Who Is Takashi Sorimachi? The Man Who’s Playing Great Teacher Onizuka Again 28 Years Later

Great Teacher Onizuka, which received its first live-action adaptation in 1998, is returning with a new live-action adaptation after 28 years. Furthermore, the new project is going to feature the return of the original lead actor: Takashi Sorimachi. He is returning to play the role of Eikichi Onizuka once more.

The story is going to depict how the character adapts to a completely different era of education. So, let’s dive into everything that we know about the upcoming live-action adaptation, while also exploring who Takashi Sorimachi actually is.

SOURCE MANGA TITLE	GTO: Great Teacher Onizuka
ORIGINAL CREATOR	Tooru Fujisawa
SOURCE MANGA MAL RATING (as of May 9, 2026)	8.87 / 10
SOURCE MANGA PUBLISHING DATE	Dec 11, 1996 to Jan 30, 2002

Takashi Sorimachi, the Man Who Brought Eikichi Onizuka to Life

Takashi Sorimachi is a Japanese actor and singer whose career is closely tied to manga and anime adaptations in Japan. In 1998, he accepted the main role in the first Great Teacher Onizuka live-action television series. His portrayal of the character was perfect, which earned the show amazing ratings.

He has participated in various other projects related to anime and manga. He acted in the live-action adaptation of the manga Beach Boys and appeared in the movie Yamato – The Last Battle. In 2024, he returned to the role of Eikichi Onizuka for GTO Revival.

When Is Great Teacher Onizuka 2026 Live-Action Series Releasing?

The release date for the new series is finally here! The Great Teacher Onizuka 2026 live-action series will premiere on July 20, 2026.

— GTO【7月期月10ドラマ】 (@GTO2026summer) April 29, 2026

As per the official Great Teacher Onizuka live-action account on X, the series will broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV and Kansai TV. New episodes will air on Mondays at 10:00 PM JST.

What Is Great Teacher Onizuka About?

The story follows Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old former gang member who decides to become a teacher at a private school in Tokyo. Of course, he is not your standard school teacher. The way he teaches is risky, smart, and sometimes borderline illegal. However, at the same time, he assists his student in overcoming personal issues, bullying, and even problems with authority. His focus is not on school work, it’s on life itself.

The 2026 live-action series is going to update this setting to the present day instead. The plot centers on Eikichi Onizuka in his 50s, teaching at Seishin Private Academy, a high school funded by a corporation. This school focuses more on efficiency and digital management. The main conflict involves Onizuka, a teacher with older ideals, attempting to resolve the digital-age problems of modern students.

Cast & Crew: Everything We Know

The series features both returning veterans and new actors. Takashi Sorimachi is the lead actor, returning as Eikichi Onizuka. Meru Nukumi joins the cast as Mio Kashiwabara, the assistant homeroom teacher and the primary female character in the story. She is known for her role in Sakamoto Days live action as well.

The character Meru Nukumi is playing is a rational classical literature teacher who avoids trouble and maintains an emotional distance from her students. She works directly alongside Onizuka, despite being totally opposite to him. Additional new cast members include Michitaka Tsutsui and Yukie Nakama.

The main creative team from the 1998 series is also returning. Kazuhiko Yukawa is the screenwriter. Satoru Nakajima is the director. Kazuhisa Ando serves as the producer.

Are you excited to see Takashi Sorimachi as Eikichi Onizuka again? Let us know in the comments.