GOODBYE, MR. DESPAIR Nozomu Itoshiki is depressed. Very depressed. He’s certifiably suicidal, but he’s also the beloved schoolteacher of a class of unique students, each charming in her own way: The stalker. The shut-in. The obsessive-compulsive. The girl who comes to class every day with strange bruises. And Kafuka, the most optimistic girl in the world, who knows that every cloud has a silver lining. For all of them, it’s a special time, when the right teacher can have a lasting positive effect on their lives. But is that teacher Itoshiki, a.k.a. Zetsubou-sensei, who just wants to find the perfect place to die?

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 1: The Power of Negative Thinking

Comics & Graphic Novels

Kumeta, Koji

Manga

Del Rey

TEACHER OF DARKNESS Meet the most melancholy high school teacher in Japan: Nozomu Itoshiki, whose fashion sense is strictly nineteenth-century, whose personal goal is self-annihilation, and whose signature phrase is “I’m in despair!” He’s similar to Franz Kafka and Jean-Paul Sartre–if Kafka and Sartre had had to deal with a classroom of short-skirted, lovesick students. And to make matters worse, Itoshiki’s family wants him to get married. Forget the bride, here comes the gloom! The first translated work by Japan’s most savage satirist, Koji Kumeta! Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 2: The Power of Negative Thinking

From the savage mind of Koji Kumeta–a twisted trip of deliciously wicked proportions One of Zetsubou-sensei’s new students–a genius storyteller–can melt even her teacher’s black heart. Meanwhile, Chiri, the obsessive-compulsive girl who longs to marry Zetsubou-sensei, is thrilled when the morose young man actually invites her somewhere. Has Zetsubou-sensei asked Chiri out on a date, or is he planning a murder-suicide? Either option may involve flowers! Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 3: The Power of Negative Thinking

A wickedly twisted comedy by Koji Kumeta Suicidally depressed high school teacher Zetsubou-sensei, a man for whom the light at the end of the tunnel is the coroner inspecting his glazed eyes, continues his attempt to endure life’s suffering while teaching a classful of cute girls. Will Kafuka Fuura, the most optimistic teenager on earth, ever convince her beloved sensei to look on the bright side of life? Or will Zetsubou and his students end up lobotomized and starving in a third-world dictatorship? All this, plus a Zetsubou-sensei Christmas! Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 4

A darkly funny comedy by Koji Kumeta Zetsubou-sensei has won a trip to a hot spring, but when he finds several of his students there in the bubbling pools, he launches into a tirade about the evils of detoxing. To Zetsubou-sensei, detoxing is a metaphor for sanitizing the world of the very complexities and idiosyncrasies that define it. So put down that bar of soap and pick up volume 5 of Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei. Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 5: The Power of Negative Thinking

DELUSIONAL SELF-BLAMING DISORDER 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?

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 6

THE INCONVENIENCE OF CONVENIENCE Zetsubou-sensei is angry again, and this time he’s turned his sights on Inconvenience. Modern-day inventions are supposed to make our lives more efficient, but the sensei sure doesn’t see it that way. TV remote controls are meant to save us time and energy, but how much time do we waste just trying to find the remote? Our cellphones are supposed to keep us connected no matter where we are, but we spend half our time walking around trying to find a signal. Zetsubou-sensei has had it with so-called conveniences! Luckily, he’s come up with the perfect solution: ";Convenience Through Cloning."; Because what the world needs now is another Zetsubou-sensei, and another, and another and . . .

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 7

RITES OF PASSAGE November means that it’s time for the Shichigosan holiday, a rite of passage for all Japanese children. Of course, Zetsubou-sensei is quick to point out that rites of passage don’t end with childhood. There are many different rites of passage in the world. For instance, a manga assistant’s rite of passage is spilling coffee on the storyboards for the first time. And we mustn’t forget the important rite of passage that any true Zetsubou fan must undergo. What is it, you ask? Why, buying a copy of Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei volume 8, of course! Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 8

Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei 9: The Power of Negative Thinking

Teachers are supposed to inspire the younger generation to follow their dreams and achieve great things. However, our hero, Nozomu is not that teacher. Nozomu's probably the most depressive man in Japan--so depressive, in fact, that every little setback in life inspires yet another suicide attempt! But then why is being in Nozomu's class such a blast? Is it his quirky and endearing students? The bizarre adventures he leads them on? Or is there something after all to "the Power of Negative Thinking"? RACE OF DESPAIR Zetsubou-sensei explains his fear of relay races. After all, you never know what kind of baton you'll be passed! What if the CEO of a company passes off the baton to you right as the company goes bankrupt? Or what if a movie director passes off the baton to you right after the main actor quits? What would you do then, huh? In a moment of weakness, however, Zetsubou-sensei passes off the baton to a student. How will the "Second Generation Zetsubou-sensei" fare? Includes special extras after the story!

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei 13: The Power of Negative Thinking

Kodansha Comics

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