Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO) is one of those strange anime series that actually walks the line of reality so closely that the viewer can always find something to identify with. Eikichi Onizuka, former gang-member and 2nd level black-belt, has decided to become a high school teacher, ostensibly so he can pick up high school girls. The series details his trials and tribulations and reveals the true personality of Onizuka, which is something quite different than what he projects or even thinks about himself.

This first disc has four episodes. The first is a mini-movie, about the length of two regular episodes. This episode is introduces us to Onizuka when he is first being introduced to teaching as a student teacher for several weeks. Student teachers hold the same weight as substitute teachers here in the States - no respect. Onizuka gets set up by the students and seeks his own form of retribution.

Episode two moves us forward to Onizuka attempting to get his first teaching position; we also learn that Onizuka isn't the sharpest tack on the board. The recurring characters are introduced here, including Onizuka's nemesis and an appropriately aged love-interest.

As an ex-gangster, Onizuka isn't your average student teacher.	His real reason for entering the world of education? Look no further...

The next two episodes begin what seems to be the first major story arc. Onizuka receives his homeroom, and the students seem perfect. Unfortunately, they're perfect in the Village of the Damned sort of way, so the teacher begins to try to win them over (or beat them up) in his own indomitable style.

The series is often crude. This is another aspect of the show that rings it closer to reality. Onizuka often lusts after inappropriate women. People are constantly treated like garbage. And oftentimes, the show's style will change dramatically to show the ugliness, even when it happens to be really funny.

Usually, I would deem this to be a negative of a show, but, in this case, it shows us how Onizuka is so unlike the character he believes himself to be. Even if he lusts after an underage girl, he never submits to that desire. It is a sort of unreachable fantasy that he'd like to keep. The moment he meets an attractive woman his own age, he's smitten.

Like real life, Onizuka is constantly torn between the right and the wrong thing. The difference is, here we get to see how his mind works, and, once again, it can be as disturbing as it is funny. This is anime, so to read too much into the show may be pushing things, but the genuine care Onizuka has for the students is touching. He could care less if they get beat up or do bad in school, but he cares about what is in them - their self-esteem.

GTO definitely makes you respect those who go into teaching. Bad pay and students who constantly give them crap is pretty much all they end up with, but they continue to work.

The animation in GTO is pretty recent, so the transfer is great as well. This is obviously television level animation, but there is some great style and direction that makes up for any lack of funding. With what equals about 5 episodes, there is plenty of content on the disc as well. The sound is crisp, and the opening and closing songs are pretty good. The dub is above the passable level with a few very good actors (and a few bad ones).

Not too much in the way of extras. There is a GTO tattoo and character sketches on the disc. The menus are very nice though, with motion on the main menu and a cool schedule like scene selection menu.

Overall, the first disc in the series is a worthwhile purchase. The series is humorous with characters everyone can identify with. Onizuka himself is a great character to watch, and you never know exactly what he's going to do. Be prepared: GTO is unlike any other anime on the US market today, but that's a good thing - a very good thing.

Distributor: TOKYOPOP
Creator: Kodansha/SME/Studio Pierrot
Released: 1999

Video Quality: B+
Audio Quality: A-
Presentation: B+
Content: A-
Overall: A-