Bandai Namco Pictures recently revealed exciting news for Gintama fans. They announced that the “Baragaki” (Thorny) arc of the Gintama anime will have compilation screenings as part of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary celebration. Titled “Gintama on Theater 2D: Baragaki-hen,” this compilation is set to hit Japanese theaters on November 10 for three weeks only.
While the anime’s official Twitter account teased “new bonus video content” for these screenings, the exact nature of this content remains a mystery. This move celebrates the 20th anniversary of Hideaki Sorachi’s Gintama manga debut in 2023 and the 20th anniversary of the television anime’s premiere in 2026.
Fans of the franchise can also look forward to an anime adaptation of Tomohito Ōsaki’s spinoff novel series, “3-Nen Z-Gumi Ginpachi-Sensei.” The “Gintama THE VERY FINAL,” the third and concluding anime film based on the manga’s finale with added new story elements, graced Japanese screens in January 2021.
Gintama is the perfect hilariously action-packed, and occasionally heartwarming anime and manga series, that anyone can stumble upon. The series, created by Hideaki Sorachi, is a unique blend of samurai, sci-fi, and slapstick comedy that defies conventional genres. Once you start Gintama, you’ll never stop coming back.
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Gintama: Quirky Samurai
Gintama, created by Hideaki Sorachi, is a one-of-a-kind anime and manga series that blends samurai ethos, science fiction, and uproarious comedy. Set in an alternate-history Edo period, the series introduces us to a world where Japan has been invaded by aliens. This led to the banning of samurai and the rise of extraterrestrial technology.
Our main character, Gintoki Sakata, is a silver-haired samurai turned freelancer. Alongside his quirky comrades, Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura, they navigate a topsy-turvy world, tackling “odd jobs,” facing bizarre challenges, and getting involved in some of the strangest adventures you can imagine.
This isn’t your typical comedy anime. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that bounces from gut-busting humor to poignant storytelling; a type of storytelling that no other anime has come close to matching. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, it surprises you with its ability to tackle serious themes and deliver heartwarming character arcs.
A Review of Gintama
One series rises above all conventions and stands tall as one of the greatest comedy anime of all time, exceeding both Eastern and Western humor influences. We’re talking about none other than Gintama.
The concept of a samurai sitcom is not entirely new to anime and manga, but it wasn’t until Sorachi Hideaki’s manga hit the scene in 2003 that its true potential was realized. Set in a quasi-historical Edo, Japan, which has been invaded by an alien race known as the Amanto, Gintama follows a world where humans are forbidden from carrying swords in public.
Here, we meet Sakata Gintoki, a silver-haired former samurai who runs the Yorozuya firm from his rented second-floor apartment. His daily life involves taking on odd jobs, getting into scrapes with the Shinsengumi, and indulging in his love for Weekly Shounen Jump and milkshakes.
The plot of Gintama, or lack thereof, is an intentional choice, maintaining a consistent approach throughout. While there are overarching story arcs, the series thrives on a sense of fun and revels in its absurdity. The comedy is the real star, with visual gags that need to be seen to be believed and humor that’s always engaging, ensuring that no joke goes over your head.
However, it’s not all laughter and lightheartedness. The series occasionally stumbles when it takes a serious turn, perhaps because viewers are conditioned to expect humor, or maybe because the comedy can be overwhelmingly “strong.” Gintama is more than a comedy; it’s a cultural anime that deserves its crown as the king of comedy in the anime world.
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