Shonan Junai-Gumi

Alternate Titles: Pure Love Gang of Shonan, GTO: The Early Years

Original Japanese Release Date: 1994

Episode Length/Run-time: 5 ( 52 mins ea. )

Summary:

Follow the action packed adventures of young Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma, together known as Oni-Baku, the strongest duo of fighters, as they try to get through high school while trying to lose their virginities. They are known for their tenacity and fight, so watch out for the Oni-Baku! Its considered to be the pre-quel to GTO, but actually came before GTO.

Review:

Whats more fun than watching Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma rise and overcome triumphantly through battles and high school dramas? Personally, I love these characters from watching GTO (first unfortunately), so I am biased I suppose. But if you give this show a chance, and then watch the sequel GTO, you’ll understand why this series is so fun and amazing, yet serious!

Two legendary fighters, making up what is called the Oni-Baku, fighting through high school, but in actuality really just want to lose their virginities? Thats comedy at its finest! One would think they wouldnt have any issues being such tough guys. But they do! Especially Onizuka. Poor guy, he’s just so awkward around women.

The show is fairely old, released in 1994, so the animation shouldnt be expected to be awesome. The artwork is decent to say the least (I’m just being honest folks). But that isnt really why you watch this show. You watch it for the greatness of the characters. The show manages to pack in a lot of comedy, but also has multiple serious parts to it where I actually found myself worrying about the characters a bit.

If you love GTO, and havent seen Shonan Junai-Gumi, then I feel sorry for you because you’ve missed out on the badass-ness that is Onizuka and Ryuji. Its almost an additional 5 hours that happens before GTO! I know at the end of GTO, I craved more. Here it is! Its the prequel but it hits the spot!

[starrater]