Shonan Junai Gumi!
GTO: The Early Years
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Shonan Junai Gumi!

Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Shounan Junai Gumi, Shonan Pure Love Gang, Young GTO
Japanese: 湘南純愛組!
English: GTO: The Early Years
More titles

Information

Type: Manga
Volumes: 31
Chapters: 267
Status: Finished
Published: Sep 26, 1990 to Sep 18, 1996
Genres: Action Action, Comedy Comedy, Drama Drama, Romance Romance
Themes: Delinquents Delinquents, School School
Demographic: Shounen Shounen
Authors: Fujisawa, Tooru (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.231 (scored by 79417,941 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #4012
2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #835
Members: 24,049
Favorites: 791

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Resources

8.23
Ranked #401Popularity #835Members 24,049
Add to My List
Volumes: /31
Chapters: /267

Synopsis

Eikichi Onizuka and Ryuuji Danma are members of infamous biker gang, Oni Baku. When not out riding around, they can be found in school, trying to pick up young women. This is the story of the young Onizuka, who would later become the greatest teacher in Japan.

(Source: ANN)

Background

The first 10 volumes of Shonan Junai Gumi! was published in English as GTO: The Early Years by Tokyopop based on the 15-volume deluxe edition from June 13, 2006, to February 9, 2009. Vertical Inc. picked up the license and released the remaining volumes from February 21, 2012, to October 30, 2012.

The manga was adapted into a Japanese live-action TV series that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on February 28, 2020.

Characters

Fujisaki, Shinomi
Supporting
Akutsu, Junya
Supporting
Murakoshi, Ayumi
Supporting
Kamata, Jun
Supporting
Natsumi
Supporting

Reviews

Jun 20, 2025
GTO is an epic manga, but you know Shonan Junai Gumi is just as good. Rather than follow Onizuka as a Great Teacher, we see Onizuka as a punk, a high schooler who hangs out with his pal Ryuji. Both of these characters are great, though the series does loose a step at a few points when Ryuji grows up a bit.

That being said, Onizuka and Ryuji, and honestly many characters are mega pervs... and oddly it works here. Onizuka hitting on a teacher, is different then Onizuka AS a teacher hitting on students. I think it's clear why. ...
Jul 10, 2021
Alright, I'll get straight to the point. If you're a fan of GTO this is defenitely a must read for you. It is also for you if you like comedy plus action.

Story - 9

The entire plot was really well made. It can make you cry and laugh at the same time. For me, the first 100 chapters had no problems. Midnight Angels arc (92 - 129chps) I found to be too long and sometimes confused. Second part of the arc picked up nicely and it was a blast to read. Also, Chasing Elieen arc was a bit underwhelming compared to others. My favourite was defenitely ...
Oct 26, 2021
This review is from the perspective of someone who hasn't read or watched anything from GTO whatsoever, with no prior bias towards the characters or mangaka. Many will not have even heard of this prequel despite the success of it's follow up work and let's just say there's a very good reason for that.

Reading SJG you'll find a charismatic main duo, well choreographed dynamic fight scenes, an occasional hilarious slice of comedy and some brilliant highs along the way. Now all of that would be great if not for the extensive amount of abhorrent flaws that co-exist within the story. Unfortunately aside from the action ...

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Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Shonan Junai Gumi Chapter 86 Discussion
Rasco - Jan 21, 2012
3 repliesby RedComet91 »»
10 hours ago
Poll: Shonan Junai Gumi Chapter 81 Discussion
Rasco - Jan 21, 2012
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Poll: Shonan Junai Gumi Chapter 71 Discussion
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Jun 15, 10:58 PM
Poll: Shonan Junai Gumi Chapter 69 Discussion
Rasco - Jan 21, 2012
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Jun 14, 5:21 PM
Poll: Shonan Junai Gumi Chapter 68 Discussion
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