Life is a strange thing. It somehow gives us the warmest of hugs and the hardest of blows. You can be laughing till your body aches one day, but then not want to get up from your bed and interact with anyone the next. It always changes us. Whether it is for the better or, the worse, it truly depends on the person. Anime represents a lot of it. One such example is Hideaki Sorachi’s Gintama. At first glance, Gintama is a comedy with eccentric characters set in a world invaded by aliens. It is every bit as bizarre as you can imagine. Gintama has some of the biggest comedic moments in manga and anime history, and what’s more, creator Sorachi has maintained it throughout.
But what makes the series stand out even more, are the heartfelt moments it has. Gintama pulls no punches while presenting some of the saddest possible events that leave audiences weeping. Sometimes it can just make us sit in shocked silence. Let’s take a look at some of the funny, as well as sad, but altogether iconic moments in Gintama (spoilers ahead).
1. The Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon
One of the iconic bits of comedy in the show, the Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon, appeared in the show’s first year (episode 38). Due to its uncanny resemblance to the male reproductive organ, it went on to become a running gag throughout the series. Gintoki and Kagura designed this legendary weapon at the Chiki Chiki Kabukicho Snow Festival. Of course, Shinpachi pointed out the shape but was called a pervert with a dirty mind. The judges and attendees were highly impressed at this weapon, and fans of the show had a hearty laugh.
2. Gintoki on Rage
Episode 211 is perhaps one of the darkest parts of the series. We get to see the relationship between Gintoki and Otose, who had taken him up as a tenant after meeting him in a graveyard. She became the mother he never had. This was why when he saw Otose lying injured after Jirocho’s attack, he brought out an unknown side of him, one that is pure of primal rage. His mindless attacks result in his sword breaking, symbolized as his broken soul—definitely one of the most iconic and commendable parts of the series.
3. The Character Polls
A major part of Gintama’s success is the fourth wall-breaking that goes on continuously. Most of the characters are aware they exist in an anime and constantly make jokes about themselves and other anime. The Character Poll Arc is the biggest fourth-wall-breaking arc of the series’ history. The story is all about the characters celebrating or mourning the rankings given by fans. But that is when they realize that someone is messing up the ranking system and then start plotting against each other to rise in ranks.
4. Sasaki Isaburo’s Story and Death
Who knew that one day Gintama fans would shed tears over the death of a man who was seen as a villain? Sasaki Isaburo is introduced as an antagonist for the Shinsengumi. He and his “elite” group of Mimawarigumi soldiers served the corrupt officials in Edo. Sasaki occasionally showed a cutesy side to him, but his story wasn’t fully revealed until later. We got a deeper look into his past in the “Farewell, Shinsengumi” arc.
Sasaki actually disrupted internal plans on the assassination of Shinsengumi members. He got discovered, and his assassination was ordered. A child assassin was sent, and she managed to kill his wife and unborn child. Even in his sorrow, Sasaki was never able to raise a hand against the child. He offers the girl to work for him and names her Nobume, the name he planned for his child. By the end of the arc, Sasaki sacrifices himself to save Nobume.
5. Toiler Paper Fight
This iconic event happens in episode 79 of the series when the Yagyu clan is introduced. In the episode, the Yorozuya and Kondou were at the Yagyu compound. Kondou had to use the toilet, but it was too later when he realized there was no toilet paper. As he is in the middle of freaking out, he hears faint noises. It turns out, Gintoki, Kyuubei’s aide Ayumu Toujou, and her grandfather were in neighboring stalls. And none of them had any toilet paper. Kyuubei’s grandfather found sandpaper in his stall and hands it out. Then comes a series of mind games to see who wipes first.
6. Madao in Game Show
Hasegawa Taizou, better known as Madao, leads a terrible life and has the worst possible luck. In this episode, he finds himself to be a contestant in “Who Wants To Be a Madaonaire.” You guessed it. It’s a parody of Slumdog Millionaire. The show starts off with a great deal of comedy but gets sadder as the questions progress. We soon find out that Madao participated in helping a poor, sick girl. The girls’ story and Madao’s kindness and willingness to help her out are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
7. The Funeral
Gintama has the ability to turn the saddest moments into comedy and vice-versa. In Episode 231, a beloved restaurant owner dies, and the Yorozuya and Shinsengumi trio find themselves at his funeral. However, the old man’s ghost pops up from the casket and starts overseeing the service. Hijikata and Gintoki were itching to go home, but soon they noticed the ghost. The old man’s angry expression convinces them that they will have to sit throughout the ceremony.
But their fear makes them screw up the rituals. The more problems they created, the angrier the old man got, and soon he took the souls of their friends. The two have to stick around until the old man gets a good sendoff. He thanks them for the fun service before leaving for his heavenly abode.
8. Okita’s Arc
This arc comes at a time when the backstories of the Shinsengumi’s leading trio were kept under wraps. It begins with Sougo’s sister visiting Edo with her new fiancée. We see the young squad captain set aside his sadistic ways and show what a caring little brother he is. The series doesn’t focus a lot on romantic moments, but we get to see that Okita Mitsuba and Hijikata Toshiro had something special between them. Those feelings are still present, even though Hijikata never shows them. But Mitsuba reveals later that she is terminally ill and her time is almost up. At the same moment, Hijikata and Sougo find out that her fiancée is a criminal.
Hijikata goes off to stop him while Sougo sits with his sister. The two mourn her death in the ways they see fit.
9. Smoking Ban
Hijikata loves two things more than anything: Mayonnaise and smoking. However, Edo seems to be in a state of change, as both the Shinsengumi and the public look down on smokers. With nowhere left to smoke, Hijikata goes into space to find another planet where he can smoke in peace. But he ends up getting caught in a parody of Dragon Ball and ends up having to help a bunch of characters to get a cigarette.
What’s more, the Dragon Ball characters are voiced by the cast of Gintama themselves and are a laugh riot. We see a perverted version of Goku and a version of Cell, who gets defeated by Hijikata with a single punch. But in the end, he does get his cigarette.
10. The Shogun’s Death
I saved this one for last simply because it is the most brilliantly-written and soul-crushing arc in the series. The Shogun was a beloved character in the series, and we laughed countless times at how the other characters put him in embarrassing situations. But we also see how much he loved his nation and its people and never became corrupt at any cost. That is why his death hit like a sledgehammer.
The arc contained plenty of action, and many died for the Shogun. But in the final moments, the enemies managed to get to him. As he is dying, Shigeshige’s only wish was to die with his sister next to him.
Also Read: Top Enemies To Lovers Relationships In Anime
