Hell Teacher Nūbē

Today I’d like to introduce Hell Teacher Nūbē, a nostalgic Japanese school-based occult comedy manga. Back in the 1990s, Weekly Shonen Jump was much more child-oriented than it is today, so horror-themed series were relatively rare. Among them, Hell Teacher Nūbē stood out as one of the few that not only gained popularity but was also adapted into an anime. The story is set in an elementary school, with the protagonist Nūbē—a teacher who wields the Demon’s Hand, a powerful weapon that allows him to fight ghosts and yokai. He risks his life to protect his students from strange and terrifying supernatural threats. Some episodes are genuinely frightening—when I was in elementary school myself, I remember being so scared after reading it that I couldn’t sleep alone at night. In particular, Volume 4’s “Red Vest” arc and Volume 10’s “Bukimi-chan” arc left a lasting impression of fear. Another distinctive feature of Hell Teacher Nūbē is the surprising amount of fanservice and risqué scenes, especially for a shonen manga. I had friends back then who would only read the “sexy” chapters (we were just mischievous kids at the time). The series is mostly episodic, with one-shot stories that make it easy to read without being bogged down by long, ongoing arcs. At the same time, there are deeper story elements—like why Nūbē possesses the Demon’s Hand and what his true relationship with the Oni is—that add layers of mystery and depth. One drawback, however, is that the series can feel too child-oriented. Compared to modern titles like Jujutsu Kaisen or My Hero Academia, the storytelling may come across as somewhat simplistic or dated. Still, with its anime remake sparking renewed interest, Hell Teacher Nūbē has once again found an audience. If you’re looking for a casual horror manga that blends scares, comedy, and a bit of sex appeal, this is definitely worth reading.

August 18, 2025