Shonan Junai Gumi
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is a Japanese
manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The term is used in Japan to refer to both comics ...
series written and illustrated by Tooru Fujisawa. It was published in
Kodansha is a Japanese privately held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha publishes manga magazines which include ''Nakayoshi'', ''Morning (magazine), Morning'', ''Afternoon (magazine), Afternoon'', ''Evening (magazine), Eveni ...
's manga magazine ''
Weekly Shōnen Magazine is a weekly ''shōnen'' manga magazine published on Wednesdays in Japan by Kodansha, first published on March 17, 1959. The magazine is mainly read by an older audience, with a significant portion of its readership falling under the male high ...
'' from October 1990 to October 1996, compiled in 31 volumes. A 15-volume edition was released from May to December 2005. The story follows the youth of Eikichi Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji Danma while they are still in high school but have already formed their shock duo the Oni-Baku Combi. Multiple adaptations were established during the series’ run, such as a five-episode
original video animation , abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and special episodes of a series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the ...
(OVA) series released on VHS from 1994 to 1997, a
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, and several
live action Live action is a form of cinematography or videography that uses photography instead of animation. Some works combine live action with animation to create a live-action animated feature film. Live action is used to define film, video games o ...
movies. The edition of the manga was licensed in North America by
Tokyopop Tokyopop (styled TOKYOPOP; formerly known as Mixx Entertainment) is an American distributor, licensor and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa and Western manga-style works. The German publishing division produces German translations of licens ...
, which retitled it as ''GTO: The Early Years'', although the editions retain ''Shonan Junai Gumi'' as a subtitle. The first volume was released in June 2006. The Tokyopop editions ended with volume 10. Publisher
Vertical Inc Kodansha USA Publishing, LLC is a publishing company based in New York, US, and a subsidiary of Japan's largest publishing company Kodansha. Established in July 1st 2008, Kodansha USA publishes books relating to Japan, Japanese culture, and man ...
continued and concluded the series in 2012. The character Eikichi Onizuka would later star in the sequel series '' Great Teacher Onizuka''. By January 2020, ''Shonan Junai Gumi'' had over 45 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history.


Plot

The story of ''Shonan Junai Gumi'' deals with the duo, consisting of Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma, and their quest to lose their virginity and reach maturity. They are widely feared , and are known for their tenacity and viciousness in a fight. However, this lifestyle does not endear them to the opposite gender, so they decide to change their ways—although that is not an easy task for them. The series focuses on the Oni-Baku's wide range of friends and foes, and the crazy situations they all get into. The story begins as a gag manga, but more serious issues present themselves as it continues.


Characters


Oni-Baku and friends

; : : : Eikichi, a former member of the biker gang, once regarded its leader, Kyousuke Masaki, as an elder brother. During junior high, he initially clashed with Ryuji Danma, though the two later formed a strong friendship. Skilled in combat but awkward around women, Eikichi has a kindhearted nature beneath his rough exterior, often aiding others despite his rebellious demeanor. He resides with his mother in an apartment and rides a Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, while also owning Masaki's ZII motorcycle. ; : : : Ryuji Danma, the other half of the Oni-baku duo, is taller and somewhat more composed than his partner, though his temper makes him dangerous when provoked. Unlike Eikichi, he fares better with women, having been involved with his former teacher Ayumi and later Nagisa. His affluent family strongly disapproves of his rebellious lifestyle, though his elder sister Yoko occasionally shelters him. A skilled mechanic, Ryuji owns a motorcycle shop and participates in illegal street races. He rides a
Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...
CBX-400F, a bike featured in ''
Bad Company Bad Company were an English rock supergroup formed in London in 1973 by singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke (both ex- Free), guitarist Mick Ralphs (ex- Mott the Hoople) and bassist Boz Burrell (ex-King Crimson). Kirke was the only m ...
''. ; : :Saejima, alongside Kamata, is feared as one of the "Mad Dogs of Kamakura", notorious for their violent tactics—including an infamous pencil assault. After being defeated by the Oni-Baku duo, he and Kamata join their gang. With an intimidating appearance that unnerves women and even his own wealthy family, Saejima is often mistaken for a yakuza. His relatives are so fearful that his sisters communicate through a locked door, and his parents flinch at his presence. He rides a Kawasaki motorcycle. Later, in '' GTO'', he becomes a corrupt police officer, while in spin-offs like ''Ino-Head Gargoyle'', he continues operating on the fringes of the law. ; : : Jun Kamata initially appears as an antagonist alongside Saejima until their defeat by the Oni-Baku leads them to reform. Known for his immense strength, Kamata can single-handedly overpower entire gangs when angered. His troubled past includes the traumatic suicide of his childhood friend's sister after her assault by a gang, followed by his friend Natsu killing the perpetrators—an act Kamata mistakenly perceived as betrayal. After leaving Japan for the U.S., he later returns in the series' finale working at a bar. He rides a
Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...
Steed. In ''Ino-Head Gargoyle'', he becomes a junior officer seeking vengeance against drug dealers who harmed his younger brother, aided by former allies. ; : : Abe, originally from Iwamisawa in Hokkaidō, is a charismatic womanizer whose flashy style and confidence attract constant female attention—much to the Oni-Baku’s initial annoyance. After being convinced to share his "secrets", he joins their gang and proves fiercely loyal, standing by them in clashes like the Midnight Angels conflict and the fight against Kamata and Saejima. Though he fades from focus later in the manga, his absence is never addressed, implying he remains part of the group offscreen. He rides a Honda CBX 1000. By the time of ''GTO'', his fortunes have declined; once the owner of multiple stores, he struggles to maintain a single business while humorously lamenting his baldness and
impotence Erectile dysfunction (ED), also referred to as impotence, is a form of sexual dysfunction in males characterized by the persistent or recurring inability to achieve or maintain a Human penis, penile erection with sufficient rigidity and durat ...
. ; : : Tsukai, a former member of Enoshima Yonchuu Junior High's "Shitennou" (Four Heavenly Kings), later joins the Oni-Baku after transferring to Tsujidou High. As Kunito Nakajo's , he possesses unique insights within the group. A skilled but not elite fighter, he consistently triumphs against tough opponents. His relationship with Yui Itou evolves from a one-sided crush to a committed romance. In ''GTO'', Saejima reveals Tsukai married Itou and had a child while maintaining his biker lifestyle, as seen in ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'' where he continues riding alongside Katsuyuki despite joining an athletic club. ; : : Makoto is a steadfast member of the Oni-Baku, known more for his loyalty than his combat ability. Though less skilled in fights than his peers, he consistently supports his friends, even after being manipulated into briefly betraying them during the clash between the Kamakura and Shonan gangs. Previously bullied by Saejima and Kamata before their reformation, he later proves his courage by standing by the group. Popular with women, he eventually forms a lasting relationship with a girl named Mami. ; : : Katsuyuki leads the K.T. Butai, a subgroup of the Oni-Baku composed of fellow students like Yasuo and Atsushi. Known for his explosive temper, he often instigates conflicts—particularly with rivals Tamura and Kenkichi Hino. After losing a fight to Eikichi, he begins idolizing him, remaining fiercely loyal to both Eikichi and the Oni-Baku. By the events of ''GTO'': 14 Days in Shonan, he works at a junkyard but continues his biker lifestyle alongside Tsukai. ; : Yasuo, a devoted member of Katsuyuki's gang, initially resents the Oni-Baku's influence but grows loyal to them through his unwavering allegiance to "Ka-chan". He frequently clashes with students from Enoshima Shogyou, harboring a particular grudge against them. Though not a central character, Yasuo appears regularly and occasionally takes prominent roles. He rides a Yamaha XJ-R and maintains a relationship with his girlfriend Mayumi. ; : Saegusa, a K.T. Butai member resembling Saejima and Makoto, regularly appears with Katsuyuki's group. He fights without hesitation, even when vastly outnumbered like during a café brawl against Enoshou students. Always ready as backup, he rides a
Honda commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...
CB-SF. ; : Kitamura appears least often among the K.T. Butai members, serving primarily as a background character. He is present during the Oni-Baku's encounter with the intimidating Kiwamezawa, reacting nervously to his imposing presence. Beyond these minor appearances, he plays no substantial role in the group's activities. ; : Atsushi, a K.T. Butai member, endures repeated violence from the Oni-Baku's foes—including brutal attacks by Yagyou Atsuki and a DOA gang member. Despite this, he consistently participates in major battles, maintaining unwavering loyalty to his Onizuka and Katsuyuki. ; : : Itou initially helps the Oni-Baku by providing information about Kamata and Saejima, having attended the same junior high. Though she develops feelings for Eikichi, his rivalry over Kaoru leads to a conflict between Tsukai and Onizuka. She ultimately becomes Tsukai's longtime girlfriend, with their relationship progressing to marriage and parenthood by ''GTO''. As the first female accepted into the Oni-Baku's circle, she frequently appears in later volumes during group gatherings. ; : : : Shinomi first appears as an overweight, bullied girl protected by Eikichi, later transforming into an attractive woman involved with Idaten gang member Takezawa Akira. After Eikichi hospitalizes Takezawa and ends their relationship, she joins the Oni-Baku's circle, dyeing her hair blonde. Though harboring romantic feelings for Eikichi, he views her platonically as a sister figure. With her fiery personality and fighting spirit—essentially a female version of Eikichi—she befriends Nagisa and frequently appears alongside her. In later series, she works as a makeup artist, including for Tomoko in ''GTO'', and briefly assists at White Swan in ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'' while subtly recognizing Onizuka's teaching identity. ; : : : Nagisa works as a waitress at Marine House seafood restaurant when Ryuji first notices her. Though appearing gentle, she struggles with dissociative identity disorder, manifesting an aggressive alter ego named Yasha. This condition stems from her traumatic rape by Junya Akutsu, leader of the Midnight Angels gang to which she belongs. After Ryuji rescues her, she conquers her psychological struggles and becomes his devoted girlfriend, remaining with him through the events of ''GTO''. ; : Motivated by his grandfather's final words to become "strong", the once-timid Yoshio joins the Oni-Baku to reinvent himself. His aggressive fighting style quickly clashes with Eikichi and Ryuji's leadership. After seizing control of the rogue Atsuki Yagyou gang—who had been tarnishing the Oni-Baku's name—he escalates tensions to a deadly confrontation. In their final encounter, his antique firearm misfires during a standoff with Eikichi, severely wounding his own hands before disappearing from the story permanently.


Foes

; : : Machida, an eyebrowless boxing champion, initially defeats Eikichi through deception—using a
knuckle-duster Brass knuckles (also referred to as brass knucks, knuckledusters, iron fist and paperweight, among other names) are a melee weapon used primarily in Hand to hand combat, hand-to-hand combat. They are fitted and designed to be worn around the kn ...
and evasive tactics before finishing him with a street sign. While skilled, his victory relies entirely on the element of surprise. When they meet again, Ryuji dismantles Machida's gang singlehandedly while Eikichi overwhelms the boxer in a brutal rematch, absorbing his punches and retaliating with devastating force. ; : The mustachioed yakuza successor and former of the Oni-Baku endured constant humiliation at their hands—most of it well-deserved. After fading from the main story, he makes a final appearance reacting to the gang's fate in the concluding volume, displaying characteristically little sympathy for their circumstances. ; : : Okubo, nicknamed "Eguriya" (Slasher) for his brutal knife attacks, is a Kyokuto High alumnus and Madara gang member. He resurfaces to settle unfinished business with Eikichi, having previously stabbed him during a fight. Despite Eikichi battling with a broken foot, he overwhelms Okubo in their violent rematch, nearly beating him to death. ; : Fumiya, the younger brother of Ayumi's late fiancé, initially seeks to sabotage her relationship with Ryuji. As a Kyokuto High student leading a sizable gang—including member Asakura Yoshiaki—he kidnaps Ayumi before being defeated by Ryuji. He later returns as an ally, riding a Yamaha V-Max. In ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'', he assists Onizuka while working as a Tokyo Artists Production representative. ; : : Akutsu, the second leader of the Midnight Angels, harbored jealousy toward Eikichi for stealing his mentor Masaki's attention years earlier. Seeking to restore the gang's dominance, he recruits the Idaten and manipulates Nagisa in a failed attempt to kill Ryuji. Known for petrol arson, his feud with Satsuriku Butai's Kamishima stems from a fiery confrontation during their Midnight Angels days. After defeats by Onizuka and Kamishima, he later aids the Oni-Baku when needed. In later appearances, he leads a revived Midnight Angels in ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'', still displaying his reckless nature, and assists Kamata's revenge plot in Ino-Head Gargoyle alongside Nakajo and his gang members. ; : Kashiya, the chain-smoking leader of the Blue Rose gang and yakuza heir, earns his "Tobacco Guy" nickname through constant cigarette use. Preferring manipulation over direct confrontation, he controls subordinate gangs like DOA while maintaining a longstanding rivalry with Kunito Nakajo over Shonan's underworld affairs. ; : Takezawa leads the Idaten gang and dates Shinomi Fujisaki until his brutal defeat by Onizuka leaves him hospitalized, ending their relationship. Though Akutsu temporarily absorbs his gang into the Midnight Angels, the Idaten members refuse to turn against their true leader when Takezawa returns. He resurfaces later upon recognizing Eikichi's new girlfriend Misato Hazuki—a former Idaten member now radically changed from her gang days. ; : Joey, the pain-insensitive leader of the Blue Rose-affiliated DOA gang, carries the trauma of his girlfriend Yoko's tragic death. His clashes with the Oni-Baku end inconclusively, while a high-speed race against Onizuka sends him crashing into the ocean—a near-death experience that prompts reflection after his brother rescues him. By ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'', he redeems himself as owner of Yokosuka's L-club. ; : Natsu, nicknamed "Shinigami", was Kamata's childhood friend until tragedy shattered their bond. When Kamata's sister Fuyuka took her own life after a brutal gang assault, Natsu slaughtered her attackers in retaliation. Kamata, misunderstanding Natsu's actions as betrayal, inadvertently caused his arrest by bringing adults to intervene. Over the following years, Natsu's violent rampages against rivals earned him the Yokohama Group's enmity. His life ended when Nakagaki shot him in the back as he helped Kamata up—a final act of loyalty. Honoring their childhood pact, Kamata departed for America shortly after Natsu's death. ; : Nakagaki arrives as a brutal antagonist determined to demonstrate his gang's dominance over Shonan's factions. He disrupts a fight between Katsuyuki and Tamura, teaming with Mauchi to defeat them both, then later singlehandedly overwhelms an entire diner of Enoshou students. His deep-seated grudge against Natsu—marked by a facial scar from their past—leads him to fatally shoot Natsu during a major gang confrontation. This provokes Eikichi to deliver a savage beating in retribution. ; : Mauchi operates silently beside Nakagaki, his surgical mask and quiet demeanor masking formidable fighting skills. Though underestimated as a mere subordinate, he defeats multiple gang members during the Yokohama conflict. While Nakajo initially overpowers him, Nakagaki retaliates by crushing Nakajo with a chair—demonstrating their effective partnership, seen again when they overwhelm Katsuyuki and Tamura. Mauchi's durability shines when he withstands an iron bar to the neck and continues fighting Ryuji. His final defeat comes at Kamata's hands after Onizuka dismantles Nakagaki. ; : : Kamishima, leader of the Satsuriku Butai, carries deep scars from Akutsu's petrol attack during their Midnight Angels days. Now locked in a three-way conflict against both Akutsu and the Oni-Baku, he rides a Kawasaki GPZ900R into battle. Though soundly defeated by Akutsu and caught in one of his explosions, Kamishima survives—only to resurface later when the Oni-Baku mistake an Atsuki Yagyou member (riding an identical bike) for him. The series concludes with Kamishima institutionalized, physically healed but mentally broken, his original scars remaining as grim reminders of his violent past.


Other characters

; : : : During their first encounter on Yoron Shima, the Oni-Baku meet teachers Ayumi and Mariko—Eikichi pursues casual flings while Ryuji develops genuine feelings for Ayumi. Their relationship persists despite her fabricated identity and interference from Fumiya Shindouji, who reveals Ayumi's tragic past engagement to his deceased brother. When marriage plans surface, Ayumi selflessly abandons Ryuji to prevent depriving him of youthful experiences, leaving him devastated. Though he later forms a relationship with Nagisa, Ayumi's sporadic reappearances continue to unsettle their dynamic, much to Nagisa's frustration. ; : : : During their encounter on Yoron Shima, Eikichi persistently pursues Mariko with crude advances, unaware she and Ayumi are actually teachers. Though initially seeking revenge after discovering their true identities, Eikichi eventually develops a mutual understanding with Mariko. Following Ayumi's departure, Mariko becomes a recurring ally who helps the group out of trouble. Her background includes yakuza connections as a crime boss's daughter and former membership in Kadena Nao's "Purple Haze" gang. ; : : : Kadena Nao, a former street racer turned Tsujikou teacher, replaces the absent Nanno. She motivates students through her charm—inspiring boys with her beauty and girls with promises of attractive university connections. Haunted by guilt over her brother Kazuhito's racing accident that left him comatose, she regains her passion for driving after racing Onizuka, who demonstrates responsible enjoyment of the sport. Her later attempt to matchmake Shinomi with Eikichi ends awkwardly. ; : Nanno, a hardened teacher with yakuza-like demeanor, initially controls his delinquent students through fear and intimidation. His authoritarian rule faces rebellion when Ryuji challenges him to a fight. Though Nanno's superior " Hokuto Shinken" martial arts would easily defeat Ryuji, the Oni-Baku uncover his secret lolita complex. They blackmail him using Myou-chan (a girl who always wears a black strip over her eyes), forcing him to take a fall in the fight. Humiliated, Nanno becomes the gang's reluctant errand boy until finally leaving the school after clashing with Kiwamezawa and fleeing from police. ; : : A longtime ally since their Midnight Angels days, Sato operates a family-owned garage and repair shop. His first significant appearance involves breaking the news to Eikichi about his failed car design, which leads to Yokokawa taking him hostage until repairing the KS Benz. He later plays supporting roles during the Akutsu conflict and routinely assists the group with motorcycle repairs, including when Onizuka needs to use Masaki's ZII. ; : : Nakajo commands all Enoshima gangs as a prominent figure at Enoshima Shogyou High. Formerly Tsukai's and leader of the Enoshima Midnight Angels division, his scarred face reflects his violent past. Though the Oni-Baku previously defeated his entire gang, creating lingering tension, Nakajo becomes a valuable ally against threats like the Yokohama Group and Atsuki Yagyou. Typically avoiding petty school conflicts, he eventually challenges Eikichi to a decisive one-on-one fight. ; : Tamura serves as
second-in-command Second-in-command (2i/c or 2IC) is a title denoting that the holder of the title is the second-highest authority within a certain organisation. Usage In the British Army or Royal Marines, the second-in-command is the deputy commander of a unit, f ...
to Toshiki Kamishima in Kamakura's Satsuriku Butai, where his enduring rivalry with Katsuyuki begins through repeated violent clashes. Their conflict pauses temporarily when Nakagaki and Mauchi brutally defeat them both, hospitalizing the rivals. During recovery, they compete for nurse Nene Mihara's attention—a former respected gang member—before uniting against Sakaki Ashura. Tamura later becomes Nakajo's lieutenant while maintaining his feud with Katsuyuki. ; Onizuka's mom : Mrs. Onizuka struggles to manage her son's delinquent behavior before finally evicting him from their apartment. A resilient single mother who had Eikichi young, she works as a club hostess while maintaining an attractive appearance with her long, wavy hair. Though Eikichi's father—former leader of the Speed motorcycle gang—remains absent, his womanizing tendencies are later revealed to explain his disappearance. By ''GTO: 14 Days in Shonan'', she relocates to Hawaii, leaving Eikichi to fend for himself. ; : : Yoshiaki, a Kyokuto student subordinate to Fumiya, initially falls victim to the Oni-Baku during their confrontation. Later coerced into serving Okubo after his girlfriend Natsumi's kidnapping, he ultimately betrays Okubo by summoning the Oni-Baku's help—despite fighting with a broken foot against overwhelming odds. After these events, he and Natsumi resume normal life, though he reappears disrupting police operations with his gang during the Midnight Angels conflict. ; : Kiwamezawa first appears as an avid ''
Sailor Moon is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Kodansha's Shōjo manga, ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from 1991 to 1997; the 60 individual chapters (later reorganized into ...
'' collector before Saejima recruits him for the "New Kamakura Combi" following Kamata's departure. His unusual family consists of five identical siblings (regardless of gender) and a remarkably youthful mother, all of whom share his distinctive features. The family's supposed father presents a stark physical contrast, making his paternity biologically implausible. When a deliveryman arrives bearing an uncanny resemblance to Kiwamezawa, Saejima pieces together the truth about the family's origins, though the Kiwamezawas themselves remain unaware. He later appears visiting Saejima during his hospitalization after another pencil-related incident. ; : Sakaki, a Hokkaido transfer student nicknamed "General of the North", boasts incredible pain tolerance inherited from his boxer father. After falsely claiming to defeat Onizuka and Tsukai, his own schoolmates turn on him when they expose his lies—though Katsuyuki stabs him anyway. He later reappears as an outcast student during the Atsuki Yagyou incident, tolerated only by an annoyed Saejima. ; : Kaoru, Jun Kamata's younger sibling, first appears at an Oni-Baku gathering where Jun protectively shields "her" from the others. Eikichi becomes infatuated, ignoring Itou and sparking a fight with Tsukai—until revealing Kaoru is actually male. The charade continues as Kaoru still crossdresses around an oblivious Onizuka. ; : Misato Hazuki first encounters Eikichi at a karaoke bar, where she pities him after girls trick him into paying their bill. Their spontaneous night together—singing, city-gazing at his favorite park, and an aborted hotel encounter—marks Eikichi's near-first sexual experience, which he nervously cancels despite her willingness. When she later appears at his home cooking dinner, their relationship blossoms until shocking revelations emerge: she recognizes Takezawa as her former gang leader, then confesses to Eikichi she was formerly male. On her departure day, Eikichi arrives at the station too late as her train leaves, their bittersweet connection ending with mutual unspoken understanding. ; : Hino, Ryuji's junior high from his previous school, harbors a fierce grudge against Katsuyuki over an eyebrow scar. Their feud nearly divides the Oni-Baku until Tsukai violently intervenes during a beach confrontation—though Ryuji and Eikichi reconcile beforehand. After DOA's Joey assaults Hino for posting Oni-Baku stickers in their territory, Ryuji defends him by dismantling twenty gang members. He remains loyal to Ryuji during the final conflict. ; : Saya leads the Enbutou female biker gang within the Blue Rose alliance. She first encounters Eikichi during a police evasion, later crossing paths again where she clashes with Shinomi over romantic tensions. During the climactic rooftop battle, she remains among the few who pay final respects to the Oni-Baku. ; : Nozomi, a Hatsuchuu Middle School third-year, develops an obsessive crush on Ryuji, creating elaborate scrapbooks of his photos while her friends fawn over Eikichi. Defying her brother's warnings about Tsujikou's poor reputation, she pursues admission solely to be near Ryuji. Their brief encounter at a
pachinko is a mechanical game originating in Japan that is used as an arcade game, and much more frequently for gambling. Pachinko fills a niche in Gambling in Japan, Japanese gambling comparable to that of the slot machine in the West as a form of l ...
parlor—where Ryuji helps her win before quietly departing—and subsequent observation of the Oni-Baku's childish behavior shatters her romantic illusions. The story concludes ironically as she gains admission to Tsujikou just as her infatuation fades. ; : Midouji, a veteran member of the Bousou Tenshi/Midnight Angels, emerges during the gang's final conflict with a cadre of senior members—much to Akutsu's surprise. He observes Onizuka's decisive battle with Akutsu and witnesses the race's conclusion when Akutsu is hospitalized. Midouji later participates in the climactic rooftop confrontation and pays his respects afterward. ; : Machiruda, a former Speed motorcycle gang member, shares history with Eikichi's family—the Onizukas having led the gang's first generation. Though previously unseen, he aids Eikichi during the DOA conflict. Now retired from gang life, he co-owns the Speed-themed café with partner Misako. ; : Misako, a former Speed motorcycle gang member, once carried an intimidating presence but now co-owns the Speed café with Machiruda. Her demeanor has softened considerably—she appears thoroughly relaxed and good-natured in her current life. ; : Kyoma arrives with a fearsome reputation for psychic powers, singlehandedly intimidating Harumurata and Samehara when they confront Tsujikou students. The would-be attackers flee upon his arrival—only for everyone to discover his "powers" merely consist of lifting skirts and popping coat buttons, much to Saejima's exasperation. ; : Saijou, a classmate of Nagisa's, proposes marriage despite her relationship with Ryuji. When Nagisa feels neglected by Ryuji's casual attitude, she rejects Saijou but accepts a date. Though Ryuji secretly observes them, Nagisa ultimately declines Saijou's offer to move to Tokyo, affirming her contentment with Ryuji—prompting him to become more attentive. Saijou demonstrates impressive karate skills, seen shattering breeze blocks at his dojo. ; : Kyousuke Masaki, the first leader of the Midnight Angels, remains an idol to Eikichi and Ryuji even after his fatal racing accident. The iconic jacket he wore—unique among gang members—passes to Onizuka, who ultimately cremates it in tribute during the series finale. His legacy endures in ''GTO'', where he appears in Onizuka's vision, inspiring him to become Japan's greatest teacher.


Media


Manga

Written and illustrated by Tooru Fujisawa, ''Shonan Junai Gumi'' was serialized in
Kodansha is a Japanese privately held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha publishes manga magazines which include ''Nakayoshi'', ''Morning (magazine), Morning'', ''Afternoon (magazine), Afternoon'', ''Evening (magazine), Eveni ...
's manga magazine ''
Weekly Shōnen Magazine is a weekly ''shōnen'' manga magazine published on Wednesdays in Japan by Kodansha, first published on March 17, 1959. The magazine is mainly read by an older audience, with a significant portion of its readership falling under the male high ...
'' from October 10, 1990, to October 2, 1996. Kodansha collected its chapters in 31 volumes, published from March 16, 1991, to December 13, 1996. Kodansha republished the series in 15 volumes from May 12 to December 9, 2005. In North America, the series was licensed by
Tokyopop Tokyopop (styled TOKYOPOP; formerly known as Mixx Entertainment) is an American distributor, licensor and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa and Western manga-style works. The German publishing division produces German translations of licens ...
in 2005. The version released by Tokyopop was the fifteen-volumes deluxe edition by Kodansha. The first volume was released on June 13, 2006, and the series was discontinued after volume 10, published on February 9, 2009. In May 2011, Vertical announced the license of the series. Vertical release started with volume 11, published on February 21, 2012, and volume 15 was published on October 30 of that same year. In November 2013, the December issue of
Akita Shoten is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Teio Akita in 1948. As of May 2023, the company's president is Shigeru Higuchi. The company is known for publishing the manga magazine '' Weekly Shōnen Champ ...
's ''
Monthly Shōnen Champion is a Japanese manga anthology. It is published by Akita Shoten since March 1970. Manga artists and series * Daijiro Morohoshi **''Mudmen'' * Hideo Azuma **'' Chibi Mama-chan'' **'' Kakuto Family'' **'' Yadorigi-kun'' * Hideyuki Yonehara **'' ...
'' announced a sequel
spin-off Spin-off, Spin Off, Spin-Off, or Spinoff may refer to: Entertainment and media *Spinoff (media), a media work derived from an existing work *''The Spinoff'', a New Zealand current affairs magazine * ''Spin Off'' (Canadian game show), a 2013 Canad ...
manga to ''Shonan Junai Gumi'', entitled ''Shonan Seven'', starting on January 6, 2014. The manga is written by Fujisawa and illustrated by Shinsuke Takahashi. The series finished on July 6, 2019. Akita Shoten collected its chapters in 17 volumes, published from June 6, 2014, to September 6, 2019.


Original video animation

An
original video animation , abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and special episodes of a series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the ...
(OVA) series was produced by J.C. Staff. The series has never been released on DVD.


Episode list


Drama

A five-episode adaptation was made between 1995 and 1997, starring Naoki Miyashita as Onizuka and Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi as Ryuji. An eight-episode live-action web drama adaptation starring Kanichiro as Onizuka and Daichi Kaneko as Ryuji was released on
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in Japan on February 28, 2020.


Reception

By January 2020, the manga had over 45 million copies in circulation.


References


External links

* {{Amazon Video original series 1997 Japanese television series endings 2020 Japanese television series endings Action anime and manga Amazon Prime Video original programming Comedy anime and manga Great Teacher Onizuka J.C.Staff Japanese drama television series Japanese high school television series Kanagawa Prefecture in fiction Kodansha manga Motorcycle television series Motorcycling in fiction Shōnen manga Tokyopop titles Vertical (publisher) titles Yankī anime and manga