The story follows Kumiko Yamaguchi, the granddaughter of a yakuza boss and teacher at an all-male private high school.

The manga was adapted into a three-season television drama, with Yukie Nakama in the title role, which was broadcast on Nippon TV from 2002 to 2008, followed by a theatrical film, which premiered in 2009.

Her parents died when she was at the age of seven, and her grandfather had no other descendants, so Kumiko is next in line to head the family business with the title of "ojō" (お嬢, "young lady").

Though she is forced to keep her family a secret from the public, her yakuza upbringing gives her the strength and the experience to reach out to her students, while also providing comedic situations.

[14] It also includes an insert song, "Kizuna" (絆, "Bond"), by Kazuya Kamenashi, who portrayed the exclusive drama character Ryū Odagiri.

[21][22] A 13-episode anime television series adaptation by Madhouse and directed by Yuzo Sato, was broadcast on Nippon TV from January 7 to March 31, 2004.

[31] In The Dorama Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese TV Drama Since 1953, by Jonathan Clements and Motoko Tamamuro, they wrote: "Gokusen begins in the style of GTO, but soon veers off course into a criminal variant of Romeo and Juliet.

Though probably rushed into production in the wake of The Sopranos, the series has a local pedigree as well, with resemblances to earlier shows such as Downton Detectives [ja] and The Quiet Don".

Oppliger also praised the "subtle elements of yakuza movie", including the enka ending animation, which "added an additional level of charm to the show".