Assassination Classroom announces brand-new anime film for 2026 release

The world of anime is no stranger to surprise announcements, but this one hit differently: Assassination Classroom is officially coming back to theaters. It's been almost 10 years since the original anime finished airing, but the hype is not lost as the fan-favorite series will receive a brand-new anime film titled “Assassination Classroom: Minna no Jikan” (Everyone’s Time), scheduled to premiere in Japan on March 20, 2026.

The biggest appeal of the upcoming film is that it will shine a light on the skipped stories and character-centric chapters that were omitted during the original anime run. Fans online have already begun compiling lists of what may be included, citing moments that were not initially covered by anime, such as:

• Maehara’s development in “Retaliation Time”
• Sugaya’s artistic side in “Art Time”
• Kataoka and Terasaka’s swimming lessons in “Swimming Time”
• Takebayashi’s arc in “Ruler Time: 2nd Hour”
• Lighthearted seasonal stories like “Summertime” and “Drowned Time”

While none of these storylines were critical to the main assassination plot, they do add importance towards character development and add humor that was unique to Class-E. Moreover, for a series as popular as Assassination Classroom, fans openly welcome new content. Especially when this omitted content potentially could offer more insight into the main series.

Moreover, this isn’t Assassination Classroom’s first big-screen appearance. It was back in 2016 that fans were treated to Assassination Classroom the Movie: 365 Days. This was a recap film with added epilogue material featuring Nagisa and Karma reflecting on their past.

While this content was warmly received, it was still a retelling of events audiences already knew. Minna no Jikan, by contrast, takes a different approach. Instead of repeating the familiar, it fills the gaps.

What does this news mean for the franchise of Assassination Classroom?

The new film raises an intriguing question: could this spark a broader trend of anime series returning to animate “lost” material? With streaming platforms hungry for content and studios revisiting classics more frequently, Assassination Classroom might not be the only series to get this treatment.

For Assassination Classroom specifically, Minna no Jikan could:

1. Reinvigorate the fanbase - Remind audiences why the series was such a hit in the first place.
2. Introduce new fans - Provide a fresh entry point for viewers who skipped the anime but may be drawn in by a new film.
3. Test the waters for future projects - If successful, this could encourage spin-offs, OVAs, or even new adaptations of side stories.

Fan reactions: From skepticism to hype

Some fans are overjoyed by this news, praising the decision to animate skipped chapters:

"Nice I wished they didn't condense everything into season 2 so badly," said one fan

"Cut content getting animated nearly a decade later??? Now that is great to see. Wish more series would go back and adapt cut content / fix up issues with original broadcasts. So excited." Said another fan

But even the doubters admit that the decision to revisit old material instead of rehashing the same story is a refreshing choice.

Why Now? The 10th anniversary connection

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It seems like the timing of the film isn’t coincidental. The franchise has been quietly celebrating its 10th anniversary. This includes a special rebroadcast of the anime earlier this year with new opening and ending theme songs.

Revisiting cut material as a full-length feature seems to be part of this larger anniversary campaign, aimed at reigniting interest in the series. It’s a smart move: nostalgia has never been stronger, and younger anime fans who missed the series the first time around now have a new gateway to discover it.

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