Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei

I can see why most people liked this anime, but it’s not my cup of tea.
The first few episodes made me laugh due to the absurdity and the character introductions. At episode 9 I really felt like dropping the series but in the end I do like the fact that I watched it all.

Art (7/10): The art is very good at first, the surroundings were drawn in a way that I felt like it could be real. However other animations are also introduced, I liked some of them, I really disliked others. There’s also this bald guy popping up every now and then. I guess ... it’s supposed to be funny but I really can’t look at the guy’s face (though I have to admit I have a strong dislike for beards, being bald and having a beard makes my dislike even greater).

Episodes were often interfered by short little weird movies. Yes, I guess you could consider those funny, but they didn’t make me laugh. Actually they rather confused me.

Story (-/10): absent.

Sound (8/10): The music did not fit my personal taste, but it did fit in the anime and it’s animation. So yes, the sound is good for the series it is used in. One of the things that did made me laugh (out loud) were the little happy sounds that seemed to accompany Kafuka Fuura. I only noticed those little happy sounds in the first few episodes though.

Characters (9/10): Characters are all introduced in an unique way. Their way of living brings along some complications, but that makes it interesting. I liked the characters of Kafuka and Maria, but Kafuka seems to lose her optimism as the episodes pass (similar to the loss of pessimism of Itoshiki) and Maria eventually scared me. But being able to say that means the characters are pretty well set up. Each of the characters is intriguing in its own way.

Enjoyment (5/10): the anime did have a nice and unique style, but for me, personally, the absurdity didn’t manage to keep me interested. I believe that I am not “open-minded” enough to truly like this series. Also I am probably too simple-minded. The anime seems to be criticizing itself a lot, but instead of thinking of that as funny I totally agreed with the critique. I also would have liked the series more if it at least had a basic storyline.

Overall score = 6 (However I’d give the first few episodes a 7)

Even though I didn’t really enjoy the series, I do believe you should give it a chance. You might like it, you might not. You’ll never know for sure if you don’t watch!

Im sure there are lots of people who would enjoy an anime such as this and unfortunately I am not one of those people.

There are always people who feel like dying and would go so far as to write a note or go to the top of the building or prepare to hang themselves. These people usually aren't serious, those who are, are first of all cowards and stupid. They believe that it takes courage to die however, they are wrong... It takes courage to live.

Now after sharing that with you let me say that this anime was rather boring for me. I king of ... forced myself wo watch two episodes a day just to finish it.

From the first episode you can see this anime had a lot of potential but I don't think they used it properly. The whole thing is basically about a teacher trying to repeatedly find an excuse to kill himself and without serious intent.

They only thing that I found remotely funny would be "IM IN DESPAIR". This phrase is what got me into this anime in the first place.

There is no story mainly because it is a 'slice of life' anime.
The art was good but for me it wasn't great.
The voice actors are again descent but not great.
Nozomu was the only character I liked.
I didn't really enjoy this anime all too much.

If you are a fun of comedy try this a recommend it however, if you hate soft, gentle comedy then avoid it. If you are someone who needs something strong to make you laugh then this is a no no. The comedy level here is rather weak. It's nowhere near compared to 'Gintama'.

I hope you found this review helpful :)
Feedback greatly appreciated

Story: 3/10
Art: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Character: 5/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Overall: 5/10

Story: 1/10
There is no story.

Art: 6/10
Pretty ordinary, but I did like it's contrasting colour-scheme and character design. Not bad.

Sound: 3/10
Nothing special, the voice actors worked with what they had I suppose. They did their job well. The music was terrible and unbefitting of situations, as if the creator were purposely making a mockery of it's own soundtrack. Eh, it was kind of funny for the first few episodes guys, but you can stop now. I know this anime is a joke.

Characters: 3/10
There was no development, you never really found anything out about them. As for Zetsubo himself, he's the only character you gain any real ... insight into, but it's not nearly enough to paint a proper picture of a man. The only thing of interest here is obviously his tendancy to think the worst of every situation, and his quickness to try and end his own life.

Enjoyment: 6/10
Pretty enjoyable to watch, it has a charm in it's dialogue unbeknowst to a lot of other anime. The energetic teens coupled with the melancholic tones of their sensei makes for an interesting backdrop to an overall dull experience. Plus there's a few honest laughs in there, and the fan-service is sure to keep males with a thing for schoolgirls at least half-interested in the going-ons.

Overall: 5/10
The tale of the dissatsified teen is one I feel has been told too much, and make no mistake, that's what Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei is. Under it's guise of sensei/ pupil monotony, lies an even less meaningful status quo, a simplistic harem of day to day nonsense mixed with the melancholy of a late bloomer. Yes, for all it's praise, and the breaking of the fourth wall by making fun of itself every two minutes, all this anime amounts to is a silly harem full of nonsensical garbage. Although having a quaint charm in it's dialogue, overall the anime itself felt like nothing special, something I'd seen before. Something you take a look at, and think, "haha, that is how some people are these days" then shake your head and move on. But maybe, I was missing something? The only reason I kept watching after the first episode was to find out more about the characters, because they are, apparently, what makes this anime... I was disappointed. It's absurd to say character development is even existent in this series. Each episode is literally dedicated to one character a piece, out of this class' band of misfits, and yet, I still failed to learn anything of worth about a single one of them? They weren't characters at all, they were designed to be character stereotypes, and each episode was another writers' handful of pet-peeves they had concerning each one, sprinkled in with some typical slice-of-life humour and panty-shots of course. It left me wondering, how could people I know have eaten this hipster shit up like a giant bag of frosted dickcakes, and then gone back for more each week with the stains of their pevious shame still adorning their neckbeards? But then I realised I had answered my own question.

I'll leave it there because that's pretty much all I have to say about Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei, and I think it's quite apt to leave on my main point. It contains nothing of consequence. Absolutely nothing. For all it's 'contraversial' nature and 'quirky' characters, it will leave you wanting. Wanting something of substance, not another dick-flavoured cupcake.

You'll like it if you enjoy the slice-of-life genre avidly, if you don't really watch much of that, then you'll hate it. You'll hate it more than cupcakes that taste like dick.

If there's anything Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei does well, its presentation.

Firstly, the premise is one that's objectively funny and cute. In this surreal comedy, the main character is a miserable, pessimistic high school teacher, but despite that, he still manages to bond with his eccentric and weird students and be a good teacher to them, aided by the deuteragonist: a teenage girl in his class with all of the world's joy and whimsy in her heart.

That premise lends itself well to an absurdist comedy, and as an absurdist comedy, SZS is certainly successful. Its comedic timing is perfect and a lot of the jokes are genuinely ... quite funny. On top of that, the art style is particularly notable for being clean, stylized, and unique, also lending itself well to the premise.

However, the longer you watch, the more you realize there hardly seem to be any men in this class, and a weirdly large amount of the jokes are about the teenage girls wanting to know their teacher biblically, and the anime's true colors start to show.

I mean, the OP features all of these high school girls strung up in bondage gear and in pretty explicit positions with each other, so it's really a case of "disappointed but not surprised" if anything. The worst part is that the very simplified, flat art style, while gorgeous, gives enough plausible deniability for the "artistic depiction" defense when its pretty clear what's really going on here.

And the odd power fantasy element of the story is just weird and distracting. In my opinion, the comedy would work much better without it, and it leaves me with this unshakable feeling of discomfort as I watch. The ending of the manga really encapsulates this, essentially being the payoff after all of the build up regarding the behavior of the female characters, but I won't spoil it. All I will say is that it was enough to make me not want to continue the series.

There's also a lot of suicide comedy in this show, which I don't find funny, but comedy is subjective so YMMV.

Overall, a disappointment.

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is a mediocre, second-rated, average series that regardless of the satisfactory qualities this show offers it is impossible to give such an ordinary anything more than 5/10.

Courtesy of Jason Severs' Fried Chicken will always taste like Courtesy of Jason Severs' Fried Chicken so long as the same oil, temperature, time, pan, stove, deep-fryer, bowl, flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, buttermilk is used. Of course there's also gravity, ounces/grams, amount of particles, environment, one's proficiency, and more. But you get what I mean?

A mediocre show cannot become more than mediocre with mediocre story, art, sound, and ... character. It's like adding a drop of water into the ocean. As there's barely any change we presume that there are no changes as the change affects nothing of magnificent or noticeable scale at all.

I don't really know why I don't appreciate Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei like many other reviewers. Perhaps because I'm no longer in the mood for comedy but I force myself to watch more? Eh. I don't think so. All in all I would probably say that if you want to spend a big chunk of hours watching a mediocre comedy show with your good ol' shaft animation and art then Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is perfect for you. Otherwise go away.

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: ★★★☆☆