OK, so this manga -does- grow on you. At first, I was really put off by the erratic and disjointed style. It was so distracting that I simply couldn't get into the story or the characters. There seemed to be no flow, no proper development. Each chapter didn't continue the story from the previous one. Instead, it was built upon several random episodes that occurred. However, as I persevered and continued to read it, I gradually began to understand. Eiji Nonaka, the author, has a unique way of developing his characters. He does it as he goes along, and we get to learn about them through the various adventures and misadventures that befall these hoodlum misfits.
Cromartie High School is a rather unique institution. It attracts the lowest and least intelligent of students. The only admission requirement is that a student can do basic addition and subtraction, and even that doesn't seem to be strictly enforced. As a result, the student population is made up of hoodlums and badass tough guys. They have no interest in studying and are mostly concerned with their next fight. In fact, among the attendees, there are students who may not even be registered. There are even several that are not even human. For example, one of the "students" is a gorilla, an actual primate, who is often depicted as more intelligent than several of the other Cromartie students.
As mentioned earlier, the chapters are presented as mini-episodes. The events that take place do not necessarily have a direct connection to the events shown previously. But as they unfold, a clearer picture of each of the students emerges. And these episodes become quite unreal, leading to improbably funny situations. As I became more interested and involved in each of these characters and their quirks, I found myself constantly shaking my head and laughing out loud at their antics. I'm truly surprised. I really like this manga. I'm definitely going to read Volume 2 soon.