Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

Works from SHAFT, such as their beloved monogatari series, often make me question how to even watch the damn thing. This absolute fever dream of an anime is like watching multiple shows, commercial breaks, fitness shows, drama/sitcom openings (no seriously, the anime contains all of these), or whatever other ADHD-fueled madness they have in store all at the same time. Its constantly changing art style which feature real-life imagery crudely slapped on top of the animation. The quick-paced cuts which force you to hover over the spacebar if you want to catch all of the little texts and gags the show has to offer. Their ... philosophical commentaries which dance between the lines of reason and absolute nonsense. It's all so jarring and yet, much like a fever dream, it all strangely makes sense.

Absolutely no one in this show is normal. The main character, Zetsubou (despair) sensei, is an extreme pessimist who uses every moment of despair as an opportunity to teach hopelessness, what he believes to be the true way of life, to his students. This is countered by one of his students who is so overly optimistic that she somehow manages to twist her teacher's 'wisdom' into something either like that of a sage/cult-leader ("NEETs are just hibernating, preparing for their glorious awakening after a long winter") or something that is just downright delusional ("There's no such thing as a coma. He's surely previewing the afterlife"). These two are probably the most sane out of the rest of the nutcases and it is hugely entertaining to watch how all of the extreme personalities interact with one another.

However, all of this started to grow stale around episode 8 as none of the characters had really developed. In fact, I felt that their unique quirks were slowly being forgotten, which made them feel more like soundboards than characters. None of them were particularly loveable either (well, maybe except for that one pure-hearted illegal immigrant child). To the show's defense, it does pick itself back up with more of its absurdist mayhem on the last two episodes, but I definitely feel that it would have been better suited as a movie, for example, than as a full-on series.

Overall, I have really enjoyed watching Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a bit of "wtf" in their lives. If you're an absolute weeb, you'll appreciate how the sheer number of references the show contains validates the countless of hours you've spent consuming anime. If you're learning Japanese, or already know the language, you'll appreciate the obsure punny Japanese literred throughout the show. You'll never know what to expect so just sit back and enjoy the ride. Be warned, however, that this is not something you should casually binge watch. To fully enjoy the experience, I'd advise taking your time and allowing yourself to process what on earth just happened; I'm gonna need some time off myself.

This anime is a rare amalgam of slapstick humor, shameless otaku pandering, all within the haze of Kafkan antimonies! Rarely have I ever I seen an author speak so honestly about such normal day-to-day circumstances through the mouthpiece of a character — the side personalities themselves are collectively an exemplar of their respective archetypes, basic to the formula of anime stereotypes; but unlike their progenitors, they orbit around the anomalous Nozomu Itoshiki, and diurnally, his perspective on the odd quirks of their cartoon world, that then manifests itself into something fresh and new: the incognizant meta-narrative! Nozomu Itoshiki more or less in a Franz Kafka ... paradox, where he doesn't realize that he, himself is a cartoon character — and instead, acts as the narrative spectator!

⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️

—Story/Characters

Before I ever picked up the anime adaptation of Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei, I was a diehard fan of the manga. I used to pick up a volume of it from library every month, shortly after the release date. The library system that I cohabited near, during that time, was in an urban dwelling, so a book request would take twenty or so borrowers before it fell into the hands of the orderer, so what I would do with this series, is request it weeks in advance — as soon as the listing was available! Reading the manga became a tradition, or a ritual of sorts for me — Nozomu Itoshiki's cooky, anecdotal view of despair made my own misgivings about certain failings of living in a lower caste seem small, with that, I was delivered from my suffering — with a swift punchline! After reading through numerous volumes, filled with Kōji Kumeta's simple yet skillful drawings, I can say that this series considerably brightened my life. Using this character as my own spokesman for a disenfranchised look at society, made some sad days fall in line!

I devoured the whole manga series as quickly as it was released, it was like a zephyr passing by so softly, but on the wings of a speedy breeze — it was marked as completed before I even realized it. So, naturally, I sought out the anime adaptation. It wasn't the same kind of incredible experience for me, but an adaptation with moving pictures and a spoken narrative never is. The anime isn't bad by any means, there are: Kenji Ōtsuki's raw vocals for the opening song, an S-tier voice cast, and a production budget that allowed Shaft to go above and beyond with their auteurist vision! It was wonderful! Save for Shaft's intimate, overly erotic shots and some awkward transitions, the anime version of "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" was probably the best that it was ever going to be!

So, what was missing? I personally believe that Itoshiki's Kafka-esque revelations are better dissolved in the reader's own introspective mind. Don't get me wrong, it was a very well-put-together production... on all fronts, but some series just aren't the same and will never be the same in a different medium! Like, I felt that Naoki Urasawa's profundity in "Monster" was lost in the anime adaptation, though the art style is very similar, you could even say it was "aped" from the source material. I ended up enjoying many of the anime-only references, too, like when the last episode had an entire skit dedicated to "Lupin III" — I would actually love to see an anime OVA with Kaere Kimura pretending to be "Fujiko Mine" and Nozomu Itoshiki in the role of "Goemon Ishikawa XIII"! That kind of mind-blowing satire would be too heavenly to ever exist!

—Technical

Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅

Akiyuki Shinbō (director), notable works:
* 3-Gatsu no Lion (series)
* Arakawa Under the Bridge (series) ✅
* Cossette no Shōzō
* Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
* Detatoko Princess
* Fate/Extra: Last Encore
* Ginga Ojō-sama Densetsu Yuna: Shin'en no Fairy ✅
* Hidamari Sketch (series)
* Katteni Kaizō
* Kōfuku Graffiti
* Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregototsukai
* Mahō Sensei Negima!: Mō Hitotsu no Sekai
* Mahō Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba
* Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅
* Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica (film series) ✅
* Maria†Holic (series) ✅
* Mekakucity Actors
* Metal Fighter Miku
* Monogatari (series) ✅
* Natsu no Arashi! (series)
* Negima?!
* Nisekoi (series)
* Ojōsama Sōsamō
* Paniponi Dash!
* Sasami-sam@Ganbaranai ✅
* Shihaisha no Tasogare
* Shin Hurricane Polymar
* Shina Dark: Kuroki Tsuki no Ō to Sōheki no Tsuki no Himegimi
* Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru
* Soreyuke! Uchū Senkan Yamamoto Yohko (series)
* Tenamonya Voyagers
* The SoulTaker: Tamashii-gari
* Triangle Heart: Sweet Songs Forever
* Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase
* Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? ("Fireworks")

Commentary: One of the most notable avant-garde anime directors to date — I tend to have a preference for his style or his focus on dutch angles with a corneal emphasis, when there's humor involved. Getting his start with adaptation of moe-game franchises (like "Galaxy Fräulein Yuna" series) makes ecchi one of the man's strong suits as well. With that being said, "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" (along with the "Monogartari" series) is the strongest franchises that Shinbo has ※adapted! Very prolific director!

※Nisekoi didn't meld as well with the absurdist, pop-surrealistic style of Shaft.

Good Seiyū Work = ✅

Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅

One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅

Hiroshi Kamiya as Nozomu Itoshiki, notable roles:
* Choromatsu Matsuno, Osomatsu-san ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kō Ichinomiya, Arakawa Under the Bridge ✅ ✅
* Mephisto Pheles, Blue Exorcist ✅
* Koyomi Araragi, Monogatari (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Edogawa Ranpo, Bungō Stray Dogs ✅ ✅
* Kōji Minamoto, Digimon: Frontier ✅
* Izaya Orihara, Durarara!! ✅
* Shinji Matō, Fate/stay night ✅
* Mikhail Blanc, Macross Frontier ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yūta Takemoto, Hachimitsu to Clover ✅ ✅
* Ittetsu Takeda, Haikyū!! ✅ ✅
* Kakushi Gotō, Kakushigoto: My Dad’s Secret Ambition
* Seijūrō Akashi, Kuroko’s Basketball ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tieria Erde, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Takeshi Natsume, Natsume Yūjin-chō ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yato, Noragami ✅
* Law Trafalgar, One Piece
* Saiki Kusuo, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. ✅ ✅ ✅
* Levi, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅ ✅

Commentary: Mr. Kamiya is a very talented actor — he specifically seems to have a talent for conveying the expressions of misanthrope's intellectual witticism. So, choosing him to be Nozomu Itoshiki, the despairing basket-case, was the best choice for the character. Mr. Kamiya fits the role like a glove, just as he fit in the roles of Koyomi Araragi ("Monogatari") and Saiki Kusuo ("The Disastrous Life of Saiki K.") — he would have even excelled at other cerebral Shaft roles, like Rei Kiriyama ("March Comes In like a Lion") and Boku ("Zaregoto"), if the chance had arisen. It's difficult to compare the character of Nozomu Itoshiki to any of Mr. Kamiya's other characters, just because the man is a special kind of specific egghead — a type of overthinking pessimist that is specific to Kōji Kumeta's imaginative inner-ramblings! The character is an incredible scion of cynicism and Hiroshi Kamiya was the right choice for the role! For sure!

Ai Nonaka as Kafuka Fūra, notable roles:
* Kanade Takatsuki, Asura Cryin'
* Binchō-tan, Binchō-tan
* Hororo, Binzume Yōsei
* Beauty, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
* Fūko Ibuki, Clannad ✅
* Mika Inamori, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! ✅
* Kana Iriya, Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu
* Tokino Akiyama, Kujibiki♥Unbalance
* Konoka Konoe, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Kyōko Sakura, Mahō Shoujo Madoka★Magica ✅ ✅
* Ichijō, Paniponi Dash!
* Rika Kagura, Platonic Chain
* HK416, Girls' Frontline ✅ ✅
* Tama Yagami, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ✅
* Hajime-chan, Shinya! Tensai Bakabon
* Shima Katase, Uchū no Stellvia
* Koyomi Morishita, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahō

Commentary: Ms. Nonoka is a ray of sunshine in her roles, she exudes a certain enigma that quickly gets consumed in a ball of flames, while also exuding wholesome and seiso (清掃, "pure") air. The character of Kafuka Fūra is as big of anomaly as her suicidal teacher, Nozomu Itoshiki — and Ms. Nonoka is able to find the sweet spot between the "Rubix cube"-type of complexity and a certain saccharine youthfulness, from her performance as Kafuka Fūra! I can't really compare any of her other roles to this one, I suppose the closest would probably be Tama Yagami ("Sasami-san@Ganbaranai"), but that character is still a mile away from Kōji Kumeta's unique vision. Excellent performance!

Marina Inōe as Chiri Kitsu, notable roles:
* Kyōko Kōda, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅
* Tsukasa Kiryu, Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka
* Chloe Morisu, Akanesasu Shōjo
* Valt Aoi, Beyblade Burst
* Momo Yaoyorozu, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Yozora Mikazuki, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai ("I Don't Have Many Friends")
* Narvi Stryze, Break Blade
* Tsubasa, Busō Shinki Moon Angel
* Ibuki, Chaos Dragon: Sekiryū Seneki
* Meguru, Chōjikū Robo Meguru
* Kakeru Todoroki, Chōsoku Henkei Gyrozetter
* Cossette d'Auvergne, Cossette no Shōzō ✅
* Ami Kawamura, Danbell Senki
* Nana, Darling in the FranXX ✅
* Tōka Yatogami, Date A Live ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tagiru Akashi, Digimon Fusion
* Chiffon Fairchild, Freezing
* Mutsuki Uehara, Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!
* Mina Tsukuda, Getsumen To Heiki Mina
* Asaemon Ikeda, Gintama
* Iba Himuro, Gokujō!! Mecha Mote Iinchō
* Haruka Nanase, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica
* Rei Miyamoto, High School of the Dead ✅ ✅
* Kirihime Natsuno, Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyō ("Dog & Scissors")
* Laura Bodewig, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅ ✅
* Natsuru Senō, Kämpfer
* Monaka Noguchi, Kite Liberator
* Inaho Enoki, Kyochū Rettō
* Sakura Mamiya, Kyōkai no Rinne (TV)
* Mio Tsuzuki, Loups=Garous
* Matsurika Shinōji, Maria†Holic ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kana Minami, Minami-ke
* Sodachi Oikura, Monogatari series ✅ ✅ ✅
* Iroha Tsuchiura, Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki ja Nai n da kara ne!! ("Because I Don't Like My Big Brother At All!!")
* Makina Sakamaki, Plastic Nee-san ✅
* Yūta Iridatsu, Punch Line
* Rio Rollins Tachibana, Rio: Rainbow Gate!
* Rebecca Randall, Seikoku no Dragonar ("Dragonar Academy")
* Tsukiumi, Sekirei
* Alicia Melchiott, Senjō no Valkyria ("Valkyria Chronicles")
* Pheles, Shakugan no Shana
* Armin Arlert, Shingeki no Kyōjin ✅ ✅
* Kyōko Mogami, Skip Beat! ✅
* Nao Midorikawa ("Cure March"), Smile PreCure ✅ ✅
* Rakuta Koga, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth ("Fantastic Detective Labyrinth")
* Yōko Littner, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann ✅ ✅
* Iku Kasahara, Toshokan Sensō ✅
* Jessica Ushiromiya, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅ ✅ ✅
* Yumiko Miura, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. ("My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU") ✅ ✅
* Shigeru Kanmuri, Yakitate!! Japan

Commentary: Ms. Inōe strikes again, with another amazing role under her belt! Despite Kafuka Fūra being the lead heroine (this is established mostly in part to her meeting the teacher first and having a polar opposite demeanor to his), Ms. Inōe's character ("Chiri Kitsu") steals the spotlight in many instances, based on her pure charisma and capricious neuroticisms. She's easily one of the most likable female leads in the show! Amazing performance!

Asuka Tanii as Kiri Komori, notable roles:
* Lulun, Futari wa PreCure: Max Heart ✅
* Farin K. Ehrlichkeit, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ✅
* Akubi, Yobarete Tobidete Akubi-chan

Commentary: I was shocked that Ms. Tanii is primarily known for pornographic roles — her expression as the shy hikkikomori, Kiri Komori, seemed to be so sweet and delicate when she was introduced in the first season of the anime. I hope that she gets more mainstream roles, her voice is so relaxing to listen to! Great job!

Asami Sanada as Matoi Tsunetsuki, notable roles:
* Kazuki Kazusano, Amaenaide yo!! ("Ah, My Buddha")
* Kurumi Tokisaki, Data A Live ✅ ✅ ✅
* Di Gi Charat, Di Gi Charat ✅ ✅ ✅
* Louis Fort Drake, Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari ✅
* Sawako Yamanaka, K-On!! ✅ ✅ ✅
* Mari Nishino, Kono Minikuku mo Utsukushii Sekai ("This Ugly Yet Beautiful World")
* Chizuko Ōe, Mahoromatic ✅
* Vita, Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kanako Miyamae, Maria†Holic ✅ ✅ ✅
* Reisuke Hōjō ("Fifth"), Mirai Nikki ✅
* Ai Kamui, Mutekiō Tri-Zenon
* Shiina Tamai, Narutaru: Mukuro Naru Hoshi Tama Taru Ko ✅
* Jun Sakurada, Rozen Maiden (series) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Jay, Wonderful Days

Commentary: The stalker character has Kurumi Tokisaki's ("Date A Live") voice? What? To be fair, she is pretty cute... for an obsessive stalker, that is. Looking at some of her major roles, she seems to be the ideal seiyū for the niche-loving otaku community! Excellent work, very funny character!

Miyuki Sawashiro as Tarō Sekiutsu, notable roles:
* Maria, Arakawa Under the Bridge ✅ ✅
* Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub, Beelzebub
* Slan, Berserk ✅ ✅
* Cassandra Jill Warlock, Black Blood Brothers
* Yomi Takanashi ("Dead Master"), Black★Rock Shooter ✅ ✅ ✅
* Canaan, Canaan ✅ ✅ ✅
* Kei Yuki, Captain Harlock ✅
* Eiha, Chaos Dragon: Sekiryū Seneki
* Tōko Fukawa, Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen
* Dalian, Dantalian no Shoka, localized as "The Mystic Archives of Dantalian" ✅ ✅ ✅
* Petit Charat, Di Gi Charat
* Celty Sturluson, Durarara!! ✅ ✅
* Aka no Saber ("Mordred"), Fate/Apocrypha ✅ ✅ ✅
* Julia Jinyu, FLCL Progressive ✅ ✅
* Yu Lan Xia, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid ✅ ✅
* Mint Blancmanche, Galaxy Angel
* Kitarō, Gegege no Kitarō (2018)
* Yuzuki Seo, Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun ✅ ✅
* Towa Akagi, Go! Princess PreCure ✅ ✅
* Reika Honjō, Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun
* Katalina Alize, Granblue Fantasy ✅ ✅
* Saeko Busujima, Highschool of the Dead
* Kurapika, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Queen Diamond, Kaitō Joker
* Kiari and Ririka Momobami, Kakegurui
* Kazune Kūjō, Kamichama Karin
* Tsugumi Aoba, Kannagi
* Ayane Yano, Kimi ni Todoke
* Himeko Inaba, Kokoro Connect
* Shinkurō Kurenai, Kure-nai
* Masazumi Honda, Kyōkaisenjou no Horizon, localized as "Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere"
* Myao Rei, Loups=Garōs
* Fujiko Mine, Lupin III ✅ ✅
* Dorm Mistress, Maria†Holic ✅ ✅ ✅
* Izuna Hatsuse, No Game No Life ✅
* Bishamon, Noragami ✅ ✅
* Aria Kurenaino, Occultic;Nine ✅ ✅
* Pudding Charlotte, One Piece ✅
* Cal Devens, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tomoe Misumi, Photokano
* Kotarō Higuchi, Pita Ten
* Kamitsure, Pokémon ✅ ✅
* Shion Karanomori, Psycho-Pass ✅ ✅
* Claire Forrest, Red Garden
* Narrator, Rokka no Yūsha
* Shinku, Rozen Maiden ✅ ✅ ✅
* Racine, Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarō, localized as "Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms" ✅ ✅
* Rita, Shingeki no Bahamut ✅
* Perrine H. Clostermann, Strike Witches ✅ ✅ ✅
* Shino Asada, Sword Art Online ✅ ✅
* Lag Seeing, Tegamibachi
* Tycho Science, Top wo Nerae 2! Diebuster ("Gunbuster 2") ✅ ✅
* Marisa Kirisame, Tōhō Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅ ✅ ✅
* Haruka Nanami, Uta no☆Prince-sama
* Arūrū, Utawarerumono ✅ ✅ ✅

Commentary: Ms. Sawashiro is one of my favorite voice actors! She's so great, she nails every role that she's assigned to. Maria is like Pedro ("Excel♥Saga"), an illegal immigrant that's moral and legal legitimacy is the impetus of her existence, but despite how that may not fly well with our modern day sensibilities on the matter, Ms. Sawashiro is able to give the character her own, unique charm and respectability! Incredible work, as always!

Ryōko Shintani as Nami Hitō, notable roles:
* Lamp, Ai Mai! Moe Can Change!
* Hinata Sugai, Amaenaide yo!! ("Ah, My Buddha")
* Rihoko Sakurai, Amagami SS
* Tetsurō Tetsujin, Arakawa Under the Bridge ✅ ✅
* Milfeulle Sakuraba, Galaxy Angel ✅ ✅
* Sae, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅
* Himeko Tsubaki, Himesama Goyōjin
* Sakura Akagi, Koi-ken!: Watashitachi Anime ni Nacchatta!
* Yūno Hōzoki, Kure-nai
* Rinka Suzuki, Love Get Chu
* Hitomi Shizuki, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅ ✅
* Yuri Inuwashi, Mahō Shōjo Taisen
* Aoi Senō, Mai-Otome
* Konomi Fujimiya, Non Non Biyori ✅
* Rachel Benning, Red Garden
* Chihiro Furuya, Sankarea ✅
* Shingen Takeda, Sengoku Collection
* Garnet, SOS TV Walpurgis Night Fever
* Hirano Hasegawa, Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
* Haruhi Inohara, W: Wish

Commentary: Ms. Shintani is cast as Nami Hitō, the girl that is normal for the sake of being normal, despite wanting to be different, but after her attempts to break the mold, she just exposes herself as more of a normie than she was originally thought to be. The choice for Ms. Shintani as this type of character seems like meta-humor, because she is KNOWN for playing the normal-girl type of character: Sae ("Hidamari Sketch"), Hitomi Shizuki ("Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica"), and Konomi Fujimiya ("Non Non Biyori") are just a few examples! Shaft goes above and beyond to be witty, it seems! Captivating performance!

Chiwa Saito as Meru Otonashi, notable roles:
* Konoha Inōe, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Yona, Akatsuki no Yona ✅ ✅
* Aika S. Granzchesta, Aria the Animation
* Schierke, Berserk (2016) ✅ ✅ ✅
* Miina, Brave Story
* Sigyn Erster, Break Blade
* Paya Livingston, Dai Mahō Tōge ✅ ✅
* Yuki Saegusa, Dance in the Vampire Bund
* Aoi Asahina, Danganronpa 3 ✅ ✅
* Neneko Izumi, DearS
* Nanoha, Double Circle
* Chloe von Einzbern, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya ✅ ✅
* Kirie Kojima, Girls Bravo
* Inugami, Gugure! Kokkuri-san ✅ ✅
* Tatenashi Sarashiki, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅ ✅
* Chroniko, Kaiba ✅ ✅ ✅
* Tama Hitotsubashi, Kamichu!
* Chitan Tsubōchi, Katte ni Kaizō
* Kemeko, Kemeko Deluxe!
* Natsumi Hinata, Keroro
* Kokoro, Kokoro Toshokan
* Riko Aida, Kuroko no Basket ✅ ✅
* Lavie Head, Last Exile ✅ ✅ ✅
* Nureha, Log Horizon ✅ ✅ ✅
* Subaru Nakajima, Mahō Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS ✅ ✅
* Homura Akemi, Mahō Shoujo Madoka★Magica ✅ ✅ ✅
* Louise Halvey, Kidō Senshi Gundam 00
* Hitagi Senjōgahara, Monogatari (series) ✅ ✅
* Ayame Akimo, Mōsō Kagaku Series: Wandaba Style
* Nancy Lee, Ninja Slayer From Animation
* Adele Roland, Nishi no Yoki Majo: Astraea Testament
* Rebecca Miyamoto, Paniponi Dash!
* Anita King, R.O.D -The TV- ✅ ✅
* Kotori Kanbe, Rewrite ✅
* Komachi, Samurai 7
* Tsurugi Yagami, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ✅ ✅ ✅
* Chihiro Uomi, Seitokai Yakuindomo
* Imu, Senran Kagura ✅
* Mao, Shining Teas X Wind
* Honoka Mutsu, Stella Jogakuin Kōtō-ka C³-bu
* Francesca Lucchini, Strike Witches ✅ ✅ ✅
* Hazuki, Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase ✅
* Tenko, Ueki no Hōsoku
* Futaba Yoshinaga, Yoshinaga-sanchi no Gargoyle
* Miku Miyama, Zettai Shōnen

Commentary: Ms. Saito is really funny as Meru Otonashi, even though the character expresses herself mostly thorough one-liners after her cellphone is tragically taken away from her! Despite the lack of actual lines, her noises and single-word expressions are incredibly revealing! Awesome performance!

Miyu Matsuki as Fujiyoshi Harumi, notable roles:
* Hisui, Carnival Phantasm ✅ ✅ ✅
* Natsumi Yagami, Chō Henshin Cosplayers
* Flora, Claymore ✅ ✅
* Magical Sapphire, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya ✅ ✅
* Choppy, Futari wa PreCure ✅
* Cthuko, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san ✅
* Isumi Saginomiya, Hayate no Gotoku!!
* Yoshinoya, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅
* Kisa Misaki, Kagi Hime Monogatari: Eikyū Alice Rondo ("Eternal Alice")
* Asami Igarashi, Mezzo DSA ✅
* Hitomi Onodera, Shichinin no Nana ("Nana 7 of 7")
* Anna Nishikinomiya, Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai ("A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist") ✅
* Shōko Hazama, Sōkyū no Fafner: Dead Aggressor ✅
* Hikari Konohana, Strawberry Panic ✅
* Kumi Tanaka, Yurumates

Commentary: Who ever thought that a fujoshi character could ever be this cute? Oh wait, there's Watashi ga Motete Dōsunda ("Kiss Him, Not Me"), too, isn't there? Well anyway, Ms. Matsuki does a really good job at making the character of Fujiyoshi Harumi both wildly dysfunctional and likable, all at the same time! Her role in "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" is comparable to her performances as Hisui ("Carnival Phantasm") because of the deadpan, slapstick humor aspect to her character — and Yoshinoya ("Hidamari Sketch"), another hopeless eccentric that is very easy to become attached to! Fantastic work!

Yūko Gotō as Abiru Kobushi, notable roles:
* Miyu Shiratori, AIka Zero
* Anya Alstreim, Code Geass (series) ✅
* Rein, Fushigiboshi no☆Futagohime
* Susanna Hopkins, Genshiken ✅
* Hiro, Hidamari Sketch ✅ ✅
* Miyu Kuonji, Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de
* Nanami Konoe, Lamune
* Miu Nekoya, Lovedol: Lovely Idol
* Junko Kaname, Mahō Shoujo Madoka★Magica ✅ ✅
* Yukie Mayuzumi, Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!
* Hiyori Hayasaka, Mizuiro (2003)
* Mayu Matsukaze, Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!?
* Bell Zephr, Night Wizard
* Chachamaru, Nyanpire the Animation
* Naru Ōtori, Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai: Under the Innocent Sky.
* Menace, Queen's Blade ✅ ✅
* Cutie Tonko, Ramen Tenshi Pretty Menma
* Kaede Fuyō, Shuffle! ✅ ✅
* Avril, Shukufuku no Campanella
* Hikari Hanazono, Special A
* Mikuru Asahina, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūtsu ✅ ✅ ✅
* Riannon, Tears to Tiara ✅
* Yuzuki Iori, Yotsunoha

Commentary: Ms. Gotō as Abiru Kobushi is both sultry flirt and a fiercely cute kūdere; she has a moe gap point where she looks like she's been beaten to death (coming to school with Rei Ayanami casts and eyepatches), but really, she just really likes grabbing animals by the tail. Beautiful voice, and excellent work with the character!

Saori Gotō as Ai Kaga, notable roles:
* Sharlene Chen, Cardfight!! Vanguard
* Plue and Meredy, Fairy Tail ✅
* Soako Andō, Hatsukoi Limited: Gentei Shōjo
* Sharna Alamgir, Hayate no Gotoku
* Hanzō Hattori, Hyakka Ryōran
* Kukuru Anrakutei, Joshiraku
* Yayoi Asuka, Koi Koi 7
* Yuzuru Inamori, Maria†Holic ✅
* Keiko, Minami-ke
* Setsuna, Needless
* Haruno Shiozaki, One Off ✅
* Otoha Takanashi, Pretty Rhythm
* Yui Tsukishima, Rakugo Tennyo Oyui
* Barasuishō, Rozen Maiden (series) ✅ ✅
* Sukoya Kokaji, Saki (series) ✅ ✅
* Mirai, Senran Kagura ✅
* Nao Sadatsuka, Shokugeki no Sōma ✅
* Karen Sonomiya, Sky Girls
* Moeka Kiryū, Steins;Gate ✅ ✅
* Kochō Kikusaka, Taishō Yakyū Musume.
* Inko, Toradora! ✅
* Rise Matsumoto, Yuru Yuri (series) ✅ ✅

Commentary: The other Ms. Gotō does a great job at making Ai Kaga's constant apologies less of an annoyance, and more of an organic part of the comedy routine! Her neuroticism and finicky nature is similar to her role as Moeka Kiryū ("Steins;Gate")! Great actress!

Yū Kobayashi as Kaere Kimura, notable roles:
* Nice Holystone, Baccano!
* Danma Kūsō, Bakugan Battle Brawlers
* Sara, Crystal Blaze
* Tadamichi Aoba, Dan Dō!!
* Mahiru Koizumi, Danganronpa ✅
* Noi, Dorohedoro ✅ ✅
* Yū, Dōbutsu no Mori ("Animal Crossing")
* Ryoko Kakei, Dragonaut: The Resonance
* Enkidu, Fate/Grand Order ✅ ✅
* Clain Necran, Fractale
* Ayame Sarutobi, Gintama ✅✅✅
* Mahiru Oki, Happy Seven: The TV Manga
* Hiroshi Haneda, Higepiyo
* Emika Matsumoto, High Score
* Satoshi Honjō, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ✅
* Matabei Gotō, Hyakka Ryōran
* Ranmaru Kirino, Inazuma Eleven Go
* Tsuchinoko, Kemono Friends ✅
* Ryōta Satō, Kyō no 5 no 2 (TV)
* Setsuna Sakurazaki, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Shizuku Ashū, Mahō Shōjo Ikusei Keikaku ✅
* Cynthia B. Rogers, One Off
* Hiroshi Kuzumi, Ōkami Kakushi
* Sigui, Queen's Blade ✅
* Ryō Sengoku, Rakugo Tennyo Oyui
* Misaki Hijiri, Saint October
* Yumi Kajiki, Saki ✅✅
* Lala Gonzalez, School Rumble
* Naruko Yokoshima, Seitokai Yakuindomo
* Katsuragi, Senran Kagura ✅✅
* Sasha Blouse, Shingeki no Kyojin ✅✅
* Konatsu, Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ✅✅
* Rio Kazumiya, So Ra No Wo To
* Shuhei Aizawa, Soul Link
* Ruka Urushibara, Steins;Gate ✅✅
* Miss X, Tiger Mask W ✅✅
* Inahime, Tono to Issho: Gantai no Yabō
* Nagomi Yashi, Tsuyokiss
* Kanon, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅✅
* Kae Serinuma, Watashi ga Motete Dōsunda
* Lia Dragonell, World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin
* Undine, Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san.
* Cathy, Yū☆Gi☆Ō! Zexal
* Peco, Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-nin no Ōji-sama: Short Stories

Commentary: Ms. Kobayashi is insanely talented at her craft, she even was cast Pipimi (one of them) in "Pop Team Epic" and as one of Eucliwood Hellscythe's many voices in "Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?"! Because of her magnetic, full of personality appeal — Kaere Kimura is one of the more charming, bishōjo heroines! I would compare her work in "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" to her performances as Katsuragi ("Senran Kagura") and Ayame Sarutobi ("Gintama") — intensely enigmatic and coquettish in her approach to her attraction towards Nozomu Itoshiki! Amazing work!

Akiko Yajima as Chie Arai and Rin Itoshiki, notable roles:
* Anna Respighi, Battle Athletess Daiundoukai ✅✅
* Diva, Blood+ ✅
* Mari Wakatake, Blue Drop: Tenshi-tachi no Gikyoku
* Luna Kozuki, Casshern Sins ✅
* Shinnosuke Nohara, Crayon Shin-chan ✅✅
* Kyoko Okonogi, Dennō Coil ✅✅
* Dolly, DT Eightron
* Lector, Fairy Tail ✅
* Tsubasa Shiina and Figure 17, Figure 17: Tsubasa & Hikaru
* Earl Tyrant and Chobi, Final Fantasy: Unlimited ✅
* Niboshi and Natsumi, Fushigi Mahō Fun Fun Pharmacy
* Mipple, Futari wa PreCure ✅
* Asumi Kamogawa, Futatsu no Spica ✅
* Chūta, Gamba: Gamba to Nakama-tachi
* Haydée Tebelin, Gankutsuō ✅✅✅
* Kintoki, Garo: Guren no Tsuki
* Takami Sakuragi, Geobreeders (series)
* Ayumi Himekawa, Glass no Kamen (2005) ✅✅✅
* Kū, Haibane Renmei ✅✅✅
* Paffy Pafuricia, Haō Taikei Ryū Knight
* Sara Cosette, Heppoko Jikken Animation Excel♥Saga ✅
* Eriko Tamura, Idol Densetsu Eriko
* Yura and Kohaku, InuYasha ✅✅✅
* Ken'ichi Ōyama, Jungle Taitei: Yūki ga Mirai wo Kaeru
* Access Time, Kamikaze Kaitō Jeanne
* Rangiku Ayawatari, Karakuri no Kimi
* Relena Peacecraft, Mobile Suit Gundam Wing ✅
* Kogitsune, Natsume Yūjinchō ✅✅
* Akiyo, Ōkii 1 Nensei to Chiisana 2 Nensei
* Koharu Hotta, Princess Nine: Kisaragi Joshikō Yakyūbu
* Chinami Ōse, Seraphim Call ✅
* Yugi, Shin Tenchi Muyō! ("Tenchi in Tokyo") ✅✅
* Miyako Komaguso, Shinreigari
* Akki, Shinsekai yori ✅✅
* Don, Shiranpuri (Movie)
* Lesser Panda ("Red Panda"), Shirokuma Cafe ✅
* Mitsuru Tsuwabuki, Shōjo Kakumei Utena ✅
* Mai Waku, Sono Kinisasete yo: My My Mai
* R. Dorothy Wayneright, The Big O ✅✅✅
* Cis, Tiger & Bunny ✅✅✅
* Themis, Uchū Densetsu Ulysses 31
* Kintoki, Usuzumizakura: Garo
* Anita, Vampire Hunter ("Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge") ✅✅
* Ame-warashi, xxxHOLIC
* Sally Yoshinaga, Yūsha Tokkyū Might Gaine

Commentary: Ms. Yajima is very famous in the field of voice work, and her performances as both Chie Arai and Rin Itoshiki are both refined, elegant, and intellectual. Perfect casting choice!

Overall, "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" is a satirical bonanza — full of color, aesthetic, and schadenfreude towards the whimsical dismay of its beau idéal: Itoshiki-senpai. He is not my teacher, but furthermore, a senpai in pessimism. Like an even-sided scale, it shows both the rose-tinted romanticism and harsh realism of his perception of pure skepticism, while he cultivates a devoted, cult-like harem in the process! Nozomu Itoshiki is the Gregor Samsa of the anime world and Kafuka Fūra ("Kafka") is his unraveling, writing him into his own paradoxical oblivion! Maybe that was too deep for what this show really was, but this anime is a pretty good adaptation regardless of that (although, I preferred the manga's anecdotal chapter-by-chapter framework), I give "Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei" (Season One) a solid 6/10!

Rating: ★★★☆☆

I often have a troubled history with slice of life anime. It is often my least favorite genre of anime but I'm always willing to give the genre a chance just on the off chance I find a slice of life anime that I actually like which can happen albeit not very often. Slice of life anime can often delve into many subcategories such as romance, school life, or the daunting tasks that perpetuate our daily lives. However this anime abandons many of the typical tropes of slice of life anime and focuses on complete and utter zaniness in order to be entertaining. Unfortunately it ... doesn't really work although the anime has given me it's share of laugh out loud moments just based on the most randomized craziness when you least expect it. Sometimes finding something to laugh at with each and every episode isn't enough to make this anime completely enjoyable because it's often bombarded by it's nonsensical approach to trying to tell a story if you can really call it that.

The story of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei focuses on a teacher by the name Nozomu Itoshiki who is constantly depressed and is fixated on despair because he's goes out of his way to find the negative out of each and every situation he is put in and to make matters worse he is responsible for teaching a class with students who the most part exhibit incredibly weird personality quirks that contribute to the randomized craziness that this anime exemplifies. These quirks can range anywhere from a girl who has a sickeningly sweet positive attitude over any scenario, a girl who writes sends toxic demeaning messages to her friends through her phone, a to a girl that lives in isolation such as closets and other lonely spaces. The majority of this anime focuses on his interactions with many of the female students in his class and for the first half of the series we have plot-lines if you can really call it that focuses on each of the girl's weird personality quirks often times two of the female characters in one episode.

The anime in itself doesn't really have a plot per se. It often feels like a grab bag of mixing as many asinine anime tropes and parodies as you can possible fit into a twelve episode anime. I would like to think that if you wanted to be entertaining, a concept like this could work but often times a lot of the jokes fall flat but I don't really blame the anime in of itself on that - I often blame my interpretation of it because often times I kept saying to myself I don't get it. The moments of pure hilarity were pretty much based on random unexpected visual comedic cues rather than funny and sharp witted dialogue. Besides the quirks from many of the female characters in the series, many of the episodes look at aspects of japanese culture from cultural school events, doujinshi, and summer festivals while taking silly aspects and amplifying it to an absurd degree.

The anime has too many cut away gags and I don't find them entertaining but often times I find it aggravating. It seems like there are hidden jokes scattered throughout the entire anime but they blow by so quickly it's hard to even gravitate towards what is being presented to you. We even have scenes where we have pictures of a bald headed gentlemen that randomly show up which I can only assume is the creator of the series or a possible animator but I feel like it's one of those anime where if you don't have any knowledge of the source material then it can be very hard to enjoy.

All the episodes feel incredibly self contained without any natural progression of an overall story and for the most part none of the characters are particularly enjoyable or relatable. The animation is adequate, but the opening and ending songs are not very memorable. I think one of the biggest problems I have with it is that the anime opening and some scenes have a very awkward and unwelcoming perversion to it that comes across as incredibly off putting but thankfully the scenes are incredibly brief and it gets into the zany comedic antics pretty quickly with each episode.

There are some episodes that tend to be enjoyable such as the main character trying to avoid an arranged marriage in which he has to marry the girl that he makes eye to eye contact with and there is an episode where the main male character has to deal with a school girl stalker that won't leave him alone which often leads to hilarious results.

Overall, it's an anime that probably has a much better appeal to teenagers and young adults but to me it's a tired exercise in mediocrity by trying too many random things in order to extract a laugh from the viewer which often leads to mixed results.