Classroom for Heroes
“the dream classroom of the dream institution”
Summer 2023 is a seasonal lineup featuring some of the best the year offers. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ and ‘Zom 100’ were already the talk of the town. But the romance genre wasn't left unattended to either, since ‘My Happy Marriage’ and ‘Horimiya’ were there to give us that sweet sprinkle of romance that's a must after getting high on the action that the former powerhouses were all about.
Plus, with Rudeus Greyrat from ‘Jobless Reincarnation’ running amok thanks to his weird personality, a harem/magic school setting had to think outside the box to stand out.
‘Classroom for Heroes’ does a great job when it comes to procuring all that's required to make that setting an instant hit. But it fails at the execution, and after being done with the show, you can't help but feel like the show is nothing but another one of these ‘wasted potential’ series that has been on the rise lately. That said, let's look at what the show is all about and what ultimately leads to its downfall down the road.
A great start
Anime and manga have always been about this quest of finding new party members and taking on the demon lord that threatens the existence of humanity. But with the fan favorite ‘Frieren’ finally talking about the after-effects of that whole setting, shows are finally ready to explore that realm, given that it has many possibilities.
'Classroom for Heroes' tells the story of Blade, our protagonist and great hero who defeated the demon lord. He lost a substantial amount of strength in the process, and as such, he is currently an individual who embodies the concept of "normalcy" with regard to the human species as a whole. Indeed intriguing, no? Just wait until you see him in his "normal" state!
This legendary hero of old, however, has no intention of settling down for a dull existence on a farm. He decides to enroll at Rosewood Academy, and with a new life ahead of him, he is excited about what the future holds for him. If I were to deny that the setting does not evoke memories of shows such as 'The Devil Is a Part-Timer' and 'The Misfit of the Demon King Academy,' I would be dishonest. The concept of a mighty deity choosing to lead an ordinary existence is not entirely unprecedented. Nevertheless, it is guaranteed to be a success!
Always lost
Yes, Classroom for Heroes follows the rules established by the genre's leading lights as a harem/romance anime set in a fantastical world. While the fanservice aspect is certainly important to the show, it can be challenging to maintain interest in a series when there is not much else happening. Throughout their duration, the episodes are fairly disorganized, with a different character being the sole focus of every other episode.
As we get to know the new face a little, the latest episode features someone totally different, making the viewer question where that story from last week went. Plus, these developments are separate from the story regarding the progression of the world, making it hard to stay dedicated to this series. The characters could be better written, too, with the personalities being as fantasy-generic as possible.
For instance, it’s the oldest trick in the book when it comes to the fantasy genre to have a main character who is the strongest being in existence, one way or another. With Rimuru portraying that better than anyone, you know that’s a thing. But Classroom for Heroes makes it clear that after that intense battle with the demon king that stripped the great hero of the powers that once made him sit on top of the world, everyday life is about to start for Blade.
That setting draws many people to the show, since we all look forward to seeing the story from another perspective. But Blade hasn’t lost his touch and is still the strong hero he was in the past. That makes one question what’s going on. However, I’d give them props for naming him Blade instead of something super long and weird since your imagination is the limit when it comes to the fantasy genre. Thanks for keeping it friendly and straightforward, Blade!
The show keeps following this rule throughout the majority of its runtime. But what caught me off guard was how the show turned it around and gave us something at the end.
If Naoki Hayashi had not been in charge the entire time, he would have been unable to write the final few episodes, which could have made this series successful. I don't know, but sadly, there isn't much to satisfy our hunger, and we're left to the mercy of the light novel if we want to know more about this story that doesn't manage to get us hooked on the show.
Skipping on the action sequences
Sure, action is never the priority of shows like these, but some of the scenes that ‘Classroom for Heroes’ features should be executed better than this, right? The fights feel off, and despite the show having better animation for the most part, with the backgrounds done well, it is a shame that this title couldn't gift us something that could qualify as one of the best fights from the summer 2023 seasonal lineup. Other than that, the animation feels good and doesn't manage to hold the show back for the entirety of its runtime.
That's no surprise, either. With a studio like Actas, you can't go wrong. The studio is known for hits like Girls und Panzer and Princess Principal, so it's a given that the show doesn't lack production quality. I genuinely believe that if the show had better pacing and more story, it could’ve become one of the top picks for 2023.
The sound isn't something that bothered me either. The opening and ending songs are okay—nothing too crazy or anything. However, the ending song takes the cake, even when many fans would say the opposite. To each their own. I hope the show returns for a sequel soon, since if that follows where this season left off, we will find something suitable!
Summer 2023 was full of shows that knocked some of the biggest titles out of the water in a heartbeat. It's only a given that those titles have cemented themselves as the face of that seasonal lineup and are shows that are still relevant even when we’re in 2024. One for the wrong reasons, though: David Production really killed Zom 100. It was the next big thing until the studio decided to go crazy and then ruined it. I feel sad about that, but it is what it is, I guess!
Anyway, back to the review. The show is not bad by any means. If you are looking for a magical or fantasy school setting that fully uses harem elements, 'Classroom for Heroes' may be for you. However, I would like to point out that going into the show expecting to see the second "Irregular at Magic High School" would be a major disappointment. I don't know why people compare shows to begin with; each title should be unique. Everyone loves a change, right?
As I previously stated, the show failed miserably in terms of execution, and by the time it attempted to save the crumbling empire, it was too late. The show had a fantastic setting, and we can only look forward to the sequel, which will undoubtedly be better than whatever this was. In terms of rating, it is definitely a 6.5. For those who enjoy programs similar to “The Misfit of Demon King Academy,” it is worth checking out. You're sure to find a setting that's similar yet different at the same time! Also, read the light novel if you have time!
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