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     The first several chapters of this tankoubon will deceive the reader. Readers will see endless scenes of Eikichi
Onizuka, a 22-year-old good for nothing, horny virgin third-rate college student constantly attempting to peek up high school girl's skirts. However, the pedophile slowly becomes somewhat of an honorable figure. This constant struggle between his untapped ability as a public educator and his need to fulfill his carnal desires is the focal point of this popular manga series.
     Onizuka decided to become a teacher after he meets Erica, a high school girl, who quickly dismisses the
opportunity to sleep with Onizuka for her short, rotund and balding teacher. Onizuka, used to sliding through life on his charm and his incredible martial arts abilities is greatly surprised when his students show no respect for him. The miscreant group even goes so far as to attempt to frame him by putting him in a compromising position with a female student.
     Onizuka quickly remedies the situation, by calmly and quietly cornering these students one night and uses his martial arts abilities to teache them. After this needless to say Onizuka becomes one of the most famous and respected teachers in the school, especially to Nanako Mizuki, the female student who was an accomplice in the compromising conspiracy.
     Nanako was the first student Onizuka met on his first day as a student teacher. So when she openly flirts and seeks out Onizuka for further relations Onizuka discovers he has a conscious. The more he learns about Nanako the less heart he has to take advantage of her. In the end Onizuka, despite his carnal cravings discovers that it is possible for him to be something greater.
     GTO is truly the next big
thing! I applaud Kodansha (bilingual manga) and TOKYOPOP (English translated version) for bringing this delightful series to the West (domo arigato gozaimausu). I have not had the chance to read a manga series involving people and their ordinary lives since Rumiko Takhashi's Maison Ikkoku. The art work in this series if phenomenal. Just when one thinks things are too serious and dark Onizuka makes a face that will make you nearly pee in your pants with laughter. I particularly liked the scene where Mizuki, is cooking in the kitchen and in one of his horny rages, comes up behind her in an attempts to ravage her. Wearing the mask of a wolf and is decked out in a wrestling suit with all his glory packaged neatly leaving the reader wondering why Onizuka has not been laid?
     Since the manga's inception in KC Magazine Shounen Comics in 1997, GTO has spawned an animated, as well as, live action series and movie. The live action series stars Japanese singing/acting sensation Takashi Sormichi. You can check out a review of the anime series by clicking here.
     Despite all of the overly sexual scenes and innuendoes, GTO is a true piece of art in regards to both story and
art. I promise you will not be disappointed by this series! Pick it up and find out why Eikichi Onizuka is so GREAT!
     Send your comments and or questions about this article to Bandwidth@ybfree.com.