded in character sincerity.

But Surreal and very dense, with jokes that come fast and sometimes land differently than intended. Some find the protagonist's aloofness off-putting.

Jujutsu Kaisen2020

High schoolers with a death-defying mission, learning from a complex mentor figure. Outstanding animation, compelling character work, and that same tonal balance between comedy and genuine danger.

But Newer seasons rely heavily on manga knowledge to fill plot gaps. Some character introductions feel rushed. Very violent, even by anime standards.

Hataraku Maou-sama!2013

A supernatural being trapped in ordinary life, forced to connect with humans. Lighter and more comedic than Assassination Classroom, but nails the same 'impossible character in mundane setting' humor and unexpected emotional beats.

But Doesn't build to anything substantial—it's purely episodic comfort food. Second season is markedly weaker. Very silly, which isn't for everyone.

Food Wars2010

Misfits in a brutal academy learning to excel from rivals and mentors. Genuine camaraderie underneath competition, comedy that lands, and an ability to make you invested in underdog success stories.

But Heavy fanservice and occasional objectifying humor. Later seasons prioritize plot spectacle over character. Can feel repetitive in structure.

Haikyuu!!2014

A chaotic class of misfits becoming a team. Pure joy in watching people learn, grow, and trust each other. The best at capturing what Assassination Classroom does: bonding through shared impossible goals.

But Volleyball is the subject matter, which some find uninteresting. Tournaments can feel long. No narrative stakes beyond winning matches.

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?2019

Brilliant students in a school setting playing psychological games with unexpected heart. Sharp writing, excellent comedy timing, and real character development beneath the premise.

But The mind-game structure can feel exhausting rather than clever. Heavy on internal monologue. Tone shifts wildly between comedy and drama.

Carole & Tuesday2019

Both understand that the real story isn't the mission or the threat—it's the bonds formed in pursuing something together. Both let characters cry and mean it.

Two girls on Mars pursuing an impossible dream while finding friendship and purpose. A manga-to-anime adaption with gorgeous animation that shares Assassination Classroom's faith in earnest emotion and the power of human connection, just in sci-fi register.

But Glacially paced with minimal plot momentum. The setting is elaborate window dressing. Relies on music and mood over narrative drive.

Little Witch Academia2017

Both nail the specific magic of a found-family story where the actual education—emotional and practical—matters more than the plot's stated stakes. Both make you miss a place and people you've never been.

A misfit in a school of impossibly talented people, learning magic and friendship. Stop-motion charm with genuine warmth and character investment. Proves that earnest emotion and comedy can coexist without ever feeling manipulative.

But Hand-drawn animation is softer and less dynamic than anime action standards. Very episodic, wandering in purpose. Young-skewing in a way that might feel slight.