Gintama as a series has been one of my favorites over the past months. As of now writing this, I've just finished this season and i know i still have a long way to go, but i wanna preface my thoughts into this review and just express what i thought of the three arcs that were presented in this season (this is the first time I'm writing a review on anilist). Kintama Arc
Before delving into this arc, i already knew that a character named "Kintoki" exists thanks to twitter, and to see quite a few people mention him made me pretty excited for this arc, plus the fact that they made a joke about doing a cliffhanger on the Kintama Arc at the end of Season 2 showed promise that this arc might be a fan favorite.
And although it doesn't necessarily scratch my personal Top 10 Arcs, it's another classic gintama arc, funny when it can be and emotional when it can be. The message of self love and friendship really resonates with me and as I'm sure a lot of people. Perfection as shown through Kintoki might be flawless, but It's those flaws that defies who we are, or in this case, defies what Gintama truly is.
I'd like to think that this arc is a way of Sorachi telling people that, Gintama might not be a story perfect for everyone but it is a story with passion and soul put into it. Everybody in this arc was great, i loved Tama and Sadaharu's importance in the arc, I loved Gintoki's friendships with everyone being strengthen, and i know this is really minor and doesn't really mean anything but, I REALLY HOPE WE GET TO SEE MORE HASEGAWA AND KATSURA INTERACTIONS, they seem like such a cool duo that Sorachi rarely utilizes. Also huge props to Sunrise for making 3 Openings, 1 Being completely random for Mantaman, for this one arc, It really shows how much care and creative ideas they put into Gintama.Courtesan of a Nation Arc
I lost my shit when SAKURA MITSUTSUKI came in cause I DID NOT expect a new opening being played after only 4 episodes, it also makes me sad cause that'll be only time they play that opening (i hope they still use this OP for S4 but I'm just coping). Oh, and i.. also thought that this was the "Shogun Assassination" Arc, in which you can't blame for that, they were gonna TAKE DOWN the SHOGUN so i put two and two together and came with the conclusion that this was the Shogun Assassination arc, so throughout the ENTIRE arc i was like "Damn, now i get the hype that people are saying". And if I'm THAT impressed for Courtesan of a Nation, i wouldn't imagine my thoughts on Shogun Assassination.
What i love about this arc is the mish-mash of characters put into this tightly written arc, like you're telling me Shigeshige, Tsukuyo, The Shinsengumi, even Nobume and Sasaki are in this arc ?? you cannot blame me for thinking this was the ACTUAL Shogun Assassination. The Promise scene with Yorozuya + Tsukuyo has to be one of the most wholesome and heartfelt moments in Gintama, this arc delivers a lot of strong themes revolving around politics, friendship, and love. The twist showing Maizo being the man that made the promise with Suzuran caught be completely off guard.
So many moments in this arc that stands out, The raid with Gintoki and the gang absolutely destroying the guards was just pure fun to watch, Gintoki's backstory being fleshed out, Oboro's Introduction, This arc is definitely setting up something bigger, the arc that i thought was Shogun Assassination might actually be the setup FOR Shogun Assassination. And if i have one complaint, of course, Katsura's Absence, Poor guy's waiting for kick the can to finish.Beam Saber Arc
Idk guys, I got a gut feeling Sorachi really likes Star Wars. What i love so much about this arc, apart from Sorachi literally just naming a character Obi-One which is hilarious, We finally get to see Shinpachi's growth as a swordsman, Kinda hoped Otae will pick up swordsmanship again cause it is shown that she used to train alongside Shinpachi and Obi-One as well. Again, something minor but seeing Kondo acting sane in front of Otae, Fighting like a badass and NOT NAKED is such a blessing, feel like we've been getting too much nude kondo scenes that i can't take him seriously at all. Other than that, i got nothing to say about this arc in particular, It's the weakest of the bunch but i still enjoyed them.Closing Statement
I'm definitely gonna grow to love Gintama this point forward, it might as well take over my No. 1 spot as my favorite anime. It fits my taste so well in being such a wacky show while also tackling really deep and rich messages that resonates with you. God i love this Anime.