It has been announced that Kudo Asuka, Takahashi Maryjun, Maryjun Takahashi, Kondo Yoshimasa, and Ukaji Takeshi will be joining the cast of the July drama series "GTO" (Kansai TV/Fuji TV, Mondays at 10pm, starting July 20th), starring actor Sorimachi Takashi.
"GTO" is based on the manga of the same name by Tohru Fujisawa and is a school drama about Eikichi Onizuka, a former biker gang member turned teacher who tackles student and school problems head-on with his unconventional actions. The TV series, which aired in 1998 starring Takashi Sorimachi, recorded high ratings, with an average household viewership of 28.5% in the Kanto region for all 12 episodes and 35.7% for the final episode (according to Video Research), becoming a landmark school drama of the Heisei era. In April 2024, it made a one-night-only comeback with the special drama "GTO Revival".
For this new "GTO," the staff who worked on the 1998 version, including lead actor Takashi Sorimachi, screenwriter Kazuhiko Yukawa, director Satoru Nakajima, and producer Kazuhisa Ando, have reunited. While carefully preserving the worldview and character of Eikichi Onizuka from that time, the new series will be produced as an updated drama that also incorporates elements of the Reiwa era.
The story is set at Seishin Academy, a private high school that aims to "nurture future leaders." It depicts an educational environment where both teachers and students carry tablet devices, and information and evaluations of students and teachers are managed through digital data. It had already been announced that Meru Nukumi would play Meru Nukumi, the assistant homeroom teacher of the class that Onizuka, played by Takashi Sorimachi, is in charge of. The six new cast members will also play faculty and staff members at Seishin Academy.
Kudo plays Ryunosuke Miyazawa, a former student of Onizuka and an employee seconded from a company involved in the management of Seishin Private Academy. He was one of the students who directly experienced Onizuka's unconventional "guidance" during his student days, and although he is involved in the operation of Seishin Private Academy, he harbors some unresolved feelings about the field of education. He is the person who understands Onizuka's "true nature" better than anyone else.
Maryjun Takahashi plays the English teacher Nozomi Koizumi, who is beautiful, cheerful, and popular with students for incorporating game-based lessons. However, she is so concerned with her reputation and career that she finds herself drawn to Onizuka, who confronts students head-on and instinctively.
Tomohiro Ichikawa plays the math teacher, Ikuto Abe, a rationalist who values efficiency and data, and specializes in cutting-edge lessons utilizing AI. He avoids getting too close to his students and refrains from intruding on their private lives, and he shows a clear sense of unease about Onizuka's impulsive and passionate teaching style from an early stage. In the staff room, he is a calm, composed, and logical presence, but his interactions with Onizuka shake up his own values.
Haruki Murayama, played by Atom Shukugawa, is a world history teacher who lacks energy and seems somewhat weary. He no longer holds strong ideals about the teaching profession, and in the staff room, he observes his surroundings with a somewhat detached perspective. Murayama has always maintained a stance of not getting too deeply involved even when problems arise, but after meeting Onizuka, he begins to wonder, "Is it really okay for me to stay this way?"
Koji Nakamaru, played by Yoshimasa Kondo, was a character who appeared as the head of the grade level in the 1998 version of "GTO." At the time, he supported the school's operation under Vice Principal Uchiyamada (the late Akira Nakao). While being tossed around by Onizuka's unconventional behavior, he was a self-preserving teacher who tried to prevent problems from escalating in order to advance his own career. In this 2026 version, his long-held dream comes true, and he takes the position of "vice principal" at Seishin Private Academy. Nakamaru, who knows Onizuka best from the past, will cross paths with Onizuka again after 28 years.
Okubo Yasuhiro, played by Takeshi Ukaji, is a kind-hearted but somewhat vague school principal. He has ideals for education, but lacks decisiveness, and for some reason, Nakamaru takes the lead in the staff room.
◇Comment from Asuka Kudo
I was in elementary school back in 1998, but I vividly remember being drawn to Eikichi Onizuka's way of life and his coolness as a man after watching "GTO." It's a great honor to be able to participate in that world. Eikichi Onizuka is coming back. We have more and more convenient things, and the sense of distance between people has changed, but I hope that by showing everyone what it means to meet face to face and connect with each other, we can deliver something that will make your next day a little brighter.
◇Comment from Maryjun Takahashi
I'm so excited to be able to enter the world of "GTO," a drama I've watched for so long. I'm truly happy that my favorite drama is being made again and that I'll be able to appear in it. Even after 28 years, Onizuka-sensei remains unchanged. That same passion is coming back. I hope everyone will watch to see what kind of impact Onizuka-sensei will have on this new era, from Heisei to Reiwa, and what kind of chemical reactions will occur.
◇Comment from Tomohiro Ichikawa
I remember many memorable scenes from the 1998 version of "GTO," such as the interactions in the staff room and the way teachers and parents interacted. I hope viewers will enjoy seeing how the characters change in each episode as they interact with Mr. Onizuka, and before you know it, you'll be completely immersed in the world of "GTO." I believe that the revival of "GTO" this time is due to the thoughts and actions of countless people, far beyond my imagination. As a cast member, I want to pour all of those passionate feelings into the viewers.
◇Comment from Atom Shukugawa
It's a famous drama with a long history. I never imagined I'd be involved in it as a teacher, so I feel both very happy and honored. The theme of "love" is still present in this "GTO" as well. I'm looking forward to seeing how Mr. Onizuka will confront his students this time around, and I hope viewers will enjoy seeing how the story progresses with the aging Mr. Onizuka and us teachers.
◇Comment from Yoshimasa Kondo
Of course, there are differences since we've both aged, but acting alongside Sorimachi-san as Onizuka again after so long, and seeing him come at me with the same intensity as before, brought back a sense of nostalgia. It's rare to be able to play the same role after 28 years, and I think it's something that can only be done if you continue acting and stay healthy. I'm truly grateful to be able to work with him again, and it's the ultimate reward for an actor.
◇Comment from Takeshi Ukaji
Actually, I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Sorimachi on the movie version of "GTO." While the environment surrounding adults, young people, and children has changed dramatically since then, I believe that the core of people's hearts hasn't changed all that much. The characters, from young people to teachers, are all deeply moved by Onizuka's way of life. In a world where we feel safe and have been taught that living according to what "should" be is the right thing to do, I hope that viewers will also be moved by Onizuka's actions.
