A few weeks ago, exciting news broke that the beloved 1998 live-action series “Great Teacher Onizuka” (GTO) is set to make a triumphant return in the form of a new TV special titled “GTO Revival.”
This revival, featuring the return of Takashi Sorimachi to his iconic role as Onizuka after a 26-year hiatus, is slated for a spring 2024 release.
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While the announcement garnered widespread attention due to GTO’s enduring popularity and cultural significance, it also brought to light author Tohru Fujisawa’s frustrations regarding the treatment of the current GTO manga, “GTO: Paradise Lost,” by its publisher, Kodansha.
久々にＧＴＯが復活するのは嬉しいんだけど講談社のヤンマガでやってたＧＴＯの最終章にあたる「パラダイスロスト」は途中で雑誌から追い出されたまんま中断中だし、そのくせドラマになると前に出てくる・・こんな会社ってどうなのよ・・？・・どこか、別の出版社で版権ごと引取ってくんないかなあ・・
— 藤沢とおる (@fujifuji0001) September 20, 2023
Mr. Fujisawa expressed his mixed feelings, stating, “I am delighted that GTO is receiving a revival, but it is disheartening to witness the handling of the manga ‘GTO: Paradise Lost,’ which is currently in hiatus after being abruptly removed from Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine during its serialization.
It perplexes me that the live-action TV special is prioritized over the manga. I find myself questioning the decisions made by this company… Perhaps another publisher could take over the copyright?”
The most recent installment of “GTO: Paradise Lost” was published in the 11th issue of Weekly Young Magazine on February 13, 2023.
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The manga’s hiatus was officially announced, with a tentative return date set for early summer 2023, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its continuation.
Source | Tohru Fujisawa on X.
