New Manga Ban in the U.S. Puts Heat on Assassination Classroom

As a long-time manga enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of this captivating art form, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the recent turn of events involving Assassination Classroom. It seems that every time we take a step forward in promoting cultural diversity and intellectual growth through manga, we find ourselves taking two steps back due to misguided concerns and misunderstandings.

Occasionally, it seems as though certain authorities have been critical of manga, and this has led to an increase in book banning incidents across the U.S. over the past few years. Although some of these prohibited works may not be suitable for libraries or schools, many others are being excluded without careful consideration. Regrettably, the manga industry has experienced this pattern repeatedly. As a result, it was only a matter of time before Assassination Classroom found itself under scrutiny in South Carolina.

This past week saw a development in Horry County, South Carolina, where schools were instructed to take off the book “Assassination Classroom” from their library collections. The incident was initiated when a ninth-grader’s mother submitted a district complaint about the book. Here is the content of the complaint:

They are discussing the strategy for eliminating a teacher, and various methods being proposed.

Does Assassination Classroom Promote School Violence?

At present, Horry County is examining the complaint, which means Assassination Classroom is provisionally prohibited. The authorities have 30 days to evaluate the manga and decide whether it will be allowed in libraries. Given the circumstances, manga enthusiasts are somewhat puzzled, but this isn’t the first time Assassination Classroom has been criticized.

Previous reports indicated that Yusei Matsui’s popular manga was withdrawn from counties in Florida and Wisconsin. Criticism about the title of “Assassination Classroom” also reached schools and public libraries. While it’s true that the manga’s title may not be the most polite, its storyline is far from malicious.

Reading Assassination Classroom introduces you to a tale about underdogs who discover an advocate in the unlikeliest of characters. This manga narrates the story of Koro-sensei, an unusual teacher at Kunugigaoka Junior High School, who raises suspicions. The character is actually an extraterrestrial who vowed to destroy Earth, and Class 3-E students uncover his plan. As they decide to assassinate Koro-sensei to save their planet, matters become more intricate when they discover the true background of the alien. Furthermore, other individuals infiltrate the school to claim Koro-sensei’s reward.

Absolutely! The title of this action comedy might catch you off guard, but let me tell you, the manga is truly uplifting. Koro-sensei, an exceptional teacher, isn’t just shaping Class 3-E into better students, but also helping them grow as individuals. At first glance, the title could spark controversy, but once you delve into its pages, Assassination Classroom proves to be a captivating read for high schoolers.

The Rise of Book and Manga Bans

Indeed, the increasing trend of book bans has raised concerns in various regions. On multiple occasions, manga has been under fire during these incidents. Recently, Florida garnered attention when it prohibited a well-liked LGBTQ+ manga due to its focus on a same-sex couple. The manga titled “Sasaki and Miyano” was removed from school libraries in a Florida county following a complaint about its LGBTQ+ content. Interestingly, the critic suggested that children should read Chainsaw Man instead, so draw your own conclusions from that.

Even though it might be challenging to find manga in certain schools, the world of manga creation has never been simpler, thanks to the internet. Companies like Viz Media run the Shonen Jump app, offering hundreds of series to enthusiasts, and there’s also Manga Plus to consider. More publishers such as Kodansha and Square Enix are venturing into manga apps to connect with fans in the U.S. If you’re interested in reading Assassination Classroom, it can be found online through Viz Media.

2024-10-03 22:10

Does Assassination Classroom Promote School Violence?

The Rise of Book and Manga Bans

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