Gintama

It's kind of funny, but also not. With a focus on action and comedy, it follows a continuous loop of 3-4 gags—sometimes connected, sometimes standalone—followed by a "serious" action-filled arc. This gets repetitive quickly and makes for a terrible reading experience.

The gag sequences mainly serve as introductions for the action-focused parts and are really just a tool for expanding the cast. The first few times you go through this loop, you enjoy it. There are thrills, laughs to be had, and some pretty cool swordfights. It seems to have little to no flaws. However, as you continue through the loop and the novelty begins to wear off, it becomes a struggle to read through. The jokes become stale, the cast becomes utterly uninteresting and forgettable, and the fights don't offer anything special anymore.

It really isn't worth reading.

I love Gintama; it has been such an integral part of my life. Balancing seriousness while ensuring comedy takes first priority is a hallmark of this gag manga. It's the story of a man who has lost everything he needed to live for and eventually finds it again. The trio that becomes akin to a family, along with the ever-expanding cast of characters, makes this series special.

Sorachi-sensei excels at character development, making you care deeply for them, especially the female characters. What amazed me most was how he didn't define girls as one thing or another but purely by who they are, pushing boundaries of what is usually shown on screen. Kagura is my favorite female character, though all of them are delightful. Reading it feels like it isn't narrowly defining them.

Besides, the sheer insanity of some arcs only made me appreciate Sorachi-sensei more. He’s a genius at making things work, taking the story to places I didn't think possible, yet still able to switch back to serious arcs seamlessly.

Overall, this is a masterpiece that I will fondly look back upon and reread.

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

A one-shot from the creator of Gintama, which is one of my all-time favorites, 13 was a great short read. The story revolves around a boy who falls in love with a shy girl, tries to befriend her but ends up majorly insulting her. However, the twist is that she comes from a family of assassins. Fast-forward to high school, and the girl returns seeking revenge.

The art was good, reminiscent of Gintama with its simple lines for the characters' faces. I appreciated how they approached 13, focusing on the main character's perspective as a narrative. Despite being a one-shot, they managed to develop the characters impressively. Overall, it was a pretty good read.

I adore everything about Gintama. The way it seamlessly blends gorilla jokes into serious moments is nothing short of genius. The series keeps teasing its end, yet somehow never truly concludes. And let's not forget the mosaic humor and risqué jokes—they don't sound appealing on paper, but they fit perfectly into the narrative, creating an emotionally engaging experience.

I can't think of another manga that has made me laugh and cry within the same chapter. Gintama will throw in a dirty joke right in the middle of a heart-wrenching scene, yet it doesn’t ruin the mood—it feels like it belongs there.

The characters are fantastic, and over time, you become attached to them, even the minor ones. Everyone, from Gin-san to our beloved gorilla, is memorable. It’s always a pleasure to see them make recurring appearances across different arcs.

I could go on and on about how much I love Gintama, but I wouldn’t want to spoil your experience. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend giving Gintama a read. Enjoy the journey!