Yusei Matsui’s sci-fi comedy manga, Assassination Classroom, is now banned from schools in Florida and Wisconsin.
As reported by Anime News Network, Gifford High School in Florida removed three episodes from its school library in March. Southeast Wisconsin’s Elmbrook School District has also removed the series from its electronic library. In both states, the bans came after concerned parents and advocacy groups accused the manga of promoting violent acts against teachers.
School opposes assassination classroom
These bans appear to be motivated, in part, by concerns about school shootings. The episodes of Assassination Classroom, which Gifford High School removed from its library, each featured students holding guns. Jennifer Pippin, president of Indus County Mothers for Freedom, said the books were inappropriate, saying, “We don’t want students to think it’s okay to kill their teachers.” They cite recent history of school shootings in the US as another related factor. A Florida-based organization, called Citizens Defending Freedom, also announced that it will be taking action against the manga for both its explicit pornography and its alleged incitement of gun violence against teacher.
Wisconsin took action against the series for similar reasons. Elmbrook School District removed five volumes from its electronic library after a parent complained that the manga was blatantly promoting gun violence. Another parent also expressed concern about the violence and sexualization of minors in the series. North Carolina’s Pender Country is also protesting the presence of manga in their libraries, due to concerns that it actually teaches students how to kill their teachers.
In addition, the manga by Yusei Matsui is being taken as proof of the need for more action in school libraries. Virginia delegate Tim Anderson mentioned Assassination Classroom while arguing in favor of House Bill 1379, which would require all school principals to monitor pornographic works and provide provide that information to parents. In his statement, Anderson denounced the manga’s existence in some school libraries. The bill was passed through the House of Representatives in February.
Originally published in July 2012, Assassination Classroom revolves around a group of students who must find a way to take down their school teacher, who is actually an extremely powerful octopus-like creature committed to annihilation. Earth in a year. Since the creature is impervious to any military weapon, the students of Kunugigaoka High School must devise a plan to destroy it and save the world. Studio Lerche later adapted the manga into an anime, which premiered in January 2015.
Source: Anime News Network