How I Turned My Entire Classroom into a Full Anime Episode Using Only AI (Step-by-Step + Free Templates)
Last spring I did the most unhinged thing of my teaching career.
I told my 7th graders we were canceling normal school for one day and living inside an actual anime episode instead.
They thought it was a prank.
It wasn’t.
By 8:15 a.m. they walked into “Sakura Bloom Academy – Episode 01: The Case of the Vanishing Recess Bell.”
By 2:55 p.m. they were screaming, crying happy tears, and begging for a Season 2.
Here’s exactly how I pulled it off using only free AI tools, and how you can do the same before the next PD day.
Phase 1: AI Wrote a Complete 18 Minute Anime Script (11 Minutes Total)
Tool: Claude.ai (free)
Exact prompt I used:
“Write a complete 18 minute anime episode script titled ‘The Case of the Vanishing Recess Bell’ for 7th graders learning fractions and teamwork.
Main character: Alex, the new transfer student who solves mysteries using math powers.
Include classic anime tropes: dramatic inner monologues, sparkly transformation sequence, over the top villain laugh, friendship speech, cliffhanger ending.
Insert all 25 real student names as side characters with one personality trait each. Keep it PG and aligned to standards.”
Result: 12 pages of chaos and perfection. I changed only three words.
Phase 2: AI Turned Every Kid Into Their Own Anime Character (Canva Magic Studio)
Steps I followed:
- Uploaded yearbook photos in bulk
- Magic Studio prompt: “Convert to vibrant shonen anime style with expressive eyes, dramatic hair, colorful aura, high detail”
- Generated portraits, printed 11×17 posters, taped them to the door
When the first kid saw their own giant anime portrait with the caption “Mia chan – Master of Dramatic Entrances,” the scream could be heard in the office.
Phase 3: AI Composed the Opening and Ending Themes (Suno.ai Free Tier)
Opening prompt: “90 second upbeat J pop anime opening about solving mysteries with fractions, female vocalist, electric guitar solo.”
Ending prompt: “Soft emotional ballad about the power of friendship, piano and strings duet.”
I played the opening theme on loop as they walked in. Half the class started doing the Naruto run without being told.
Phase 4: Every Standard Became a Plot Mission
Mission Name | Real Standard | AI Tool Used
Decode the Recess Cipher | Adding unlike fractions | MagicSchool.ai worksheet
Rescue the Trapped Bell Spirit | Reading comprehension | Gemini generated mystery text
Ultimate Friendship Squad Formation | Group roles and accountability | ChatGPT squad generator
Final Boss Battle: The Fraction Dragon | Mixed numbers assessment | Curipod live quiz with anime sound effects
Phase 5: The Live Voice Drama That Broke Them (ElevenLabs + Intercom)
I used ElevenLabs to clone my voice as “Principal sama,” deep and dramatic.
At exactly 2:52 p.m. the intercom crackled:
“Alex kun… the recess bell has been saved… because you never gave up on your friends… and on math!
Season 2 begins after winter break!”
The cheer was so loud the 8th grade hall came to see what happened.
The Cold Hard Data
- Zero off task behavior all day
- Full completion rate on the final boss assessment
- Four parents called asking what happened because their kids wouldn’t stop talking about school
- One student who normally refuses group work led his squad to victory and cried when it ended
Want me to turn your class into an anime episode before the next long weekend?
Comment your grade and current unit and I’ll generate:
- Your custom episode title and script
- Anime portraits of 5 students
- Your opening theme lyrics
Warning: once you go anime, there is no going back.
Your students will demand a Season 2. And you’ll give it to them.
Go make the best teaching day of your career.
