In this episode of Manga with Josh, I dive into Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO), the legendary delinquent-turned-teacher series created by Tohru Fujisawa. Running from 1997 to 2002 with 25 volumes and selling over 50 million copies, GTO blends outrageous comedy, heartfelt character moments, unexpected darkness, and pure ’90s chaos in a way that still hits hard decades later.

I break down the premise—from Eikichi Onizuka’s wild past as the toughest kid in Shonan, to his unlikely path into teaching, to the unconventional (and often insane) methods he uses to reach a class of students who’ve burned through every educator before him. We get into the serious themes too: bullying, depression, redemption, and the lengths Onizuka is willing to go to protect his kids, even if it means breaking bones or breaking school rules.

We also explore the massive GTO universe: the prequels like Shonan Junai Gumi and Bad Company, the sequels including 14 Days in Shonan and Paradise Lost, the 43-episode anime, and the long list of live-action adaptations and reboots that prove just how far this franchise has reached over the last 30+ years.

If you’re into classic shonen, character-driven stories, delinquent manga, or just want a series that mixes heart, humor, and absolute insanity, this episode will show you exactly why GTO remains a timeless classic.

Stick around at the end for where to find me—whether it’s The Books By Josh Audio Immersion, Tech With Josh, or my fiction, poetry, and finance books available wherever books are sold by searching Joshua A. Rodriguez.