Assassination Classroom (affectionately referred to as 'AssClass' by some) is probably one of the more notable shōnen manga of the 2010's, and for good reason. With a strong narrative supported by strong character development and a consistent quality of art, Assassination Classroom has made its mark in the market.

[Story - 9]

The premise alone is rather unique: A follow-the-class-through-the-school-year story with a covert-operation-to-kill-the-superhuman twist, the 2 concepts surprisingly blend together well and boost each other up when needed. While the beginning is admittedly slow + the presence of some occasional filler in the first half, the pace is rather consistent, with each arc having some form of tension/payoff/consequence that is emotionally satisfying in their own way. The ending arc is /extremely/ fulfilling, yet bittersweet, and was worth the investment of time.

The themes are naturally school-related, such as the 'right' way to educate and the bond between classmates, but also have a mix of action themes (the lives of many vs. the lives of one + the impact of a life in violence). There is plenty of shōnen-type comedy (slapstick + ecchi) found in the manga (right up to the end!), but the comedy also serves to frame the melodramatic moments in a fitting light. All, if not almost all, of the questions the reader may have are answered with a satisfying explanation, and have enough foreshadowing to warrant a re-read to see the cleverness.

[Art - 8]

The art may appear rather simplistic at first, but upon further reading, brings out more enjoyment in the story. The various background details (typically tongue-in-cheek) and shading palettes are appealing enough, but character design reigns here.

The design of Korosensei (the protagonist and mascot) alone is enough, but Matsui takes it further by showcasing the various facial expressions, colours, and shapes he can take on (whether for comedy, melodrama, or both). The 3 'star' students (Nagisa, Karma, Kaede), the various other teachers (Karasuma, Irina), the major antagonists, and /some/ of the supporting cast in the classroom all have their own distinctive designs; Unfortunately, the rest do not sport such qualities and are typically adorned in the private school's uniform. The rest of the characters (such as the various assassins) have typically realistic designs, with not much to be said there.

[Character - 7]

While there is one (but noticeable) flaw in some characters, it can be outweighed by the sheer uniqueness of the rest. Korosensei easily takes the cake here, with an endearing 'cheerily intelligent pervert' (for lack of a stronger description) characterization that hides a lot more depth (which is shown at a crucial point). He is easily likeable, between the various antics he is involved in and the heartwarming amount of love he has for his students.

The 3 'star' students each shine in their own way which, to avoid spoilers, can be summed up as this: Nagisa hides a darker self behind a meek-cute mask while searching for purpose, Karma's ambition comes into conflict with his chaotic behaviour, and Kaede's conflict....well, that has to be seen in the manga. Karasuma and Irina contrast each other nicely, and are able to stand alone (though Irina has more of these moments). While they may not be as relevant to the plot as Korosensei and the kids, they are definitely major players and deserve recognition for what they contribute (especially in the 'God of Death/Shinigami' arc).

The 4 (initially 5, but you shall see why) antagonists are captivating: Chairman Asano demands the best from everyone possible and can stand his own same ground against Karasuma and Korosensei, Shiro is a man cloaked both physically and contextually but always comes prepared, Takaoka is hellbent on revenge after causing his own downfall, and the 'God of Death/Shinigami' is easily the most physically distinctive (and terrifying) of the 4. The 'lost fifth' antagonist appears rather early on, and while does not have much development devoted to them outside of having the lead role in an arc, is rather intriguing to both see and read.

The flaw mentioned at the beginning, however, did hamper some of the experience. It was the extensive cast: with 28 students in the class, 3 full-time teachers, a whole
campus of teachers and students, and various other figures, it was natural for some to be underdeveloped. However, when it comes to some of the classmates in Class-E, it is most noticeable. Outside of an occasional 'character-of-the-week' chapter in the first half of the manga, they tend to just fill in panel space or serve as comedic actors. The main campus teachers and students (save for several in Class-A) are typical 'we-hate-them-because-they-suck-despite-actually-being-talented' types. and the various assassins are edgy goons. This flaw, however, is partially remedied by the collective development of the class as a whole group. This is most noticeable after a schism occurs in the class (and is addressed in a fitting all-out battle), and ties back into the theme of 'classmate bonding'.

[Enjoyment/Overall - 8]

Despite some nitpicking, I found this manga to be rather enjoyable! It had just the right blend of comedy and drama, solid pacing despite a rough beginning, and unique characterization and design to make this a rather fun read. While I wouldn't call this a favourite, it's not because its flaw(s), but rather just a 'personal thing' and I appreciate having fully read it. I highly recommend it if you want a subversive school shōnen with plenty of action and laughs, but with the capacity for rumination and melodrama.