Ep 1. Arrival of the Rookie Teacher With a Secret!!

Gokusen season 1 episode 1, Arrival of the Rookie Teacher With a Secret!!, introduces viewers to 23-year-old Kumiko Yamaguchi, affectionately known as Yankumi. Despite coming from a family of yakuza members, Yankumi has decided to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She is assigned to be the homeroom teacher for class 2-4 at an all-boys high school known for its delinquent students.

As Yankumi introduces herself to her new class, she immediately establishes herself as a formidable presence. She is confident, stern, and unafraid to stand up to the rowdy boys. However, as she tries to navigate her new teaching role, she is surprised to discover that her students are not as intimidating as she thought. In fact, many of them seem to have good hearts, but have been misguided or abused by their families.

As the episode progresses, Yankumi quickly learns that being a teacher is not as simple as she thought it would be. She is faced with a challenging dilemma when she catches a group of her students stealing from a convenience store. In order to protect the boys from getting expelled, Yankumi decides to take the blame for their actions. The students are shocked by her selflessness and dedication to their well-being, and they begin to see her in a new light.

Throughout the episode, we also learn more about Yankumi's personal life. Despite her tough exterior, she is a caring and empathetic person who is devoted to her family. She has a special bond with her grandfather, who used to be the head of the yakuza gang. She is also hiding a secret from her colleagues and students - she is a trained martial artist and is not afraid to use her skills to protect herself and others.

Overall, Arrival of the Rookie Teacher With a Secret!! is a compelling introduction to Gokusen. It sets up the premise of the show - a young teacher with a connection to the yakuza world who is determined to inspire and help her troubled students. The episode also establishes Yankumi as a complex and multifaceted character, capable of both strict discipline and compassionate understanding. It leaves viewers eager to see how her relationships with her students and colleagues will develop over the course of the season.