Reply To: Live Actions & JDorama Review & discussion

Type: live action

Genre: school, society, comedy

Year: 1998-Jul-07 to 1998-Sep-22

Introduction:

The live action is based on the manga of the same name by Fujisawa Tohru. The story is a sequel of Shounan Jun’ai-gumi and precedes “GTO Shonan 14 Days”. An anime was made a year later.

Summary:

Onizuka Eikichi, an ex-leader of a motorcycle gang, whose lifelong dream is to become a teacher finally gets a chance to be hired by the lady director Sakurai Akira. [Her first name is really Akira.] Onizuka is assigned to a class of troublemakers. While facing a lot of opposition from the students and teachers alike, his passion for teaching and helping his students outside school matters, eventually win everyone over.

Critique:

Aside from the cast’s great acting the chemistry is pretty much perfect. Many of the actors and students from the show became famous later on e.g. Oguri Shun (Hana Yori Dango, Hana-Kimi, Gokusen). Sorimachi Takashi (Onizuka Eikichi), his acting and style sets the whole atmosphere of the GTO show.

As far as the GTO story is concerned the show is the closes version to the manga despite some difference. However, the impression and appearance of Onizuka is different from the manga and anime. He’s less intimidating and more sympathetic and social. The atmosphere and relationship is more toward that of lifelong friendship than just respect and appreciation as in the manga.

The show did more or less sets off a revolution in how Japanese school dramas are made. The only complain I have is that the truck scene isn’t realistic, but that’s rather unimportant.

Despite the years the show has remained a top favorite of mine as it does for many others. It’s not doubt a must see show.

Verdict: 9.7

Cast 9

Cast performance 10