Anime has a sad shortage of good comedy. Too many series simply focus on slapstick comedy ("Haha, he got hit in the face!") or erotic comedy ("Haha, I can see her underwear!"). So, it's fantastic that Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei exists as an antidote to these types of shows.
SZS is mostly an episodic comedy that is both offensive and funny. In fact, it's offensively funny. If you're able to laugh at satire of serious social issues, you will definitely enjoy this. A few of the jokes involve Japanese puns/issues, but it is overall accessible for a global audience.
The happenings in this show are absurd and surreal and this is highlighted by the show's art style, which often shifts to something completely bizarre.
Overall, this is a hilarious series and if you enjoyed it, there are more seasons for you to watch. (show less)

When watching this show I often ended up thinking of Mahou Sensei Negima!!. I'm sure this show was inspired from Negima. This show has no proper storyline. Other than the fact that sensei keeps trying to commit suicide. Despite that it makes for a really entertaining and funny show. The design for each of the Characters is so brilliantly made that you'll end up liking most of the characters. You have a crazy stalker, a polar opposite and extremely positive person, an exchange student with split personality, an extremely cute illegal immigrant and much more. Personally I for one like the animation style... It's by shaft, a studio which I believe can really do a beautiful job when it comes to still shots.By the time you stop watching this you'll only be in despair about why the series couldn't continue on longer. (show less)

I heard of this from a friend last year, so I gave it a shot. And WOW, I wanted to thank my friend for recommending this hilarious anime series!

The theme of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei is more on satirical comedy about life and some little things [in Japan], though it sometimes pokes the fun in some other places like USA, and some stuff like mangas and events (though it's lampshaded or just implied.)

The series' dialogue is never tiring to hear, as they are so hilarious and very pun-ny (hehe!) to listen (which is why it's best to hear the audio in Japanese; If it in English, you'll never get the pun [no PUN intended, haha,]!).

Animation is done by SHAFT, so you would expect some abstract going on in the series, most precisely the openings and endings (Be sure to check out the 1st OP!). While the art style from the original manga is still there, the animation shows more details, making the whole thing eye-catching.

And please, if you cannot get the entertainment Nozomu-sensei and his class gives... I'LL BE IN DESPAIR! (Okay, cut it out.) Seriously, you will never get bored when watching one episode. It never gets tiring to watch all over again, because of each characters' quirkiness, and how they "debate" and "explain" over things.

ZETSUBOUSHITA!!! (show less)