GTO: The Early Years

Shonan Junai Gumi, the prequel to GTO, follows a young Eikichi Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji Danma as they navigate the rough-and-tumble streets of Shonan. Written and illustrated by Tohru Fujisawa, this 2012 Vertical release collects the original 1990s manga that established the characters' hot-blooded, delinquent origins before the events of Great Teacher Onizuka. It's a key entry for fans wanting to see the raw, comedic, and action-packed foundation of one of manga's most iconic anti-heroes.