Nanako Matsushima Returns as Azusa Fuyutsuki in New GTO Drama
Matsushima's return as a now-fulfilled Azusa Fuyutsuki, after the 2024 special hinted at a romantic future with Onizuka, sets up a direct continuation of that storyline in the new series.
Reporting from 2 sources: Eiga Natalie, Cinema Today.
Nanako Matsushima will reprise her role as Azusa Fuyutsuki in the new live-action drama adaptation of GTO, which premieres on July 20, 2026, on Kantele and Fuji TV. The series, starring Takashi Sorimachi as Eikichi Onizuka, is the first continuous GTO drama in 28 years. Set at the private Seishin Gakuen high school, the story tackles Reiwa-era education, where both teachers and students use tablet devices and a student feedback system evaluates teachers. Matsushima's character, now a cabin attendant after achieving her dream in the 2024 special GTO Revival, appears in a newly released visual wearing a CA uniform. The premiere's first four minutes contain a shocking development regarding her involvement with Onizuka. The script is by Kazuhiko Yukawa, continuing from the 1998 version, and directed by Satoru Nakajima and Kento Matsuda. Matsushima commented that the response to GTO Revival made her feel the work remains in memory after many years, and she urged viewers to enjoy the activities of an Onizuka who has matured while retaining traces of his former self.
The new GTO series marks the first serialized drama adaptation since the original 1998 run, which also starred Sorimachi and Matsushima. The 2024 special GTO Revival, which aired on Fuji TV, ended with a two-shot of Onizuka and Azusa walking side by side, prompting fan speculation about their relationship. In the new series, Azusa's career as a cabin attendant will be explored, and the premiere's first four minutes promise a shocking development. The cast also includes Meru Nomiya as homeroom teacher Mio Kashiwabara, Asuka Kudo, Maryjun Takahashi, Tomohiro Ichikawa, Atomu Shukugawa, Yoshimasa Kondo, and Takeshi Ukaji. The series airs Mondays at 10:00 p.m., with the first episode extended by 15 minutes.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Eiga Natalie 松嶋菜々子、反町隆史主演ドラマ「GTO」に冬月あずさ役で参加 鬼塚とどう関わるのか
- Cinema Today 反町隆史＆松嶋菜々子「GTO」で再び夫婦出演！初回冒頭4分で衝撃展開待ち受ける