Gintama (9.9/10)

A magnificent work in many respects, a long journey but absolutely worth it. Initially, Gintama seemed to me like the usual long shonen, overhyped by fans for no real reason, but seeing the structure of the story, the themes, the various parallels, the dynamics between the characters, and the originality of the work itself featuring a protagonist who goes beyond the usual conventions of a shonen protagonist completely changed my mind. Beyond its originality, the work includes a metanarrative component that I found very interesting, and well-structured characters. Despite having so many episodes, it’s not a given that both the main and side cast are given so much consideration, as there are plenty of works with hundreds of episodes featuring nonexistent or poorly written characters.

Spoiler Part

Parallelism:

The parallelism between Gintoki Sakata and Takasugi is outstanding, as it represents two sides of the same coin. Both were deeply affected by the war, but they chose opposite paths to deal with the pain and trauma of their past. The main points of this parallelism show how both found different and completely opposite ways to respond to the loss of their master.

Protagonist:

Gintoki Sakata is easily one of the best protagonists in the anime/manga landscape a complex and well-developed character with an excellent backstory, motivations, and values. I particularly liked his choice to wield a wooden sword as a symbol of non-violence and self-control. His themes, such as the value of human connections and their importance, are profound. He also represents a fight against nihilism, seeking to find his own meaning in life.

Antagonist:

The main antagonist, Utsuro, is a character masterfully done. He represents an absolute nihilism, giving no value to life itself. His character is tightly bound to the idea of eternal existence, where immortality becomes a curse: a prison from which he himself wishes to put an end. His view of life and death adds unique depth to the story, contrasting with Gintoki’s struggle to find meaning in existence.

Dynamics:

The dynamics were done wonderfully, not just with the main characters but with all the characters in the series. I particularly appreciated the dynamics between Gintoki & Takasugi & Utsuro and Kagura & Kamui. We can definitely say that this is one of the strongest points of the work.

Conclusion:

In the end, it was a work more than appreciated, from which I personally gained an emotional impact due to its themes and realistic characters. It is definitely a work that, although it has some inconsistencies, is still very enjoyable to watch, with an excellent story and dynamics.