#gintama review

[lacerta123]

Gintama’s really got something for everyone.

The anime’s funny and has this energy to it that you can tell everyone involved was having a great time. It’s a wonderful ensemble comedy that genuinely makes me laugh out loud.

The serious arcs are hype as heck, the fights are brutal and well choreographed. And they exist to magnify the emotional beats, so they feel like they have narrative weight. It matters how a fight goes down.

It’s a very good political drama. From the beginning you can tell that something shifty is going on, and each group is more or less its own political faction. The plotting is tight and it’s easy to follow what each faction wants and why.

And it has really a great philosophical message. It has something to say, and that message is bigger than all the individual moments of self reflection from the cast. The narrative feels subtly woven together to make that greater message.

And it’s anime comfort food. It’s found family. It’s learning to live and make connections to other people even though it’s hard.

It’s a series that’s big enough that you could live in it.

[dadtoki]

[babygray]

They say Gintoki has a terrible memory, but he was the one who remembered Kurokono Tasuke, a man with so little presence he was nearly invisible.

Maybe the problem isn't that his memory is bad. Maybe it's just too good and he remembers everything much too well...

Gintama episode 272, "A Reunion Also Brings to the Surface Things You Don't Want to Remember"

[suchine-toki]

Thoughts about Kamui

I know his backstory is somewhat controversial among fans. I feel like one of the main reasons it didn't land very well was that by the time he showed up, fans were already exhausted from so many “serious episodes” in a row. If the story between his parents had been revealed earlier and Rakuyo arc had been reserved for the conflict between Kamui and Kagura, maybe the pacing would’ve been better.

Then there's the main issue of how his backstory was made. Sorachi's style is to build things as you go, whereby certain points that once seemed important fade into the background in favor of others. This is the case of Kamui’s apparent psychopathy and his feelings towards his family.

I think the setting feels set in such a way that it suits both the old and the new story, which can result in an unorganic story feel and illogical choices by the characters. Here I think the main flaw was to focus Kamui's hostility towards his father, leaving Kagura as an extension of the conflict instead of the main point.

Kamui isn’t the first antagonist with whom you’ve to do mental gymnastics to understand his motives, but in his case it can be especially difficult. Perhaps if his past had been revealed little by little, it would’ve given fans more time to put the pieces of the puzzle together and his redemption wouldn’t have felt rushed.

[weebmewki]

Gintama arcs tier list

[animechick2015]

Do you mind if I ask, what are your top 5 (or top 10) favorite moments from any anime (can be series or movies)? Sorry if you have answered this before.....

Oh wow I’ve never had to think about my top anime moments before. This is exciting! Off the top of my head and in no particular order I’d have to say :

In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood when Ed was fighting Father by himself and everyone was calling his name to cheer him on….chills.

Another top moment for me (not necessarily my favorite but the emotions stuck with me for a while) was the last roll call in Assassination Classroom. I don’t think I’ve recovered from that to this day.

There’s so many moments in Fairy Tail (the anime that got me into anime): when they came back after being stuck on Tenrou Island for 7 years, Natsu beating the twin dragons for Lucy, fairy tail winning the grand magic games, Lucy reuniting with the guild after they all went their separate ways.

In Haikyuu when they were up against Shiratorizawa and they needed one more point to win. Man the animation for that was godly. With Ushijima holding down Tsuki and Hinata but the other teammates fighting to lift him up definitely a favorite anime moment of mine.

Gintama also has a lot of memorable moments for me. Just a few off the top of my head is the ladies absolutely kicking ass during the Courtesan of a Nation arc, when Gin found out his teacher was still alive, when everyone came together to fight Utsuro

In Eighty Six when Shin and Lena (and the entire squadron) officially met for the first time I cried my eyes out.

Attack on Titan had a lot of moments but the one that made me decide to stick to watching it was the sealing of Wall Rose. The animation, soundtrack and voice acting made me officially love this anime

In Demon Slayer, the fight between Uzui and Tanjiro vs Gyutaro will always be epic. I don’t know if any other animated fight could top that for me personally.

Again these are just a few moments that came to the top of my head, there’s probably more but this post will be too long lol. Thank you for asking such an awesome question!

[anime-of-the-day]

Anime of the day: Gintama

Released: 2006

Gintoki is a samurai. He runs an odd jobs business, and things don’t tend to go as planned for him. Especially since the Edo he lives in is ran by an alien puppet government. That’s right, Japan surrendered to aliens because honestly it was the Edo period, and they would not win against aliens. Gintoki is assisted by Shinpachi, who wants to become a samurai; and Kagura, who owns Sadaharu, a giant dog.

[courtesanofdeath]

I posted 4,950 times in 2022

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SIGMA from PV 2

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[kimisdomain]

Who has the worst cooking as a older sister in anime: Yor, Bianchi (Katekyo Hitman REBORN!), or Otae (Gintama) ? Here is my reaction to Spy x Family Episode 16!

[mytastessuck]

Serial TV Drama: Tougenkyou Alien

(You know, I was a minute away from searching for the song again before I remembered how weird Japanese band names get. One of my favorites is called Porno Graffiti for god's sake...)

The disproportionately intense opening for Gintama's second season. If you're gonna fuck around, fuck around properly. That's the Gintama way.

Song Score: Book 2:1048-1076/10

[gentleoverdrive]

[6/300] The path of a cloudy sky.

OK I watched the first two episodes of the Velma show with my wife and...

... it was mediocre? Make no mistake, there's nothing wrong with using a legacy series/formula while taking it for a spin as you go into uncharted waters with it. This is not that so far. The first two episodes basically felt so boilerplate and lacking in any pizzazz whatsoever that it just made me think everyone was on autopilot while writing this. ---- Which I know for a fact it's not true! Most writers' rooms go through insane amounts of re-writes for a single episode before a final script is ready to be taken into actual production, especially for cartoon shows! And let's not even get into the post-production process! ---- And you can absolutely tell, because some of the timing for dialogue and such seem properly punched-up and provided with some good flow! It's just that the actual contents is just not netting actual results. As some stand-up comedian has said: "The topic might seem weird but some of these jokes are strong structurally speaking!" ---- Which again, kind of a shame because Glenn Howerton and Constance Wu do have some genuine moments when I found myself chuckling somewhat and hell, even Mindy Kaling as Velma felt like she was genuinely trying... but the final result just feels so lacking. I want to give the show another shot, and I heard episodes 3 and 4 are coming out next week as a pair as well, so here's hoping the going gets good sooner rather than later. Read ya' later, alligator!

[xomii-ink]

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Roy’s role is to be a annoying big brother figure u can’t change my mind

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[darkeraven22]

Shueisha/WB Gintama LA Movie 2017 Review Finale Part 6

Shueisha/WB Gintama LA Movie 2017 Review Finale Part 6

The Review Ends With A Satisfying Ending Yeah. I liked it. So fair warning if you didn’t like this movie… well that’s you. I found it enjoyable and liked it. So my ending score for this movie is a 5 out of 5. Yeah it’s probably an acquired taste, and since I have not seen the Anime I am maybe not biased by comparing it to that. With that said I still enjoyed myself throughout the movie, and…

[lucidsjournal]

GINTAMA REVIEW

After finishing Gintama: The Very Final, my journey with Gintama has officially come to a close, and I must say it has been an amazing ride. Within this post, I will discuss my overall thoughts and feelings about various aspects of the series.

The Groundworks of Gintama:

First, I wanted to talk about my experience with the comedy episodes because I think they are the heart and soul of Gintama. Though at some points the comedy episodes were underwhelming, they steadily improved and became funnier as the series progressed. Some of the best episodes in Gintama are comedy episodes, many of them being filled with life lessons that can genuinely resonate with your own experiences.

I also think a lot of the comedy episodes are excellent because they lay down the foundation for the series by introducing so many new and interesting characters that you dive into. This is also accompanied by exploring many aspects of their lives and relationships with one another, portraying them as a close-knit, if unconventional, family. Seeing their dynamics play out is a joy to watch and though they may joke around and tease one another, they are always there for each other when it counts. As you grow attached to these characters, the serious arcs become even more impactful. Especially in arcs like Benizakura, Four Devas, Shogun Assassination, and so forth. During arcs like these, the stakes are raised higher than ever and the characters' unity in the face of common threats are deeply moving and satisfying.

Gintama's Mastery in Character Revelation Through Vulnerability and Tragedy:

Gintama has a rather large cast of characters, and despite its size, it manages to gently draw you in and make you care about these characters through these individual and personal moments. A lot of the times the show depicts these characters in a more vulnerable fashion and could even change your perspective on them through further context. A good example could be seen with the character Oboro, who is initially depicted as this intimidating assassin who is loyal to Utsuro. But as the show progresses, more is shown about his character and the tragedy surrounding him. Through the presented flashbacks, it is revealed that Oboro lost everything and was saved by Shouyou, eventually becoming his first student. Later on, when Oboro is assumed to be dead after protecting Shouyou, he comes across Shouyou again. But during this instance, Shouyou is seen with new students at the school that Oboro inspired him to open. It is pictured how abandoned Oboro feels when he sees his former teacher with other students, believing that Shouyou no longer even recognizes him. So essentially, this envy and sense of abandonment he felt is what drives him to betray Shouyou and assist in his capture.

As Oboro's character continues to unfold in his final moments, it becomes clear that his deepest desire is to be with his teacher, Shouyou, and the other students as a sort of family. This scene provides so much more context and depth to Oboro's character in painting the regret and sadness he feels. It is such a tragic underline to his character, which only strengthens his dynamics with the other characters, especially with Takasugi.

This ability to effectively provide substance to these characters, often supported by flashbacks, is something Gintama has done consistently well. This could even be seen as far back as in the Mitsuba Arc. Throughout the Mitsuba Arc, Sougo's character past is explored as well as his relationship with Toshi and the newly introduced character, Mitsuba, Sougo's sister. Up until this arc Sougo is shown to be primarily sadistic and conniving, who seemingly holds a grudge towards Toshi. But throughout this arc, we delve deeper into Sougo's character, revealing a vulnerable side to him as he mourns the passing of his sister, which emotionally impacted me a lot.

What Gintama Means To Me:

So I have rambled for a while on well Gintama is able to explore these characters in an emotionally resonant matter. But what does Gintama mean to me? Well to me, Gintama is fundamentally about finding the will to persevere through any struggle and tragedy we may experience, an idea that is strongly supported by the bonds we form, giving us purpose and the strength to overcome any adversity.

The idea of what it means to live forever is something that is a motif throughout the series, as it demonstrates how people's influence and impact on each other leaves a lasting imprint on their souls. This can be shown within the Yorozuya themselves, where upon meeting Gintoki, Shinpachi is bewildered by him and follows in his footsteps to learn the way of the samurai, and this bond that Shinpachi forms with Gintok is strengthened and immortalized as the series progresses.

Kagura, who initially lived with Gintoki solely because she needed money to go back to her homeworld, realizes how much she has enjoyed her time with Shinpachi and Gintoki. Ultimately staying back with this newfound family of hers. The impact Gintoki had on Kagura could be seen through the fact that she has picked up so many of his mannerisms and habits, such as picking his nose and his sense of humor.

While also referring to Gintoki as her, "earth father" on a couple of occasions.

Kagura and Shinpachi to me, share a sibling-like bond. Shinpachi, is the older, rational brother, while Kagura is the younger more brash sister. These two characters have such different personalities and backgrounds, yet still function as siblings. Much of their personalities clash and lead to frequent bickering and playful jabs as many siblings would. Yet beneath all of that lies a deep affection and willingness to support each other through thick and thin. One of the greatest examples that showcases their bond would of course be in Yoshiwara in Red Arc. In this arc, lies a powerful sequence where Kagura loses herself after seeing Shinpachi being beaten up almost to death, which then leads Shinpachi to having to save her as well by reminding her of the bond they share. It was such a touching moment to me and showcased how strong their relationship has become.

As you can tell, I love seeing the character interactions between the three of these characters. There are so many memorable ones and it only shows how much you become attached to them. The emotional beats never seem to miss and it is something that continues to be strengthened as the show progresses.

Gintoki Sakata, Gintama's Soul:

So I talked about Gintoki a bit previously, but I wanted to talk about him more. This will tie into the previous section in what Gintama means to me because I think Gintoki encapsulates the whole premise of the show best. Through Gintoki, we see how deeply the Yorozuya and the many other characters in the series have impacted him, just as much as he has on them. Not only that but it is revealed in the Red Spider arc that another character had a significant influence on him, his teacher Shouyou.

It becomes clear that Gintoki carries the teachings he learned from Shouyou. When the two first met, Gintoki was merely a child who was thrust into a life of killing by circumstances beyond his control. Gintoki had no clear purpose besides trying to survive by defending himself. As the two grew closer, Shoyou laid the foundation for a much different path for Gintoki, one where he would have a purpose. This sense of purpose would lead Gintoki to use his sword to protect his very soul. What this means is that Shouyou was essentially trying to prevent him from succumbing to emptiness, which would only lead to despair. Shouyou himself struggled with this, as Utsuro, his other personality, greatly encompasses. And despite experiencing the death of Shouyou at his own hands and among other tragedies, Gintoki honored the teachings of Utsuro by finding the will to persevere. He started all over again and found this new sense of purpose in The Yorozuya and the entirety of the Kabuki district, forever living on within all the souls he has touched just as much as those very same souls influenced and saved Gintoki from falling into despair.

He encompasses what Gintama is all about, as someone who is constantly met with adversity. Gintoki continuously fought himself, tying into what Kamui said to Gintoki during the Battle Rakuyo arc, that Gintoki was not fighting Kamui, but was instead fighting something else.

This essentially means that whenever Gintoki is fighting someone, no powerful how they are, he is battling himself- facing his weaknesses, fears, and the prospect of becoming empty. This is exactly what Shouyou had taught him. Instead of running away from his weaknesses, he fights them head-on in battle. By doing so, he is simultaneously protecting the bonds he made with countless characters. These bonds have molded him into the new name he now possesses "Yorozuya Gin-Chan," a name that symbolizes the connections he treasures and fights to defend.

It also contributes to why Gintoki is such an endearing character who is so empathic to others who have lost everything and still can provide them with the hope to keep moving forward and fight against their inner weaknesses, just as Shouyou had taught him. He is one of the most life-affirming characters I have experienced and he has so many moments that moved me, especially times when Gintoki comes in to save the day and provide some wisdom that not only applies to the characters he is talking to, but to us as the viewers. There have not been a lot of characters who have been able to have this level of impact on me, but I am thankful that Gintoki Sakata for being one of them.

To Be Hollow:

Within this section, I wanted to discuss more on Utsuro and Shouyou. To me, Utsuro is one of the most nuanced and compelling antagonists I have seen in anime. Supported by a demanding and engaging presence in the same vein as other phenomenal anime antagonists such as Johan and Dio. Similarly to Gintoki, he also masterfully encompasses the ideas of Gintama. But he serves as the direct contrast to Gintoki. Utsuro is physically immortal due to the Atlanta in his body. He eventually became "empty" or “hollow.” Such that he was exposed to the worst of humanity, and was not able to form meaningful connections and memories much like Gintoki and the others did. Unfortunately, he tragically fell into despair, lacking a clear set purpose apart from destruction.

 The Shouyou personality, on the other hand, represents the hope and humanity that resides in all of us. Despite all of the suffering we have endured we can instead strive to change, and fight against our inner “Utsuro."

And though Shouyou eventually lost, he was still able to save and pave the way for his students. Gintoki himself is the actualization of that hope and so I believe Shouyou was able to reach 'true immortality' by bonding with the students he saved just as much as they saved him. He continues to live on within them. I think this just makes Shouyou/Utsuro's dynamic with Gintoki so much more interesting. Especially considering how it recontextualizes the first time Gintoki and Shouyou met. In essence, Shouyou saw himself in Gintoki and realized how dangerous the path he was taking. So by influencing Gintoki, he was able to prevent another 'him' from being born.

Utsuro's Last Stand

The final confrontation between Gintoki and Utsuro/Takasugi marks one of the best fights I have seen in anime, with an absolutely devastating conclusion for Takasugi. The idea of Utsuro taking hold of Takasugi's body was an amazing twist. It initially places Gintoki into such a fascinating predicament, forcing him to fight the shadow of his mentor in his dying friend's body, Takasugi. This tragically parallels the moment when Gintoki was previously forced to kill Shouyou in order to protect his friends during the Joui War. The recurring motif of true immortality is made clear during this fight and it makes Utsuro's conclusion so much more satisfying. This is supported by the reappearance of Oboro, who despite being dead, is revealed to be inside of Takasugi's body alongside Utsuro. This is because of the promise Takasugi made to Oboro, and though Takasugi briefly knew him, he understood his pain and frustration in wanting to be with the other students. So by honoring Oboro's death and working to fulfill his wish to stop Utsuro, Oboro continues to live on within the body of Takasugi, strengthened by their shared resolve. (I'll touch up on this more in a bit as I discuss Utsuro's conclusion).

The Death and Reincarnation of Takasugi:

So as we know, Gintoki was in a position where he had to fight his mentor and friend, Takasugi. Takasugi is well aware of the burden of having to slay down his mentor and friend on Gintoki, which drives some of the reasons why he inevitably sacrifices himself.

Upon Utsuro's death, we see a stunning sequence where Gintoki and Takasugi are on a boat, with many butterflies and petals surrounding the two of them.

Even though Gintoki knows Takasugi will soon die, Gintoki still clings to this idealized dream, one where Takasugi will still live; explaining that he would have loved to enjoy a drink with him. But this is rejected by Takasugi, who reminds Gintoki that even if he still lives, they would still be fighting against each other as rivals. Gintoki himself is aware of this because before the fantasy appears, he mentions that this was inevitable, that Takasugi had not grown at all. Yet Gintoki still fantasized about this possibility, and it made this sequence so much more tragic for me. Afterward, Takasugi places his hand into the water, dissipating the idealized dream and showing him the true reality before them, that he is going to die. There is nothing Gintoki can do about it. During this sequence, Takasugi reminds Gintoki to keep persevering and maintaining the many relationships he has made. He even states, "There is plenty left to protect with that thing, right" where it briefly pans to Gintoki's sword. This ties into the whole idea of what Gintoki fights for, as recontextualized during the Battle Rakuyo arc as I discussed above. Takasugi's desire for Gintoki to let go of this dream and continue forth in life just makes his sacrifice even more significantly moving to me. Now towards the end of the film, it is revealed that Takasugi was reincarnated.  

Initially, I was not sure how to feel about this because I felt as if it might contradict and diminish the significance of Takasugi's death. Then as I continued to reflect on the scene, I began to see how it incorporates some of the show's messages, while strengthening Takasugi's dynamic with Shouyou. The “reincarnated” version of Takasugi that is shown, is a new version of himself metaphorically, similar to how the Shouyou personality was birthed from Utsuro. Essentially, he was given an opportunity, a second chance to find purpose. This new version of Takasugi that emerged has the possibility of not being blinded by hatred and a desire to destroy. It also helps that Shouyou was the one who bestowed this gift on Takasugi, in hopes that he would truly strive for a new path. Through this interpretation of mine, it feels more rewarding considering Takasugi's sacrifice against Utsuro and I believe it still respects the sequence of Takasugi passing in Gintoki's arms. It also ties into the whole idea that it is never too late to change. Though it may have seemed impossible initially, this could provide hope that Gintoki may one day reunite with Takasugi and fight him anew, but with a Takasugi who is not blinded by his weaknesses.

My Favorite Sequences

When reflecting on my favorite moments in the series, three stand out. The first was Utsuro's final say in Gintama: The Very Finale, which was truly incredible. His speech sums up a good bit of what I have talked about previously up until this point, that being the connections and relationships we form give us meaning and ensure that we will live forever.

This is Utsuro's acceptance of this idea. He initially saw a glimpse of the power of immortal bonds through Gintoki's perseverance during the Silver Soul Arc. But the difference is that he ran away and rejected this idea completely because he still believed his belief in humanity was correct. He could not accept it because he knew it would invalidate his actions up until this point and his very identity perhaps. But Utsuro can no longer run away now and there was no turning back.

In the end, he was proven wrong. He saw how humanity can persevere through impossible odds and these characters embody those ideas so well. Oboro who was dead, was now revealed to be alive in the end, attempting to stop Utsuro. Takasugi who sacrificed himself to not only honor Oboro's wishes but to save Gintoki and what he was protected. Though Takasugi is dying, it is revealed that the bonds he shares with Gintoki are stronger than ever, and though Gintoki will ultimately slay his friend alongside the shadow of his mentor, Gintoki will preserve as he always does. This made Utsuro's plan of hollowing Gintoki by forcing him to slay his mentor and friend useless in the end. It is through these sequences of events that Utsuro finally understood what immortality really was, something he tragically never experienced despite being physically, "immortal." The second is when Gintoki reunites with his teacher, Shouyou. It is a beautifully cathartic sequence that feels like the culmination of what the entire series has been building up to. Watching Gintoki share what he has accomplished and the purpose he found within the Yorozuya was incredibly moving. The Yorozuya, a group that helps people no matter what the issue is, whether it is walking someone’s dog or saving the planet, embodies the essence of what Gintoki has become, the little monster who became human.

This leads seamlessly into my third favorite scene, that being “the skies have cleared up,” which I think brilliantly serves as the Final Say of the series, highlighting how Gintoki has let go of all of his burdens, guilt, and pain, fully embracing a life that has been enriched by the countless relationships he has formed. Beautifully showing the idea that it is never too late, that you can still fight your weaknesses, form meaningful connections, and strive to live a life that is colored by the bonds we create. This scene also compliments the scene with Gintoki and Takasugi on the boat so well, because it shows how Gintoki carried on Takasugi's wishes. Letting go of his pain, essentially being 'rebirthed," paralleling to the rebirth of Takasugi shown in the film. Which will make their reunite all the more beautiful.

So that is everything, for now, it is quite evident that Gintama is a special series to me. It is probably my favorite anime at the moment lol. I really hope you guys enjoyed this. These are just my rough thoughts, I may expand on some of the ideas I have brought up here in the near future :)

[orange-piie]

I come to life with art on a dead fandom and die again indefinitely 🥀

I'm reviewing Gintama and this anime is still great for me. I didn't even expect him to look so nice right now.

[bossladytae]

Looking for Gintama gen fic?

Writers are often their own PR team, and the same goes for fanfic writers. I like writing gen fic, and so I thought I’d share a selection of Gintama gen fic written by yours truly. Click on each description for a link to the fic. Hope you find something you like!

Mitsuba cuts her own hair and resolves to begin anew.

Itou reflects on the dawn while journeying to Edo.

Hijikata grows obsessed with hunting down a criminal, who may or may not exist, and soon spirals deeper into darkness while haunted by his past.

Takasugi contemplates vengeance and other dark thoughts with a longtime companion.

Tsukuyo and Tae exchange information, assist one another in battle, and enjoy tea and cake and each other’s company.

In the forest, long before the group of young men are ever known as the Shinsengumi, Shimaru teaches a pouting Sougo how to skip a rock on the water.

In a timeline where almost everyone has perished in a great calamity, Kamui journeys through the world alone, trying to ignore the void within his soul while hunting down the enemies who killed his sister and father.

Moments in the life of Sasaki Tetsunosuke, as he finds his place in the Shinsengumi and at the side of Hijikata Toushirou.

Hijikata is unsettled by what he perceives to be a false peace. Tae is exhausted from picking up the pieces again and again. One night, they share in a drink and contemplate war and the future. (Mostly gen, as I explore both of their characters within the Two-Year Timeskip.)

The Shinsengumi navigate the effects of rapid aging during the Ryugujo arc.

Last, but certainly not least, Katsura stars in a series of misadventures: - publishing books and dealing with “mixed reviews" - orchestrating an elaborate plan to capture Matsudaira and Kondou (this story is told from the perspectives of 20 main Gintama characters) - getting stuck in a broom closet with Sacchan and Madao - tracking down a lost video game cartridge