Gokusen

A Comedy That Is Gold!

So, Gokusen turned out to be a surprisingly fun experience! As someone who usually sticks to newer dramas, I didn’t expect an older one like this to hook me so much, but it definitely did. It’s about a yakuza heiress who dreams of becoming a teacher. She ends up teaching a class of rebellious students, and what follows is her giving them life lessons while they all try to figure out their place in the world.

There are a lot of dramas with a similar premise, but what sets Gokusen apart is how it balances humor with heartfelt moments. Each episode is kind of its own mini story, which makes it easy to jump into any episode without feeling lost. That said, they all tie together well enough that you feel the growth and connections among the characters.

The comedy in this show is pure gold! I couldn’t stop laughing in some moments, and there were a few times where I genuinely got emotional, too. The characters are what really make the show shine, and the students’ development is so satisfying to watch.

I also really appreciated the camera work. It wasn’t anything too fancy, but there were some cool angles and shots that made it more visually engaging than I expected.

There’s no romance plotline, which I was super happy about (thank you, Gokusen!). It’s clear that Shin is the "love interest," but the focus stays mostly on the students and their growth, which is refreshing.

Overall, I had a great time watching all 12 episodes. It's one of those shows that hits all the right notes of comedy, drama, and a bit of emotional depth. Totally worth the watch if you’re into stories about personal growth and unlikely friendships.

Rating: 8/10

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[WARNING: the rating and review I give have the possibility to be subjective due to my preference for the genres, scenes or casts]

This is one of the dorama I must watch in a holiday time (the other is Harry Potter XD). So, can you imagine how many times I watch this? (^o^)

Another legendary dorama for me. Many life values and quotes you can get. Friendship, family, education, work. Love this dorama sooo much ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡

The casts’ acting were great too, although the one who have an outstanding acting is still Nakama Yukie. I adore her sooo much!!! ♡ ～('▽^人)

But! Watching this dorama makes me always want to eat ramen and takoyaki (^o^)

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A classic masterpiece

This was very fun and entertaining to watch. The plot is very original and the overdramatic-ness is hilarious , although it tends to be too overdramatic sometimes, in a way that it's giving anime in an overwhelming way.

I didn't find it realistic to involve all the characters in each and every episode. There is literally no point in having 27+ high school boys running around the city and getting involved in their teacher or classmate’s private business.

The characters are all unique and well crafted, which make the interactions engaging and entertaining to watch. Each episode left me wanting more, and it was definitely worth the watch. A bit sad that we never got to see if Shin and Yamaguchi ended up together (my ship!), and it's even more disappointing to see that Matsumoto Jun is nowhere to be found in the setlist of the other seasons (TT).

Gokusen is packed with cliques and scenes that will give you second hand embarrassment, but despite all this it still somehow manages to make me laugh, tear up and cover my face all at the same time. Truly a classic masterpiece.

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Endearingly campy with questionable morals/ethics orated in every episode

Overly enthusiastic rookie teacher cheer leads her underperforming students to graduation in such a way that it amuses everyone around her. Do keep in mind how old this and don't expect much from it! The cheesy preachy exhortations the rookie teacher gives are a bit long winded at time, but delivered in a heartfelt way. The lessons/morals being given to the kids sometimes feel a little propaganda-ish AND are a bit questionable at times, but how seriously can you take them, given that they are delivered so zealously that it's reduced to folderol (silly). Overall, it's a cheesy ,yet heartwarming, " watch the under dogs" zig zag their way to the graduation finish line, while learning life lessons along the way. I came in & out of this, using it as a drama filler & it was a bit over the top for me, so I will pass on season 2.
As for romance; the female lead does get an ending that implies she is on the romance track , but I was not impressed with the object of her affection as he seemed up for being with women casually , too often giving them the wrong impression & not caring.

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Might need a Yankumi in my life too

I didn't expect Gokusen to become one of those shows for me. The kind you think about long after you finish watching it. But here we are ig.

Yeah, the structure is the same in every episode. One or more of the boys face some type of problem, refuse help, then Yankumi comes in, beats up whoever was the problem and gives an aggressive motivational speech. But guess what.

It works. Every single time. For all 3 seasons. I never got tired of it. Every episode I looked forward to the situation they'll be facing and who the episode will be focused on. That way I got to pay attention more to the characters that I maybe didn't look at that much. It builds character depth and backstory, gives reason for why some characters are the way they are, and it's always so real.

I'm a sucker for stories about found family(it's my favorite trope really), about misunderstood outcasts, minorities, kids who just need a little guidance in life and trust from adults. And Gokusen has all of that and some more.

The boys, self-labeled and also labeled by society as delinquents, are actually layered, emotional, loyal, deeply good at heart and have very strong morals they abide by. They're not stupid or villainous, they just most of the time don't know how to express themselves in a world in which they are being ridiculed for being different.

Yankumi sees past those labels and so begins all. She believes in them, trusts them, and refuses to give up on them when they want her to. She eventually becomes the only adult in their life that they can rely on, be themselves with.

And there's something so comforting about that. Kids who have been let down by everyone else get their hope back and are willing to have dreams about who they would want to be again.

In a few moments, you see that she also grows as a person alongside them.

Just because you're different doesn't mean you're bad. Just because people look down on you doesn't mean you should stop trying. Every episode left me feeling something and to me, that's what great storytelling is all about.

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De Volta aos Anos 2000

Gokusen foi uma das gratas surpresas recentes que tive. Um drama descomplicado, leve e engraçado. Me senti de volta aos anos 2000 onde as coisas eram mais simples e nada pretensiosas.

O drama não é uma mega produção nem nada do tipo mas tudo funciona, o elenco todo trabalhou bem junto, a história é boba, mas envolvente.

A protagonista é sem noção mas é isto que a torna engraçada. Cada episódio se resolve de forma interessante e simples, nada rebuscado ou complicado bem cara de mangá mesmo. Foi ótimo acompanhar esta heroína doida e divertida!

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