Assassination Classroom is celebrated for its inventive twist on school life, putting a class of misfit students up against an overpowered—and deeply caring—teacher with a planet-ending secret. Themes of power systems, underdog perseverance, and subversion of expectations drive the story, alongside surprisingly deep character development and mentorship. Many anime share elements of its narrative structure, yet remain underappreciated.
This article spotlights 15 underrated series that echo Assassination Classroom’s strengths, offering fans overlooked gems with compelling characters and surprising depth.
1. Talentless Nana (2020)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 7.22
Studio: Bridge
A superpowered academy hides a murder mystery: an “ordinary” girl infiltrates with a secret agenda. Like Assassination Classroom, this show subverts the typical school tropes, focusing on psychological battles and deception among students where hidden strengths matter most.
2. Denpa Kyoushi (The Ultimate Otaku Teacher, 2015)
Streaming: Funimation
Episodes: 24
MAL Rating: 6.93
Studio: A-1 Pictures
A genius NEET is forced to teach an eccentric class, using unconventional methods to motivate troubled teens. Similar to Koro-sensei, the protagonist helps students overcome odds via quirky mentorship and clever problem-solving, with humor and heart.
3. Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts (2010)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 7.50
Studio: Silver Link
Students in the lowest class must fight for better resources using summoned avatars powered by their test scores. This underdog tale blends absurd rules, classroom strategy, and slapstick comedy, directly mirroring the social dynamics and class warfare of Assassination Classroom.
4. Medaka Box (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.09
Studio: Gainax
An energetic student council president takes on bizarre requests, unearthing hidden talents and extraordinary classmates. The series explores unconventional power systems and class solidarity much like Class 3-E, but with wilder genre shifts.
5. Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 43
MAL Rating: 8.69
Studio: Pierrot
Awards: 1998 Kodansha Manga Award (shonen)
A reformed gang leader becomes a teacher, determined to win the trust and improve the lives of troubled youths. Like Koro-sensei, Onizuka’s unconventional lessons prioritize personal growth—often with outrageous comedic twists.
6. Danganronpa: The Animation (2013)
Streaming: Hulu, Funimation
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 7.32
Studio: Lerche
High school students are trapped in a deadly “game” by a sinister mascot teacher. Driven by suspense, wild rules, and psychological showdowns, the series echoes Assassination Classroom’s tense stakes and group-driven strategies.
7. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun (2019)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 23+
MAL Rating: 7.73
Studio: Bandai Namco Pictures
A timid boy is adopted by a demon and thrust into a magical academy, where he must outwit monstrous classmates. The focus on outcast empowerment, comedic tone, and growing student bonds aligns closely with Class 3-E.
8. Lycoris Recoil (2022)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 13
MAL Rating: 8.07
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Secret agents disguised as high schoolers tackle assassination missions in Tokyo, balancing slice-of-life banter with intense action. Its quirky mentor-student relationships and subversion of standard genre beats recall Assassination Classroom’s appeal.
9. Soul Eater (2008)
Streaming: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Episodes: 51
MAL Rating: 7.86
Studio: Bones
Students wield supernatural weapons in an offbeat academy, learning to overcome psychic and social challenges. With eccentric teachers and a blend of dark comedy, it shares both atmosphere and character growth arcs with Assassination Classroom.
10. The Irregular at Magic High School (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Episodes: 26 (Season 1); 52 (total)
MAL Rating: 7.23
Studio: Madhouse, 8bit
A seemingly average student at a magical academy uses his hidden talents to redefine power dynamics. Tatsuya’s outsider role and relentless logic provide a strategic take on overcoming expectations much like Nagisa or Karma.
11. Ajin: Demi-Human (2016)
Streaming: Netflix
Episodes: 13 (Season 1); 26+ (total)
MAL Rating: 7.46
Studio: Polygon Pictures
A teenager learns he’s an immortal Ajin, hunted by authorities; forced to outsmart the system. The existential classroom tension and high-stakes survival blend supernatural powers with character-driven suspense—evoking Assassination Classroom’s constant threat.youtube
12. Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Episodes: 11
MAL Rating: 8.64
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Awards: Jury Selection, 18th Japan Media Arts Festival
A coming-of-age sports drama featuring two underdogs fighting personal doubts and system-imposed limitations. Like 3-E, it’s the perseverance, peer influence, and evolving mentorships that drive the emotional punch. Unique visual storytelling sets it apart.
13. From the New World (Shin Sekai Yori, 2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 25
MAL Rating: 8.28
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Children with psychic powers uncover the terrifying truth behind their utopian society. This series explores power systems, dark secrets, and the psychological growth of young protagonists, echoing the mystery-driven arc and societal critique of Assassination Classroom.youtube
14. Sonny Boy (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 12
MAL Rating: 7.73
Studio: Madhouse
A class is transported to a mysterious realm and must use newfound powers to survive—and redefine reality. The surreal narrative, inventive power rules, and deep social dynamics evoke Class 3-E’s journey through adversity—though with a more avant-garde style.
15. Back Arrow (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Episodes: 24
MAL Rating: 6.63
Studio: Studio VOLN
An amnesiac hero awakens in a border village, able to bend the laws of reality through belief. Its exploration of conviction, unusual power systems, and outsider-driven revolution offers a subversive take reminiscent of Assassination Classroom’s constant upending of expectations.youtube
Why These Anime Work for Mentioned Anime Fans
Each series above mirrors Assassination Classroom’s strengths—whether championing the underdog, innovating power systems, or kicking against genre norms. Their focus on quirky mentorship, unique classroom dynamics, or relentless self-betterment makes them especially rewarding for fans seeking fresh, emotionally charged storytelling. These gems may have skirted mainstream fame, but their blend of character growth, ensemble cast chemistry, and narrative surprises is exactly what makes Assassination Classroom stand out—and why they deserve a dedicated audience now.
