---
title: "Gokusen"
year: 2002
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/gokusen-2002"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 63409
imdb_id: "tt0292765"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 3
episodes_count: 33
runtime_minutes: 45
community_rating: 8.0
vote_count: 51
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# Gokusen (2002) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/gokusen-2002

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Gokusen is a Japanese television drama series based on the manga created by Kozueko Morimoto. The series follows the story of Kumiko Yamaguchi, an idealistic new graduate who begins her career as a math teacher at Shirokin High. Her professional life becomes complicated when she is assigned to teach class 3-D, a group of students known for being delinquents and troublemakers. These students show little respect for their instructors, as many harbor negative memories of their past teachers. The class is led by a student named Sawada Shin, who is well respected among his peers. Beyond her role as an educator, Kumiko Yamaguchi is a fourth-generation member of a crime syndicate. The television drama, which stars Yukie Nakama in the title role, was broadcast on Nippon TV from 2002 to 2008. The franchise also includes a 13-episode anime series produced by Madhouse that aired in 2004, as well as a theatrical film adaptation that premiered in 2009.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "An idealistic new teacher struggles to manage a classroom of defiant, delinquent students at Shirokin High."

### Why Watch
- engaging character development
- humorous classroom dynamics

### Caveats & Content Note
- contains depictions of school delinquency
- Tone & Suitability: The series features themes of school delinquency and conflict between students and faculty.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: comedic, inspirational, school-life, dramatic

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |
| **Canada (CA)** | Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (12 Episodes)
## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 33
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 6 (18%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 27 (82%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Kozueko Morimoto
- **Networks / Studios**: Nippon TV

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Yukie Nakama** as *Kumiko Yamaguchi*
- **Katsuhisa Namase** as *Goro Sawatari*
- **Kenji Anan** as *Hiro Wakamatsu*
- **Ken Kaneko** as *Tetsu Asakura*
- **Ken Utsui** as *Ryuichiro Kuroda*
- **Shinji Uchiyama** as *Minoru Tatsukawa*
- **Hiroshi Ryogoku** as *Hiroshi Ryogoku*
- **Mikihisa Azuma** as *Seiga Baba*
- **Tadashi Sakata** as *Yutaka Kashiwagi*
- **Jun Matsumoto** as *Shin Sawada*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who is the main character?
The main character is Kumiko Yamaguchi, also known as Yankumi.

### Q: What is the premise of the show?
It follows an idealistic teacher who is assigned to teach a class of notorious delinquents.

### Q: How many seasons were produced?
The television drama aired for three seasons between 2002 and 2008.

### Q: Is there an anime version?
Yes, a 13-episode anime adaptation produced by Madhouse was broadcast in 2004.

### Q: Was there a film adaptation?
Yes, a theatrical film based on the series was released in 2009.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Gokusen (TV Series 2002–2008) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0292765)
- [Gokusen - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokusen)
- [Gokusen (2002) - MyDramaList](https://mydramalist.com/25-gokusen)
- [Gokusen (series, 2002 – 2008) - Kinorium](https://en.kinorium.com/234144/)
- [Gokusen - DramaWiki](https://wiki.d-addicts.com/Gokusen)
- [Gokusen (TV Series 2002-2008) — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/63409-gokusen)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*