There are an uncountable number of shows that exceed the imaginations of a person and amaze them to their core. Some dramas like First Love, Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, GTO, Gokusen, and many more. The story of Gokusen revolves around Yamaguchi Kumiko, an idealistic young teacher entering her first job as a teacher at Shiroin Gakuen. She is appointed as a homeroom teacher of a class which she learns is not quite easy to handle.
A class filled with delinquents and almost no teacher having a good memory of teaching that class, she realizes it will be a hard journey to teach her students. The students have multi-colored hair, untidy and sloppy uniforms, and no respect for her. They try to drive their new homeroom teacher away by playing tricks and constantly bullying her, but Kumiko is no ordinary woman.
Behind her lies a big secret: she is the heiress to a 4th generation Yakuza clan. Although all her relatives want her to take over as their leader after her grandfather passes, they still respect her decision to become a teacher. If you have watched the series and crave more entertainment, here are recommendations you should consider watching.
1. Great Teacher Onizuka (1998)
This is a masterpiece. It is a truly comedic show you should never miss. Onizuka Ekiichi is the leader of a local biker gang. Despite this, he has a lifelong dream of becoming a high school teacher, which comes true when a seemingly eccentric school director hires him.
As unreal as it seemed, he shows up at his new workplace, where he is appointed as the homeroom teacher of Class 2-4, a class filled with delinquents and hard to handle. Opposed by teachers and students for his teaching methods yet being unstoppable, Onizuka surpasses everyone’s expectations as he eventually convinces everyone that he has great potential as a teacher.
Takashi Sorimachi portrays the character of Onizuka so well, a carefree former gang leader suddenly getting hired as a teacher; just thinking of this dynamic is funny. Great Teacher Onizuka will surely not disappoint you, and there is eccentricity at almost every turn. You will laugh, cry, and get inspired by this single show, and you will wait for the surprises in the show.
- Airing Date: Jul 7, 1998 – Sep 22, 1998
- Cast: Sorimachi Takashi, Matsushima Nanako, Fujiki Naohito
- Director: Nakajima Satoru, Suzuki Masayuki
- IMDb score: 8.4
- Number of episodes: 12
- Genre: Comedy, Youth, Drama
2. Scrap Teacher
It is the story of three students who work together to improve their school’s morals. Irie Sugizou, Kusaka Shuzaburo, and Yoshida Eitaro join a junior high school where they learn it is on the verge of collapse. They take on the task of saving the school despite the lazy teachers and low spirits of the management.
Scrap Teacher has delinquent students and disinterested teachers; those fixing things are the three little students. This is a fantastic show. Each episode and scene is paced so well that they do not rush things to the end and ruin it. You can not guess what will happen next; it keeps you intrigued.
The sarcasm and every witty remark will make you laugh so much. Heart-wrenching moments, anger, happiness, heartbreak, and encouragement will touch you to the core. Teaching us various life lessons, this is a drama you definitely should not miss.
- Airing Date: Oct 11, 2008 – Dec 6, 2008
- Cast: Arioka Daiki, Nakajima Yuto, Yamada Ryosuke
- Director: Nagumo Seiichi
- IMDb score: 5.3
- Number of episodes: 9
- Genre: Youth, Drama
3. Koi no Yamai to Yarougumi
A story revolving around eight boys who take their first steps toward communicating with girls. They are the only ones who are in a class consisting of boys only. Losing all contact with the girls and having no opportunity to talk to them, they try to overcome their nervousness, although they continuously fail.
Both season has the same plot, but there is freshness in every season. It is an underrated gem. The teacher in the drama is so laid back and cool that you will wish to have a teacher like him. A must-watch, full of frantic, hilarious scenes; make sure not to miss this show.
- Airing Date: Jul 20, 2019 – Sep 21, 2019
- Cast: Takahashi Yuto, Sato Ryuga, Nakamura Reia, Igari Soya
- Director: NA
- IMDb score: NA
- Number of episodes: 10
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Drama
4. Gokusen 2
It is a sequel to the famous Gokusen (2002). This season starts with a time skip; Shiroin Gakuen has closed down. Luckily, she lands another job at Kurogin Gakuen, where she faces the same challenge: delinquent students, but this time far more tenacious than the last ones, making them look like angels.
To protect her job, she must keep her identity hidden and bring the students of her new class on the right path. Back with a new cast and fresh plotline, this sequel does live up to the expectations from the previous series.
- Airing Date: Jan 15, 2005 – Mar 19, 2005
- Cast: Nakama Yukie, Kamenashi Kazuya, Akanishi Jin
- Director: Toya Sato, Otani Taro
- IMDb score: 7.3
- Number of episodes: 10
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Youth, Drama
5. Hana Yori Dango
An adaptation of the classic manga of the same name, Hana Yori Dango, has a widespread audience and is well-known globally.
It is the story of Makino Tsukushi, the only poor student in the school of the rich, Eitoku Gakuen. The school is ruled by “Flower 4,” aka F4, four sons of the school’s most affluent families. As much as the girls love them, they have to be careful not to get on their bad side. It is because that student gets a “red notice” and is bullied till they quit school.
Makino Tsukushi tries to live as quietly as possible, but things start going astray when she stands up to them for her friend. As expected, she got a “red card,” but she stood her ground facing off against the F4.
This is a very intriguing story. Mixed with comedy, love, heartbreaks, character development, and business politics, Hana Yori Dango is a beautiful blend of all these elements. This manga has been adapted many times in different countries: Boys over Flowers (South Korea), Meteor Garden (China and Taiwan), and F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (Thailand). If you are an Asian drama fan, you must have heard of it, but if you haven’t watched this masterpiece yet, this is your sign.
- Airing Date: Oct 21, 2005 – Dec 16, 2005
- Cast: Inoue Mao, Matsumoto Jun, Oguri Shun, Abe Tsuyoshi
- Director: Katayama Osamu, Ishii Yasuharu, Yamamuro Daisuke
- IMDb score: 8.0
- Number of episodes: 9
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Drama
- Streaming Platform: Viki Rakuten
6. Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo
The story of Aihara Kotoko, who falls for a guy at first sight. Aihara Kotoko is a sweet, bubbly girl who isn’t much of an educated person and is fairly dumb. At her high school entrance ceremony, she notices a pretty boy, Irie Naoki, and falls for him at first sight. Little did she know he had a narcissistic and cold personality.
Finally, when she mustered up her courage to confess, he brutally rejected her, stating that she was “dumb.” One day, a meteorite falls, destroying Aihara’s house. They have nowhere to go when a friend of her father offers them to stay for the time being. When they move to their new house, it turns out that she has to cohabitate with her high school crush, who rejects her brutally.
Itazura na Kiss is a classic manga that has been hit globally. It is a lighthearted romantic comedy that focuses on the character development of the two main leads. A fun-packed journey accompanied by silly and quirky scenes, this drama is sure to captivate you.
- Airing Date: Mar 29, 2013 – Jul 19, 2013
- Cast: Yahagi Honoka, Furukawa Yuki
- Director: Nagata Koto, Kawano Koji, Abe Masakazu
- IMDb score: 7.5
- Number of episodes: 16
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Life, Youth
- Streaming Platform: Viki Rakuten
7. Ouran High School Host Club
Haruhi Fujioka is a poor girl studying at the prestigious Ouran High School for the rich on scholarship. One day, she comes across the Ouran Host Club, which entertains the female “clients.” Trying to leave immediately, she knocks over an expensive vase. To repay the debt, she is offered to work odd jobs, but due to her beautiful features, she is given the job to attend to the clients as a host. Little did the members know that Haruhi was a girl.
With all the experiences and every moment they spend together, the seven club members forge a bond so close that might not have been possible for Haruhi before. This show was made in 2011. The actors acted like the manga/anime character had come to life. The scenes are depicted like a manga panel, but everything will make you laugh.
There isn’t a single scene where you won’t laugh out loud. For those who have read the manga or watched the anime, this live-action will not disappoint you. It is funny, chaotic, and most importantly, it has the love the friendship that will move you.
- Airing Date: Jul 22, 2011 – Sep 30, 2011
- Cast: Kawaguchi Haruna, Yamamoto Yusuke, Daito Shunsuke, Takagi Shinpei, Chiba Yudai
- Director: Han Choru, Sato Atsushi, Shibasaki Hiroki
- IMDb score: 6.1
- Number of episodes: 11
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth
8. O Maidens in Your Savage Season
A story that follows young teenage girls experiencing various emotions driven by their hormonal changes and the onset of puberty. Kazusa Onodera is a first grader and a literature club member in her high school. Being an average high school student, she spends her days reading books when she comes across some explicit books.
Feeling embarrassed yet interested in the stories, Kazusa starts having her fantasies and desires. This drama portrays the starting of wild fantasies in young teenage girls as they are learning to navigate their new feelings and emotions. Comedy, friendship, embarrassment, and desires make a perfect blend that makes you relive your teenage phase.
- Airing Date: Sep 8, 2020 – Oct 27, 2020
- Cast: Yamada Anna, Tamashiro Tina, Yokota Mayuu, Hata Mei
- Director: Sakai Mai, Igashi Aya
- IMDb score: 7.2
- Number of episodes: 8
- Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Drama
- Streaming Platform: Viki Rakuten
9. Yankee-kun to Megane-chan
Daiichi Shinagawa is a juvenile delinquent whose name is so widespread that he is challenged at every turn by wannabe thugs, and everyone at his school avoids him for his reputation. Until one day, he meets a stereotypical class president, Hana Adachi, and befriends her. Hana herself is a reformed “Yankee.”
Getting himself into her world, Daiichi and Hana become a famous duo in the school, participating in various school events and helping others with their problems. This drama tells a heartwarming story. You will be invested in it from the first episode. It is often quirky and hilarious that you might keep laughing and won’t stop. Even the point of friendship is portrayed so beautifully in here.
It is not one of those stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat but will make you crave more. It is recommended to watch if you are looking for a lighthearted story.
- Airing Date: Apr 23, 2010 – Jun 25, 2010
- Cast: Narimiya Hiroki, Naka Riisa
- Director: Kawashima Ryutaro, Takanari Mahoko, Yoshida Akio
- IMDb score: 6.5
- Number of episodes: 10
- Genre: Comedy, Youth
10. Hammer Session!
The protagonist, Otowa Yonko, is a con artist who scams people to profit from them. One day, he manages to escape from the police when the car crashes. After making a deal with the headmaster, he accidentally becomes a teacher at a school nearby under a new name.
The plot is similar to that of Gokusen, yet completely different. The main concept is that a strange teacher comes in and starts changing the students in unconventional ways. Still, the story feels fresh. Full of comedy, inspiration, and laughter, Hammer Session! is highly recommended.
- Airing Date: Jul 10, 2010 – Sep 18, 2010
- Cast: Hayami Mokomichi, Shida Mirai
- Director: Nakamae Yuji, Aso Manabu
- IMDb score: 7.5
- Number of episodes: 11
- Genre: Comedy, Youth
