Alternative Titles
Synonyms: Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei, Goodbye Teacher Despair, SZS
Japanese: さよなら絶望先生
Information
Episodes:
12
Status:
Finished Airing
Aired:
Jul 8, 2007 to Sep 23, 2007
Broadcast:
Unknown
Source:
Manga
Duration:
24 min. per ep.
Rating:
R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
Statistics
Score:
8.071 (scored by 68,723 users)
Ranked:
#4462
Popularity:
#229
Members:
147,893
Favorites:
3,129
1
indicates a weighted score. Please note that 'Not yet aired' titles are excluded.
2
based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
|
SynopsisItoshiki Nozomu is always in despair! Even simple things like paying for the toll on the subway can send him to a despair so deep only attempted suicide is the answer. How Strange is it then, that he should be the teacher of a High School Class filled with students with even more emotional problems than his. This great Comedy will leave you in anything but 'Despair' as you meet each of his students and watch their wacky adventures.BackgroundNo background information has been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding background information here.
Promotional VideosNo promotional video has been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding a promotional video here. |
Related Anime
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Opening Theme#1: "Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru (人として軸がぶれている)" by Kenji Ohtsuki feat. Ai Nonaka, Marina Inoue, Yu Kobayashi, Miyuki Sawashiro & Ryoko Shintani (eps 1-9, 12)
#2: "Gouin ni Mai Yeah~" by Ai Nonaka, Marina Inoue, Yu Kobayashi, Miyuki Sawashiro & Ryoko Shintani (eps 10-11)
Ending Theme"Zessei Bijin (絶世美人)" by Ai Nonaka, Marina Inoue, Yu Kobayashi & Ryoko Shintani
Reviews
|
|
kurodayuchi
235 people found this review helpful
|
Jul 2, 2009
12 of 12 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
8 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
We all have times when we wish we were dead, although we don’t always mean it.
Well, I present you Itoshiki Nozomu. He’s the world’s most pessimistic person and always carries around a rope when things turn badly (by the way, when you write his name horizontally, you will get Zetsubou – despair). Right in the first episode we see Itoshiki hanging himself in some cherry trees and his imminent death is only stopped by Fuura Kafuka, his unequal: the world’s most optimistic person. This is what sets things off and from here on in we will make a journey through current Japan’s society, through the eccentric students of this eccentric teacher.
Usually when we talk about smart comedy what comes to mind is a Cambridge PhD that tells jokes that only Stephen Hawking and company can grasp. This series is really something because it is a smart comedy… that allows laughing. Zetsubou has a lot of serious subjects but you never see these treated like a soap opera. The problem is developed with a dark comedy that allows much more reflection about it.
Each character is a takeoff of modern Japan’s problematic citizens: a hikikomori, a perfectionist, a gaijin that suffers prejudice, an addict of cell phones, a stalker, a fan of yaoi and cat ears, an illegal immigrant, a girl that enjoys putting a stick in a dog’s ass (not sure if the last one is a general problem). The development of these characters may become compromised after the first half, conceding space to nonsense episodes, but this is natural coming from a comedy.
Usually when we see an anime we already know what to expect from the funny parts, they’re virtually the same every time. Again, that’s not the case here. Expect the unexpected. A really unique, cynical, nonsensical comedy. The color and the lighting is top quality. Also, get prepared to see a lot of cuts, abrupt changes of images, jokes been told on the blackboard or written on the screen. The dialogue is original and the animation is pretty creative and of high quality; moreover, there are a lot of alternative things.
For example, all the time you’ll see the picture of bald guy around, a Japanese Lex Luthor, that is funny exactly because there’s no purpose for that. There is an episode in which the characters are presented as paper dolls. The first opening doesn’t even have any image, except that damn bald guy. The second one can mix up Buddhism with bondage (don’t ask me how). The ending is like a surrealistic thriller. It’s a pretty cult comedy by this point of view, because uses a lot of art and animation techniques that you thought you would only find in a more serious anime or in a museum.
We can call it a harem series when we think that every girl somehow ends up falling in love with the teacher and that the only male characters that have the minimum relevance are a bald guy (another one) and a boy that only read books the entire time. There’s a lot of fanservice as well, but, one more time, the anime does that in a unique way. It’s almost like it is dissing the fanservice itself.
There are references to other anime like Lucky Star and Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (and Zetsubou is incredibly similar to Watanuki from XXX Holic). Furthermore, the otaku world is shown in the traditional Comiket Market.
The first opening song, Hitotoshite Jiku ga Bureteiru, is performed by Kenji Ohtsuki, who some may remember from the ending of Welcome to NHK. Now, instead of the galactic crazy baby, there is a song that keeps repeating bure, bure, bure (warped, warped, warped)… whatever. What’s cool is that there is the participation of some of the voice actors like Nonaka Ai (here, Fuura Kafuka, but also known as Ibuki Fuko in Clannad After Story) and Inoue Marina (here she’s Kitsu Chiri; also made Eve Genoard in Baccano).
It may be a funny rock – you can’t hear Kenji sing without laughing - but is also a pretty good one, at least the song doesn’t get out of your head. Most of the OST is performed by Hasegawa Tomoki on the piano, and the majority of the songs are somewhat dramatic, melancholic, romantic, what fits with the dark comedy of the series pretty well.
When I finished the last episode I was so gloomy about it that I thought about doing bungee jumping from a two floors house with the rope around my neck cutting my wrists while falling after drinking caustic soda… but then I discovered that there was a second season and a third coming up this July… there’s still hope… ;)
read more
|
|
kiriska
165 people found this review helpful
|
Jun 5, 2008
12 of 12 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
Despair! I am in it.
STORY - Story? What story? This is a slice-of-life series and it is based entirely around hilarious character shenanigans, though if you ever see characters like this in your life, I'd be a little worried. Still, there are a few reoccurring themes revolving around anime and otaku snark and satire of Japanese lifestyle, culture, politics, media, literature, etc. They also frequently make fun of themselves, which is incredibly amusing. It's all amazingly well done and highly entertaining, I assure you. A bit of warning through, if you try and pause to read every single thing written in the background for scenes, you will turn 20 minute episodes into 40 minute episodes. read more
|
|
dollie_mixtures
92 people found this review helpful
|
Oct 6, 2007
7 of 12 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
8 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
Normally I'd wait until I've seen all of a series before voicing my opinion, here I'm making an exception. Once in a while comes an anime that pushes all the right buttons for me; Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei does just that.
It starts with the music: more to my taste, a little harder than your usual cutsy jpop. I often find myself skipping past the opening songs, I hardly ever watch the ending credits and quickly move onto the next episode; here, the music with the animation creates an awesome visual I watch each and every time. I'm sure it's partially due to the style of the art, more manga-esque, more poster art than anime. This style continues throughout; you could say that compared to the rich backgrounds and detail of, let's say, Gendo Senki, Sayonara... can't even begin to compete. But you don't miss the detail, the simplicity and the style of drawing only makes it more graphic and more "punchy".
Then there is the story and the characters; it's probably the wackiest bunch you'll ever likely to encounter, if you thought a teacher constantly on the brink of overwhelming despair is strange, you haven't met his students! Each takes a personality trait and blows it completely out of proportion. This is where the fun comes in; I love the self-referencing jokes parodying pop-culture both Japanese and American, the patterns that don't move when the character does, the photo cutouts, and the unexpected, over the top behaviour.
Sure, the series isn't perfect, but it gets damn close. All I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the last 5 episodes. read more
|
|
albinochocolate
45 people found this review helpful
|
Jul 19, 2013
12 of 12 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
|
| Animation |
|
| Character |
|
| Enjoyment |
|
"Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei" is as insane and addictive as it is deeply unorthodox. The usage of: silhouetted characters, extremely polar opposites in terms of the two main characters, constant cuts to text, and a bald, glasses-wearing man for censorship are definitive proof of this. As soon as it starts it already flaunts its relentless and ridiculously funny sense of humor. A strange premise along with a non-traditional visual approach not only make it intriguing but refreshing as well.
The premise is blatantly and pleasurably off-kilter like everything else in this anime. An incredibly negative and pessimistic person, Itoshiki Nozomu, and an incredibly positive and optimistic person, Fuura Kafuka, are the two main characters, and they meet each other as he attempts to commit suicide. They are outstandingly different but they must cope it because they are both part of the same school. Itoshiki is the homeroom teacher of Fuura's class and there he encounters a sea of strange students. Each of the students has a unique personality trait or activity that they heavily utilize; all are parodic and stereotypical in their basis and are solely used for the anime's grand satirical goal. Every episode focuses on Itoshiki's (aka Zetsubou Sensei which translates to Mr. Despair) crazy interactions with his students. These interactions hilariously result in either him trying to teach them his bleak lessons, or him being convinced that he is living in complete and utter despair due to one of their remarks or actions.
"Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei" uses satire in much of its comedy. Much of this derives from it darkly satirizing Japan and all the common people, groups, and events that it has in it. Characters that possess or partake in: suicidal thoughts, extreme isolation, domestic abuse, disturbing perfectionism, stalking, illegal immigration, non-conformist mentality, material worship, and severe identity disorder may be taboo topics for other anime but it's just a wonderful comedy playground for "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei". Much of this said humor consists of social commentary, parody, or just outright references regarding Japanese culture, so the anime can be alienating. Viewers might want to do some light research, seriously read the TL notes, and at least get a basic understanding on how Japan works or who usually inhabits it. However, being very knowledgeable isn't necessarily a requirement to enjoy or be entertained by this anime. Even the viewers who aren't too knowledgeable can still witness the insanity and high energy that makes it feel so high-octane and exciting.
The art is colorful and flamboyantly atypical. Akiyuki Shinbo, the director, along with the anime's main production studio, Shaft, definitely show off their usual eclectic style here. Intriguing color changes and silhouettes run rampant in each episode. There is not much actual animation in "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei", but it compensates with its interesting art style. There are different textures flying in and out in just about every frame. The fast and unusual fashion that it uses completely fits the insane antics and gags that constantly ensue throughout the anime.
The opening themes and ending themes used are great and are definitely adequate for the anime. "Hito Toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru" by Kenji Ohtsuki, featuring five of the female voice actresses, is the best particular song and is a delightfully catchy and maddening rock song; passionately pumping the crazy mood that the anime creates. The rest of the soundtrack that accompanies the anime is competent and conjures each of its desired emotions well.
The entire run of this anime is an entertaining frenzy that deserves much appreciation for both its art and excellent ability to create laughter. Enthusiasts of absurd and black humor, as well as successful satire, should definitely give this anime a try. "Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei" is a deranged, neurotic, and enjoyable absurdist and satirical comedy that nonchalantly criticizes everything in its broad Japanese path without ever taking a single break.
Eight Durable, Stout, and 'Height-Helping' Pink Gabriel Trees out of Ten. read more
Recommendations
|
|
Both shows are from the same studio, SHAFT, so they share quite a bit in terms of humour and style. Zetsubou Sensei has much more dark humor though, and a more distinct artistic style (in some ways similar to xxxHOLIC). Pani Poni Dash is a little more off-the-wall and random, and focuses quite a bit more on references to other anime and games and such.
Same studio (SHAFT), same kind of humor, you can even see pani poni references on zetsubou. Lots of references too.
Very worth watch if you like Zetsubou or the other way round.
One word: SHAFT. SHAFT is insane. The somewhat random comedy, the blatant self-referencing, the weird animation style, the chalkboard gags...
If Pani Poni Dash was super wacky and odd and laugh your ass out aloud funny, then I have one word for Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei- siiiiiiick. It's directed by the same person and the humor and the interesting art style and the humor (I'm really not sure if there's a message or not) will blow you away. Although straight laced people would probably hate this.
Class of some... oddball girls... A fast paced radical humor based on pop culture references and occasionally a little darker than other "fluffy anime." No plot to speak of though reallyXD Just constant humor and lots of characters.
Same studio, same director. Both involve a class of eccentric students, and both series contain a TON of Japanese culture references and parodies in every episode. Also, very fast-paced.
Both of them are Random, School life with wierd teachers and a stereotyping class.
The Story is actually the same: New teacher has to teach a bunch of students who have their own strong characteristivs and don't mind to interrupt the lessons.
the characters are beatly the same, too: class reps, who aren't accepted as class reps, girls with class rep character who aren't; hyperactive and optimistics and so on...
drawing: it's the main difference(exept of the age of the teacher xD) in the two animes.While SZS has a less "moe" drawing style and often use pattern to color backgrounds and characters there aren' t things like this.
Both are Shaft productions, have teachers as main characters, and rely on gags, puns, and cultural references. Just like Zetsubou-sensei, PPD is chock full of lightning fast chalkboard gags.
Same problematic teacher same problematic students both hilarious same created by shaft
Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is pretty much different from Pani Poni Dash, but the one thing both have in common, is the extremely random form of comedy that makes these animes what they are. However, if you like a good plot that continues throughout a series, then these aren't really for you.
Basically SZS is like PPD with a more darker looking type of tone, but it never gets in the way of the great comedy that equal between the two.
The same studio, the same director, the same style, the same theme - a weird teacher and his class
Both were done by the same studio (Shaft) and have similar humor. They also both make references, although SZS doesn't make as many as PPD.
|
|
|
The way they use other anime reference hidden or revealed in each episode.
Both are School, Satire, Comedy making fun of Japanese culture. Lucky Star makes fun of the gaming and anime culture whilst Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei ridicules other psychological and social issues. ^_^
Although the humor is much darker in SZS, prepare for cute girls and EXTREME RANDOMNESS in both :]
Both share the genres of parody, school, and slice of life. There is no real story in either and filled with randomness. There is an evidence of uniqueness in both.
Both refer to otaku's culture.
Both anime feature strange and funny school girls, and both have a lot of cameo from other anime.
Great humour which, unfortunately, is brought only to the chosen ones, who have watched either Lucky Star, or Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Both shows take place mainly in the school grounds and have many similarities in the use of jokes. Also, the characters in both anime are strange and are not the typical ones you can expect from the average school related series. While Konata in Lucky Star is presented as a hardcore otaku with questionable morals, Itoshiki Nozomu from Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei has somehow weird understanding of very much ordinary things. Well, one's for sure - you won't get bored while watching either os these series! read more
totally random with plenty of references and parodies
Anime/manga references hidden (or popping out in your face) in each episode, but SZS has a more darker art style. Most of their characters are females, and they're both funny. Both series also center their plot around high school students, including teachers and other side characters. Oh, and Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei sometimes add a little dark comedy in the mix.
Both are slice of life comedies that parody a lot of other animes, and there are even a few Lucky Star parodies in Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.
Both seem to point out the small things in life that tend to become our habits without even noticing. Also, both have a cast of mostly girls who are quite stereotypical.
Both anime share the same style but sayonara zetsubou sensei uses a darker style of humor, both are extremely random and dosent follow a specific storyline, and both uses various parody about japanese culture.
while lucky star maybe less crazy than sayonara zetsubou sensei, they are still both very funny and revolve around school
|
|
|
It's SHAFT, it's a quirky cast, it's the same main voice actor (KAMIYA!!), it's random culture references, and it's witty/ridiculous humor everywhere. If you liked one of them, the other comedy would probably make you laugh just as much. Note: Arakawa under the Bridge has a romantic plot (Nino <3) but Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei does not.
Characters are almost the same. Feeling and tons of iuseless talks...
Almost the same humor, randomness, story (life of a guy surrounded by a bunch of weirdos) and all
Similiar in humor and randomness and lot of weird people
just replace the classroom with riverbank
The same random humor and voice actor.
Same absurd kind of humour and the main characters have a similar feel to them.
Let's not beat around the bush - Arakawa is Zetsubou Sensei with a fresh coat of paint. If you've run out of SZS and need more, you should be watching this. You might just end up liking it more.
Both are presented in quite similar style,and filled in comedy,the seiyuu of both main characters are same so if you really enjoyed the comedic expression of Ichinomiya Kou a.k.a Recruit in Arakawa,u will surely enjoyed the same from Itoshiki Nozomu in Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei.
You have to have a weird sense of humor to laugh at any of these. But if you have the right sense of humor, you won't stop laughing.
Similar humour and random out there dialogue.
Two shaft productions that uses gag comedy style of presentation. The anime are episodic, but each episode build on the character relationship. If you watch these without expecting any dramatic turn of events, you might just laugh at some random joke that they make, or appreciate some finer points about the society that the shows satirizes.
All of the characters in both anime are crazy and weird. All the situations that arise are all funny as hell. Both male protagonists are similar in having a single ideology that make up for the main theme of both the anime..
|
|
|
Theyre both about a main character that seems to think there are mass evil organizations in their lives. both of them also have a young girl trying to cure them of this
theyre both funny as hell too
Both of the male main characters are depressed and think their lives are worthless, and they both meet cheerful optimistic girls who could help them with their depression.
It has a similar mood and has the same black comedy style to it
They are equally by the two are on qestões emotional, and the two are comedies ...
Both are dealing with social issues. Also, in both main hero is introduced to a mysterious cheerful girl who's playing an important role in his life.
A young man struggles with his own issues and is forced to deal with the strange and overbearing supporting cast, mostly female, he attracts. Both series take an over-the-top approach to humour that can get quite dark at times; they're quick-paced, cynical, and rife with anime references, and the parallels between Satou's intense paranoia and Itoshiki-sensei's perpetual despair, both played for laughs, are hard to deny.
Both are dark anime that makes fun of social problems. Both makes references to other anime. The protagonist is introduced to a happy, cheerful person to try to cure their problems but the protagonist denies her help.
A similar type of dark comedy.
While NHK explores the hikikomori/otaku culture more,Zetsubo-sensei touch a lot more topics and is much more cartoonish in art style.
There is a lot of "despair" in both shows. The main character in both is eccentric, and downright strange. Zetsubou Sensei is definitely a comedy which puns different aspects of life while NHK is a very deep and sad story about an individual who doesn't know the meaning of his life. The difference is whether you are in the mood to laugh or cry.
Both have dark comedy themes such as: suicide, depression, and hikkomori/neets.
The randomness of each story adds somthing that keeps bringing you back for more. I'm sure one of the only diffrences between the two is Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei doesn't really follow a story line.
Both series employs the usage of absurd humor and other similar themes. The humor presented to the viewers in both series are considered black comedy where the main male protagonist gets himself into situations that are often peculiar.
Both series are unique and deals with phobias and social issues.
Both series literally takes Japanese culture and transforms it into a modern day phenomenon.
Both series has appealing characters that have peculiar personalities.
Both series also gives off a psychological vibe.
|
|
|
Both are made by SHAFT and have the similar air and feeling about them.
Both are comedy and the pacing is also similar. Akiyuki Shinbou directs them both.
The voice actors are the same, too.
Maria†Holic follows a main plot while Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is strong in parody slice-of-life comedy.
If you watched and liked Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei you should watch Maria†Holic.
similar style and humor. and both main characters are in "despair".
Only 2 episodes into this, I noticed it was HIGHLY similar to Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. The art styles are pretty much the same, the comedy is dark, and hysterical. Even the pictures at the very end (All drawn by different artists) are alike! If you liked Maria Holic, you will definitely LOVE Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei!
Both series are comedies done by SHAFT in similar styles. While Maria Holic has a more structured plot, it can be just as wacky as SZS. Maria Holic also parodies Nozomu's despair sequence from time to time, which SZS fans will love. I suspect that Dorm Mistress and Kafuka are related. They are eerily similar.
Both anime are awesomly done by SHAFT, and also share some voice actors.
Both are comedies with the parody element and a black sense of humour.
Both main characters are in despair.
Both are set at school and have a good, interesting cast of characters.
Both have shoujo-ai, even if in SZS they're only hints.
Both are worth watching, but Zetsubou Sensei is better.
Both are Studio SHAFT productions under the helm of Akiyuki Shinbo, which rely on fast paced gags, puns, and innuendos.
The style of comedy is similar, and some of the jokes cross over from Zetsubou-Sensei
Both series have the same producers so there are elements which are similar between the two. The comedy and the art style are basically similar.
It's been said and exhausted before, but both are fun, crack, series to watch when you're in the mood for a great comedy. Both Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and Maria Holic do not have much continuity (Maria Holic has a slight bit more, but that's not saying much), great opening themes, and a great sense of humour.
Same producer (SHAFT). Both of them are comedy, parody and school. Art is similar. The only difference is that Maria†Holic is romance and has plot.
Beyond the obviousness of their both being Shaft productions, each has a single theme that gets beaten senseless. These one-trick ponies get lost in the wilderness and well before they actually finish, each runs out of things to say. Many episodes would have benefitted from losing 5-10 minutes since much of the repetition would have been cut. Losing a few episodes would have helped the series as there were a few too many in which nothing happened -- the season finales offending most egregiously.
Typical for Shaft shows, the music is mostly interesting. The artwork is good and the characters are visually attractive.
/>
To sum the experience up... I feel like I've watched two comedy skits that were turned into feature films.
read more
The artwork and the animation is pretty much the same. Maria Holic might be a little lighter than Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, but there's numerous characters and lots of high school girls absurdities in both of them.
|
|
|
Everything is happening very fast in these 2 series, main characters are similar
Both have over-analytic protagonists who often reads FAR too much into what he's doing, perceiving, thinking, and/or deciding. Both take things a little too easy for comfort as the circumstances are HARDLY.... easy. Both of their plots are similar in nature to recognize, yet are QUITE different from, not just each other, but from others in general. Both are a blast and a fun, fun ride.
And both have some strangely interesting art.
Tatami Galaxy doesn't just have humor, it mixes it cleverly, yet still noticeably with it's own masterpiece of a plot. The character cast is SIGNIFICANTLY smaller than Zetsubou's. The main character is naive in nature, in contrast to Zetsubou's. The animation is also a touch higher too. Also(but this is fairly obvious), it's shorter and with no sequels.... as of yet.
Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei is a black comedy satire that pokes fun at almost anything and everything primarily because the main character in a mercilessly, yet hilarious light! The cast is, surprisingly, huger than many people would think. And while many of them have enough personality, they're often played for gags. And there's no overlying plot. read more
Both are dark comedies and both of the main characters are losers
Both series presents an unique way of presenting their visuals and story to the viewers; surrealism
Furthermore, the main protagonist from both series often thinks too much and about subjects that are considered absurd and strange. Yet, at the same time it is funny and entertaining with the random gags.
Both series uses word play and has very humorous dialogues that are often exaggerated and over the line.
The two series also often make fun of modern culture and other references through the usage of its dialogues and word plays. It is parody at its finest and definitely something to take an eye on.
read more
This titles would make you think 'bout sense of your life.
A similar style of animation and design, as well as having similarly fast-paced dialogue and humor. This show however, is much less humor-oriented in comparison to Zetsubou Sensei.
Art styles are alike and each are fast paced and episodic
|
Recent News
Recent Forum Discussion
|
|
