is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tōru Fujisawa. It was published in Kodansha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from October 1990 to October 1996, compiled in 31 volumes. A 15-volume edition was released from May to December 2005. The story follows the youth of Eikichi Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji Danma while they are still in high school but have already formed their shock duo the Oni-Baku Combi.
Multiple adaptations were established during the series’ run, such as a five-episode original video animation (OVA) series released on VHS from 1994 to 1997, a television drama, and several live action movies. The edition of the manga was licensed in North America by Tokyopop, which retitled it as GTO: The Early Years, although the editions retain Shonan Junai Gumi as a subtitle. The first volume was released in June 2006. The Tokyopop editions ended with volume 10. Publisher Vertical Inc continued and concluded the series in 2012.
The character Eikichi Onizuka would later star in the sequel series Great Teacher Onizuka. By January 2020, Shonan Junai Gumi had over 45 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history.
Plot The story of Shonan Junai Gumi deals with the duo, consisting of Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuji Danma, and their quest to lose their virginity and reach maturity. They are widely feared , and are known for their tenacity and viciousness in a fight. However, this lifestyle does not endear them to the opposite gender, so they decide to change their ways—although that is not an easy task for them. The series focuses on the Oni-Baku's wide range of friends and foes, and the crazy situations they all get into. The story begins as a gag manga, but more serious issues present themselves as it continues.
Characters Oni-Baku and friends
A former member of the biker gang, once regarded its leader, Kyousuke Masaki, as an elder brother. During junior high, he initially clashed with Ryuji Danma, though the two later formed a strong friendship. Eikichi is skilled in combat but awkward around women. Beneath his rough exterior, he has a kindhearted nature and often aids others despite his rebellious demeanor. He resides with his mother in an apartment and rides a Kawasaki Zephyr 1100, while also owning Masaki's ZII motorcycle.
The other half of the Oni-baku duo, is taller and somewhat more composed than his partner, though his temper makes him dangerous when provoked. Unlike Eikichi, he fares better with women, having been involved with his former teacher Ayumi and later Nagisa. His affluent family strongly disapproves of his rebellious lifestyle, though his elder sister Yoko occasionally shelters him. Ryuji is a skilled mechanic who owns a motorcycle shop, and participates in illegal street races. He rides a Honda CBX-400F, a bike featured in Bad Company.
Alongside Kamata, Saejima is feared as one of the "Mad Dogs of Kamakura", notorious for their violent tactics—including an infamous pencil assault. After being defeated by the Oni-Baku duo, he and Kamata join their gang. With an intimidating appearance that unnerves women and even his own wealthy family, Saejima is often mistaken for a yakuza. His relatives are so fearful that his sisters communicate through a locked door, and his parents flinch at his presence. He rides a Kawasaki motorcycle. Later, in GTO, he becomes a corrupt police officer, while in the spin-off Ino-Head Gargoyle, he continues operating on the fringes of the law.
He initially appears as an antagonist alongside Saejima until their defeat by the Oni-Baku leads them to reform. Known for his immense strength, Kamata can single-handedly overpower entire gangs when angered. His troubled past includes the traumatic suicide of his childhood friend's sister after her assault by a gang, followed by his friend Natsu killing the perpetrators—an act Kamata mistakenly perceived as betrayal. After leaving Japan for the U.S., he later returns in the series' finale working at a bar. He rides a Honda Steed. In Ino-Head Gargoyle, he becomes a junior officer seeking vengeance against drug dealers who harmed his younger brother, aided by former allies.
Originally from Iwamisawa in Hokkaidō, Abe is a charismatic womanizer whose flashy style and confidence attract constant female attention—much to the Oni-Baku’s initial annoyance. After being convinced to share his "secrets", he joins their gang and proves fiercely loyal, standing by them in clashes like the Midnight Angels conflict and the fight against Kamata and Saejima. Though he fades from focus later in the manga, his absence is never addressed, implying he remains part of the group offscreen. He rides a Honda CBX 1000. By the time of GTO, his fortunes have declined; once the owner of multiple stores, he struggles to maintain a single business while lamenting his baldness and impotence.
A former member of Enoshima Yonchuu Junior High's "Shitennou" (Four Heavenly Kings), later joins the Oni-Baku after transferring to Tsujidou High. As Kunito Nakajo's , he possesses unique insights within the group. He is a skilled, though not elite, fighter who consistently triumphs against tough opponents. His relationship with Yui Itou evolves from a one-sided crush to a committed romance. In GTO, Saejima reveals Tsukai married Itou and had a child while maintaining his biker lifestyle, as seen in GTO: 14 Days in Shonan where he continues riding alongside Katsuyuki despite joining an athletic club.
Makoto is a steadfast member of the Oni-Baku, known more for his loyalty than his combat ability. Though less skilled in fights than his peers, he consistently supports his friends, even after being manipulated into briefly betraying them during the clash between the Kamakura and Shonan gangs. Previously bullied by Saejima and Kamata before their reformation, he later proves his courage by standing by the group. He is popular with women and eventually forms a lasting relationship with a girl named Mami.
Katsuyuki leads the K.T. Butai, a subgroup of the Oni-Baku composed of fellow students like Yasuo and Atsushi. Known for his explosive temper, he often instigates conflicts—particularly with rivals Tamura and Kenkichi Hino. After losing a fight to Eikichi, he begins idolizing him, remaining fiercely loyal to both Eikichi and the Oni-Baku. By the events of GTO: 14 Days in Shonan, he works at a junkyard but continues his biker lifestyle alongside Tsukai.
A devoted member of Katsuyuki's gang who initially resents the Oni-Baku's influence but grows loyal to them through his unwavering allegiance to "Ka-chan". He frequently clashes with students from Enoshima Shogyou, harboring a particular grudge against them. Yasuo appears regularly and occasionally takes prominent roles in the story. He rides a Yamaha XJ-R and maintains a relationship with his girlfriend Mayumi.
A K.T. Butai member resembling Saejima and Makoto who regularly appears with Katsuyuki's group. He fights without hesitation, even when vastly outnumbered like during a café brawl against Enoshou students. He rides a Honda CB-SF.
Kitamura appears least often among the K.T. Butai members, serving primarily as a background character. He is present during the Oni-Baku's encounter with the intimidating Kiwamezawa, reacting nervously to his imposing presence. Beyond these minor appearances, he plays no substantial role in the group's activities.
A K.T. Butai member who endures repeated violence from the Oni-Baku's foes—including brutal attacks by Yagyou Atsuki and a DOA gang member. Despite this, he consistently participates in major battles, maintaining unwavering loyalty to his Onizuka and Katsuyuki.
Itou initially helps the Oni-Baku by providing information about Kamata and Saejima, having attended the same junior high. Though she develops feelings for Eikichi, his rivalry over Kaoru leads to a conflict between Tsukai and Onizuka. She ultimately becomes Tsukai's longtime girlfriend, with their relationship progressing to marriage and parenthood by GTO. As the first female accepted into the Oni-Baku's circle, she frequently appears in later volumes during group gatherings.
Shinomi first appears as an overweight, bullied girl protected by Eikichi, later transforming into an attractive woman involved with Idaten gang member Takezawa Akira. After Eikichi hospitalizes Takezawa and ends their relationship, she joins the Oni-Baku's circle, dyeing her hair blonde. Though harboring romantic feelings for Eikichi, he views her platonically as a sister figure. With her fiery personality and fighting spirit—essentially a female version of Eikichi—she befriends Nagisa and frequently appears alongside her. In later series, she works as a makeup artist, including for Tomoko in GTO, and briefly assists at White Swan in GTO: 14 Days in Shonan while subtly recognizing Onizuka's teaching identity.
Nagisa works as a waitress at Marine House seafood restaurant when Ryuji first notices her. Though appearing gentle, she struggles with dissociative identity disorder, manifesting an aggressive alter ego named Yasha. This condition stems from her traumatic rape by Junya Akutsu, leader of the Midnight Angels gang to which she belongs. After Ryuji rescues her, she conquers her psychological struggles and becomes his devoted girlfriend, remaining with him through the events of GTO.
Motivated by his grandfather's final words to become "strong", the once-timid Yoshio joins the Oni-Baku to reinvent himself. His aggressive fighting style quickly clashes with Eikichi and Ryuji's leadership. After seizing control of the rogue Atsuki Yagyou gang—who had been tarnishing the Oni-Baku's name—he escalates tensions to a deadly confrontation. In their final encounter, his antique firearm misfires during a standoff with Eikichi, severely wounding his own hands before disappearing from the story permanently.
Foes
An eyebrowless boxing champion who initially defeats Eikichi through deception—using a knuckle-duster and evasive tactics before finishing him with a street sign. While skilled, his victory relies entirely on the element of surprise. When they meet again, Ryuji dismantles Machida's gang singlehandedly while Eikichi overwhelms the boxer in a brutal rematch, absorbing his punches and retaliating with devastating force.
The mustachioed yakuza successor and former of the Oni-Baku endured constant humiliation at their hands—most of it well-deserved. After fading from the main story, he makes a final appearance reacting to the gang's fate in the concluding volume, displaying characteristically little sympathy for their circumstances.
Nicknamed "Eguriya" (Slasher) for his brutal knife attacks, Okubo is a Kyokuto High alumnus and Madara gang member. He resurfaces to settle unfinished business with Eikichi, having previously stabbed him during a fight. Despite Eikichi battling with a broken foot, he overwhelms Okubo in their violent rematch, nearly beating him to death.
The younger brother of Ayumi's late fiancé. He initially seeks to sabotage her relationship with Ryuji. As a Kyokuto High student leading a sizable gang—including member Asakura Yoshiaki—he kidnaps Ayumi before being defeated by Ryuji. He later returns as an ally, riding a Yamaha V-Max. In GTO: 14 Days in Shonan, he assists Onizuka while working as a Tokyo Artists Production representative.