Great Teacher Onizuka (1999)
A legendary anime about an ex-gang member who becomes Japan's most unconventional teacher, winning over a class of troubled students one wild lesson at a time.
Great Teacher Onizuka - Series Information
- Original Title: グレート・ティーチャー・オニヅカ
- First Air Year: 1999
- Last Air Year: 2000
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 43
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: June 30, 1999 (United States - TV-MA), June 30, 1999 (Canada - 18+), June 30, 1999 (Germany - 12), June 30, 1999 (France - 10), June 30, 1999 (Australia - MA 15+), June 30, 1999 (Mexico - B-15), June 30, 1999 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: TV Tokyo, Fuji TV
- Production Companies: Pierrot
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 麻辣教师GTO (CN), GTO: 반항하지마! (KR), GTO (FR), GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka (US), المعلم العظيم أونيزكا (SA), GTO (JP), Thầy giáo vĩ đại Onizuka (VN)
Great Teacher Onizuka - Plot
A former gang member wants to be Japan's best teacher. When he's hired to supervise a class of hopeless cases, it's his chance to prove himself.
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Great Teacher Onizuka - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Wataru Takagi
- Junko Noda
- Isshin Chiba
- Junichi Suwabe
- Kazuhiro Nakata
- Fumiko Orikasa
- Kotono Mitsuishi
- Hikaru Midorikawa
- Naoki Yanagi
- Tomokazu Seki
Writers
- Masashi Sogo
- Yoshiyuki Suga
- Satoru Nishizono
- Ryota Yamaguchi
Great Teacher Onizuka - FAQs
Where can you stream Great Teacher Onizuka?
Great Teacher Onizuka is available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and Peacock Premium. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on Plex, Retrocrush, and Cineverse, making it accessible across a wide range of platforms in the United States.
Is Great Teacher Onizuka based on a manga?
Yes, Great Teacher Onizuka is based on the manga series by Tohru Fujisawa, serialized in Weekly Shonen Magazine from 1997 to 2002. The anime faithfully adapts the manga's blend of humor, heart, and social commentary about the Japanese school system.
Who voices Eikichi Onizuka in the anime?
Eikichi Onizuka is voiced by Wataru Takagi in the original Japanese version. Takagi brings enormous energy and comedic timing to the role, capturing Onizuka's brash, lovable, and surprisingly wise personality throughout the series' 43 episodes.
What is Great Teacher Onizuka about?
Great Teacher Onizuka follows Eikichi Onizuka, a former biker gang member who becomes a high school teacher in Japan. Assigned to a class of rebellious, emotionally damaged students, he uses unorthodox methods to connect with them, earning their trust while exposing deeper issues within the education system.
How many episodes does Great Teacher Onizuka have?
Great Teacher Onizuka consists of 43 episodes across one main season, plus 5 additional special episodes. Each episode runs approximately 24 minutes. The series aired on Fuji TV and TV Tokyo in Japan between 1999 and 2000.
Is Great Teacher Onizuka suitable for all ages?
Great Teacher Onizuka carries a TV-MA content rating in the United States, meaning it is intended for mature audiences. The series contains adult humor, strong language, and themes involving student trauma, abuse, and social dysfunction, making it more appropriate for older teens and adults.
Why is Great Teacher Onizuka considered a classic anime?
Great Teacher Onizuka is widely regarded as a classic due to its rare combination of outrageous comedy and genuine emotional depth. Critics and fans praise its memorable characters, sharp social commentary on Japanese education, and Onizuka's enduring appeal as an unconventional hero who truly cares about his students.
What are shows similar to Great Teacher Onizuka?
Viewers who enjoy Great Teacher Onizuka may also like Yu Yu Hakusho (1992), The Wallflower (2006), and UQ Holder! (2017), all of which share themes of personal growth, humor, and dynamic character relationships. St. Luminous Mission High School (1998) is another school-set anime worth exploring.
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