Jigoku Sensei Nube (2025)

Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (2025)

Characters

Meisuke Nueno

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Hiroshi Tateno

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Kyouko Inaba

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Katsuya Kimura

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Jindaimokei

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Akira Yamaguchi

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Miki Hosokawa

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Shizuka Kikuchi

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Makoto Kurita

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Shuichi Shirato

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Ritsuko Takahashi

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Manami Kimura

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Kyousuke Tamamo

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Noriko Nakajima

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Yukime

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Masaru Kaneda

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Hatamonba

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Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (2025) Season 1 – A Bold Reboot That Redefines a Classic

Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (2025), Studio Kai’s ambitious reboot of the 1990s horror-comedy classic, delivers a thrilling, modernized take on Shō Makura and Takeshi Okano’s beloved manga. Premiering on July 2, 2025, with a gripping one-hour special, this 12-episode first cour (with a second cour slated for January 2026) reintroduces Meisuke Nueno, aka Nube, a psychic elementary school teacher with a demon-possessed hand, as he battles supernatural threats in the eerie town of Domori. This review dives into why this reboot stands out as a masterful blend of nostalgia, innovation, and raw emotional depth, while critically examining its strengths and potential pitfalls.

Narrative: A Modernized Mythos with Deeper Stakes

Unlike the episodic, monster-of-the-week structure of the 1996 anime, the 2025 reboot opts for a more serialized narrative, weaving a cohesive arc that feels both fresh and respectful of its roots. The story follows Nube as he protects his students at Domori Elementary from yokai, ghosts, and urban legends, using his Demon’s Hand—a sealed demonic entity that grants him exorcist powers. The premiere episodes, The 99-Legged Bug and Rampage of the Fox, introduce key changes: Hiroshi Tateno, no longer a transfer student, is an established classmate, and the antagonist Kyōsuke Tamamo, a cunning kitsune, is introduced earlier than in the manga, setting a darker, more interconnected tone.

This shift to a plot-driven approach amplifies the stakes, transforming standalone yokai encounters into a broader mystery about Domori’s supernatural magnetism. The reboot cleverly updates the setting to the Reiwa era, incorporating smartphones and modern cultural references while retaining the manga’s Japanese folklore core. For instance, Tamamo’s ritual scene, with its graphic decapitation and skull imagery, leans into visceral horror, a stark contrast to the original’s lighter tone. This boldness may alienate fans expecting a faithful remake but rewards viewers open to a reimagined narrative that explores Nube’s role as both protector and mentor with greater emotional weight.

The show’s pacing, however, occasionally stumbles. The one-hour premiere packs in dense exposition, which might overwhelm newcomers unfamiliar with the franchise’s lore. While the serialized format adds depth, it sacrifices some of the original’s charm—those quirky, self-contained tales that made Nube’s classroom feel like a supernatural playground. Still, the narrative’s focus on character bonds, particularly between Nube, Hiroshi, and Kyōko Inaba, grounds the horror in heartfelt moments, making each exorcism feel personal rather than formulaic.

Production: Studio Kai’s Visual and Sonic Triumph

Studio Kai’s animation is a standout, blending a vintage aesthetic with modern polish. The character designs by Yū Yoshiyama stay true to Takeshi Okano’s manga style—exaggerated expressions and dynamic yokai forms—while adding a crisp, digital sheen. The show’s color palette, with muted greens and eerie purples, evokes a constant sense of unease, perfectly suiting Domori’s haunted vibe. Action sequences, like Nube’s Demon’s Hand unleashing spectral energy, are fluid and inventive, with Studio Kai flexing its experience from Hell’s Paradise. The gore, such as Tamamo’s skull-revealing transformation, is unflinchingly graphic, pushing boundaries for a shonen series without feeling gratuitous.

Evan Call’s soundtrack elevates the experience, balancing haunting melodies with upbeat tracks that capture Nube’s dual nature as a clumsy teacher and fierce exorcist. The opening theme, P0WER-AkuryoTaisan- by Shintenchi Kaibyaku Shudan: Zigzag, is a high-energy banger that channels the series’ occult intensity, while Chilli Beans’ ending, Sunflower, adds a bittersweet touch, hinting at the emotional undercurrents of Nube’s mission. Sound design, from the eerie whispers of yokai to the crackle of Nube’s demonic powers, immerses viewers in Domori’s unsettling world.

Cast and Characters: A Mix of Nostalgia and Fresh Voices

Ryōtarō Okiayu’s return as Nube is a masterstroke, his warm yet commanding delivery anchoring the series. Okiayu effortlessly captures Nube’s goofy charm and steely resolve, making every exorcism feel like a personal crusade. Toshiyuki Morikawa’s Tamamo is a chilling foil, his sly charisma and menacing undertones elevating the kitsune into a memorable antagonist. The recast student roles—Kyōko (Ryōko Shiraishi), Hiroshi (Aya Suzaki), and others—bring youthful energy, though some fans on platforms like Reddit have noted the new voices take time to grow on them compared to the 1990s cast.

The students shine as more than mere victims. Kyōko and Hiroshi’s proactive roles in aiding Nube—whether through clever distractions or emotional support—highlight their growth, making them integral to the story rather than damsels in distress. However, the ensemble cast, including characters like Miki Hosokawa and Katsuya Kimura, feels underutilized in the early episodes, with their quirky personalities overshadowed by the focus on Tamamo’s schemes. Future episodes will need to flesh out these side characters to match the manga’s vibrant classroom dynamic.

Themes and Impact: A Deeper Exploration of Duty and Fear

At its core, Hell Teacher (2025) explores the tension between duty and vulnerability. Nube’s Demon’s Hand is not just a weapon but a metaphor for his willingness to bear his students’ burdens, even at personal cost. The reboot delves deeper into this, portraying Nube as a flawed hero haunted by the demon within him, a nuance less prominent in the original. The show also tackles childhood fears through its yokai, with creatures like the 99-Legged Bug embodying anxieties about belonging and trust. This psychological layer, paired with Japanese folklore, makes the series accessible yet culturally rich.

For new viewers, the reboot’s modern setting and serialized plot make it an inviting entry point, though some knowledge of the original enhances appreciation of its changes. For longtime fans, the nostalgia is potent—callbacks like the classic OP playing on a student’s phone hit hard—but the deviations may polarize those wedded to the 1996 anime’s episodic charm. Reddit discussions highlight this divide, with some praising the “pristine Halloween vibes” and others wishing for a closer remake.

Critical Lens: Where It Excels and Falters

The reboot’s greatest strength is its willingness to take risks. By modernizing the setting and tightening the narrative, Studio Kai crafts a Hell Teacher that feels relevant to today’s anime landscape, competing with heavyweights like Jujutsu Kaisen in its occult action. The production quality and Okiayu’s performance ensure it’s a visual and emotional feast. However, the rushed pacing in the premiere and reduced focus on episodic tales may alienate purists, and the limited screen time for side characters risks flattening the ensemble.

Compared to other 2025 remakes like Ranma 1/2 or Rurouni Kenshin, Hell Teacher stands out for its bold narrative overhaul rather than a safe retread. Yet, it must balance its ambition with the original’s heart—those standalone stories that made Domori Elementary a microcosm of supernatural wonder. If the second cour leans into the classroom dynamics and slows its pace, it could cement this reboot as a classic in its own right.

Verdict: A Hauntingly Fresh Take

Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (2025) Season 1 is a daring reimagining that breathes new life into a shonen staple. Its blend of horror, heart, and modern flair makes it a must-watch for fans of occult anime and newcomers alike. While not without flaws, its stunning animation, compelling performances, and deeper thematic resonance set it apart as a reboot that respects its past while forging a bold future. As Nube would say, the spirits are watching—and they’re in for a hell of a show.

Rating: 8.5/10
Stream it on Crunchyroll, Netflix (Asia), or REMOW’s It’s Anime YouTube channel (select territories).