I saw this pop up on the top 250 TV list and gave it a go completely blind. It might take some getting used to, but by the time i finished it i felt it was worth it. This is a fresh, easy going and somewhat bold for today's age but ultimately lighthearted school comedy that instead of focusing on students it highlights this unorthodox, unkempt and somewhat infantile but ultimately persistent guy.
While at first i found him to be kind of unbelievable, by the end of the day he won me over. He can be pervy, lazy and juvenile beyond belief at times but then lazer-point focused with his peers and with a "head on his shoulders" attitude. He uses his streetsmart ways to teach those who wrong him a lesson, which is the show's beating heart. He's somewhat uncaring but it comes across as a big brother'ish, you know? Fueled by his teenage desire of women, making a mess where he sleeps at but ultimately with his head straight, treating his young folks equally and pushing them to achieve what they want.
It becomes this big brother'ish i-wanna-look-up-to figure.
Even if for comedic effect it's something as childish as pulling a prank on a bratty girl that a shy kid doesn't get along with, between lines you learn something on forgiveness, solidarity, honesty, and heck, even sacrifice.
This day and age the animation is going to look dated, while that's something time itself won't deny, the characters shine through. As well as the show's emphasize on lewd pervyness could be horribly mistaken nowadays or labeled as "sexist" but it's the show's pervyness that touches on the teen sensibility, as well as focusing the least perfect side of Onizuka himself that ends up being countered by his larger than life determination.
The show also pokes fun at the school system and this battling with Onizuka's philosophy ends up making him look as both a big brother/someone you'd die to have as a teacher, period. It's about understanding the other ones and fighting this adult stubbornness that obstacle the learnings of life and making the young ones feel like they matter.
And it's quite something. It's gotta little bit of comedy, drama, life lessons. A lighthearted, fun, life reflecting old anime is sometimes what you need to make a difference.
Sorry for my English.
