Gokusen (2002–2008) User Reviews (11)

"Fight-to, oh!"

[gemtsoi · 8/10 · 10 August 2006]

Imagine you were the homeroom teacher of a bunch of the wildest, most rebellious delinquents in an ill-reputed school. What would you do?

Yamaguchi Kumiko (Nakama Yukie), better known as Yankumi to her students, decides to love and trust them. That is basically what she does in the 12-episode drama (including the special), though of course a lot of punches and lectures are involved. Yankumi, herself a 3rd generation heir of the Oedo family, the Yakuza, isn't in the least fazed by her multi-coloured punkish students. She takes them on to the end, protecting and believing them, and proving that a teacher's first concern should always be the safety and growth of her students.

'Gokusen', though formulaic and predictable, shines through because of its characters. Yankumi is a funny, interesting person who has unorthodox ideas. The students do her justice. Sawada Shin (Jun Matsumoto), the ringleader and quiet rebel, is the key - the one who makes the difference. Because of his anger, resentment, and fiercely loyal and quietly humorous personality, Shin really brings a different angle to the students. Though of course it's not to say that the other boys aren't lovable, because they are. The Head Teacher is a joy to have...a real comedic character.

The acting is more than adequate. Yukie, Matsujun, and the other students and staff play their roles very well. Although the music is limited, the humour is sometimes campy/lame, and the episodes are very formulaic, Gokusen nonetheless manages to carry its storyline off. The teacher-student relationships are endearing, the characters are above likable, and the overall presentation of this show is good.

OK For A Sequel

[lia00027 · 8/10 · 9 April 2007]

The plot of the story is same with Gokusen (1st), however the love story here is different because Yankumi liked a teacher from other school and there was none of the story for Shin (a student from gokusen who liked her and also the police officer who also liked her in gokusen). Still I like gokusen 2 better than gokusen. The bound between the students were stronger and they did respect Yankumi more than the students in gokusen 1 but I cannot say that it's different story because it is not.

In gokusen 2 we find out that Sawatari (head teacher from gokusen 1) also appeared and became much better head teacher than in gokusen, also appearance of Kuma (yankumi's student from gokusen) whom already run his father's ramen shop.

I like this drama compare to gokusen because in Gokusen Shin (one of Yankumi's student) liked her. Thank goodness it doesn't like the anime where Yankumi and Shin (from what i've heard) ended-up together. Just make the story that a teacher is willing to help her students without love story between student-teacher is enough.

Just watch this drama even though gokusen is more interesting.

Funny

[lia00027 · 8/10 · 1 March 2006]

This drama is funny and interesting. Yukie acted so no-shame and impolite in here but she's very funny. Jun acted like a cool kid but he always there for his friends. This drama is heart warming and touched, one episode made me cried. The soundtrack also nice. But too bad there was no love story in this drama, even though it's happy ending. Yukie's character did like someone and the man that she liked also liked her but there was no love story between them.

I prefer drama which has love story, I know that this drama main issue is about teacher-student relationship but I hope to see the love story. I know that the anime also didn't have the love story too but this is a human story so at least they (the producer and the director) can make something different.

Hilarious even just with Subs

[rebirth_2008 · 10/10 · 8 January 2007]

Wow, I am very impressed with this show. I laughed non-stop during the first episode and nothing was lost in translation, thanks fansubbers!!!

Anyways, the actress that plays the teacher is so funny, pretty and nerdy at the same time. She is awesome in her role.

The premise: A 23 year old pretty girl/lady becomes a new teacher at a highschool in Japan. Her class is the most rebellious in the school and notorious for picking on their teachers. She is full of hope and determination to teach them well much to their annoyance and hostility.

Unbeknownst to them, she is actually the grand daughter of the head of a powerful Yakuza clan and could easily threaten them.

Very funny stuff especially every time they play the Yakuza samurai theme lol If you can find it, definitely check it out for some serious laughs.

Yakuza Family Values

[alice_frye · 9/10 · 10 September 2006]

This is a delightful series, made even better for this American viewer by the quality subtitling and background explanations provided by the dedicated SARS fan-sub team.

The writing is clever & heart-warming, without plunging into the maudlin. The cast developed their characterizations over the course of the series in ways that are understandable, if sometimes unpredictable (as one would expect from both teenagers and adults on the learning curve.)

The whole package will be especially rewarding if the viewer is familiar with "ninkyo Yakuza" movies, such as the vintage ones starring Koji Tsuruta and Ken Takakura, because, at the core, "Gokusen" is about finding your own family and becoming a faithful and supportive friend to all the members.

I loved this movie!

[miltownz_lilo_grl · 3 April 2006]

When my sister brought this home, I was like "Another Anime?". But it was live action. One which I never looked or watched before. I really enjoyed this one though, mainly because it was different from other stories. I'm not a very big Anime fan, but this was an exception. I cried in some parts, the actors were a little goofy at times, and it really shows a different side in people.

I just ordered my copy and watched it. I don't like to watch movies again, but there are a few that I wouldn't mind re-watching. Gokusen is one of them. I also ordered the second set which I can't wait to watch, but I'm waiting to watch and finish the Special episode.

I would totally recommend this to anyone who's looking for a break from chick flicks and/or love stories!

Once is enough

[joanne-78049 · 7/10 · 31 May 2019]

Watch series 1 thought it was hilarious and really enjoyed but it think it should have ended there series 2 and 3 just the same story over again .

Very Entertaining and Addictive J-Drama

[kwongers · 9/10 · 8 March 2007]

*minor spoilers*

"Gokusen" is about the young and idealistic Kumiko Yamaguchi (nicknamed "Yankumi") starting her first teaching job at Shirokin HS. Her class, 3-D, is apparently "the class from hell" (misfits, rebels, lazies, bullies, etc.); they are disrespectful and downright violent towards her. But she's actually the third generation heir of the Oedo yakuza family and therefore unfazed by their threats. This drama basically follows Yankumi as she earns the respect of her class by helping them become more than just delinquents. Although the story lines are somewhat formulaic and you can kind of predict what will happen, it's still a very enjoyable watch because all the characters are interesting, the acting is terrific, and the morals are inspiring. It also has plenty of good stuff to say about friendships and family.

In each episode, she helps a new and different student with their problems by either kicking ass or talking her way out of it. It's quite formulaic, but the stories are still entertaining. And often hilarious. One of my favorite stories was the one revolving around the Oguri Shun character, Uchiyama Haruhiko; his friends attempt to catch a purse-snatcher to clear his name. Yankumi dressing up as a naive schoolgirl and other hijinx occur. Other stories include helping a classmate get over a family death, beating up rival school gangs, high school romances, etc. Each incident unites the class even more.

Yukie Nakama acts very well, effectively capturing Yankumi's idealism, spunk, and tough-love. She's a riot in this show, often interrupting her students' discussions or kicking their asses. The only part that is off about her performance is the fight scenes are laughable, even though she's supposed to be a skilled fighter. There's even a humorous romantic sideplot for her; she battles with the other teachers for the handsome Detective Shinohara's attention, which often results in embarrassing and funny situations. The actors playing her family are also hilarious. And finally, the actors playing her 3-D students were really impressive, especially Jun Matsumoto. This was the first drama I've seen him in and he's terrific here playing the mysterious Sawada Shin. He's the only student that seems to suspect Yankumi is not your everyday teacher...and soon they're trading sarcastic quips and other hilarious barbs. For example, Yankumi: "Is that Keita's girlfriend? Is he going to as her out?" Shin: "Why are you here? Go away." etc. There are many good verbal barbs in this show.

Bottom line: Although a little formulaic, Gokusen succeeds because of its interesting characters and the wonderful actors playing them. Really enjoyable and addictive drama. I enjoyed every single episode, even if I knew what was going to happen, because it was just plain good television: great acting, good writing, and interesting characters.

9/10.

Gokusen on T.V.

[jdaza_03010 · 10/10 · 6 May 2006]

This is a teacher-student relationship between Kumiko "Yankumi" Yamaguchi (Yukie Nakama) and Shin Sawada (Jun Matsumoto). Yankumi was the homeroom teacher of a class of delinquents in the Shirokin Gakuin, a school exclusively for boys. Yankumi has a secret. She was hiding her true identity from her students and co-teachers. She is the heiress to the Oedo Yakuza clan. But Shin Sawada, a very handsome and intelligent guy, suspected that she was no ordinary teacher. So since the first day of the school, he became interested to her. Find out if there could be a love affair between them. Because Yankumi had a crush on someone else. Then find if Shin Sawada will fight for their feelings at the end. Hope you like the story, because it's excellent for me!!!

Gokusen

[sangitarawat-06705 · 9/10 · 23 January 2024]

Gokusen is really a nice drama I love it but the most loved season is 1 because in this sawada shin is there.kuma is also loved character in this series if shin was there in two more seasons than they will also my favourite but I love season 1.yamaguchi sensei is a independent woman she is really very nice I love her character too. It is based on a story of school teacher yankumi who is 4 generation boss of yakuza but she wants to become a school teacher and she became she was teacher of 3-D this class students were very naughty but she handles them. Her principal knows that she is boss of yakuza so he appointed her to teach 3-D class.

Yankumi is independent she want that her student are going to graduate

[janaphyllrodelas · 5/10 · 24 February 2022]

Someday I want to be independent and strong like yankumi. Yankumi is a talented girl and her student are so naughty boy but yankumi always save her student in to trouble.