Zetsubou shatters assumptions, travels through time, and goes terminal.
Creative Staff
Writer/Artist: Koji Kumeta
Translation: Joyce Aurino
What They Say
Those suffering from this peculiar condition, according to Zetsubou-sensei, blame themselves for everything that goes on around them. But as Zetsubou-sensei explores this affliction, he realizes that he himself is a victim! Luckily, the sensei has a foolproof plan for putting an end to Delusional Self-Blaming Disorder – which happens to involve a long rope dangling from a tree. Could this be the end of Zetsubou-sensei?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Three volumes of Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei so far, and three distinct experiences. Volume 4 had some clever chapters mixed among a few clunkers; Volume 5 was frustratingly unfunny, and now Volume 6 features a bunch of dull storylines with the occasional standout gag.
I’m starting to wondering if I should chalk some of the series’s issues up to my fatigue with the formula: three volumes in, I’m already wishing that Kumeta would try to break out a little from the basic cycle of student comes up with an idea/Zetsubou despairs/now here’s some puns/now here’s a list of related topics. But at least as much fault lies in the premises that the chapters here explore: they tend to be either uninspired enough in concept (interests developing like tidal waves; excessive assumptions; things in terminal condition) or pun-heavy enough (roads inspired by excuses; jokes repeated a million times; unmet expectations) that they very rarely work as a whole. On the upside, where Volume 6 had a single brief, shining moment of comedic genius buried among pages of mediocre gags, Volume 7 has a string of them — there are few better ways of breaking up the tedium of chapter on time dilation than a random shot of Zetsubou’s organs being harvested (complete with a “bleah!” sound effect to really drive home the point).
It may not be ideal, but given the choice between last volume’s unfunny streak and this volume’s sporadic funniness, I’ll take the latter.
Summary
Zetsubou-sensei seems to be growing consistent in the wrong ways: virtually unwavering in its formula, but not consistently funny as a side effect. The inconsistently funny moments may nevertheless be enough to satisfy fans who’re particularly invested in the series.
Content Grade: c+
Art Grade: B
Packaging Grade: A
Text/Translation Grade: A
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Del Rey Manga
Release Date: April 27th, 2010
MSRP: $10.99
