Nozomu Itoshiki is the protagonist of the anime series Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. He is a high school teacher who is obsessed with despair and tends to view life with extreme pessimism. Known for his dramatic and comedic attempts at suicide, Nozomu often finds himself in absurd situations. Despite his negative outlook, he deeply cares for his students and tries to help them with their problems, albeit in unconventional ways. The series humorously explores various social issues and personal insecurities through Nozomu's interactions with his eccentric students.