Ansatsu Kyoushitsu / First Impressions

「テストの時間」 (Tesuto no Jikan)
“Test Time”

This week’s episode made me pretty mad. Not just because it’s unfair to teach material to the rest of the school, but more generally, how screwed up this philosophy is. Sure, the system is sickeningly simplistic and easy to hate on, but the fact of the matter is that this system of ‘maximize success, discard the losers’ and ‘tests first, skills later’ makes me angry.

Right from the moment that Gakuhou Asano (Ishikawa Hideo) broke apart that Rubik’s Cube, I knew that this would be a character I would hate immensely. The very act of breaking apart a Rubik’s cube just to align it in a presentable fashion defeats the very purpose of the cube in the first place, where the user gains no skill whatsoever. The same can be said about the school system at Kunugigaoka and many schools in the real world. Teaching to a test just to pass the test defeats the purpose of education entirely–learning to pass an exam is not conducive to learning any practical or helpful knowledge, it’s just passing for the sake of appearance. Perhaps I’m going on too much of a policy rant here, but the more that I watch Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, the more I understand the popularity behind this show. Learning for the sake of tests is a terrible mode of education, without any real-life basis or chance of experimentation. I’m going to have to stop here, because there are some seriously flaws with Asano’s model that I am happy to see class 3-E victor over. Hell, I’m going to hate it when someone tries to enter the higher ranks again but get rejected, but it’ll be a blessing in disguise, since who in their right minds would want to go back to the main campus at this point?

As a consequence of this though, it seems the class of 3-E and Koro-sensei have hardened their resolve for next time, to defeat any sort of curveball that may head their way. Since only indirect methods can be employed against 3-E, such as psychological tactics and methods of deprivation, class 3-E just has to work harder and play harder than anyone else on that campus, using the great ability to think critically to their advantage, rather than spitting out answers mindlessly. What class 3-E has that the main campus doesn’t is an honest desire to improve themselves, rather than for the sake of meeting standards. Competition is involved, oh yes, but these students are much more self-fulfilled and not fueled by fear than any other student back at the campus.

This week’s episode marked a real turning point in the series, because as I said last week: the enemy is not Koro-sensei, but rather the school itself. We can be very confident that Koro-sensei is not going to blow up earth and that Asano is a force to be defeated, for the sake of future education worldwide. In a nation where high school tests are notoriously hard and overvalued, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu provides the fighting light and reform that so many people would want to see happen.

End Card

30 Comments

      4. The “Naruto” course is basically…well, everything. Because unlike the other students who are truly weak in only one or two subjects, Terasaka sucks at everything. Just like a certain orange-clad ninja.

        Hanabira.Kage
        Reply

    3. Don’t forget Korosensei also dressed up as Yako(I think) and Nougami Neuro (Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro), Ichigo (Bleach), Son Goku (Dragon Ball Z), Toriko (Toriko), and Shinsuke (Gintama) during the second one-on-one study session.

      Zhinvu
      Reply

  2. I came to realize that the whole blowing up the earth and the assassination bit is just an innocent way for Koro-Sensei to teach the class. They probably wouldn’t let him otherwise.

    sealouse
    Reply

    1. Actually, his method is “thinking outside the box”. Other examples are Alexander and the Gordian Knot, or if you prefer Captain Kirk’s solution to the Kobayashi_Maru simulation. It’s refusing to accept the rules of the game and looking for a solution that’s outside the boundaries. Often the boundaries are just assumed and not actually stated. His methods may be morally questionable but he has his reasons.

      Bear
      Reply

      2. I would have been more impressed if he solved that cube in 1 second, but what he did, especially with a screw driver, was what any frustrated person would do with a puzzle they can’t solve.

        CriticOne
        Reply

  5. Unless you were part of a really good school, I think most of us can definitely relate to this show. The best part about this show imo is easily Koro-sensei and his passion to teach and nuture his students. The lessons he teaches go way beyond passing some test, he helps them grow as people. And that’s honestly the best thing a teacher can do, but on top of this, he pushes them academically based on their own strengths and weaknesses. Like truly, the most amazing concept this anime introduced to me, was the concept of individualized tests for everyone- that, is simply incredible. Koro-sensei is the man, I’d KILL (assassinate?) to be in his class.

    Rigelin
    Reply

  6. As disgusting as the model is, it’s also sadly understandable…using a tribal mindset on the majority and give them a minority scapegoat target to focus their hatred and fear on which will keep the majority “united” and “peaceful” with one another so they don’t become “like them”.

    But, as you said, this does nothing to help those students in life after they graduate since they’ll only have passed based out of fear and appearances, not because they truly “learned” anything. A person can ace every single subject, but if they don’t know how to apply it to anything after, then what’s the point? The grades look good on paper, sure, but otherwise, it’s just words/numbers on paper. It doesn’t automatically make that person the best for a job or something.

    That’s one of the problems with “top tier” schools; they care more about how many students pass with higher grades, which translates into more money for them, but not about the students themselves. There have even been schools caught passing students through “shadow classes”, others passed through connections/money/sports/etc. If the student fails in life after they graduate from such a school, who is going to blame the school, especially if the student supposedly passed with high grades? So not only does it get them more money, but also covers them from blame if/when that student fails at life.

    As shown, E-class is basically having the assassination attempts used as a way to teach them educationally as well; if they fail an attempt, then learn from the failure and use it as a way to better themselves so their next attempt is improved and they don’t keep repeating the same mistake(s).

    HalfDemonInuyasha
    Reply

    1. But the funny thing is that most top schools/universities (at least where I come from) don’t really scapegoat students. It’s more like: you’re responsible for your own grades/career. Teachers will provide all that is necessary and perhaps more, but whether you actually try to learn is a different story.

      On a side note, if the principal was being uncooperative, could the government not just revoke the license for the institution to be considered as an educational institution?

      Actus
      Reply

  8. That teacher, the one supervising the maths test…isn’t that the teacher that ‘betrayed’ Karma. You know, the one he got suspended for beating up?? If he is, I am surprised Karma didn’t go into scary mode.

    Aki-Chan
    Reply

  11. https://randomc.net/image/Ansatsu%20Kyoushitsu/Ansatsu%20Kyoushitsu%20-%2006%20-%20Large%2015.jpg
    His reasons for being a teacher are flatly laid out.
    https://randomc.net/image/Ansatsu%20Kyoushitsu/Ansatsu%20Kyoushitsu%20-%2006%20-%20Large%2007.jpg
    The lesser of two evils always appears to be rooted more, but in Koro-sensei’s sake he is proven to be the good guy as the story proceeds.
    P.S. The screenshots with the “other” teachers are wasteful of space IMO.

    random viewer
    Reply

  14. I’ll say this much about Anasatsu Kyoushitsu. It does a first-class job of reminding you just how much our school system lags in teaching our children properly.

    Honestly, when will these people learn that when they make learning fun and engage them (Magic School Bus anyone?) – as opposed to teaching them mandated curriculums and “standards” that, for the vast majority of them, serve no relative purpose whatsoever – that they will surpass every expectation you could have for them.

    Instead we’re cutting back on field trips, classes that teach the arts and culture (which were always my favorite, hands down) and leaving it up to too many schools and communities to scrounge by on their own and, in far too many cases, to simply be shut down.

    Ryan Ashfyre
    Reply

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