My rampage through Netflix is winding down as my family is slated to return next week, and it looks like finishing with a bang.
Yes, a major character is a dog.
When I watch Gokusen, I have to set aside my principles. I do not abide by romantization of crime. It's destructive. In Russia, it wiped out whole layers of culture, not to mention the societal damage. My sister wanted to marry a gangster, who was his gang's treasurer (fortunately he was killed in turf wars before they went to church). One of my nephew's life ambition was to become a racketeer (I think he works in retail now). Granted, Japanese attempt to wrap the whole disgusting concept into trappings of nobility, responsibility, and so on — Gokusen serves it in spades — but at a sober look it's the same thing.
Once we ignore the message and lock youngins out of the room, the show itself is an excellent work for the money. It's one of the rare Media Blasters releases that was dubbed, and it deserved the treatment. Fun ride. Let's hope it stays that way to the end.