Usually I don't read Josei, but I thought I would try something new and I came across this one. I thought it would be interesting since the teacher is from an yakuza family and would be teaching delinquents. However, I never expected it to be this funney. I guess its because the people are always doing and saying something unexpected even if it is only a short sceene. For instance, an old streaker and a man releiveing himself on school grounds (not a student) just to name a few. Read and enjoy.

Personally I was a bit hesitant to start reading this josei manga since as a dude, romance isn't really all that important to me but I have to admit, the funny moments make up for the romance. This is something that seems like it wouldn't be enjoyed by guys but I'm certain that's wrong.

To tell you the truth, I really only skimmed this entire manga, mostly because I'm sooo bad at telling remembering characters. Despite the fact that I only really glanced at each page, the mangaka wrote it well enough that I was able to follow along with the storyline very easily.

If you are bothered by the art at the beginning, or think that the heroin is ugly, stick it out for a bit. The art honestly becomes a lot better, and the female lead becomes average looking instead of ugly. (For example, instead of that boring messy ponytail behind her head near the beginning, she starts wearing her hair in cute low pig tails, which looks so much more feminine)

I loved the humour, and I also love the way that the friendship between the two leads developed. It wasn't some ridiculous student teacher relationship right from the get-go. If you aren't into student/teacher romances, this manga will not bother you.

I'll probably reread this in the future, and actually try to learn the different character names and personalities. Until then, all I can say is that you should read it.

I laugh really hard and couldn't stop reading at all.

It might be a bad art, but...you really get to like the characters, : ) and...it's so not boring. it's AWESOME! read it, read it n___n <3

i like this much better than GTO. i watched the anime because it has a couple of my favourite seiyuu, and that intrigued me enough to want to read the manga. i'm glad i did, because it's a gem. don't let the art turn you off; it's pretty bad at the start, but improves considerably over time. also, if you come from shoujo, the character design might turn you off -- the heroine isn't beautiful, and many of the characters are in ugly-boy territory. i didn't care, because bishounen who all look alike are a dime a dozen -- one has no trouble at all to tell these characters here apart.

but best of all is yamaguchi, the protagonist. she's competent, passionate, honest, loyal, and caring. after so many simpering shoujo protags, it is such a breath of fresh air to meet a female character who can handle herself, who doesn't need rescuing (who is, in fact, the one rescuing others), who cares about something other than romance. and yet she's also not perfect; she makes mistakes, and she can admit to them, apologize, and make amends. i love that she doesn't give up on people even if they really screw up. if only we all could have such teachers.

while the manga isn't about romance, there is romance, and i think it's handled very interestingly. for most of the manga we get to see the romance only from sawada's side, because yankumi doesn't think of him that way, but she grows closer to him because he always watches her and comes to understand her better than most. i really like him as a character; he's so bored with everything at the start, acts so aloof, that it's fun to see him start to take an interest and become more and more involved in life. the people who say he is bland are not looking closely enough -- he controls himself tightly, he doesn't let anyone see him sweat (no surprise considering his father), but he cares about his friends, and is always there to get them out of serious trouble. at the same time he is a dorky teenager, who still gets into trouble himself. it's fun to see him grow more and more mature, and become yankumi's confidant and partner (in a non-romantic sense); a force for good. i don't usually ship people, especially not het, but i am a total fan of "shinkumi" because of the slow development that feels very real to me -- and that in the midst of yakuza, over-the-top fights, and non-stop comedy. it's very deftly done. so, i highly recommend the manga -- it's better than the first live action (and let's not talk about the 2nd and 3rd, which are yawners -- now that i've read the manga i really wish they had stuck with that instead of doing their own thing).

... Last updated on February 8th, 2011, 12:10pm

Like quite a few others I wasn't sure about reading this, the art isn't that good and it dosen't seem too interesting. But after reading reviews I read it and it's soooo good, and I managed to read in one go! It's really silly but so sweet and funny. I would definitely recommend it and read the specials at the end!

... Last updated on December 23rd, 2010, 3:56pm

When it comes to mangas, i check how the art is, if its attractive enough, ill go on reading. The art wasnt really my type, it seems that Shin Sawada was the only one shining. And maybe also the lawyer, Shinohara. But after many praises about the manga series, I couldnt help but pick it up and it was AWESOME. Maybe most of the characters arent good looking or beautiful but their attitude makes up for it. and you'd understand why it was drawn that way.

I really love Yankumi, there are times when shes really clueless but most of the time she could be smart of course, but when she's clueless at times, Shin pops in the picture, and for awhile you'd forget shes the teacher. HAHA!

I love Yankumi and Shin, once the story started. I felt something was gonna go on between the two. I dont know why, but it was a hunch.. and I was right! He may have lack of facial expression but his actions really show everything that his facial expression is lacking.

The jdorama, I know many ppl loved it. But honestly, i couldnt bring myself to like it. It was just soo different. I know they have to alter a lot of things to make the live action work.. But to change that much was out of my expectations, probably if you had watched the live action series first, you wouldnt mind. Probably only.. I rather stick to the manga and the specials. Btw read the specials, they show Shin and Yankumi's relationship. hope there are more.

... Last updated on September 9th, 2010, 3:53pm

This series is great. One of the best teacher series. It has a good style. The teacher is a fun character.

My only complaint is the one of the male characters. He... is disgusting jail bait for ladies. An effeminate, doesn't have to be here, genius, who's rich. His personality isn't totally bland, just mostly. Sometimes he makes a good straight man to the crazier things going on with a startled looked. But he's so bland I'm surprised they even give him such human reactions.

It's inapropriate, especially in a series that looks better than that, that acts better than that, who has a character that is better than that. That one aspect makes me dread the end, but it's also a haunting spectre that gives you a bad feeling while you're trying to enjoy it.

This series is EPIC ... I read it continuously for two days - and I laughed hard ... REALLY hard for those two days too. This manga is indescribably awesome, and the art grows on you. Actually the art fits Gokusen perfectly and the pace is good and engrossing.

Normally I would prefer more bishounens and a straightforward romance, but Gokusen just drew me in and completely made me forget my usual manga preferences. The faces of the characters are SO funny at times, and Sawada is a great contrast to these with his stone face. And Kumiko ... rocks! I ADORE when she makes her 'HAAAAA?'-face at people irritating her.

The only time I was a bit annoyed was when Fuji (spelled like this?), the yakuza dog, dragged Sawada on random side track adventures... Kinda irritating having to leave the main story like that. Lol. It was SO random... And actually, it was funny anyways.

Gokusen deserves 10 / 10. It totally took me by surprise. And now I am C R A V I N G for the last releases of volume 15. Please, someone; scanlate the last chapters so that I can depart peacefully. Ehehehe! Edit: The last chapter = haaaaah? Could have been better.

Note: The best chapter was the one about the Kamiyami festival. HAHAHAHA!

... Last updated on June 7th, 2010, 12:24pm

you may or may not like this series as they are pretty much different.
Gokusen is funny, well-developed and it has nicely done Characters you can like or hate and watch how they change. Yankumi's wierd idoicy, Yakuza family and her crashes makes this manga funny, interesting and moving.

what i like most about this manga is that it has character based plots.

read it if you want

... Last updated on October 24th, 2009, 5:47am