GTO

Is this the ultimate manga? No. Does it feature the best writing ever? No. Does it showcase the finest artistry? No. What it does offer is heart. GTO stands out as one of the most emotionally resonant manga ever penned, cleverly concealing deeply relatable and heartfelt stories within its comedic framework. Witness a delinquent with no formal education or experience transform into the most inspiring teacher his students could ever hope for. The school teems with complex characters, each burdened by harsh backgrounds, yet Onizuka guides them, one by one, along the path of life. This isn't merely a comedy or a slice-of-life high school drama; it's a profound life lesson for anyone who connects with its narratives.

The manga can delve into some dark themes—abusive parents, neglectful guardians, sexual abuse, violence, drugs—but Onizuka is always there to lift these kids from their self-dug holes. He strives to be the mentor he wished he had during his troubled youth, becoming a beacon of hope rather than waiting passively. Onizuka will make you smile, cry, and long for the time spent reading about this vibrant cast of characters. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. Despite having significant issues, this story touched me profoundly in ways other manga couldn’t. If none of that convinces you, let me say this: it’s simply entertaining. I was skeptical about a 200-chapter tale centered on a teacher, but by the end, I wanted more. That, to me, is the highest praise any story can receive.

Having said all that, it does commit some unforgivable mistakes, but my enjoyment persisted despite them. I recognize they stem from momentary lapses in writing rather than malicious intent. My main gripe concerns how it handles suicide. At times, GTO attempts to balance being both a comedy and a serious narrative, and sometimes it fails to tread this line correctly. Serious scenes where characters discuss their emotions and reasons for self-harm are interrupted by Onizuka flipping skirts for a panty shot. While I understand the intent—to depict these kids as immature, overreacting, and needing perspective—I believe there are better ways to handle such topics. There are instances where this doesn't happen, but also many where it does. These subjects deserve serious treatment, not gratuitous fan service. The story doesn’t need to be funny at every turn; slower moments allowing readers to interpret events themselves would be welcome.

I have a complex relationship with Tohru Fujisawa. He's capable of creating both masterpieces and utter disasters (I'm looking at you, Paradise Lost). GTO is probably my favorite manga ever, though I admit it’s not the best due to numerous issues. Still, no other work has left such a profound impact on me.

**SPOILERS**

The manga has many flaws. I detest its repetitive nature and simplistic handling of complex teen issues. Onizuka saves students by fighting multiple times (first school, Murai, feet fetish girl, Miyabi, Tokiwa), which feels like a cheap narrative device. There are even two chapters titled "Metamorphosis," one about Teshigawara and another about an English teacher. The plot holes and weak final arc (Angel’s saga) frustrate me, as do surreal characters like Mayu, who felt like unnecessary filler. Some dialogue, especially the tough guy speeches, doesn't resonate with me. As someone who dislikes action-based manga, I find Fujisawa's reliance on it off-putting. His other works, like Bad Company and Shonan Junai Gumi, don’t appeal to me either. Paradise Lost, the GTO sequel, was particularly abysmal, featuring none of the original cast except for a drastically altered Onizuka. 14 Days in Shonan fares slightly better, showcasing Urumi and Shinomi, but the overall story lacks depth.

Surprisingly, this writer, known for his teen-centric, sexist, and action-heavy narratives, crafted something as compelling as GTO. It’s been said that GTO is “a 6/10 manga with 10/10 moments.” It’s flawed, but it also contains elements I deeply loved. Most importantly, it has soul.

I adored the Urumi-Onizuka relationship. She's endearing from the start, and her growth after meeting Onizuka was a highlight. Though not perfectly written, their connection touched me profoundly. Their chemistry throughout the series is undeniable, sadly underrepresented in the anime. Despite Azusa being portrayed as the main love interest, Urumi had a deeper bond with him. After reading SJG, I realized Shinomi shares a similarly strong chemistry with Onizuka, knowing him intimately since their teens. Tomoko even comments during a cameo that Shinomi reminds her of Onizuka. If there’s ever a happy ending for Onizuka, I hope it involves either Urumi or Shinomi.

Beyond romance, what made GTO special was its human connection. Miyabi’s arc, along with Tomoko’s and Yoshikawa’s, felt real and relatable. A sense of family emerges, most evident when students enjoy pool time with Onizuka post-paintball. He wins them over, and their happiness and growth become infectious. Urumi reflects this during a pool scene:

"This lightness of being... I wonder how long it'll last."

Kikuchi knows the answer:

"...as long as he stays here with us."

The comedy adds to the charm, witty and fitting most of the time. While some criticize the pervert theme, I found Onizuka’s purity and maturity shine through during critical moments.

This work is honest and fulfilling, a rare find. It resonated with me during a dark period, evoking buried emotions and reminding me of the hopeful, fresh moments of my teens. This story reignited feelings of hope, innocence, and inspiration, making me feel part of Onizuka’s family.

For that, I am immensely grateful.

Emotions wield immense power; they can overshadow even the smallest shred of rational thought, compelling even the most indecisive individuals to yield to their emotional state. Consequently, critics like us, who pride ourselves on analyzing various forms of media, often fall short of our own standards. "Clannad After Story," a series frequently hailed as "life-changing" by many, stands as a prime example. It effortlessly captured the hearts of its audience and swiftly established itself as a classic within its genre. However, despite its acclaim, it is riddled with subpar moe character designs, irrelevant story arcs, contradictory elements, contrived plot devices, and numerous other glaring issues.

With a MAL score of 8.89, I assumed GTO would be a guaranteed hit. Now, I wish I could reclaim those hours spent watching it. My task now is to somehow derive something positive from this utterly rotten and spoiled fruit.

GTO appears to be the juvenile fantasy of a mangaka and their editors who seem to harbor disdain for women, comfortably peddling rape fantasies to an audience that derives pleasure from the torture and abuse of teenagers.

This garbage offers absolutely nothing redeeming. If you're curious to learn more, just read the other negative reviews. I've already wasted enough mental energy on GTO.

Never put your faith in the MAL score.

Just wanted to mention, if you haven't yet delved into the prequel "Shonan Junai Gumi," do yourself a favor and read it before starting "GTO." In my view, it represents Onizuka at his finest and is quite distinct from what you might have heard or seen about "GTO" like "oh, you don't need to read it to understand blah blah." Nah, just dive in; it's absolutely brilliant.

STORY 10/10
As expected from Fujisawa Tooru, the storytelling is excellent with barely any flaws. I definitely feel the mellowed-out narrative has that sort of after-story/life vibe (if you've read Shonan, you'll know exactly what I mean). Loved the action-packed craziness coupled with realism sprinkled here and there, especially the life aspects.

ART 9/10
I appreciated that the author maintained his unique art style from previous works instead of trying something new or aiming for improvement. Funny faces, attractive characters, fighting scenes – everything was on point. One detail I noticed is that everyone in this manga wears period-appropriate clothing, which is awesome because he incorporated the surroundings of the time this was published into his artwork.

CHARACTERS 7/10
Here’s the main reason why I didn’t score this as a masterpiece: The characters were rather average, surprisingly so. Some were good but not particularly distinctive. I had hoped the author would bring back at least a couple of characters from the prequel, which he did – Saejima, Ryuuji, Nagisa – but we barely see them, especially Ryuuji. It's a shame how little presence Onibaku has in "GTO." Despite that, I can see where the author intended to take this manga and respect that vision.

OVERALL 9/10
Overall, I'm happy this series continues with side stories and hasn't been abandoned because it's such a great series. Still shocked to see "Great Teacher Onizuka" tagged with an ecchi label but not "Shonan Junai Gumi." LOL. Anyway, this manga is definitely worth re-reading.

Great Teacher Onizuka stands out as one of the most remarkable manga I've ever read. It has made me reflect deeply on myself, my life goals, and my personal traits in a way that no other form of media has managed to do before. I used to wonder how people could connect so profoundly with stories, thinking they were just stories, but this manga has given me that same profound connection.

The narrative is incredibly fun and satisfying. Watching authority figures being put in their place by this lovable ape who is terrible at teaching schoolwork but a genius at teaching life lessons is fantastic. Whether it's Onizuka helping his students value themselves or deal with life's challenges, each new character either has a problem or becomes one, and our main man steps in, ready to solve it. He confronts people without making them look foolish but instead highlights their humanity. Onizuka identifies their flaws, lays them bare, and says, "Hey, fix yourself," while actively helping them improve. Not a single arc is boring; I had to force myself to slow down to avoid finishing the entire manga in three days.

Onizuka himself is an intriguing character. He is impulsive, childish, and a pervert. His perversion serves as comedic relief, reflecting both the era and Japanese culture. While I'm not a fan of using perversion for humor, Onizuka shows repeatedly that it's just a trait and not his true self. Several times, he prioritizes others' well-being over his sexual desires, notably in his conversation with Ogi during the final arc. He is flawed but his good traits always shine through. Onizuka is straightforward, doesn't complicate problem-solving, and gets straight to the point. His method of helping people can be harsh, but it's effective. Despite any harm done to him, he forgives and forgets, putting others first. Each character he 'teaches' undergoes a well-developed arc, while Onizuka remains largely unchanged throughout, which makes sense considering he's 22 and past his formative years.

The supporting characters also receive notable development. Urumi, Anko, Fujiyoshi, and Noboru all have compelling arcs. Some are purely for comedy, like Uchiyamada, but even they get some growth. One character whose portrayal I drastically changed my opinion on is Saejima. Initially, he seemed like a greedy scammer, but his final appearance completely flipped my view. Seeing him sleeping next to Onizuka in the hospital made me realize he was a real friend. The art isn't groundbreaking but works perfectly for a comedy manga. It's simple and goofy, fitting the tone of the story.

In conclusion, GTO is genuinely one of my favorite manga. Marketed as a comedy, it offers much more. It blends great characters you can empathize with, laugh with, and cry with. It's hilarious yet knows when to drop the jokes and get serious, tugging at your heartstrings. You'll laugh, feel emotional, and fall in love with the cast. I adore Onizuka and this manga. It spoke to me in ways nothing else has, and I'll return to it for the rest of my life.

GTO is the tale of Eikichi Onizuka, a former gangster aspiring to become Japan's greatest teacher. Not driven by a desire for redemption or passion for education, he aims to be near high school girls and sneak peeks under their skirts. Despite sounding absurd, GTO emerges as one of the most heartfelt, authentic, and surprisingly mature narratives I've encountered.

As Onizuka begins his teaching career at Holy Forest Academy's notorious Class 3-4, infamous for tormenting teachers until they quit, he stands apart from conventional educators. Rather than sticking to textbooks, he imparts life lessons. Gradually, he becomes acquainted with each student, uncovering their personal struggles and reasons behind their behavior. Through this process, he helps them resolve inner conflicts, slowly winning over the class in his unconventional manner, eventually becoming their best teacher ever.

The plot isn't intricately crafted but is far from ordinary. It's often wildly unpredictable, featuring some of the most outrageous scenarios imaginable. The creativity seems boundless, resulting in an exhilarating read that clearly reflects the author's dedication and disregard for conventions.

Technically, Onizuka might be the world's least qualified teacher—a thug more immature than his students who barely teaches half the time. Yet, he embodies one of the most remarkable and endearing characters ever created.

Teachers play a crucial role in shaping future leaders and workers. However, many of us have experienced uninspiring teachers who merely follow the textbook for a paycheck. In stark contrast, Onizuka embodies the ideal mentor we all wish we had. Though not academically brilliant, he possesses unparalleled street smarts and lives authentically without caring about others' judgments. Despite constant attempts to fire him or dictate his lifestyle, his genuine approach profoundly impacts his students.

This narrative culminates in a profound message: Onizuka doesn't just educate his students; he imparts invaluable life lessons to readers. This story is genuinely inspiring, teaching responsibility, empathy, perseverance, and resilience.

I'm baffled by how little attention this manga receives beyond its MAL rankings. It breaks numerous boundaries and offers unique elements rarely found in contemporary manga. Its depth and sincerity set it apart from formulaic stories, making it a refreshing, deeply resonant masterpiece. I truly admire its ambition and execution—it's the most unconventional gem I've ever read.

Where should I even begin?

The story is compelling, albeit with a slow start compared to the intense action found in the later chapters. Once the students and other teachers began plotting against Onizuka, the pace picked up significantly, culminating in a happy ending for all involved.

The artwork is commendable, featuring detailed backgrounds that add depth to the scenes. However, one significant drawback is the character faces, which could be improved. Overall, though, it's acceptable.

As for the characters, they are nothing short of perfect. Most, if not all, possess intensely distinct characteristics. Without giving away any spoilers, my favorite character is Urumi. She's a genius who can be quite ruthless to her enemies but displays remarkable sweetness towards Onizuka, even going as far as attempting to elope with him once.

I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. By "enjoyed," I don't just mean it's all laughs and humor. While it is predominantly funny, it has also moved me to tears 32 times during my five re-reads. In fact, I even shed a tear at my cousin's birthday party because of it.

In summary, this manga deserves a solid 10/10 and earns my XLRBP stamp of approval.

Conclusion: I have mixed feelings about this one, but I would still recommend it to anyone, regardless of their favorite genre. This manga was simply fun without needing to delve deeply into the story.

The plot was as straightforward as can be. There were no mind-bending strategies or complex character backgrounds, yet it remained equally enjoyable to read. The characters are well-written, but due to the sheer number of them, everyone feels a bit underdeveloped while waiting for other arcs to develop. Character development seems somewhat forced since the dynamics shift very quickly most of the time.

The overall storyline is really well crafted and nicely planned for an enjoyable read. No overwhelming information is provided, which feels refreshing and easier to understand.

The artwork is good, nothing extraordinary but not bad either. Some moments were beautifully illustrated, but overall, the art felt slightly lacking in personality. It was still quite good though.

The ending was, well, questionable. I won't spoil anything, but it was just... bad? It led to a very cheesy conclusion that, in my opinion, was the opposite of what they should have done. The ending definitely fit the theme 100%, but it felt like it was finalized by a 14-year-old.

The themes discussed in this manga are heavy and serious compared to the general feel of the series. Despite the contrasting elements, they blend together amazingly well.

Overall: One of the best, not the best. Go check it out. Now.

I am writing this review after finishing the manga, picking up where the anime left off. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and this five-day experience will stay with me for a long time. This manga might just be the thing to finally get me off my ass and become more responsible.

So, I'm a fresh university graduate from one of the most elite universities in the States. I've been spending my quarantine after graduation loafing around at my parents' house without a paying job, studying for a standardized test but not improving much. My family, my dreams of living independently—they all clung to me like weeds. Yet, I still couldn't find the motivation to stand on my own two feet. Instead, I sought out animes to watch and mangas to read, hoping for a miracle.

Well, it did take a blow to the face. After finishing the Great Teacher Onizuka anime earlier in quarantine, I wanted to read the manga, but I was too lazy even for that. Not until three months later, facing a new low in prospect and outlook on life, I decided to get back to it. A manga with quality writing, photorealistic backgrounds, realistically drawn characters, and a purpose. Berserk's Golden Age arc moved me, but it only gave me darkness. Almost went back to rereading Oyasumi Punpun... but didn't. GTO - Great Teacher Onizuka came to mind, and I pulled up the site and started reading.

I have now emerged from the videos, jokes, and rooftops a changed man. How ironic, or rather how fitting, that a fictional character finally got through to me. Like some of the students in Class Four, I had a parent I didn't particularly like. Like Onizuka, I was 22. I look at this man who fought his way through high school with a motorbike gang, probably expelled, went to a fifth-rate university, and look where that got him. I look at this man with my degree from a first-rate university, and what am I doing? Pulling words out at almost 2 am. But this man proved that with his gold star credentials, he could teach. And not algebra or physics or tests or whatever flawed education system (which yes, this manga criticizes immensely) he came across, but how to live. How to take responsibility for your actions and not blame others for where you are. How to talk to others and realize that you have people who care about you and might listen if you give them a chance. I might not have tried jumping off a roof over a mere test score, but seeing this man's smile and his determination to do it all for his students—man, it got me. I'm like Yoshikawa, Murio, Urumi, Miyabi, Anko, all of them who fought to grips with Onizuka or tried to resist the truth when avoiding their deep-set problems in life. And when this man did his thing, they ended up smiling. I can't help but smile now. Today's age may not be as innocent as the 90s, with technology far more advanced than those mock phones they used back then, but these problems, these life stories, these lashings out at a system you try to blame—Onizuka shows you time and time again that jumping onto a Cresta ain't gonna cut it. And even if you're not in high school, he got to those older teachers too. As Sakurai said, he has a special power surrounding him. Try to resist life, but he'll show you the way, like a true "teacher." He'll act like a kid because he is a kid. But he'll change the way you look at things. And you'll never find a greater teacher in all of Japan (anime or manga).

Onizuka, I'm now going to read the chapters I only saw in the anime. I wish our time at Holy Forest could've gone on longer. But I'm a college grad and have to get back to life.

GTO (manga) 9/8/9/9/9

First things first. My "reviews" system is explained on a blog entry, which can be found through my profile.

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✦Story✦

A very chaotic and grand story filled with emotions, silliness, and deep thoughts. I watched the Anime about 10 years ago and even re-watched it at some point. However, I remember feeling somewhat unsatisfied with how the Anime concluded. This prompted me to read the Manga after finishing the Anime, as the story didn't continue in the same way.

Regardless, back to the story itself—it's excellent. It offers an intriguing take on the school setting, heavily focusing on delinquents, bullying, family issues, and the growth of children who create new problems due to their existing ones. The Manga dives deeply into aspects like bullying, violence, and the mental struggles characters face for various reasons. I particularly admire how the teacher in this Manga reforms the kids, considering he was once similar to them. Even though Onizuka’s initial motivation to become a teacher seemed half-hearted and indecent, the transformation of his role and the meaning behind teaching, schooling, and students afterward was outstanding.

The only aspects that disappointed me, albeit not central to the Manga, were the lackluster romance and the somewhat underwhelming conclusion. Nevertheless, the narrative of a strong, foolish, straightforward ex-gang member turning into a wholesome figure bridging students and teachers is quite charming.

✦Art✦

It's an old Manga, so many elements appear rather messy, and there are plenty of goofy character faces. However, it also features some amazing facial expressions, silliness, and overall conveyance. In the end, the art is pretty good.

✦Character✦

There are numerous edgy teenagers and twisted adults. The savior and reformer of all these is a blond, perverted, stupid, straightforward, and violent ex-gang member. Not much more to say—most characters really need time to grow on you and witness their drama unfold and resolve as you read. I enjoyed the characters a lot, even if some were absolutely annoying. Violent types, smarty-pants, extreme bullies, self-righteous pampered kids, and rich brats. But what made it enjoyable was the sweet revenge, growth, and eventual self-destruction.

✦Enjoyment & Overall

I enjoyed the journey. If you want chaos, drama, and ultimately a wholesome story about students and teachers in an ugly world with flawed characters, then this Manga delivers.

+TOPFAV

This review contains MINOR spoilers. But they don't matter, trust me.

Onizuka is an ex-biker gang member, a virgin, and a fifth-rate university dropout. His goal? To be the greatest teacher in all of Japan. And that's precisely what he becomes in this 200-chapter masterpiece. Let me start by saying this is the greatest manga I have ever read. Do not watch it; read it, and I promise you it will be one of the funniest things you've ever done.

The story mainly focuses on his role as a teacher at Holy Forest Academy. The only reason he could become a teacher is because of a chairwoman who believes he can work miracles to change people. And that's exactly what he does. He is assigned a class of middle school kids who have been through a lot. Betrayed by former teachers, they make it their mission to torment all new teachers unlucky enough to be assigned to their class. But Onizuka ain't no ordinary teacher. Most of these arcs involve him helping individual students or groups, from saving kids from jumping off the roof (sometimes he accidentally pushes them off) and landing on the principal's car (a running gag is that he always destroys the principal's cars, and it's super funny because of how the principal reacts) to jumping off unfinished roads on a motorcycle or saving them from Yakuza. Another recurring theme is people always trying to get him fired. At one point, they make him take a nationwide test that his students take. Keep in mind that Onizuka is dumb as hell, and another running gag is his misuse of Kanji letters on the board to spell crude words. Because he's dumb like that. And before he takes the test, he fights about 30 Yakuza, has four bullet wounds, and ACES the five-hour test in one hour. Fuck you, Teshigawa.

Anyway, the story is always funny and can make me cry like a baby. Sometimes I'm babbling, and sometimes I'm literally laughing my ass off. Even though devices are used multiple times, the series is never boring or full of redundant panels. The way Onizuka gets everyone on his side is just so freaking mind-blowing. This series made me rethink my whole opinion of educators and the education system. I am an Onizuka enthusiast to the core. His ideals and words are truly some of the most manly things ever. And he cares about his students! Even when he was framed for embezzling money for the school field trip to some nature shithole and he had EVIDENCE that he didn't do it, he got up and told the whole school to make up for it, he'd pay for a trip to Okinawa instead. Like WTF! All because he didn't want to ruin the reputation of the student who framed him. INSPIRING!

The art is Tokyo Pop, so it's bound to be solid. And it is, but one of the best things about it is the smallest side panels with absolutely the funniest responses and conversations ever. You will miss some if you're not careful, though, so keep your eyes peeled. Also, we have these three bonus chapters about his friend Saijami, the dirty cop. In these chapters, you're in the first-person perspective of Onizuka, and you don't know what you're saying, but you can guess from your friends' responses. These are super funny; I can't explain, but just look out for those three special chapters; they are the core of GTO's comedy.

The characters to me all feel like REAL Japanese school kids. This ain't your fake moe shit; these all feel like real people with real problems. Each character gets development, some more than others, but the main bunch of his kids get their own arcs or problems. Everyone is basically solid, not groundbreaking, but enough to hit my heart. At least with some. Everyone's hurting, so open up your tight asshole. But my favorite character is Onizuka. Now let me tell you a bit about my buddy here. He is fucking TOUGH. Fuck Chuck Norris; he's for tools. Onizuka can beat the shit out of anyone, no matter how many or tough. One time, he arm-wrestled 100 tough shit-ass men in a row. And he won. One guy was like three times his size too. Also, he survives falling from roofs onto cars without a scratch. Him and Goku are broskis.

I ENJOYED GTO!! Yeah, hell right, I did. I have gone through it about four times. It doesn't bore me, and I'm still chuckling. Just the craziest thing to read ever, I love it. I hope you do too.

So get ready for language you would be slapped for using, biology that would make a grown man blush, and math that doesn't add up unless, of course, you're the Great Teacher Onizuka.