The manga series ‘Assassination Classroom’, created by Yusei Matsui, has recently stirred up controversy in the United States, leading to its removal from school libraries in Wisconsin and Florida. The series, which centers around a group of students attempting to assassinate their alien teacher to save the world, has faced criticism for allegedly promoting gun violence, sexualization of minors, and violence against teachers. This article explores the recent events surrounding the manga series and the debate over its inclusion in school libraries.
Banning of Assassination Classroom in Wisconsin and Florida
In the Elmbrook School District in southeastern Wisconsin, five volumes of ‘Assassination Classroom’ were removed from the electronic library after a parent complained about the manga promoting gun violence (Source 1). Another parent raised concerns about the series’ depiction of violence and the sexualization of minors (Source 2).
Similarly, in eastern Florida, Gifford Middle School removed three books from the series after receiving complaints from the Indian River County chapter of Moms for Liberty. The group argued that the books were inappropriate in light of recent school shootings in the United States (Source 2). Jennifer Pippin, the chapter’s chair, stated, “We don’t want students to think it’s OK to kill their teachers” (Source 3).
Controversy in Other States
The debate over ‘Assassination Classroom’ extends beyond Wisconsin and Florida. In North Carolina’s Pender County, the series is being contested for its presence in school libraries due to concerns that it instructs students on how to kill their teachers (Source 1).
Virginia has also been involved in the controversy surrounding the manga. Delegate Tim Anderson cited ‘Assassination Classroom’ while arguing in favor of House Bill 1379, which would require school principals to keep track of works containing sexually explicit content and make that information available to parents (Source 1). Although the bill passed the House of Delegates in February, it did not pass the Senate in March (Source 2).
Arguments Against the Manga
Critics of ‘Assassination Classroom’ argue that the series promotes gun violence and sexual content, making it unsuitable for school libraries. The Citizens Defending Freedom organization in Florida has announced its plans to challenge the manga for its violent and sexually explicit content (Source 2). The organization’s National Communications Director, Kristen Huber, stated, “We should all be able to agree that violence toward teachers and explicit sexual content is not something that schools should be glorifying or promoting, especially on taxpayer dollars” (Source 2).
Furthermore, the recent implementation of Florida’s HB 1467 bill, which requires school libraries to include only books pre-approved or vetted by a holder of a valid educational media specialist certificate from Florida’s Department of Education, has contributed to the scrutiny of the manga series (Source 2).
Defending Assassination Classroom
Despite the criticisms and removal of ‘Assassination Classroom’ from school libraries, some argue that the claims against the series are inaccurate. For instance, Elmbrook’s Director of Library Services, Kay Koepsel-Benning, defended the series by stating that the claim that the manga promotes gun violence against teachers is not accurate (Source 2).
Previous Controversies Over Manga in School Libraries
This is not the first time a manga series has faced controversy in the United States. In the 2000s and 2010s, the popular manga series ‘Death Note’ faced similar complaints. The American Library Association’s Young Adult Library Services Association named ‘Death Note’ among its “2007 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens,” and the ALA cited the manga in its Banned Books Week 2010 campaign to raise public awareness of such challenges (Source 2).
Balancing Freedom of Expression and Protecting Students
The controversy surrounding ‘Assassination Classroom’ raises important questions about freedom of expression and the role of schools in safeguarding students. While some argue that the manga series should be removed from school libraries due to concerns about promoting violence and explicit content, others contend that banning the series infringes upon the freedom of expression and may not accurately reflect the series’ content.
As schools and libraries continue to grapple with these questions, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting students from potentially harmful content and allowing them access to diverse forms of literature and art.
Conclusion
The banning of ‘Assassination Classroom’ in Wisconsin and Florida school libraries highlights the ongoing debate over the appropriateness of certain content in educational settings. While the series has faced criticism for promoting gun violence, sexualization of minors, and violence against teachers, there are those who argue that the manga is being misrepresented. As the conversation surrounding the manga continues, it is essential for educators, parents, and policymakers to engage in a constructive dialogue that balances the need to protect students with the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
Sources:
CBR. (n.d.). Assassination Classroom Banned in Florida, Wisconsin. Retrieved from https://www.cbr.com/assassination-classroom-banned-florida-wisconsin/
Cayanan, J., & Loo, E. (2023, April 12). Assassination Classroom Manga Removed From Florida, Wisconsin School Libraries. Anime News Network. Retrieved from https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-04-12/assassination-classroom-manga-removed-from-florida-wisconsin-school-libraries/.197003
Treasure Coast Newspapers. (2023, April 7). Version of ‘Anne Frank’ removed from Florida high school library after parent complaint. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2023/04/07/anne-frank-book-pulled-from-florida-library/11622644002/