Gintama

This seems like something that would come from someone who's high on crack and acid simultaneously. Okay, maybe not that wild, but pretty close. Despite this, the manga is incredibly lovable.

The three main characters, Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura, are among my favorite characters in any manga or anime due to their unique personalities and interactions. It’s refreshing because the series can be so bizarre yet still manage to have a coherent storyline most of the time. While some chapters are completely disconnected from the rest of the story, they’re still very funny and don’t feel like typical filler episodes that frustrate viewers.

The art is also noteworthy. I found it visually pleasing, and the style complemented the type of story being told.

This review was originally for 13 and has consequently been merged into Gintama.

Story: (8/10)

The author of this manga is also the creator of Gintama. If you are familiar with Gintama, you know to expect some outrageous humor. Fans of Gintama will likely enjoy this manga as well. The story revolves around an unusual love between Izayo Gorugo (the girl) and Mondo Fujieda (the boy).

Art: (9/10)

The artwork is excellent! By the end, Mondo Fujieda resembles Gin-chan from Gintama, while Izayo Gorugo looks like Sarutobi Ayame from Gintama, but with black hair and without the masochistic tendencies.

If you don't enjoy Gintama, it's unlikely that you'll appreciate this manga.

After being a fan for years, I've decided to leave a review for my favorite manga, Gintama.

Gintama is a historically focused manga with plenty of twists and unique elements. Imagine a samurai world filled with flying cars, ships, and even cellphones—it's a vivid, colorful universe.

The story gets a perfect 10/10 from me. If you love comedies, this manga is an absolute must-read. Some may find the jokes repetitive, but they are still hilarious to me and truly represent what Gintama is all about. The comedy is brilliantly executed, especially for non-Japanese speakers who might need to do some research to fully understand certain jokes. Don't worry; you'll still laugh a lot, though there will be some humor that remains a mystery.

While comedy is its main draw, Gintama also features thrilling fight scenes, emotional arcs, and intriguing mysteries. Each arc leaves a meaningful message, making it truly unique.

The artwork is another 10/10. From the first chapter to the last, the art has consistently improved and is incredibly detailed, especially in the characters' eyes. The fighting scenes are visually stunning, with each character's fighting style meticulously crafted.

The characters are a standout 10/10 for me. Almost every character undergoes significant development, making them relatable and entertaining. All characters, including the supporting ones, are well-written and grow on you. Their unique quirks and comedic timing make the series even more engaging. Plus, they often break the fourth wall, adding to the fun.

Enjoyment-wise, it's another 10/10. With lively characters, captivating arcs, and beautiful artwork, it's easy to give this series top marks.

Overall, Gintama gets a 10/10. You might think I'm biased because it's my favorite manga, but that's exactly why it holds such a special place in my heart. GINTAMA IS ALREADY PART OF MY WHOLE LIFE! It has made me a better person, even with its dirty jokes (lol). Staying with Gintama from start to finish has been an incredible experience. I LOVE GINTAMA! SORACHI IS A PUNK AND A GENIUS!

Give it a try and see if you'll enjoy it as much as I did. :)

HILARIOUS. Witty and well-written. It's episodic for the most part, but there's an incredible overarching story about Gintama's past woven throughout (and I actually wish the mangaka would focus more on that because it's fascinating, and the best arcs are always the ones that delve deeper into his past). Super funny with great use of gags. There are even about four chapters dedicated to people getting stuck on the toilet without toilet paper! HAHAHA! It was ingenious. Although this manga deals with samurai, shinsengumi, aliens, and other mythical creatures, it's so refreshing and honestly AWESOME to throw all these characters into a situation as seemingly trivial and mundane as being stuck on the toilet without paper. Super funny, and all the characters are so damn likable. Gintoki and Hijikata are my favorites, but I love the whole crew. Some characters are definitely better developed than others, but given the length of the series, the mangaka has had time to flesh them out. Actually, some of my favorite arcs revolve around the supporting characters. The Madao arc and Mitsuba arc come to mind. Both of those arcs made me CRY! In a gag manga! WHAT. I think some people might be put off by the episodic nature of the manga and how random it can get, but this is a gag manga at heart. And the gags are usually really funny, and I love them! But despite saying that, the absolute best stories to me are the more serious arcs. Benizakura is still my favorite, although the Yoshiwara arc comes very close because we get Tsukuyo and Kagura/Kamui. The current arc regarding the corrupt Shogun Sadasada is soooooooooo good. I love when Gintama gets serious! Very enjoyable series, one I always look forward to reading. (The anime is also fantastic. Great voice acting!!!)

"One of the best mangas you will ever find in mangaland." - Shintako Inari. Alright, I'll be honest – I kind of... didn't like the anime, so I ditched it for the manga. I watched the first three episodes, then decided to skip a hundred episodes, then skip another hundred, and finally abandoned it altogether. I made a beeline for the manga adaptation, and now I have to say that was probably the smartest random thing I've ever decided to do. Besides the art, which I gave a 9/10, everything else is all tens... which is rare. Extremely rare. What the hell, this is the only thing on MAL I almost gave all tens to. The story... well, it's pretty much a slice-of-life manga. To put it extremely, extremely, very, super duper, oh-my-god-a-whole-lot unspecifically: Despite knowing this will result in a failed attempt, let me try to be more detailed. Because the main characters, Gintoki & Co., are mostly missing a few screws, they have quite a... fun life. I don't remember exactly what Gintoki said, but it was along the lines of having a short, good life is better than having a long, boring one, which I must agree with, although I'm not doing anything to stop my life from being a long, boring one. Anyway, before I get off topic – The whole series so far is basically a whole bunch of separate arcs that are oddly connected in which either the main characters or supporting characters get into a bit of a tumble. Some of the stories can actually be sad (but that doesn't stop at least one of the characters from making a dirty joke), but most of them are outrageous... in an outrageously good way. How outrageously outrageous indeed. Outrageously outrageous oranges or outrageously outrageous orangutans? Or... wait, what. Uhh.... *scratches head* Oh. Anyway, most of them are like one big joke – you can take half of it and it would still be okay, but it wouldn't be as funny as if you read the whole thing. It's like how eating one chip is okay, but one piece of chip is nothing compared to the whole bag. Before I get off topic again, let's talk about the art. The art was great. Splendid. Perfect. Whatever teachers tell parents about their children. However... it wasn't my type of thing. While the art was detailed and the characters all looked nice, to be honest, at first, I got some of the characters mixed up. Please don't hate. Anyway, the art was just fine as it is – I didn't even hate it. It just wasn't the type of art I liked the most. Now, characters. Well... They're... unique, to be bland. To be more precise, I'd say they're probably my favorite set of characters ever – even the supporting ones. The only reason you don't see any of the characters from Gintama on my favorite character list is because I can't fit all of them there, and sooner or later I'd start a mental conflict on which Gintama characters should be up there and I'd go insane. I also love how, despite how seemingly goofy this manga is (not that I'm denying it), there are actually moments where the characters get serious, and that is some serious character development as far as I can tell. In addition, in those moments when they do get serious, Sorachi Hideaki already has an uncommon but nonetheless superior and commendable setting placed. Also, you cannot disprove every character in Gintama. You will at least find a handful that you feel you can't stay away from. If you refuse to agree with me, I refuse to believe you're being honest. Enjoyment? Do you really need me to spell it out for you? Okay, fine then. Allow myself to bring a time machine and travel back to the past, all the way to first grade.... "Alright children, how do we spell ten?" "T-E-N! TEN!" *Fast forwards back to the current time, whenever that is* So basically, this manga is a ten out of ten. It doesn't matter if you're starting on random volumes like I did (I went from vol. 15 to vol. 6 to vol. 1 to 10 to 11, 12, 13, 24, 16, 15, 21, 22, 20... and etc.... I do this a lot). You will STILL find yourself loving Gintama. As it's a slice-of-life manga, you can pretty much read in whatever order you want to and it'll be fine, although you might get confused occasionally. *Looks away innocently and whistles*

Gintama: A Rollercoaster of Laughter, Tears, and Epic Battles

Gintama isn't just a manga; it's an unforgettable experience. From the very first page to the last, this series takes you on a thrilling journey through a world where aliens live alongside samurais, and everyday tasks can unexpectedly turn into grand adventures.

At its heart, Gintama is a comedy manga. However, it's not your typical comedy. It masterfully blends slapstick humor, sharp satire, and clever pop culture references. Yet, Gintama isn't all about laughs. It delivers some of the most touching and emotionally powerful moments I've ever come across in a manga. The series effortlessly shifts from side-splitting comedy to intense drama, exploring themes of friendship, loss, and the passage of time with remarkable grace and sensitivity.

The characters are the true essence of Gintama. Whether it's Gintoki's laid-back charm, Shinpachi's earnest yet clueless nature, or Kagura's lovably quirky personality, each character is richly developed and nuanced. They evolve throughout the series in ways that will surprise and deeply resonate with readers.

Another incredible journey has come to an end.

I've been a fan of the anime Gintama since 2016. After watching it, I decided to check out the manga from the beginning, and I'm glad I did—it is my favorite anime, after all.

There were some challenges while reading it, such as the fact that the scans up to chapter 200 are often mediocre at best and sometimes downright terrible. However, this didn't deter me; consider it a warning for new readers.

Gintama has one of the best ways to unfold its story. The mix of comedy with serious arcs makes those serious moments even more impactful than they would be without the humor. It's also enjoyable to see characters who are usually silly become serious. This is a hilarious, heartwarming, beautiful, cool, and extremely well-written story.

What can one say about the characters of Gintama? There isn't a single one that isn't likable, and each character gets the screen time they need and deserve. Honestly, I can't praise them enough; it's a perfect cast in my eyes.

The art is solid, nothing extraordinary, but still good. There are times when it really shines and becomes more than just good.

In summary, I consider Gintama a masterpiece among masterpieces. While I would still recommend watching the anime as it's more approachable and excellent, the manga is fantastic too. So, if you're not into anime, go ahead and read the manga—it will be an unforgettable adventure, I promise.

This review was originally written for a manga titled "13" and has since been merged into the Gintama series.

This is my first time completing a manga, so here's my review. The story revolves around a typical love scenario that escalates to intense emotional outbursts between lovers. In real life, such situations are often more personal issues rather than misunderstandings. The author of this manga is also the creator of Gintama, and this particular work is a one-shot. Reading through its 39 pages gives off a very relaxed vibe. It touches on life's misunderstandings, similar to how people argue over various topics in real life.

What I really appreciated about this manga was how the drawings and situations of the two main characters perfectly fit the story, making them stand out from the other characters. However, I wasn't fond of the drawing style used for the supporting characters; they didn't stand out as much as the main characters did.

I rated the story a 9 because it left a certain gap between the characters and the plot, though it could have had a more dramatic ending.

I gave the art a 9 as well because it fit well but wasn't perfect. I loved the main characters' designs but found the other characters less compelling.

The characters themselves earned a 9 too because they were great but didn't quite reach the "goal" or fill the gap I was hoping for. I would love to see another version or reincarnation of this manga.

I gave enjoyment a 10 because you can enjoy all sorts of styles, emotions, and competitive events within the story.

I rated the overall experience a 10 because the manga looked nice, and I hope to see an anime series or OVA adaptation. I'd still love to see another short story like this, either as an anime or a longer manga format.

Lastly, I recommend giving this manga a read. Hope you enjoy it!

Let's review this masterpiece (I didn't review the anime, so here I'm kind of reviewing everything). So, I assume a lot of you guys will watch the anime rather than read all 700 chapters. Honestly, I did the same thing. I watched every single season of the anime while reading the manga simultaneously. And you might wonder why? It's obvious because this manga is one of the best out there, if not the absolute best. I can never get enough of it, whether by watching or reading. The story has glorious moments and funny scenes that made me laugh until I cried XD. It also has sad moments that will break your heart. The art was amazing, with so much detail. Finding a series with 700 chapters maintaining that level of art style is quite rare. To be honest, I feel bad about finishing it. Everything comes to an end eventually; nothing lasts forever. I should have done this review earlier, but I was kind of busy. Anyway, if you're looking for something that has every genre, look no further. Here we are with Gintama, a manga that has comedy, action, ecchi, space, mystery, and more. Some people might say that the manga or the anime is too long to catch up on, and yeah, you're absolutely right. But if you have the time, you definitely should give it a shot and check this out.

Hmmm, Gintama... I think I will feel empty when this manga ends, but I will still have really good memories with it. I started with the anime, and when I moved on to the manga for the first time, it was so hard for me to read because there were a lot of words and fast dialogues. But slowly, step by step, I fell in love with it, and it has become the best manga I've read so far. The best thing about Gintama isn't just the story based on a critical period of Japan's history, between the Edo period and the early Meiji period, or the comedy, or the characters—even though many are based on real people—but the touch, the soul of Gintama. Mangaka Sorachi Hideaki has succeeded in making something unique. In this story, you can laugh a lot at the same time as feeling sad or crazy. It's not solely based on fighting, comedy, or parody but on life, and that's what makes it special and unique. You can find what you need or are seeking for in this manga. Often, they make parodies of more than one thing simultaneously, which makes it funny and sometimes hard to understand. What are they doing? Who are they mocking? This is what makes some people find it not funny or confusing. It's really amazing to read something that makes fun of Ashita no Joe and Hajime no Ippo at the same time, as an example, and this is what makes it great. Story: Some people think that Gintama doesn't have any story; they believe it's just mocking people and making fun of other manga or TV programs. But this isn't true. As I said, the manga is based on true facts and periods in Japan's history. Based on what I've read, the author refers to the Amanto and the first invasion of Edo to the time when Commodore Matthew C. Perry's four-ship squadron appeared in Edo Bay in July 1853, known as the 'End of seclusion.' That's what makes Gintama great—it's based on Japan's history in a comic way, and the author seems to be presenting another view of this period. In these last two years, from the Shogun Assassination Arc onward, the manga has put aside the comedy and parody and delved deeply into the main story. Art: It's really awesome, and I find it has improved from chapter to chapter. It's good in drawing shapes, identikit, effects, but often the background is empty, and you can't tell if it's night or day. Characters: When I talk about the Gintama touch, I mean the characters too. I think, and as I've seen, there's only one detested character—Tokugawa Sada Sada—in the whole story. Even the villains, you'll love them, like Utsuro, Oboro, or Hitotsubashi Nobu Nobu. Also, you can't pick your favorite character here. When you read this manga, you'll like them all because each one will make you smile and happy. Sakata Gintoki is the main character and is based on Kintarō (Sakata no Kintoki), a folk hero from Japanese folklore. Here are some characters and who they're based on: - Takasugi Shinsuke is a friend to Gintoki and the leader of Kiheitai. He's based on Takasugi Shinsaku, the real Kiheitai leader who founded it to fight against Bakufu for revenge for his teacher Yoshida Shoin (who is Yoshida Shouyou in the manga). His actions led to the Meiji Restoration. - Katsura Kotarou is the most funny and crazy character in the manga and is based on Kido Takayoshi. Enjoyment: There's nothing more to say than Gintama truly lives up to its name. I don't think you will waste your time reading this manga at all.

This review was originally for 13 and has since been merged into Gintama.

This short story never failed to keep me entertained while reading! It's not a waste of time since it's so brief, funny, and features great art. Overall, it's a fantastic read. The storyline was incredibly unique! I've never come across a manga quite like this one, which is why it's among my top favorites! I would definitely read it all over again if I had the chance! So, I highly recommend this manga to every manga reader.

I can't put into words what Gintama means to me, so I really don’t know where to start. There are so many aspects and life lessons to comment on, but I feel compelled to write about it because of that very reason.

Before I begin, let me address a personal "complaint": this review may contain spoilers. If you skipped the comedy arcs or chapters in Gintama, you will never understand the numerous 10/10 moments this manga has to offer. Gintama is not a story-driven manga; it's character-driven. The "not so serious" parts greatly develop the complex and human characters through their many failures and personal problems, which reflect in the more serious arcs and give them emotional depth.

Gintama is not perfect, and the show recognizes this. To me, that’s one of its strengths because it reflects one of the main themes: what truly matters is how you feel throughout the series. Despite any criticisms, Gintama excels in writing and calculation. The relationships between characters feel real, even when they do absurd or stupid things. These mistakes likely enhance their relatability. As quoted in the manga, humans/samurais are weak, cowardly, empty creatures who, by "fighting themselves," aspire to overcome their flaws and become better people. This struggle gives meaning to their lives and makes them stronger individuals.

The mistakes made by the author and characters, as well as their achievements, provide both laughter and deeper immersion into the complex universe/world. Many have fallen for it and continue to do so, regardless of age or prior knowledge in the genre, just like with the emotional aspects.

I’m not expressing myself well, but that’s okay because I don’t need words to describe this manga. I thoroughly enjoyed it to the end. It was more than a pleasant and emotional journey. For the first time in my anime and manga history, I found myself tearing up while smiling with my silver soul. That’s enough for me.