Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 17 by Yusei Matsui

 

Assassination Classroom, Vol 17           

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 1, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

The students of Class 3E are in a battle – against one another! Divided on the question of whether to assassinate Koro Sensei or try to save him, they have decided this is the best way to reach an agreement, with the understanding that either way, the entire class will support the winning side. The team to save the teacher is led by Isogai while the opposing team is led by Karma, with Karasuma as judge and Ritsu will keep score.

Each member of the class has a decision to make  -  continue with their assignment to assassinate Koro Sensei, or use what time is left to try to save him. The decision they make will decide which team they are on.  Karma’s team becomes the Red Team and Isogai’s the Blue Team. The two teams are just about evenly matched in number, but not necessarily with skills. Unfortunately, the Red Team ended up with most of the specialists – combat, marksmanship, defense, and recon. Each team has a flag, and the object is to capture the flag, knocking out as many opponents as possible along the way (using paintball guns).  Koro Sensei is happy to see his students do their very best work, what they have been training for.

Let the battle begin…

This volume was really good, as we watch the students fight one another in order to see whether they will try to kill or save Koro Sensei. They all care about their teacher, but some of them feel they need to justify their new skills and use them for the purpose for which they were intended. They have all agreed that whatever the outcome, the losing team will wholeheartedly support the winners and the class will then continue to work together toward a common goal. We get to see how much the individual students have developed since their training began, both as assassins and people. It’s not surprising that the end of the battle turns out the way it does.

After the battle, still seeking information, they learn that the data they seek is on the space station, which is in orbit. To request the information would take too much time, time they don’t have. But Koro Sensei has an idea of how they can acquire the info sooner. However,  this solution is not without its risks. Naturally, his students are all in! Can’t wait to see how that works out in the next volume!