Gokusen

Gokusen is a manga like no other. And I say that because every volume strikes a deep chord in me. The storytelling is really well done.

The manga came out in 1999 and has since been turned into dorama, movie and anime, and it's inspired countless fanfics. It's a story about a female teacher (Yamaguchi Kumiko) who grew up in a Yakuza (Japanese mobster) family, and how her upbringing influences the way she handles herself and her students. A strong-willed female lead with noble (well, most of the time) intentions and never-ending optimism, she's truly an inspirational character that I look up to, as someone who will be in that profession in the (near) future. This lady may be fictional, but she kicks serious ass.

This manga has got it all - action, humor, various outlooks on societal beliefs, and even romance. After watching the dorama (there's 3 seasons, but only the first one actually attempts to follow the plot of the manga...) and the movie (featuring most of the characters from seasons 1-3), I have to say that the manga surpassed my expectations. And I hafta say, the manga tops the dorama and movie. Having said that the adaptations aren't that bad... in fact I think the dorama/movie casts really suit their roles - especially Yamaguchi Kumiko (acted by Nakama Yukie) and Sawada Shin (acted by Matsumoto Jun).

If I had to point out a 'flaw' of this manga, then I guess its art style must be the only (minor) one; it ain't exactly the prettiest manga out there (although to be fair, the mangaka does improve quite a lot as the the manga goes on)... but I think it's appropriate. It complements the 'feel' of the story, and I suppose it also supports one of the main themes of this story: "Don't judge a book by its cover".

All in all, this is truly a read-worthy story. Whether or not you enjoyed the dorama, movie or even anime, this is good stuff. I finished reading it in a day, it was so hard to put down! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :)


Below information from Baka-Updates Manga

Description:
Kumiko is the daughter of a Yakuza boss and must hide her background so she doesn't get fired from her first teaching job...

Associated Names:
ごくせん, 极道鲜师, 極道の先生, Gokudo no Sensei

Genres:
Action, Comedy, Josei, Romance, School Life, Slice of Life


[ Read online! ]
from MangaFox

Extra stuff

Because I'm a total ShinKumi (Sawada Shin + Yamaguchi Kumiko) supporter, I find it my duty to share with you this fanvid, based on the pages from this manga. It of course features the two characters, and be aware of spoilers if you don't wanna know more... so don't say I didn't warn ya ;P

Watched this after reading the manga and quite a few fanfics, it brought tears to my eyes.

Enjoy!

Also, I just actually realised that in the manga (not in the dorama, sadly /:T) Shin doesn't call Kumiko 'Yankumi' like the rest of her students - he refers to her as Yamaguchi from start till practically the end. I find this so... amusing and lovely. I guess he never did see her the same way as everyone else, hey? :')

I think my fave parts of the manga are (to be updated)...

• Vol 2: Pg 33, 54-7;
• Vol 3: Pg 6-21, Ch 4, Pg 181-91; /
• Vol 4: Ch 9-10;
• Vol 5: Ch 9;
• Vol 6: Ch 1-2 (Pg 38!)
• Vol 7: Pg 13-7, 35-40; 45, 110-1, 115-70, 122-5, 135-8, 142, 155-162;
• Vol 8: Ch 4-6, 132-3, 137-8, Ch 10 (156-9, 161-2!!)
• Vol 15.