Genre: Comedy/Sci-fi
Creator/Studio: Hideaki Sorachi/Sunrise
No. of Episodes: 201
Rating: 7/10
Distributor: Streaming online from http://www.crunchyroll.com. Also available on DVD from Sentai Filmworks, a subsidiary of ADV.
Summary: In an alternate history version of Tokyo called Edo, aliens established relationship with Japan centuries ago. As a result, today aliens can be seen as commonplace and the policemen are shinsengumi. The story focuses on Gintoki, a war vet who now helps anyone who can pay him for room, board, and the next issue of Shonen Jump. Helping him out are his two friends, Shinpachi (heir to a dojo and all-around nerd) and Kagura (alien girl with impressive strength and speed)
Review: When I first found out about the show’s premise, I thought I was going to get a straight-up action series. While there is action, this series is focused more on comedy. The only problem I have with the show is that it lacks cohesion. In between arcs is filler that ranges from tolerable to terrible. To sum it up, this is a guilty pleasure. If you like this kind of nuttiness, it make work for you.
Creator/Studio: Hideaki Sorachi/Sunrise
No. of Episodes: 201
Rating: 7/10
Distributor: Streaming online from http://www.crunchyroll.com. Also available on DVD from Sentai Filmworks, a subsidiary of ADV.
Summary: In an alternate history version of Tokyo called Edo, aliens established relationship with Japan centuries ago. As a result, today aliens can be seen as commonplace and the policemen are shinsengumi. The story focuses on Gintoki, a war vet who now helps anyone who can pay him for room, board, and the next issue of Shonen Jump. Helping him out are his two friends, Shinpachi (heir to a dojo and all-around nerd) and Kagura (alien girl with impressive strength and speed)
Review: When I first found out about the show’s premise, I thought I was going to get a straight-up action series. While there is action, this series is focused more on comedy. The only problem I have with the show is that it lacks cohesion. In between arcs is filler that ranges from tolerable to terrible. To sum it up, this is a guilty pleasure. If you like this kind of nuttiness, it make work for you.
I have three favorite characters: First is Kagura. She is very cute, but should not be underestimated, because she is impressively strong and fast. She has a very helpful personality, but has difficulty fitting in with her friends because she isn't human. Underneath is a girl who misses her father, who we meet later in the show. To make matters worse, she also has a psycho brother. (And I do mean psycho!)
Second is Shinpachi. Shinpachi is the "straight man" of the cast. Whenever there is something that is just plain illogical, you can expect him to object to it, and like everyone else on the show, he knows he's a fictional character, so he'll often complain about the plotholes and such. (It's very funny, trust me)
Third is probably the strangest character on the show: Toshiro Hijikata. What's so strange, you ask? How about the fact that the dude is obsessed with mayonnaise. You'll see him dump almost the entire bottle on everything! (it's a wonder he actually has any in the bottle when he's done)
The stories themselves vary. At times, you get some really good action, but when the story goes into filler mode, it can make you wonder why you got into the show in the first place. I think the funniest story of all was the one that was a parody of Dragonquest. The most awesome one was when one of the Shinsengumi got a possessed sword.
Language: (6/10) There is a LOT of bad language and suggestive humor. Although most of it’s censored, it’s pretty obvious what’s being censored, and the sexual humor goes uncensored.
Violence: (5/10) The show basically has two modes: filler and arc. In filler mode, the show is quite humorous and uses slapstick. In arc mode, the violence can range from fistfights to some mildly bloody moments.
Nudity: (2/10) I saw a couple full-frontal male nudity scenes. Both were censored with pixel mosaics, but still unwelcome.
Sexuality: (3/10) While there is no sex per se, I’m giving this rating for the humor. It’s also hinted that Shinpachi’s sister has an intimate relationship with a woman who wears an eyepatch. She even almost gets married to her.
Religion: (1/10) Early in the series, Gintoki discovers a neighbor who’s actually a demon. Later, we meet a family that can summon Shinigami.
Music: The music ranges from great to okay. Let me put it this way, you’d better like j-pop. It's mostly very upbeat, and really fits the show. I really liked the third opening song.
Language: (6/10) There is a LOT of bad language and suggestive humor. Although most of it’s censored, it’s pretty obvious what’s being censored, and the sexual humor goes uncensored.
Violence: (5/10) The show basically has two modes: filler and arc. In filler mode, the show is quite humorous and uses slapstick. In arc mode, the violence can range from fistfights to some mildly bloody moments.
Nudity: (2/10) I saw a couple full-frontal male nudity scenes. Both were censored with pixel mosaics, but still unwelcome.
Sexuality: (3/10) While there is no sex per se, I’m giving this rating for the humor. It’s also hinted that Shinpachi’s sister has an intimate relationship with a woman who wears an eyepatch. She even almost gets married to her.
Religion: (1/10) Early in the series, Gintoki discovers a neighbor who’s actually a demon. Later, we meet a family that can summon Shinigami.
Music: The music ranges from great to okay. Let me put it this way, you’d better like j-pop. It's mostly very upbeat, and really fits the show. I really liked the third opening song.
Voice acting: To be honest, I'm not that great at differentiating Japanese voices. However, I think the voices were appropriate for all the characters.
Related Media: This is based on the Gintama manga from Shonen Jump and is distributed in America by Viz. There is also a feature-length movie based on the Benizakura arc.
Related Media: This is based on the Gintama manga from Shonen Jump and is distributed in America by Viz. There is also a feature-length movie based on the Benizakura arc.
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