GTO

This manga, I can confidently say, should be on everyone's "must-read" list. A friend recommended it to me, and upon trying it out, I found it a refreshing change from other popular manga. Perhaps it was the more realistic setting or the excellent plot arcs; whatever it was, I fell in love with this manga.

Starting with the story, initially, I felt it moved a bit slowly. The "teacher" aspect of GTO doesn't kick in until later. However, once Eikichi Onizuka, our protagonist, becomes a temporary teacher for the infamous Class 3-4 at Holy Forest Academy, things start picking up. Each early situation reveals more about Onizuka’s unique approach: no logic, just go with it. This philosophy keeps the plot engaging, and every issue gets resolved eventually. Class 3-4 is no match for the world's greatest teacher. The struggles and bonds portrayed are inspiring and addictive to read about.

The art wasn’t my favorite at first. But considering modern tools that enhance artwork beyond the '90s style, I could forgive it. The art style was still quite good. I laughed a lot at Onizuka's hilarious expressions when he's in trouble. The quality improved over time, showing Tohru Fujisawa's skill growth. By the end, the art was nothing short of amazing for its era. In short, the beginning art was a bit disappointing but picked up and looked really good later.

I adore the characters in GTO. I dislike when manga introduces many characters only to use them once, as they could have more development. GTO excels here, with nearly every character being important. Among them, Eikichi Onizuka stands above all. He epitomizes the "likable protagonist." Despite his violent temper and Herculean strength, his morals and life lessons make him an outstanding teacher. His best trait is his perspective on everything. Even at 22, he acts like a kid. Normally frowned upon, it helps him connect deeply with Class 3-4 and others, solving their issues. Whether it's suicide, destruction, bloodlust, or trauma, Onizuka handles it all. His simple mind makes Mr. Onizuka one of my favorite manga characters ever.

Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. The beginning was slow for me, requiring patience to get to the juicy parts of GTO. As I read, I got increasingly engrossed in the world of Class 3-4 and Onizuka. Even when I thought it couldn't get better, it did. The second half was simply outstanding. The last two major story arcs were highlights for me. This structure is great because the excitement builds towards the end, not the beginning. If GTO had a graph of its climactic moments, the line would rise and fall, each time higher until a satisfying end. For the roller coaster ride known as Great Teacher Onizuka, I had a blast.

To recap, GTO is an incredible manga series accessible to anyone interested. You must read it; it's hilarious, dramatic, heartwarming fun in 25 volumes. It's inspiring, dealing with practical life lessons. This review is my first, written because GTO is too awesome to ignore. Maybe by reading this manga, you could learn a few pointers from Great Teacher Onizuka himself.

I've been searching for this manga for quite some time, but there were always issues with the order. The translation was poorly executed, riddled with spelling mistakes and failing to properly use the English language in certain scenes.

That aside, this is by far the best manga I have ever read. I am utterly amazed; the concept is so simple yet so brilliantly thought out.

Let's start with a brief introduction to the story. Eikichi Onizuka is a 22-year-old virgin and former leader of the notorious motorcycle gang "Oni-Baku." He’s a street punk with piercings and bleached hair, a graduate from a low-tier university, and was captain of his karate team. Not exactly what you'd call teacher material. Despite all this, Onizuka manages to convince the principal and lands a job as a teacher. He’s assigned to class 4, notorious for driving every homeroom teacher to madness. However, Great Teacher Onizuka isn't such an easy target, and he’s determined to win them over one by one. Onizuka stumbles from one mishap to another, saving kids from jumping off rooftops, reuniting them with their parents, and just making a difference. Though this may seem trivial, it’s the most amusing story I’ve ever read.

Moving on to the art, it is very detailed and pleasing to look at. It has that '90s drawing style that I appreciate greatly. However, if it weren’t for the characters' distinct personalities, you’d have trouble telling them apart. Especially the girls, who all have somewhat similar faces. The only way to distinguish them is by their hairstyles, which can be frustrating sometimes. Overall, there are quite a few scenes where someone stands on a rooftop looking over the city at dawn. These scenes really immerse you in the art. Of course, there are the infamous many facial expressions of Onizuka, which are just hilarious and make up for a lot.

About the characters, I genuinely like them. I’ve even fallen in love with a few. But one thing bothers me: they’re supposed to be 14 years old, yet they’re so incredibly evil. I remember being 14, and I wouldn’t go as far as torturing a teacher like they do, though they have their reasons. Moving on to the character Eikichi Onizuka. Quite simply, he’s one of the best characters ever created. He’s an inspiration—cool, funny, stays true, and above all, he’s human (though this can be debated). Onizuka is one of the most instantly likable characters you will ever read about. If I were ever to sit down and have dinner with any character, real or fictional, it would undoubtedly be Eikichi Onizuka. Though I wouldn’t be willing to pick up the bill.

I cannot remember the last manga I enjoyed this much. I hold this manga close to my heart and it’s definitely one I won’t forget. Hell, I’ll just say it—I’m an Onizuka fan, and you could be too. Take it from me, reach deep into those pockets and get this manga; you won’t regret it. And while reading, you might even learn a thing or two from the greatest teacher in all of Japan, Great Teacher Onizuka.

Made me uncontrollably happy, a beautiful balance of every element which is spearheaded by the amazing character that is Onizuka. Only manga that, for me, has come close to and is nearly on par with Oyasumi Punpun. A joy, it says I need more characters for this review which is kind of wack but oh well. GTO is like a warm apple pie when you're feeling down, some ice-cold lemonade after playing sports for a few hours, a drive along the beach while the sun is setting—you get the idea. The different perceptions it showcases are wonderful to read, and the author really puts you in the minds of the characters. It's really one of those things you have to experience, and I hope you do.

"Fuyutsuki, sometimes violence is the only way to get the message across." This line doesn't seem like something any teacher should say... But not for our protagonist; he's a bit different, if I may say so.

Another manga is in my hands. I've read it several times. It’s about school life seen through the eyes of a unique teacher. He's rude, has bad manners, and can be violent—certainly not your typical educator. However, he possesses various sides to his personality, which come in handy when dealing with all kinds of students.

Great Teacher Onizuka, or GTO, tells the story of a teacher named Onizuka who is somewhat like a kid himself. Thrown into a world he barely understands, he tries to change things according to his own vision. Whether it's helping troubled students or lonely ones, preventing suicides, or persuading kids, these tasks make up his daily routine. This makes us want to keep reading, even coming from someone who once hated school. Indeed, he's one of a kind.

As the story progresses, we see how much Onizuka develops as both a teacher and a friend. His 'dumbness' remains, but I'd call it his charm point. With him, every student starts to open up, breaking free from their closed-off worlds. They find it hard to live without him around. The events that occur during the story can be shocking, but most of what happens in this manga reflects real-world issues. Such students exist everywhere—cruel, rude, violent, and more.

This manga helps us understand the hard work teachers do to teach us new things. It brings a lot of comedy, even in tense moments. The writer drops comedic bombs that make you laugh out loud. Great Teacher Onizuka is one of those rare mangas that stand out, even among other teacher-themed stories. It's unique and worth reading just to see this man in action.

I want to be a teacher.

Yes, I wanted to be one before, but who would think this guy could be a teacher? When you look at his background, you'll wonder why. It seems funny, and his methods are mind-blowing. Sorry, I laughed here.

Students

The students depicted here are all troublemakers, loners, or misguided due to school or home problems. No problem is too big for Onizuka. He will break down walls to change their lives, help everyone, even if it costs him his life. Throughout the manga, feelings evolve, and hatred turns to admiration—a nice transformation to witness.

Overall

The manga overflows with strange emotions. It's like an escalator: everything seems to be going smoothly, then suddenly you're thrown down, then up again, and so on until critical decisions must be made. Still, the manga is great and enjoyable to read. I’d call it brilliant.

Art

This aspect wasn’t initially my favorite, but it turned out great indeed. Sometimes serious, sometimes dumb, and sometimes SO UGLY, but I laughed. Can’t say much more ^^

GTO (Great Teacher Onizuka) is nothing short of legendary. It follows the story of a former gang member who becomes a teacher, tasked with turning around one of the worst classes in his school and transforming them into upstanding young men and women. Over time, it has been hailed as an all-time great, and for very good reason. In this review, I aim to explain what makes this series so iconic.

Let's start with the concept. A manga about reforming delinquents and giving them someone to look up to—it’s not the most original premise, but its simplicity allows for a wide range of scenarios, from realistic and grounded to completely outlandish. Beneath its surface, GTO is a manga with a heart of gold, focusing on life lessons and finding one’s place in the world. While it’s primarily a comedy manga, don’t let that fool you. You come for the humor, but stay for the life lessons and characters. Even if you don't necessarily relate to them, many do. There’s probably someone out there who was like at least one character in this manga at some point, finding inspiration in Onizuka, who transcends being just a comedic figure to become someone they admire.

I, too, look up to Onizuka, despite how cheesy that might sound. While he wouldn’t work as a real-life teacher given how many rules and laws he breaks, his ability to impart meaningful lessons is admirable. For instance, to "teach his students a lesson," he once tied them up and dunked them in water, scarring them for life. Another time, he stalked some bullies, took compromising photos, and threatened to post them online (though he didn’t actually do it). So, Onizuka isn’t exactly the most conventional or morally upright teacher, but his methods ultimately get the message across, making him someone I can still look up to.

On the flip side, you can also understand where the students are coming from—why they act out and hate authority. Take Nana, for example. She was once a happy girl living in a small room with her family. When her father got a better job and more wealth, the family became distant and less happy. Upon learning this, Onizuka literally tore down the walls of her house with a sledgehammer, symbolically bringing the family back together. Moments like these make GTO the legendary work it is.

But GTO isn’t always heavy; it knows when to lighten up and be funny. The series had me laughing at 90% of its jokes and situations. One memorable moment involved Onizuka trying to get a Yakuza boss’s kid back into school after a three-month absence. He put on a tough front while respecting the kid’s situation. His speech convinced the kid to return to school, but due to the guns pointed at him, we later find out Onizuka was so scared he peed his pants. While some might see this as juvenile, I found it hilarious and grounding, reminding us that despite being a Great Teacher, Onizuka is still human.

The art, however, is the weakest part of the series. It’s not badly drawn—I can tell what’s going on—but sometimes characters blend together, especially the women, making it hard to distinguish them unless they’re named. This isn’t a huge issue during major moments but can be distracting.

GTO’s pacing is solid, with a balanced text-to-art ratio. It took me about 40-50 minutes to read a volume. Jokes don’t overstay their welcome, and arcs last long enough to feel satisfying without feeling rushed. Unlike some stories where the falling action happens too quickly, GTO avoids this pitfall.

It’s the combination of absurdity, humor, heartfelt moments, and golden heart that make GTO legendary. Despite its simple concept, it thrives through its depth and layered characters. I highly recommend checking out this series, if only for Onizuka himself—he truly lives up to the title of Great Teacher Onizuka.

Before you start: read Shonan Junai Gumi before diving into GTO, or I'll show up at your place with a knife. Many elements of GTO, including its ending, lose their impact without the context provided by Shonan Junai Gumi.

That being said, GTO is a manga that, when read at the right time in life—like during adolescence—can genuinely transform your perspective. Of course, this manga has its fair share of logical inconsistencies, but they are overshadowed by the brilliant character that is Onizuka Eikichi and his invaluable life lessons.

This manga offers several critiques of Japan and its educational system, which, according to mangaka Tooru Fujisawa, churns out conformist individuals from all angles. The brilliance of this manga lies in Fujisawa's decision to introduce a pure and sincere character like Onizuka into a system rife with superficial charm and ulterior motives. Onizuka, who doesn't care about money or status but focuses solely on his students, enables Fujisawa to expose the corruption within this system.

(Apologies for any language errors)

At first, I thought this was just another attempt at a fun manga, filled with panty-shots and the like. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes more "serious". The narrative primarily revolves around Onizuka, but other characters occasionally take center stage. I appreciated the realistic portrayal of the problems people face in the series. Although Onizuka's problem-solving methods are somewhat exaggerated, they effectively illustrate a point, which this manga does brilliantly. The story is enjoyable (perhaps because it's my first encounter with this kind of plot). As for the art, I'm no critic, but it was cool by my standards. The characters are somewhat stereotypical, yet they interact well together. Overall, I'd give it a 7.

GTO is a manga that, at first glance, seems to be all about comedy, craziness, and fun. However, beneath its surface lies a profound story with significant depth. Let's break it down:

The characters in GTO are human through and through. That's the best way to describe them. Keeping up with their journeys can be challenging if you expect purely virtuous individuals because they make terrible mistakes and questionable choices. But this is precisely what makes the story so compelling. Their flaws and how these imperfections drive them to act out of fear and insecurity add layers to their personalities. Additionally, Onizuka's antics are simply hilarious.

Speaking of the main character, he's a complete package. It's almost impossible not to laugh at the situations he gets into or the things he does. Not only that, but he's also pretty badass. Every moment with him feels like a "wow!" Despite his comedic nature, he manages to have surprising depth. After all, he reflects an educational system that oppresses students as individuals, and he aims to change that with his wild attitudes.

The story itself is amazing. Initially, it takes some time to get going as characters are introduced and the plots start off rather uninspired, serving mainly as humorous setups. However, when the dramatic moments arrive, it transforms into an emotional roller coaster with epic touches! The slow build-up is completely justified by these intense moments, leading to emotional, delicate, and profound experiences.

The art is phenomenal. The author excels at conveying visual mood and executes various styles of action scenes brilliantly. Making a car chase as thrilling as a fistfight is no small feat.

In conclusion, GTO is a highly entertaining comedy manga that surprises with its deep, engaging story and excellent ending. Its biggest drawback is the initial delay before the story really picks up, but once it does, it becomes an incredibly rewarding experience.