(This review was supposed to be published on Seventhstyle and was even submitted there. But unfortunately, Seventhstyle died before this review could get published. Since that isn't happening anytime soon, I felt like it would be a waste if this review just gets deleted especially after I spent so much time on it. So, here it is. In the event that Seven changes his mind and brings back SS and this review gets published there (which is highly unlikely) I'll remove this review from here)
Episode 22 marks the end of the exciting Assassination Classroom making for a spectacular grand finale, this time not ending on a cliffhanger making for a less painful wait for season two.
AssClass has been brilliant throughout, both when serious and non-serious. They've kept their seriousness intact in this final arc where they've been firing on all cylinders. This last episode keeps the intensity high throughout most of the episode. The danger is more real than ever as Nagisa is really in danger of getting killed at the hands of Takaoka. This is the most dangerous situation these kids have faced so far. Even Koro-sensei can't see how things will end as he tell Karasuma to be vigilant and shoot Takaoka without hesitating if Nagisa gets into too much danger.
Nagisa had previously picked up a knife with the intention of killing Takaoka. He was boiling with anger and had become a completely different person. Terasaka knocks some sense into him as he throws his electric taser at the kid. Nothing Terasaka and Koro-sensei tell Nagisa to calm down and think straight. Takaoka isn't worth killing. It will only get his hands dirty. Koro-sensei tells Nagisa to use the taser and shock Takaoka and finish the deed.
But Nagisa has a different plan in mind. He fixes the stun gun in his belt and fights Takaoka with the knife alone. Despite having lost his mind, Takaoka still has the skills of a monster. While in battle mode, Nagisa doesn't have a chance to catch him off guard as the man's defenses are just too strong. As a result, Nagisa gets beat up bad. Everyone else is furious and Karma is about to join in, but Terasaka still has faith in Nagisa.
That's when Nagisa puts his plan into action. Previously when Lovro showed up before the trip to give the kids a few pointers, he taught Nagisa a surefire way to get his opponent. This is an ideal situation for Nagisa since all three required conditions are filled here as Nagisa has two weapons, a knife and a stun gun, and Takaoka is a pro who had come close to death during their previous encounter.
Being a considerable distance away from Takaoka, Nagisa slowly approaches looking more badass than Karma would ever be. When he gets close enough, he drops the knife. Takaoka's eyes are fixed on the falling knife so he doesn't know what Nagisa has in store for him. Once again, Nagisa catches the bastard off guard as he claps with a loud enough noise to stun Takaoka. Nagisa immediately moves in with the taser and gets his enemy.
Because of Takaoka, Nagisa did learn the value of friends as Terasaka called outside when he needed it. Because of this bastard, Nagisa also learned that his bloodlust should be controlled and not allowed to let loose. He feels the need to thank the piece of lowlife and with a smile on his face, he finishes the job with the stun gun at Takaoka's neck.
With Takaoka done for and not enough antidote left, 3-E faces another problem. Karasuma decides to go get the poison maker so that he fixes this problem, but the three hired assassins show up on their own to give the kids the good news. Whatever the kids were given, wasn't actually a deadly virus. The kids only got an enhanced version of food poisoning. They will get back to normal on their own after a day or so. He even gives the kids some medicine to enhance their recovery.
The three aren't here to avenge their boss – that wasn't part of their contract. They're here to show that professional assassins aren't greedy monsters who would do anything for money. They have their reputation on the line. They choose the best course of action depending on the situation at hand. The three could've done exactly as Takaoka had ordered them by using the poison on the kids. But seeing that Takaoka had no intention of giving the antidote anyway, they decided to go against Takaoka's wishes and take the kids head on only. The fake poison did help create a threatening situation to activate the kids which was the main purpose of the situation to activate the kids which was the main purpose of the entire plan.
Another thing shown is that professional assassins like these guys, aren't all five year olds like Takaoka who can't grow up and hold grudges against little children. The assassins acknowledged the fact that they were beaten by these kids fair and square. They aren't here for revenge. They aren't holding a grudge against any of these students. Karma even taunts the strong samurai wannabe so that he can have a rematch, but the man doesn't go as Karma wanted as he simply walks off telling him to become someone worthy of targeting before challenging him. This is something admirable and the kids too, respect these assassins for this act of maturity.
All this is done to show how terrible a person Takaoka is and to show the kids what true assassins look like. Assassins aren't douchebags like Takaoka, they are respectable people who take their jobs seriously and aren't mindless monsters who would kill anyone if money is involved.
What follows is the happily ever after ending as things are back to normal, Koro-sensei is now looking like the octopus he is and everyone is cured.
This final episode doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but it isn't a problem. It does end after some intense fighting making for an exciting finale. We get to see some more of Nagisa's hidden talents as he pulls off Lovro's instakill move without any problem at all. After Terasaka calls out to him, Nagisa turns back to his usual calm self and doesn't panic much, even though Karma is just about to jump in.
AssClass has been a marvell throughout the course of its 22 episode run. With only a few downs, it has been strong throughout. This episode is similar in quality to the rest as it showcases the anime's brilliance. They kept things intense throughout this final showdown.
AssClass isn't just about a bunch of middle schoolers trying to kill their super fast octopus teacher, it has much more to offer than just that. It is about a wanted teacher making his students the very best Kunugigaoka Junior High has ever seen and the problems accompanying this quest. Koro-sensei takes this class of misfits, this bunch of outcasts, brings out their latent abilities, and makes them do wonders no one ever thought they would do.
The school's messed up system does not allow the less smart to become smart. Those who are dumb shall remain dumb so that the smart don't dumb down. In this situation, Koro-sensei takes on the dumbest class and makes them smart enough to rival the top class of the school. He challenges the school's system, fights it, and even produces positive results.
Throughout the first half or so, they develop a strong bond between sensei and students and in the later parts, they put those bonds to the test. The previous episode for example, puts to test the trust these students have in their sensei as they let him handle all the seeing. They blindly followed all orders coming from him, knowing that Koro-sensei is doing the right thing.
The students also undergo considerable development. Terasaka, for example, starts off as a hot-headed guy who needs someone to knock some sense into him from time to time. In this episode, he becomes the one to knock some sense into someone. And on top of that, he brings the usually calm and observant Nagisa to his senses. Another example is Karma, who turns from a person who would take things lightly, to a person who would be dead serious during each challenge, all because he was defeated only once.
AssClass, while developing a student-teacher relationship, also develops a strong bond of friendship between the students themselves as the kids learn to trust each other more and more. They learn to work as a team instead of going solo and doing whatever they like however they like. The latest assassination attempt is the perfect example of this.
There are also episodes dedicated to octopus-sensei helping out his students.
Despite all this, AssClass' main standout point has always been its humour which has hints of absurdity in it. It has successfully managed to transition between its humorous and its serious moments. Not all animes succeed at this, but AssClass flawlessly switches between seriousness and hilarity with neither ruining the other.
The story of Assassination Classroom isn't over yet as there is still a lot to look forward to. We still haven't found out anything about Kayano Kaede, despite her being front and center in everything. There is still much to learn about Itona and his links with Koro-sensei. And most of all, we still haven't learned anything about Koro-sensei, his identity, his past etc. They did give hints about his identity during this season, but that's about it. With all this, and more, to look forward to, we hope the sequel doesn't disappoint and it carries the momentum created here once it airs some time in 2016.
In conclusion, AssClass has stood out from the rest of the animes airing along side it through its brilliant comedy, beautiful character development and much more. It has been an exciting journey with much to look forward to. Season two of Assassination Classroom shall be one of the most anticipated sequels.
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