Great Teacher Onizuka, often abbreviated as GTO, follows Eikichi Onizuka, a former delinquent who becomes a high school teacher, using unorthodox methods to connect with troubled students and help them overcome personal struggles. At its core, the series blends comedy with themes of redemption, underdog triumphs, and subverting societal expectations through heartfelt character growth and satirical takes on education.
These 15 underrated anime deserve more attention for capturing similar vibes of quirky protagonists, school-life humor, and transformative journeys, often overlooked in favor of mainstream hits, offering fresh perspectives on personal development and unconventional mentorship.
1. Golden Boy (1995)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime Video.
- Brief Plot Summary: Kintarou Oe, a wandering dropout, travels Japan taking odd jobs, learning life lessons while encountering beautiful women and overcoming challenges through his hidden talents.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Like Onizuka, Kintarou starts with questionable motives but grows through genuine care for others, blending perverted comedy with profound self-improvement and underdog victories.
- MAL Rating: 8.04.
- Episode Count: 6.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by APPP, directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo.
- Awards or Recognition: None major, but praised for its classic OVA style and character depth.
2. Gokusen (2004)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Amazon Prime Video.
- Brief Plot Summary: Kumiko Yamaguchi, heir to a yakuza clan, hides her identity while teaching at a delinquent-filled school, using her tough background to reform students.
- Brief Similarities to GTO: Echoes Onizuka’s delinquent-to-teacher arc with a gender-swapped twist, focusing on unorthodox methods to build trust and address student issues through comedy and action.
- MAL Rating: 7.42.
- Episode Count: 13.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Madhouse, directed by Munenori Nawa.
- Awards or Recognition: Adapted from a popular manga, but no major awards.
3. Super GALS! (2001)
- Current Streaming Availability: Not widely available on major platforms; check Crunchyroll or niche sites.
- Brief Plot Summary: Ran Kotobuki, a fashionable high school gal, navigates Shibuya life, standing up for justice while dealing with rivals and daily teen antics.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Shares Onizuka’s bold, justice-driven personality in a school setting, subverting expectations with humorous takes on friendship and growth amid delinquency.
- MAL Rating: 7.40.
- Episode Count: 52.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Pierrot, directed by Tsuneo Kobayashi.
- Awards or Recognition: None, but noted for its vibrant shoujo style.
4. D-Frag! (2014)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Delinquent Kenji Kazama is forced into a quirky game creation club, forming bonds through absurd challenges and rivalries.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Mirrors Onizuka’s reluctant involvement with misfits, emphasizing comedic character development and underdog group dynamics in a high school environment.
- MAL Rating: 7.49.
- Episode Count: 12.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Brain’s Base, directed by Seiki Sugawara.
- Awards or Recognition: None major.
5. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (2007)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Pessimistic teacher Nozomu Itoshiki deals with eccentric students, using satire to explore societal issues and personal despair.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Like GTO, it satirizes education with a flawed teacher guiding quirky students toward growth, blending dark humor and subversion.
- MAL Rating: 7.84.
- Episode Count: 12 (first season).
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Shaft, directed by Akiyuki Simbo.
- Awards or Recognition: None, but acclaimed for innovative visuals.
6. Beelzebub (2011)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on JioHotstar and VI movies.
- Brief Plot Summary: Delinquent Tatsumi Oga becomes the adoptive father of a demon baby, balancing high school chaos with supernatural responsibilities.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Features a tough protagonist reforming through mentorship-like roles, with delinquent humor and underdog battles akin to Onizuka’s student bonds.
- MAL Rating: 7.84.
- Episode Count: 60.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Pierrot Plus, directed by Yoshihiro Takamoto.
- Awards or Recognition: None major.
7. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor (1993)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Lazy Justy Ueki Tylor joins the military for an easy life but rises through ranks via luck and genius in a space war.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Parallels Onizuka’s unconventional leadership and growth from slacker to inspirational figure, subverting authority with comedy.
- MAL Rating: 7.84.
- Episode Count: 26.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Tatsunoko Production, directed by Koichi Mashimo.
- Awards or Recognition: None, but a cult classic.
8. Assassination Classroom (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and JioHotstar.
- Brief Plot Summary: Students train to assassinate their alien teacher Koro-sensei, who mentors them while threatening Earth.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Centers on an unorthodox teacher fostering student growth and redemption, with humorous takes on education and underdog stories.
- MAL Rating: 8.08.
- Episode Count: 22 (first season).
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Lerche, directed by Seiji Kishi.
- Awards or Recognition: Nominated for Crunchyroll Anime Awards.
9. Daily Lives of High School Boys (2012)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Three high school friends navigate absurd everyday scenarios, from wild imaginations to mundane teen struggles.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Captures GTO’s slice-of-life school comedy and character-driven humor, focusing on relatable growth amid chaos.
- MAL Rating: 8.23.
- Episode Count: 12.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Sunrise, directed by Shinji Takamatsu.
- Awards or Recognition: None major.
10. Cromartie High School (2003)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A straight-laced student joins a delinquent high school filled with bizarre characters, leading to surreal comedic sketches.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Shares delinquent school satire and absurd humor, with underdog protagonists reforming oddballs through sincerity.
- MAL Rating: 7.90.
- Episode Count: 26.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Production I.G, directed by Hiroaki Sakurai.
- Awards or Recognition: None, but noted for parody style.
11. Ultimate Otaku Teacher (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A genius otaku becomes a teacher, using anime knowledge to motivate disinterested students.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Mirrors Onizuka’s unconventional teaching to inspire growth, with otaku twists on redemption.
- MAL Rating: 7.15.
- Episode Count: 24.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by A-1 Pictures, directed by Masato Sato.
- Awards or Recognition: None.
12. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto (2016)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Perfect student Sakamoto handles absurd situations with unflappable coolness.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Subverts school norms with humorous character flair, akin to Onizuka’s charisma.
- MAL Rating: 7.55.
- Episode Count: 12.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Studio Deen, directed by Shinji Takamatsu.
- Awards or Recognition: None major.
13. Grand Blue (2018)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: A college student joins a diving club, leading to wild parties and self-discovery.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Echoes post-school growth and comedic mentorship in chaotic groups.
- MAL Rating: 8.40.
- Episode Count: 12.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Zero-G, directed by Shinji Takamatsu.
- Awards or Recognition: None.
14. Prison School (2015)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: Boys in an all-girls school face harsh underground punishments.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Blends delinquent humor with subversive school dynamics and growth.
- MAL Rating: 7.59.
- Episode Count: 12.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by J.C.Staff, directed by Tsutomu Mizushima.
- Awards or Recognition: None major.
15. School Rumble (2004)
- Current Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll.
- Brief Plot Summary: High schoolers navigate crushes and misunderstandings in a chaotic romantic comedy.
- Specific Similarities to GTO: Features delinquent elements and humorous character arcs in school settings.
- MAL Rating: 7.87.
- Episode Count: 26.
- Notable Staff/Studio Involvement: Produced by Studio Comet, directed by Shinji Takamatsu.
- Awards or Recognition: None.
Why These Anime Work for Great Teacher Onizuka Fans
These series resonate with GTO enthusiasts by emphasizing unconventional heroes who challenge norms, foster deep connections, and deliver laughs through underdog tales and satirical twists. They often explore redemption in school or mentorship contexts, providing engaging, lesser-seen alternatives that highlight personal growth without mainstream hype.
