11 August 2014

GTO in Taiwan Review

Title: GTO in Taiwan
AKA: Great Teacher Onizuka in Taiwan
Genre: Drama, School
Episodes: 4
Broadcast period: 2014-Mar to 2014-Apr
Cast: Akira, Shirota Yu, Yamamota Yusuke, Chuo Genie, Lou Hong Zheng and Wei Jin.

As part of an international course, Onizuka (AKIRA) is visiting Taiwan for a few days, in order to get the insight of the different ways schools work. Together with Danma (Shirota Yu) they go sightseeing in Taiwan, and as faith will have it, Saejima (Yamamoto Yusuke) happens to be there as well. After a night out Saejima goes missing with Danmas bag which also has Danmas and Onizukas passports.
In the school Onizuka encounters a different kind of atmosphere: the studnets and teachers are ignoring the hardcore bullying of a student who by their definition is “invisible”. When Onizuka tries to deal with the situation he is blocked by both the class’ teacher and also the school principle, saying that he just has to let it go. But as the teacher he is: Onizuka refuses to let any of his students suffer - no matter where they are.

Hmm.. I think the idea was good, and probably also the choice of cast was well thought of, but somehow it feels weird. It might be the length that does it, but it really felt like Onizuka was too fast in fixing the issue. Like the school had to deal with it for some time, and he is there for 3 days and wupti. But that is Japanese dramas for you.
It is good and for some people preferably short, and the story is actual kind of deep, which I did not expect. Even if it only is Onizuka I like the way he is facing the kids.
To sum up: a good GTO special.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out if 5 hearts

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