There is a certain narrative about teachers running through modern Japan. It seems to begin with the wise and kind-hearted Kinpachi-sensei, who helps his students through the troubles of their young lives. This is turned on its head with the malevolent Kinpatsu-sensei of Battle Royale, who forces his “students” to kill each other. Then you have Great Teacher Onizuka, the thickheaded biker punk with laughable dreams of becoming like Kinpachi-sensei but who nonetheless, through his good heart, helps his students through the troubles of their young lives. Finally, we have Koji Kumeta’s Zetsubou-Sensei (”Mr. Despair”) who, when not trying to kill himself, tries to convince his students that life is pointless.

Inspired by the characters of great Japanese author Osamu Dazai, Zetsubou-sensei (Nozomu Itoshiki: his nickname is a pun based on a misreading of the kanji in his name) is an oddball whose clothes and grammar date from 1852, takes every opportunity to criticize modern society, and is first seen hanging from the branches of a cherry tree. But he is discovered and cut down by “super-positive girl” Kafuka, and most episodes are framed as a philosophical duel between the two, with a supporting cast of the other cute girls in the class.

Above: A not very encouraging message from one’s teacher

You know it’s a hobby of mine to take the silliest, most obscure anime series and describe them as if I were reading for Literature at Oxford, but Zetsubou-sensei doesn’t have to be turned to reveal its serious face. It’s wickedly funny but incisive social satire: Kinpachi-sensei was revolutionary tackling issues like drug abuse, homosexuality and teenage prostitution, and Zetsubou-sensei casts its net wider to take on illegal immigration, the Liberal-Democratic Party and the general malaise and confusion of modern life.

But is the series actually saying we should give up hope? I would argue that Zetsubou-sensei, like Onizuka-sensei before him, is actually continuing Kinpachi-sensei’s work, in teaching his students to adopt a critical attitude toward society. That’s education. In the words of Scottish Marxist Ewan MacColl:

“Did they teach you how to question when you were at the school?
Did the factory help you grow, were you the maker or the tool?
Did the place where you were living enrich your life, and then
Did you reach some understanding of all your fellow men?”

Note: There is an anime adaption available on YouTube with a fansub, but this is one manga so well-drawn that I find it superfluous. The manga is being translated, and is so becoming so popular that it actually makes me proud of my fellow American readers.