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Eikichi Onizuka is the teacher in every parent's nightmares, which may be the reason so many ninth-graders adore him. Built like a brick sushi bar, the 22-year-old Onizuka is a second-degree black belt in karate, a former biker, a foul-mouthed chain-smoker, and a lecher. But he's fanatically devoted to the idea of being a teacher and cares passionately about his students. Onizuka administers a broadly comic mixture of tough love and Clint Eastwood-style vigilante justice, which is just what's needed. Every student at Holy Forest Middle School seems to be a misfit, a thug, a bully, and/or the product of an unhappy home. Onizuka's actions bring him into conflict with parents, rival teachers, the PTA, various watchdog groups, and the sniveling vice-principal, none of whom can stop him. Tomoko is being tormented by an ex-friend, so Onizuka helps her win the local beauty pageant--while ogling her breasts. When bullied nerd Noboru attempts suicide, Onizuka saves his life, trashing the vice-principal's treasured car in the process. He breaks down the wall that divides Mizuki and her parents--figuratively and literally--and is rewarded with her panties. Each act of kindness or courage wins a few more students to his side--and infuriates his enemies. Although the animation is often crude, with distorted drawings substituting for changes of expression, GTO exerts a gross-out, slapstick appeal. It's a long way from To Sir, with Love. (Rated 16 and older: sexual humor, profanity, nudity, violence, tobacco and alcohol use) --Charles Solomon
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