Dragon Zakura (TV series)

Dragon Zakura is a Japanese television drama series broadcast on TBS in 2005, based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Norifusa Mita. The series follows Kenji Sakuragi, a former biker gang member turned lawyer, who aims to turn around a failing private high school, Ryuzan High School, by training a small group of students to get accepted into Tokyo University, Japan's most prestigious university.

The drama focuses on Sakuragi's unorthodox teaching methods, which often clash with the traditional education system. He emphasizes practical skills and test-taking strategies rather than rote memorization, aiming to boost the students' confidence and motivation. The series explores themes of academic pressure, social inequality, and the pursuit of dreams, highlighting the challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key characters include the students Sakuragi mentors, each with their own personal struggles and motivations for wanting to attend Tokyo University. The series also features other teachers and school staff who are initially skeptical of Sakuragi's methods but eventually come to support his unconventional approach.

The success of Dragon Zakura led to a sequel series, Dragon Zakura 2, which aired in 2021. The original 2005 series is considered a classic Japanese drama, known for its inspirational story, compelling characters, and social commentary on the Japanese education system. It has been adapted into a Korean drama of the same name, also focusing on a lawyer who mentors students to get into a prestigious university.