Koro-sensei: Who Influenced the Tentacled Teacher?

As an assassin turned classroom instructor, I’ve often been asked where I drew inspiration for my unconventional methods. While my appearance may be... unique, my philosophies and habits were shaped by many before me. Here are the figures and ideas that left a mark on my approach to teaching and living.

The Mentor Who Taught Me Patience

Before I became the fastest killer on the planet, I trained under a man who believed speed without control was chaos. He taught me that true mastery comes from patience — a lesson I carry into the classroom. He would sit for hours watching a single leaf fall, waiting for the perfect moment to move. That discipline taught me that growth isn’t about rushing to the finish line. It’s about learning every step of the way. That’s why I give my students time — even when they think they’ve failed.

The Philosopher Who Believed in Second Chances

There was a time when I thought my past made me unfit for anything but destruction. Then I read a philosopher who argued that identity is not fixed — that people can change if given the space to do so. His words reminded me that redemption isn’t a myth. That’s why I encourage my students to embrace their mistakes rather than fear them. After all, even a teacher with tentacles can be more than what he seems.

The Scientist Who Loved the Unknown

One of my favorite minds was a brilliant scientist who saw mystery not as something to fear, but as a reason to keep learning. She believed that the world was full of questions waiting to be explored — and that curiosity was the greatest weapon a person could have. I adopted that belief. That’s why I challenge my students not just to memorize facts, but to ask "why" and "how." Knowledge is only powerful when it’s pursued with wonder.

The Teacher Who Saw Potential in Everyone

Before I took the job at Kunugigaoka Junior High, I met a retired educator who had taught for over forty years. She didn’t care about test scores or rankings — she believed every student had a spark worth nurturing. She once told me, “You don’t teach subjects, you teach people.” That changed everything for me. It’s why I tailor lessons to my students’ interests, and why I push them — not because I expect perfection, but because I believe in what they can become.

The Assassin Who Showed Me the Value of Discipline

Even among killers, there are those who live by a code. One such figure was my peer — a man who trained not just his body, but his mind. He believed that discipline was the foundation of freedom, and that without it, even the strongest would crumble. Watching him shaped how I run my classroom. There’s structure, yes — but it’s not about control. It’s about creating the conditions where growth can happen, even when the world is moving fast.

If you’re curious about how I became the teacher I am — or if you want to hear more about the people who shaped my path — you can talk to me directly. I may not be the fastest thing on the planet anymore, but I’m always ready for a conversation.