This is most unlike me, a planner through and through, but I don’t have a definite idea of where to go with this blog post. I just know that, after being moved to tears by Assassination Classroom’s second season, I want to jot down some of my thoughts about this amazing show! To date I’ve seen hundreds of anime, including many of the classics, shows that have stood the test of time and are widely considered to be the best of the best. As a result, it’s now extremely rare to find myself affected by what I watch, as most anime today simply doesn’t hold up to these classics! So when it does happen, as it did with Assassination Classroom’s second season, I want to mark the occasion by writing a few words. I’ve dubbed this collection of thoughts: “What Koro-Sensei Has Taught Me.” I hope that you enjoy reading them. A word of warning: you may not wish to proceed if you haven’t seen both seasons of Assassination Classroom, as there will be spoilers ahead! Instead, please read my review of season 1. I hope that it will convince you to go away and watch this awesome show!
Sometimes the People Who Smile the Most Are the Ones Who Hurt the Most
My favourite character from Assassination Classroom is definitely Nagisa Shiota. He possesses many of the qualities that I wish I had! For example, Nagisa is somebody who, despite being meek and humble, commands the respect of his classmates. He also radiates a quiet strength and confidence and is rarely seen without a smile – even when being teased by his peers! So it took me by complete surprise that he was regularly subjected to his mother’s verbal, mental, and physical abuse. This surprise was in part due to the fact that the franchise waited 31 episodes to reveal this to us and in part due to the qualities I listed above (which served as somewhat of a red herring!) Nagisa’s abuse demonstrates that a person can seem perfectly happy and healthy to the people around them, but still be struggling inwardly. You might be thinking “well, duh!”, but, as somebody who wrestles with comparison (in particular, thinking that everybody else has got it together and is living their best lives), it was something that I needed to be reminded of! It also reminded me to treat everybody I meet with love and kindness, as you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.
Nobody Is Beyond Redemption
Everybody is capable of turning their lives around. Assassination Classroom’s second season was full of characters who did just this! As a result of Koro-sensei’s tutelage many of the show’s characters, including Irina, Itona, Kayano, Nagisa, and Principal Asano, came to learn just how precious and valuable their lives were as well as how to enjoy life and face its many challenges. Consequently, they were all able to change their lives in positive and significant ways! These characters were of a range of ages, backgrounds, and personality types, yet they were all capable of this. It gives me hope that even I can turn my life around!
The Effect That a Good Mentor Can Have
Sometimes all that’s necessary to make that first step towards change is a good mentor. And that’s exactly what Koro-Sensei was to his students. He made the effort to get to know their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and dreams, and even their greatest fears and hang-ups. That meant that Koro-Sensei was in an ideal position to guide, gently admonish, and speak encouragement into his students’ lives. He even wrote each of them an entire book called “Koro-Sensei’s rules to live by.” It was only natural, then, that, even as the E-class mourned the loss of their teacher, they were able to make positive, unfaltering steps towards bright, happy futures. It makes me wonder how different my own life would be if my parents and teachers had spoken words of affirmation over me as I was growing up, instead of ones of pity, derision, and criticism. I could dwell on this, or I could take comfort in the fact that, as a Christian, I, too, have a big old book full of advice and encouragement, the Bible, and that someday, when I’m in the position to mentor other people, as a result of my upbringing, I know just what not to say or do! Who knows, maybe I can even help them!
How to Face Life’s Challenges
Koro-Sensei teaches his students many things, but my favourite is this:
“As you go through life, the mighty current of society is bound to get in your way and there will certainly be times when things don’t go as you hope. When that happens, don’t look to society for a cause. Do not renounce society. Frankly, you’d be wasting your time. Instead, just say “That’s life!” and muddle your way through with frustration. Once you’re past it, consider: if society’s swift current is tossing you around, how should you be swimming there in its midst? You should have learned how, here in the E-class, in this assassination classroom. You don’t always have to stand and face it head-on. You can run and you can hide. If it’s not against the rules, you can try a sneak attack. You can use unconventional weapons. Stay determined – not impatient nor discouraged – and with repeated trial and error, you’re bound to reach a splendid outcome eventually.”
What I take away from these wise words is this:
- Take personal responsibility for your life
- It’s OK to feel frustrated, but do not stay frustrated
- It’s alright to fight dirty (within reason). Use whatever weird and wonderful skills that you might have in your arsenal
- It’s okay to run away to fight another day. But, ultimately, if we avoid it we can’t conquer it
- Persevere, persevere, persevere!
Assassination Classroom is full of so many wonderful lessons, including the ones above, but this is definitely my favourite! I find these words comforting, empowering, and encouraging! I want to plaster them on every surface of my home, so I can be constantly uplifted by them! Before you go, let me know: what did you take away from Assassination Classroom? What, if anything, did Koro-Sensei teach you?
There are so many lessons in Assassination Classroom and it is great seeing the affect Koro-Sensei has on each and every student in the class by the end. It really is one of those shows that gives you plenty to think about in your own life. Thanks for sharing the lessons you took from it.
AC totally blindsided me! I never expected a show with such a ridiculous looking main character to move me so deeply! Just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge something based on its appearance! I’m glad that you enjoyed my post!
I know, and the show this season that proved that was Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai. I nearly didn’t even try it and I’m absolutely loving it so far.
I’ve heard that it’s pretty good, but know next to nothing about it (I wrote it off because of its dumb title, natch). What’s it similar to in terms of other shows?
The lessons it teaches really brings out a lot of what people need to hear. Something I hope to pass on is similar to what you mentioned last.
People get stuck in the life of “not fair” then they don’t move forward. They just stay where there are because it isn’t fair. It is those who use what skills or means they have to push on through the unfairness that make it.
I am finally starting to do my own pushing. These are really lessons that all students need to understand.
AC is so wholesome it hurts.
You’re blessed to be in the position to mentor other people. My teachers had a profoundly negative effect on my life, but you could be the positive influence that helps turn somebody’s life around!
This is the second post today I have read about this series (talk about coincidence 😊). I have had this series on my to watch list for quite a while now. But as with everything on my to watch list…I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I really loved your post. The thing I could relate to the most was the line ” Sometimes the people who smile the most are the ones that hurt the most” I have known quite a number of people that walk around as if nothing is going on but inside they are burning up (and I have done that quite a number of times myself as well). You did a terrific job with this one! 😊
You don’t say! Link me to the other post?
Whilst writing that I couldn’t help but think of the late Robin Williams. I guess he hid his pain with humour… It’s so important to get help when you’re hurting. Make sure that you reach out when you’re struggling, okay?
Sorry for the late response, I have been a bit busy the past few days: but here is the link to that post: https://100wordanime.blog/2018/10/17/assassination-classroom-season-1-and-2-series-review-every-experience-can-teach-us-something/
And thank you very much for the very kind words. I’ll be sure to do that, but luckily lately things are going well for me, so that’s a good thing😊😊
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