Great Teacher Onizuka

Great Teacher Onizuka is one of those animes that mixes every popular genre into one series, and does a helluva good job doing it. GTO was a solid mix of comedy, drama, action, romance, ecchi and a whole bunch of others. You’d have to be mad to dislike this anime, it’s a got a little something for everyone.

Feels like a female fanservice pic, but ill post it anyways

Ex-Leader of a biker gang, Onizuka decides he wants to become a teacher, and though he doesn’t exactly have the credentials to do so, but he manages to start a teaching career with a bit of self confidence and a couple of German Suplexes. With his personality and connections he manages to quickly become a well known teacher, his students obey him since they think he’s still the leader of the biker gang, and all is well… until he’s moved to the DREADED 3-4 class, which is known throughout all teachers as the worst class ever.

GTO takes the “New Teacher at school” animes, and really makes it feel brand new, going into detail with every student in his class, the problems they face, and how they can make it better. Onizuka's blunt personality allows them to see themselves as they truly are, and make them enjoy school like they never had before. It’s a good show that inspires people to do what they want, no matter how bad the odds are. It also inspires people to become a member of the local bike gang and beat the crap out of people who piss you off, with no consequences… but I think it’s aimed more towards the first one.

The episodes are based with certain parts dedicated to each student. Since the entire class pretty much hates his guts (besides one dude), Onizuka has to take his time changing each students opinion of him, while also handing whatever pranks and shenanigans they can dish out on him. Onizuka proves to each student that he’s different, that he’s willing to drive off a cliff for them, which is a type of dedication they’ve never experienced before.

Onizuka was made in 1999, so the animation is the “retro” style, something I’m not used too, having watched mostly new animes since I started. A trademark of the Onizuka series is all the faces he makes, they’re hilarious and well drawn, that and the detail put into the vehicles, like Onizukas bike and the infamous “Cresta” set GTO apart from most animes at the time. The character Onizuka was (somehow) designed around Takashi Sorimachi, who played him in the Live Action. Though I have no idea how they designed Uchiyamada after the action in the LA, who sounds like a Japanese Darth Vader.

Sorimachi Takashi plays Onizuka in the LA

The opening and ending song are fun to listen to, though I kinda wanted something a little more badass for the intro, like something Onizuka would listen to. Something tells me Onizuka doesn’t listen to L’Arc~En~Ciel, but that’s just me.

Over all GTO goes into the favourite list, it really couldn’t have been done any better. The ratio of fanservice to seriousness was perfect, and I hope they continue the GTO series sometime very soon.

GTO Info:
Number of Episodes: 43
Originally Aired: June 30th, 1999
Genres: Comedy, Drama, School
Personal Rating: 10/10

A Onizuka wally to celebrate the first 10/10 on NK

Final Comments: Everything was well done, it’s a anime with a little for everyone, and perfect if you want to sit back and have a good laugh. Really enjoyed it. Those who havent should consider checking it out.