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GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka #1
GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka, tom 1
Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin and ex-biker. He's crude, foul-mouthed, and has a split second temper. His goal: to be the Greatest High School Teacher in the World! Of course the only reason he wants to be a teacher is so he can try and score with the hot students Before he can become a teacher, he's got to work as a student teacher to earn his credentials. Onizuka may think he's the toughest guy on campus, but when he meets his class full of bullies, blackmailers, and scheming sadists, he'll have to prove it.
184 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 1997
53 people are currently reading
2373 people want to read
About the author
Tōru Fujisawa
515 books123 followersTōru Fujisawa (japanese: 藤沢とおる; also Toru, Tôru Fujisawa or Tooru Fujisawa) began his career as mangaka in 1989 with Adesugata Junjou Boy serialized in the Weekly Shonen Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
February 18, 2025
This manga speaks to me. I am in a middle of a career change, I am teaching college students after escaping the daily grind of an 8 to 5 career. I can relate to Onizuka, who had a hard time earning the respect of his students. When I started teaching I already have an idea of how the "Great Teacher Onizuka" would do it. So, it was a great help.
Onizuka teaches his students that academics are not everything, they are important, but of equal standing are friends, honor and just enjoying life. He is a reminder to his students that a balance can be achieved. He has a career and he is enjoying it.
Lessons from manga? Who would've thought of it?
Onizuka teaches his students that academics are not everything, they are important, but of equal standing are friends, honor and just enjoying life. He is a reminder to his students that a balance can be achieved. He has a career and he is enjoying it.
Lessons from manga? Who would've thought of it?
January 2, 2022
Review to come
October 23, 2014
This manga is very entertaining, but also very moving and insightful. Some may describe it as sexist, but whilst it may not be politically correct this is a really good read and the main character despite being interested in sex (like most young men his age), really cares about his students and treats them fairly. He's the sort of teacher who makes a huge positive impact on his students. If you enjoy the manga there is also an anime of this, which is also really good.
March 22, 2016
Onizuka is a fairly typical sex-obsessed early twenties guy. He's sexist, vulgar, wild, and he looks wild. He's also a virgin, so he's basically mostly talk. But he's still a jerk, and you should be offended by him. Which would appear to be the point. I hope.
At one point, trying to seduce a girl, he sees she really respects a teacher, so sort of on a whim (which is how he has lived his life until now), he decides to be a teacher. He changes his image, cleans up, and slowly begins to be the kind of teacher students love and admire. He's only a couple years older than his students, really, so this causes some complications, but he is in general seems to be a regular guy changing his life in a real way.
I have this feeling the series gets better as it goes, but at first it is pretty dicey. I see at a glance some (especially female) readers don't like it much, and I get that, because he is at first truly a jerk, but I am giving this one a little space. . . I mean, people grow up. . . and he seems like a pretty fully realized character, as things proceed.
At one point, trying to seduce a girl, he sees she really respects a teacher, so sort of on a whim (which is how he has lived his life until now), he decides to be a teacher. He changes his image, cleans up, and slowly begins to be the kind of teacher students love and admire. He's only a couple years older than his students, really, so this causes some complications, but he is in general seems to be a regular guy changing his life in a real way.
I have this feeling the series gets better as it goes, but at first it is pretty dicey. I see at a glance some (especially female) readers don't like it much, and I get that, because he is at first truly a jerk, but I am giving this one a little space. . . I mean, people grow up. . . and he seems like a pretty fully realized character, as things proceed.
February 2, 2019
Il y a déjà 19 ans, je découvrais le premier épisode de GTO à la télé. J’avais pas tout compris et les termes « mangas » et « animes » m’étaient totalement inconnus. Les années ont passé, je n’avais aucun a priori sur la saga et je souhaitais la découvrir. Après tout, c’est une saga culte et il aurait été bête de passer à côté. Et vous me connaissez, ça peut prendre des années avant qu’un livre arrive dans ma pàl – et surtout – qu’il en ressorte. Il a fallut que je le croise dans un rayon de livres d’occasions il y a 4 ans pour que je l’achète ! Et je ne l’ai lu que maintenant.
J’aurais mieux fait d’oublier
Je n’ai jamais été emballée par les histoires d’adultes qui veulent coucher avec des mineures et qui romantisent totalement la situation. De surcroit quand il y a une telle relation, biaisée par leurs rôles : le prof, qui représente l’autorité, cherche à coucher avec des élèves mineures qui lui doivent obéissance et respect pendant leur scolarité. Voyeurisme, projet d’isoler une élève… Chouette, un manga qui respecte les femmes ! (non)
Il en va de même pour les violences envers les élèves. Qui fait ça ? Qui se prépare avec un gang de motard pour enlever et torturer des élèves parce qu’ils lui ont fait un sale tour ? Dans quel monde ça se passe ? Et ne cherchont pas d’excuse, ni d’humour, c’est juste inquiétant.
Oui, c’est inquiétant, ça sort bien de la tête d’un homme, qui dans son manga sexualise toutes les mineures qu’il dessine. Sa vision des ado japonaises est très réductrice, sexiste, hyper sexualisées. C’est juste horrible. Qui un jour s’est dit : C’est ok les gars, on édite ça ?
Alors oui, c’est sorti dans les années 90, le mangaka est japonais ect mais enfaite ça ne servira jamais d’excuse à mes yeux quand Pika a offert à cette saga une réédition en 2017. Ça laisse songeur.
En bref ? On évite.
J’aurais mieux fait d’oublier
Je n’ai jamais été emballée par les histoires d’adultes qui veulent coucher avec des mineures et qui romantisent totalement la situation. De surcroit quand il y a une telle relation, biaisée par leurs rôles : le prof, qui représente l’autorité, cherche à coucher avec des élèves mineures qui lui doivent obéissance et respect pendant leur scolarité. Voyeurisme, projet d’isoler une élève… Chouette, un manga qui respecte les femmes ! (non)
Il en va de même pour les violences envers les élèves. Qui fait ça ? Qui se prépare avec un gang de motard pour enlever et torturer des élèves parce qu’ils lui ont fait un sale tour ? Dans quel monde ça se passe ? Et ne cherchont pas d’excuse, ni d’humour, c’est juste inquiétant.
Oui, c’est inquiétant, ça sort bien de la tête d’un homme, qui dans son manga sexualise toutes les mineures qu’il dessine. Sa vision des ado japonaises est très réductrice, sexiste, hyper sexualisées. C’est juste horrible. Qui un jour s’est dit : C’est ok les gars, on édite ça ?
Alors oui, c’est sorti dans les années 90, le mangaka est japonais ect mais enfaite ça ne servira jamais d’excuse à mes yeux quand Pika a offert à cette saga une réédition en 2017. Ça laisse songeur.
En bref ? On évite.
July 16, 2023
জানতাম না এই মাঙ্গা এতোটা 'এঙ্গেজিং' কিছু হতে পারে...
August 31, 2017
This is my review for the whole manga series.
This manga pretty much sums up the most fun school life every student could wish for. If every school has a teacher like Eikichi Onizuka, no one would skip classes anymore.
The story revolves around Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin who aspires to be a high school teacher. He's a leader of Onibaku bike gang, very athletic and has a second dan black belt in karate, and during his teenage years he's the typical badass student type.
Onizuka may look like a Yakuza on the outside, but deep down he has a golden heart. Despite him being a clown, pervert, gross, and a little irresponsible, he's the real deal. He's a beast, the epitome of cool, awesome, and badass.
What I love most about this manga is how close to reality the adult and student life is depicted. Not everything is a happy ending, and we need to work really hard to achieve what we want. I also love how Onizuka reaches out to his students and makes them realize that the world is a beautiful place to live in, despite the hardships they go through.
The characters are simply awesome, besides Onizuka, I especially love Mayu, Kikuchi, Murai, Urumi, Fujiyoshi, Kusano, Noboru, and Anko!
Of course, I won't miss the love 'ships for the world, like Murai & Kujirakawa, Noboru & Anko, Kikuchi & Urumi, and Onizuka & Urumi.
Yes, Onizuka and Urumi especially...
The thing is, many intellects will tell you that they'll never let their emtions control them before logically thinking it through. It's just romantic that Urumi, with an IQ over 200, the girl who rarely expresses her emotions, was able to break this barrier and say "screw it" for Onizuka. That's a major step for her.
The plot seems to take a different turn on Volume 20 of GTO, it just isn't the same anymore. New characters are introduced and new lifestyle is implemented in the school. But I still like reading it anyway.
Overall, this manga is a great read. I'm sad that it's already finished, Although I'm satisfied with the ending, I hope they write more! This manga has been a big part of my life since I was a little kid.
Long Live Onizuka Sensei!
This manga pretty much sums up the most fun school life every student could wish for. If every school has a teacher like Eikichi Onizuka, no one would skip classes anymore.
The story revolves around Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old virgin who aspires to be a high school teacher. He's a leader of Onibaku bike gang, very athletic and has a second dan black belt in karate, and during his teenage years he's the typical badass student type.
Onizuka may look like a Yakuza on the outside, but deep down he has a golden heart. Despite him being a clown, pervert, gross, and a little irresponsible, he's the real deal. He's a beast, the epitome of cool, awesome, and badass.
What I love most about this manga is how close to reality the adult and student life is depicted. Not everything is a happy ending, and we need to work really hard to achieve what we want. I also love how Onizuka reaches out to his students and makes them realize that the world is a beautiful place to live in, despite the hardships they go through.
The characters are simply awesome, besides Onizuka, I especially love Mayu, Kikuchi, Murai, Urumi, Fujiyoshi, Kusano, Noboru, and Anko!
Of course, I won't miss the love 'ships for the world, like Murai & Kujirakawa, Noboru & Anko, Kikuchi & Urumi, and Onizuka & Urumi.
Yes, Onizuka and Urumi especially...
The thing is, many intellects will tell you that they'll never let their emtions control them before logically thinking it through. It's just romantic that Urumi, with an IQ over 200, the girl who rarely expresses her emotions, was able to break this barrier and say "screw it" for Onizuka. That's a major step for her.
The plot seems to take a different turn on Volume 20 of GTO, it just isn't the same anymore. New characters are introduced and new lifestyle is implemented in the school. But I still like reading it anyway.
Overall, this manga is a great read. I'm sad that it's already finished, Although I'm satisfied with the ending, I hope they write more! This manga has been a big part of my life since I was a little kid.
Long Live Onizuka Sensei!
December 14, 2014
This is a really great manga. Funny, insightful and definitely not PC, but all the better for that. Some readers will probably be offended by it, but if authors were afraid to offend some of the best books would never have been written (or drawn). This is one of them.
June 7, 2022
I don't care if there's funny and clever stuff mixed in, the premise of GTO thus far is still that this guy got a job as a teacher primarily so he could groom teenage girls into marrying him.
October 7, 2020
As a fellow teacher, I approve this book.
March 3, 2013
If I could have given this zero stars I would have done it.
November 29, 2022
Przyjemne do czytania.
December 23, 2008
Meet Eikichi Onizuka--the twenty-two year old, ex-leader of a motorcycle gang, the graduate of a fifth-rate college, someone who hasn't made much of his life so far. Now he finds himself job-hunting, racking up rejection after rejection. It looks hopeless, until he comes across a high school girl, upset over a fight with her boyfriend. He offers to show her a good time, but during karaoke, her boyfriend shows up. She leaps into the much older, bald guy's arms, calling him 'teacher.' This gives Eikichi a great idea. He decides he wants to be a teacher. Surrounded by young, perky high school girls--it sounds like just the life for him. When he comes across another high school girl in trouble, she invites herself over. Instead of taking advantage of her, even when he says he can do whatever he wants with her, he wants to protect her and look out for her, as her teacher, showing he does have some redeeming qualities.
Generally this isn't the type of manga I'd go for. Onizuka is rude and crude, but the level of detail in each panel is amazing. Often while Onizuka is having a conversation with someone, the people around him will be talking as well, which can made for crowded panels, but it all fits together and flows around him so well that it doesn't seem to bog the story down--it adds to it. I could do without the disgusting caricatures of Onizuka whenever he gets overly excited or upset. He has a very unorthodox method of doing things which leaves each book with a sort of cliffhanger ending.
Generally this isn't the type of manga I'd go for. Onizuka is rude and crude, but the level of detail in each panel is amazing. Often while Onizuka is having a conversation with someone, the people around him will be talking as well, which can made for crowded panels, but it all fits together and flows around him so well that it doesn't seem to bog the story down--it adds to it. I could do without the disgusting caricatures of Onizuka whenever he gets overly excited or upset. He has a very unorthodox method of doing things which leaves each book with a sort of cliffhanger ending.
November 23, 2015
Great Teacher Onizuka is rated Older Teen. It has sexual situations, bulging, violent acts, revenge ploys, and above all that a story about a man who might have started his career for the wrong reasons but really cares for the students deep down (when they are not trying to make his life bad.)
Former Bike Gang member Eikichi Onizuka had delusions of grandeur as he begins looking for work after finish up in college but can't seem to find any jobs with unlimited bank accounts or amazing women he can seduce. One day he meets a beautiful high school girl who uses him until her teacher comes for her leaving poor Onizuka in the dust. Thus his decision to educate the masses had begun ignoring the fact that guys are in these classes too. The question is will he accidentally kill one of his students who have no respect for anyone?
My only problem with this book is the super tiny word bubbles that required I pick up a magnifying glass to read even though most of them were less than important. I personally really enjoy the protagonist Onizuka as he handles each problem that comes his way the only way he knows how. Usually his methods are far from gentle I assure you.
My favorite part of the book would have to be when some punks from the class Onizuka is teaching are suddenly surrounded by his old gang and Onizuka makes his appearance. I hope you are not squeamish because vengeance is nigh. :)
Former Bike Gang member Eikichi Onizuka had delusions of grandeur as he begins looking for work after finish up in college but can't seem to find any jobs with unlimited bank accounts or amazing women he can seduce. One day he meets a beautiful high school girl who uses him until her teacher comes for her leaving poor Onizuka in the dust. Thus his decision to educate the masses had begun ignoring the fact that guys are in these classes too. The question is will he accidentally kill one of his students who have no respect for anyone?
My only problem with this book is the super tiny word bubbles that required I pick up a magnifying glass to read even though most of them were less than important. I personally really enjoy the protagonist Onizuka as he handles each problem that comes his way the only way he knows how. Usually his methods are far from gentle I assure you.
My favorite part of the book would have to be when some punks from the class Onizuka is teaching are suddenly surrounded by his old gang and Onizuka makes his appearance. I hope you are not squeamish because vengeance is nigh. :)
July 13, 2008
Man this got to be one of the most touching shounen I ever read. Reading this was really refreshing, possibly from the "old school" feeling of it all. Beside having a really great and funny storyline (yes I cant remember how many time I laugh when I saw Onizuka stupid act), you get to understand and learn from it as well, alot of great lesson is filled within this show. Beside those, character are really well develop and usually leave a memorable though within viewer. I highly recommend this series, it one of those "old style" series that got to read
May 18, 2013
Despite its violent and so-called "bad manner" content, GTO is an inspiring, entertaining yet meaningful comic for those who have experienced the life of high school. Highly recommended!
July 7, 2013
Great and funny teacher
November 22, 2014
Great series
December 17, 2014
Very funny series.
September 11, 2017
This incredible series is very well done. Watch as Onizuka Sensei is born from humble beginnings. He even tries Truck Driving which is pretty interesting. What can I say? He just seems to have a knack for teaching. It goes by quickly since there is more art than text, but the book is still good and the story is fantastic.
January 29, 2025
RB: Tony
1.5 stars rated up. I'm not sure I fully get the point of this series. Is the idea that a sex-obsessed guy becomes a teacher to groom him students into having sex with him? That's just...ok? What's the objective here? IDK. I could have done without the dozen or so upskirt drawings of underage women as well.
I won't be continuing with this series.
1.5 stars rated up. I'm not sure I fully get the point of this series. Is the idea that a sex-obsessed guy becomes a teacher to groom him students into having sex with him? That's just...ok? What's the objective here? IDK. I could have done without the dozen or so upskirt drawings of underage women as well.
I won't be continuing with this series.
Read
May 22, 2020Quite fine
September 5, 2022
3.5 was expecting a little more but can see it improving
October 21, 2017
Demorei pra terminar por conta de problemas extra leitura, mas esse mangá é genial demais. Absurdo, sensível, cômico com um leve erotismo. A arte é legal, bem feita. Agora é ler a continuação. Vale o investimento.
June 8, 2021
-7/10
-If you like comedy manga such as Grand Blue Dreaming, this story will be right up your alley
-The art style is average
-I enjoyed it enough to want to pick up the next volume from my local library
-Fair warning this manga is very out of print so good luck finding it if you're a die hard fan
-Overall it was a fun read but nothing incredibly unique
-If you like comedy manga such as Grand Blue Dreaming, this story will be right up your alley
-The art style is average
-I enjoyed it enough to want to pick up the next volume from my local library
-Fair warning this manga is very out of print so good luck finding it if you're a die hard fan
-Overall it was a fun read but nothing incredibly unique
September 1, 2014
GTO is an interesting read for me on several levels since I teach in college. I was older than Onizuka when I started teaching and I certainly had different motivations than him and yet, I can still appreciate what he goes through, especially whenever he triumphs and helps students learn something important. That is one of the more gratifying things I've experienced in my life.
From reading the reviews here on Goodreads, it seems like a lot of female readers find Onizuka repulsive and a bit of a pervert and while I can see where they get this idea, I think he actually acts in a moral fashion towards women. He thinks about sleeping with one particular student but is too shy and never seriously attempts it because he knows the consequences. The very idea of a teacher sleeping with a student is wrong because it creates a huge conflict of interest, ruins trust, and can only lead to very bad consequences for everyone involved but as a lifelong male, I can only say that Onizuka probably represents the thinking of a lot of young men from 16-24 who think about sex and women all the time. So all I can say is that, I don't know whether girls do the same (even though I suspect most do), but I think a 22 year old checking out an 18 year girl is hardly that bad with the exception of his profession. Besides, Japan has created much more twisted sexual things than GTO.
Regardless of that, I like the humor in this series quite a bit. Onizuka always seems to make the wrong decisions and have the worst luck and yet, he always comes good by the end. He also teaches himself and others valuable lessons even if he rarely intends to. The supporting characters feel very human and are often very real and easy to relate to. The exaggerated/grotesque facial expressions do get a little old, but otherwise, I think the art is serviceable in this series, especially since it is more of a drama with people talking than an emphasis on action. Overall, I think GTO is an entertaining series and I plan on reading more to see what kind of trouble GTO gets himself into.
From reading the reviews here on Goodreads, it seems like a lot of female readers find Onizuka repulsive and a bit of a pervert and while I can see where they get this idea, I think he actually acts in a moral fashion towards women. He thinks about sleeping with one particular student but is too shy and never seriously attempts it because he knows the consequences. The very idea of a teacher sleeping with a student is wrong because it creates a huge conflict of interest, ruins trust, and can only lead to very bad consequences for everyone involved but as a lifelong male, I can only say that Onizuka probably represents the thinking of a lot of young men from 16-24 who think about sex and women all the time. So all I can say is that, I don't know whether girls do the same (even though I suspect most do), but I think a 22 year old checking out an 18 year girl is hardly that bad with the exception of his profession. Besides, Japan has created much more twisted sexual things than GTO.
Regardless of that, I like the humor in this series quite a bit. Onizuka always seems to make the wrong decisions and have the worst luck and yet, he always comes good by the end. He also teaches himself and others valuable lessons even if he rarely intends to. The supporting characters feel very human and are often very real and easy to relate to. The exaggerated/grotesque facial expressions do get a little old, but otherwise, I think the art is serviceable in this series, especially since it is more of a drama with people talking than an emphasis on action. Overall, I think GTO is an entertaining series and I plan on reading more to see what kind of trouble GTO gets himself into.
September 27, 2010
I love the gto series, at first I thought that it was bad and just preverted, but I've relied that he's just like every other man with his weird fantasies. It rude, crude, and very lewd. Onizuka is the man. the whole series get better every book. so if u didn't like this book, then try reading the second volume. If you don't like the second volume, then don't read anymore. this book is awesome, and I totally recomend it.
April 4, 2008
I great comedy series about biker gang leader-turned teacher! At first, he's just in it to get a young wife, but he ends up helping a lot of kids. This is a long series that I'm still working on, but it has lots of different plots within the main one that definitely keeps you hooked.
November 22, 2012
Onizuka, young 20s man who is the leader of his gang. His dream? To become a high school teacher so he can hook up with female students. Yes he is a perv, but he does get into a lot of trouble with his students. You'll be laughing to the end.
July 15, 2008
This is not your usual shonen manga, it's a social satire at it's best. A masterpiece and a must for any manga fan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews