Yes, Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781421576077
📖 Why You Should Read This Book
A manga where a tentacled alien teaches a class of misfits while they try to kill him. It's funnier, smarter, and more heartfelt than it has any right to be.
Yusei Matsui’s Assassination Classroom has one of the wildest premises in manga: a tentacled, smiley-faced alien creature destroys 70% of the moon and announces he’ll do the same to Earth in one year, unless the students of Class 3-E at Kunugigaoka Junior High can kill him first. The catch? He’s also their teacher, and he’s the best one they’ve ever had. What sounds like pure absurdity becomes a surprisingly emotional story about education, self-worth, and what happens when a group of kids society has written off gets a teacher who actually believes in them. The “assassination” attempts are played for comedy and creativity, with students learning real skills (strategy, teamwork, confidence) along the way.
Assassination Classroom has faced 8 challenges in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee, flagged for violence. The title alone probably triggers removal in districts doing keyword-based sweeps. But anyone who’s actually read the manga knows it’s anti-violence at its core. The students grow not by becoming killers but by becoming better versions of themselves. The series ran for 21 volumes in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump and was a massive commercial success, spawning an anime and two live-action films. It’s a story about a great teacher inspiring overlooked students. The “assassination” is a metaphor for ambition. Banning it based on the title is the literary equivalent of judging a book by its cover.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 banned?
Yes, Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 by Yusei Matsui has been banned or challenged in 8 documented instances across 3 states in the United States, including Florida, Texas, Tennessee. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 banned?
Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Violence. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 banned?
As of 2025, Assassination Classroom, Vol. 1 has been banned or challenged in Florida, Texas, Tennessee. Notable bans include Brevard County Public Schools (2024), Keller ISD (2024), Wilson County Schools (2025).