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Before I start this...
Are you looking to start Gintama? Or maybe you're new to watching anime and came to check out the top anime; saw Gintama's substantially catchy cover art?
!! Do NOT start with this season. Make sure you start at season 1 episode 3 (first two episodes are specials) to get the most out of this masterclass anime !!
And for those who are under the impression that Gintama is just a gag or a parody: remove those expectations and let yourself in for an experience that will change your life.
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Now let's review Gintama (with some focus on this season of Gintama)!
It is not often in anime where you not only watch through your eyes, but also with your heart and soul. Whether it causes you to binge watch a dozen episodes in succession or periodically; the emotions course through your body. Maybe it courses through the soul between your thighs too, as you try to connect with the pair of giant souls that eclipse the rest of the scene. Have some class, would you!
Most anime viewers will watch one large series (150+ episodes) among series with smaller capacity or ongoing series. You may pick One Piece, Naruto, Bleach, HxH, Fairy Tail etc. which tend to be the obvious go-to in shonen. So where does Gintama assert itself in the grand scheme of things? Why is it so highly rated that each season & movie takes up the top 20 on MAL?
If you ask me, Gintama not only deserves to be up there on the top anime of all time but it deserves the number 1 spot. It *is* the top anime of all time; there is no other anime that will resonate with you the way Gintama does.
Story (10/10):
Sorachi Hideaki, you wonderful b*stard. He just had to go and create the most tearjerkingly fantastic arc ever written in shonen. That's one of the things I enjoy most about Gintama, is how it does not recycle the same arc formula where you start to notice patterns (like in Fairy Tail); bad guys come in out of nowhere, overwhelm good guys and whatnot. Not Gintama! Gintama builds into this arc with such delicacy and it ends up harbouring the most raw, deep-seeded emotions you could comprehend. No fan service either.
Gintama proves, yet again, that it has superior storytelling that other anime immediately fail to challenge. You cannot expect people to take the "Gintama is just a gag" remarks seriously while knowing arcs like this exist.
On top of how Gintama has already shown its storytelling prowess in previous seasons, this just adds to the experience that is Gintama. That goddamn gorilla mangaka... stop cutting onions!
Art (10/10):
While the first season of Gintama is certainly not anything to go nuts over in of art, later seasons are definitely where Gintama's art shines. Action scenes, specifically fight scenes, allow Gintama to explore creative and gripping art styles to match the intensity of the story. Gintoki, when he unleashes the White Yaksha (White Demon) within himself, is portrayed in black and white slow-motion scenes and the emotions radiate through the screen. You will never find an art style that portrays a demon in the same raw, cynical and terrifying way as Gintoki is portrayed in these scenes.
Sound (10/10):
Let's start with the openings shall we? Maybe this comes with a little bit of bias as I adore Gintama and its openings - & endings too - but every single opening complements the arcs. While some of the openings are not as catchy as others, they are all unique and all enjoyable to listen to. I don't think I have ever skipped an opening while watching Gintama, as the songs are excellent!
Even the endings produce the same effect; oftentimes they work seamlessly with the closing of an episode.
The voice acting is perfect, beyond perfect in fact. Nothing will make me cry with laughter as much as hearing him singing Doraemon out of fear or yelling obnoxiously.
As for the sound effects, they enhance combat scenes and especially comedy scenes. Sometimes the sound effects are what causes a scene to reach its climax, mostly due to how Gintama is action-heavy.
Character (10/10):
Why is 10 the maximum for this? It should be 'Gintama'! Gintama is the pinnacle of character development in anime. The absolute pinnacle; unchallenged; nothing remotely comes close -- nothing! Sorachi is a genius when it comes to creating and developing a character, even side characters who will usually have one appearance. In fact, every single side character is memorable which is explored in one of the endings where every single one is shown in chronological order.
Gintama has a beautiful canvas of characters, personalities & relationships that puts it on a level so high it exceeds the scouter's limit tenfold.
As for the ing characters, it is safe to say that Gintama has somehow achieved 4-dimensional characters. One of the reasons is to do with how they break the 4th wall, which is shown through them reading JUMP, referencing other shonen or talking about real-world events. Might I add, there is an enormous list of characters in the Gintama universe and every single one of them is memorable. You know exactly what they are doing when they are not on-screen, their backgrounds, how they react to events and their relationships with one another.
And, of course, the three main characters: Shinpachi, Kagura and of course, the White Yaksha, Sakata Gintoki-san! These three characters, along with Sadaharu, make up a beautiful family-like connection to one another. It is deep-seeded and exerts itself benevolently, while also fitting in with the comedy aspects of Gintama. In fact, the comedy enhances the bond between the Odd Jobs crew and any indifference felt causes a huge shockwave of emotion.
Gintoki is the best protagonist in anime. With the ability to transition from a leader & father-figure, to a lazy, carefree gambler and further, the White Yaksha (white demon), while keeping his character consistent and memorable is an enormous feat. Not only is his appearance unique, but his personality as well. Never has there been a sadist with a heart (and smile) as big as Gintoki's.
Enjoyment (10/10):
Huh? An anime that can perfectly combine hilarious comedy with plot twists and tragedies, while making room for the emotions that come along with both? I can't how many tears I've shed at both dying of laughter and weeping in sadness; Gintama will tenderise the soft place in your heart with laughter, before soaking it with intense sorrow. If you don't have a soft spot in your heart, Gintama will certainly help in making one.
Having taken this anime in varied portions, it has enabled the best possible experience in watching Gintama. Extremely enjoyable anime that will make you want to binge to the end of the rainbow.
Overall (10/10):
Reaching the end of season 4 has given me a chance to look back at the journey I have taken with the Odd Jobs crew. It reminds you not to rush to the end nor to skip any steps; embrace every single journey you take and to trust those who will always be around you. For a long time I felt as though there was a missing place in my heart and Gintama has filled that void.
Gintama is a masterpiece. The perfect blend of comedy & tragedy; hard-hitting action and the occasional parody. It is the absolute pinnacle of storytelling, character development and the like. There is nothing you can fault this timeless anime for, as once you're into Gintama you can never avoid the way it will warm your heart and make your soul chern. A little inferno will gradually turn into a sacred, silver fire that will reside in you for as long as you live.
Your balls may even turn golden.
