Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube (地獄先生ぬ〜べ〜,Jigoku Sensei Nūbē) is a Japanesemanga series written byShō Makura [ja] and illustrated byTakeshi Okano. It was serialized inShueisha'sshōnen manga magazineWeekly Shōnen Jump from August 1993 to May 1999, with its chapters collected in 31tankōbon volumes. The series follows Meisuke Nueno, aka Nube, the homeroom teacher for Class 5–3 at Dōmori Elementary. More than a teacher, however, he is a skilled exorcist, protecting the town of Dōmori from supernatural threats with strength borrowed from a powerful demon sealed in his left hand—a technique he calls the Demon's Hand.
A 49-episodeanime television series, produced byToei Animation, titled in English simply asNube,[4] was broadcast onTV Asahi and its affiliates from April 1996 to August 1997. Three movies and threeoriginal video animation (OVA) episodes were released. A second anime television series adaptation, produced byStudio Kai, aired on the same channel from July to September 2025, with a second cours slated to premiere in January 2026.
Aspin-off manga series focused on Izuna Hazuki, theitako-girl,Reibaishi Izuna: The Spiritual Medium, was serialized from 2007 to 2011, with a sequel,Reibaishi Izuna: Ascension, published from 2011 to 2016. Other manga sequels to the main series have been released:Jigoku Sensei Nūbē Neo (2014–2018);Jigoku Sensei Nūbē S (2018–2021);Jigoku Sensei Nube Kai (since 2025); andHell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Plus (2025).
Dōmori Elementary School appears ordinary until supernatural disturbances—often targeting a student from Class 5-3—force teacher Meisuke Nueno (Nube) into action. Using his Demon's Hand or other spiritual abilities, he resolves each incident, sometimes through combat, negotiation, or appeasement. Though largely episodic, the series features recurring antagonists and later introduces longer story arcs. Each case concludes with restored normalcy and a lesson learned.
Aone-shot chapter,Jigoku Sensei Nūbē: Ōmagatoki (地獄先生ぬ～べ～ 逢魔ヶ刻), was published inGrand Jump on April 2, 2014.[18] A sequel to the original series,Jigoku Sensei Nūbē Neo (地獄先生ぬ〜べ〜NEO), started inGrand Jump Premium on May 28, 2014.[19] It was transferred toGrand Jump on July 16 of the same year.[15]Jigoku Sensei Nūbē Neo was simultaneously serialized in Shueisha'sshōnen manga magazineSaikyō Jump from August 5, 2016, to June 1, 2018.[20][21] The series finished on December 5, 2018.[22] Shueisha collected its chapters in seventeentankōbon volumes, released from October 3, 2014,[23] to January 4, 2019.[24]
Another series,Jigoku Sensei Nūbē S (地獄先生ぬ〜べ〜S), was serialized inSaikyō Jump from August 3, 2018,[25] to April 1, 2021.[26] It is a sequel toJigoku Sensei Nūbē Neo.[27] Shueisha collected its chapters in fourtankōbon volumes, released from March 4, 2019,[28] to June 4, 2021.[29]
Another series by Makura and Okano, titledJigoku Sensei Nube Kai (地獄先生ぬ〜べ〜怪), started inSaikyō Jump on May 2, 2025.[30][31]
Another series by Makura and Okano, titledHell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Plus (地獄先生ぬ〜べ〜PLUS), was serialized on theShōnen Jump+ digital platform from May 14 to June 25, 2025;[32] Shueisha collected its chapters in onetankōbon volume, released on July 4 of the same year.[33] The manga was published in English on theManga Plus digital service.[32]
A 49-episodeanime television series adaptation, produced byToei Animation, was broadcast onTV Asahi between April 13, 1996, and August 7, 1997.[34] The opening theme is "Bari Bari Saikyou no. 1" (バリバリ最強No.1), performed by Feel So Bad. The first ending theme is "Mienai Chikara: Invisible One" (ミエナイチカラ～Invisible One～), performed byB'z, and the second ending is "Spirit, performed by Pamelah.[35]
In July 2024, it was announced that the manga would receive a new anime television series adaptation.[1][36] It is produced byStudio Kai and directed by Yasuyuki Ōishi, with Yoshiki Ōkusa handling series composition, Yū Yoshiyama designing the characters, andEvan Call composing the music.[37] The series, split in twocours, aired its first cours from July 2 to September 24, 2025, with the second cours set to air in January 2026 on TV Asahi's brand newIMAnimation W programming block.[38][39][40] For the first cours, the opening theme song is "P0WER-AkuryoTaisan-" (P0WER-悪霊退散-), performed byShintenchi Kaibyaku Shudan: Zigzag, while the ending theme song is "Sunflower" (ひまわり,Himawari), performed byChilli Beans.[41]
Remow licensed the series and streams on the "It's Anime" YouTube channel in selected territories, including North America alongside other platforms, such asNetflix in Asian territories (except China).[42][43]
Three movies have been released. The first movieJigoku Sensei Nūbē was released on July 6, 1996.[44] A second anime film titled,Jigoku Sensei Nūbē: Gozen 0 toki Nūbē Shisu, premiered on March 8, 1997.[45] The third anime film titledJigoku Sensei Nūbē: Kyoufu no Natsu Yasumi! Asashi no Uni no Gensetsu premiered on July 12, 1997.[46]
Threeoriginal video animations (OVAs) were released. The first OVAKessen! Yōjin no jutsu VS kabeo was released in June 1998.[47] The second OVANazonazo nana fushigi BUKIMI chan was released in July 1998.[48] The third OVAShijō saidai no gekisen! Zekki raishū!! was released in May 1999.[49]
By December 2014, the manga had 24 million copies in circulation.[57] By August 2023, the manga (including its spin-offs) had over 28 million copies in circulation;[58] and over 29 million copies in circulation by July 2024.[59]
^"Contents".Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese). No. 22–23.Shueisha. 1999. Table of contents.Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. RetrievedJune 25, 2023.次号, No.24は 5月11日火発売!!
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