"Gintama" first impressions (first 6 eps only :P).

[aruru]

So, a day or two back, I decided to take ruaki's rec from a few months back and decided to check out the Gintama anime series.

I've only watched 6 eps thus far, and... it's fairly amusing and adorable. For those not familiar with the series, the Wiki link there provides a few basic details on it without being all that spoilertastic (unless you consider the details on the characters that you get to learn during the first 6 or so eps as "spoilers," really), but if you want to know the gist of things, basically it's the story of a weirdo samurai and his companions living in the time between the late Edo Period (specifially, at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate)/beginning of the Meiji Era, except that, instead of the Americans/Europeans invading Japan, it was a bunch of highly advanced aliens (of various assorted races/species) known collectively as the "Amanto." Which is basically an excuse to combine late-1800's Japan aesthetics with contemporary (ex: Gintoki rides a scooter) and future-tech (ex: police cars that both run normally on land and can be switched to flying-mode), haha.

Anyway, I know I just made it sound a little dry and uninteresting with that explanation, but really, it IS pretty cute thus far. It even parodies itself, as in some eps, they show glimpses of different AUs with the cast - for example, the 3-Nen Z-Gumi GinPachi-sensei high school AU (Doesn't every non-school series wind up getting one of those? Haha for the author pre-empting the fans! And even more amusing, it actually wound up becoming a novel series of its own! XD), and the Kintama (Which literally means "golden balls," and in slang terms means "testicles") AU, in which Gintoki (known as "Kintoki" in this AU, natch) apparently is a blond (rather than his trademark albino-silver hair) man-whore or something. (Dunno much about this AU yet, as it has only appeared thus far as a quick "promo" of the next episode, rather than the Ginpachi-sensei AU, which got something like 2-3 minutes of airtime at the end of one of the eps.)

Anyhow, enough babble - on to a few random thoughts on the first couple of episodes! (Even though I think the only one who might be interested in these is Roo, eheh... ^^;)

- Haha, Gintoki really DOES have dead-fish eyes most of the time! Anyway, I think that this detail should totally be featured in a parody romance fic, in the form of a really bad love-poem to Gin-chan. Maybe... something like:

Your eyes... so dead...
like a fish about to be gutted...
they stare into my soul...
...suddenly I crave sushi.

Yes? No? XD

- Speaking of Gintoki... man, people in Edo must be really freakin' desperate to hire anyone, if all he does when he's not on a job is sit on his ass reading Jump and eating sweets, haha. Well, not that Kagura's much better, heh - the only one with a shred of responsability is definitely Shinpachi (though that was obvious, he's the straight man after all), poor guy. XD

- And speaking of Shinpachi, he's only cute in the actual series, but in the fake promo for the "Kintama" AU? HOLY CRAP, HE WAS SMOKIN' THERE! :O WTF?

- Kagura seems rather cute, though I'm guessing from that nosebleed she got from reading the paper in that one ep that she gets a boner from fighting really gets a little TOO into her acts of mass violence.

- The version of the Shinsengumi in this series seems like they'll be pretty amusing. I mean, the superior officer (Kondo) is apparently an idiot and a stalker (though Shinpachi's sister Otae seems to be able to fend him off well), Okita's pretty bazooka-happy and possibly nuts (and keeps making those remarks about "damn, I missed Hijikata" when he shoots, LOL), and Hijikata... well, despite his apparent (in these beginning eps, at least) crankiness and temperamentality at all of that, he appears to have the patience of a saint if he's still willing to keep coming back to work amidst all that, haha. XD

- Katsura also seems like he might be too serious for his own good, at least in these early eps. I could be totally wrong about him, though.

- Aww, Sadaharu so cute and fluffy! (And bitey!) And Elizabeth is just... I dunno, it's like maybe she once saw the true meaning of existence and it left her with that... uh, "unsettling" expression of hers, haha... XD

- LOL @ glasses-ninja (Ayame?) suggesting that the client in the first two eps become an S&M Queen just because he turned out to be decent at tying people up. Even better, the fact that he DID make rope-binding a part of his act when he became a performance artist! XD

- Also, another LOL at the ep where the escaped convict makes his way to his daughter's concert (thanks to Gintoki and Kagura's help), and it turns out that the single she's put out is titled something like "My Father is an XX!" (Yes, they even use the Japanese word that's used to "bleep out" curses instead of actual insults! XD) And he's still all proud and emotional to get to see her perform, haha! XD

- Lastly... was the "cigarette turning out to be a lollipop" gag in the Ginpachi-sensei AU scene supposed to be a reference to the censorship of Sanji's cigarette (by turning it into a lolly) in the North American version of the One Piece anime? Because that really made me laugh on both that level and the simpler "Gintoki's got a real sweet tooth in any incarnation" side of things - it can't just be a coincidence. XD


And... that's it for now. I only got to see the first 6 eps the other night, after all, so I don't have much thoughts yet on whether I'm really gonna like this series or not! (Thus far it's cute, but I'm not quite sold just yet!) Anyway, I'll post more on the series whenever I get to see further eps. :D

Comments

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

Bwa hahaha, that's awesome you're watching it. You've actually just crested the "boring" eps where they do all this setup, so it just degenerates (evolves?) into crazy wackiness and awesome arcs for now. I think Gintama really shines when it starts doing the arcs--Umibozu I think starts in the early thirties? And then there's Benizakura in the mid-fifties. The Android arc after that is okay, and I just finished watching the Kyuubei arc which has some greatly win moments, and then there's the Mitsuba arc which is coming up in fansubs.

Your eyes... so dead...
like a fish about to be gutted...
they stare into my soul...
...suddenly I crave sushi.

OH MY GOD I AM SO FUCKING DEAD!!!

Hijikata's got his own quirks (besides the mayora thing), but they don't become apparent until way later in the series. Honestly, I can't stand most renditions of the Shinsengumi cause they're so wangst-tastic, but I love Gintama's take on them. I actually find Okita amusing and endearing! I actually like Hijikata's tsundere-ness! etc. etc.

I love Kagura. Best Jump female lead ever. I think it's because she talks so much like she's an adult, yet can be so naive. Sorachi did a really great job in creating a unique and fun female chararacter. And yes, she's definitely quick to attack versus to think. XD;

ELIZABETH IS AWESOME DON'T DISS HER and yes, Zura is a bit serious for his own good, but that's what makes him so funny since everyone around him is so wacky. XD Also, cosplay. =(

I don't think the cigarette is necessarily a poke at the American dub. In the manga's version of that particular omake, it actually IS a cigarette, but I think the joke in the anime is namely cause Gintama has censorship issues. XD; (They seriously get away with some crazy shit for being a kids anime AND for their timeslot.) But it could be! I never actually thought about it that way--and you're right, it does make it even more hilarious. I can't remember when the anime started airing...

Sa-chan (the glasses ninja) is... all sorts of special...

Shinpachi plays the straight man, but after a while, he gets pretty jaded about the whole thing, lol. So he's still straight, but he's not so uptight about the situations like he used to be. Also, the Densha Otoko parody with him? BEST THING EVER.

Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[aruru.livejournal.com]

Ah, I was just wondering how many episodes were left before things started kicking into gear, and was about to ask ya! Thnaks for letting me know - I'll look forward to the rest! :D

LMAO, glad you enjoyed my attempts at retarded suitable love poetry for Gin-chan. Theoretically, if this fanfic were to be written, I would also suggest that the person wooing Gintoki should call him "my fishy" every couple of sentences because the idea of something like that happening doesn't stop being stupidly funny once in a while. Also, if for some reason, the suitor were to become broken-hearted, he can diss Gin-chan by switching the final line of the original poem to "...I just realized I'd prefer some tamago instead." XD

And hahaha, I didn't mean what I said about Elizabeth as a diss! XD It's just that, in the short time she was in that one ep when the gang was talking to Zura, I kept expecting her to suddenly reveal to the viewer some grand philosophical truth about... uh, something, haha. Like, if you stared back at her long enough, something like that would happen. Hence the joking about her having stared into the truth of existence and come back with that expression, LOL. XD

Well, the Wiki article on Gintama says the anime started airing on April 2006, with the Jump FESTA ep having been shown the year before. Now, I don't recall when One Piece debuted on American shores exactly, but I'm pretty sure that by 2006, it had already made the switch from the FOX Kids timeslot to being shown Saturdays on Cartoon Network's Toonami. Since that showing was only once a week and CN did manage to get a fair amount into the series before they decided to stop airing it, I feel like there is a slight chance Sorachi-sensei might've found out - at least, if he is the type who likes to keep up with that sort of stuff. (I haven't read the manga yet, so I don't have any author's comments or anything to get a grasp of his personality to be able to know.) Anyway, intentional or no, it was HILARIOUS.

Ah yeah, I've heard of Densha Otoko, though I've never seen/read it (it sounds kind of sweet in an offbeat way, though, how all those geeks in 2chan rallied to help him get the girl). I'll have to keep an eye out for that parody, then! :D (Does he go to a board like 2chan too? Because that would really make it even more hilarious, haha! XD)

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess it depends what you're "looking" for in the series. If you're looking for a solid cohesive plot that runs throughout it... well, no. You might enjoy the arcs (often pretty short) if that's what you're looking for in the series. If you're looking for random wacky adventures, those definitely kick more into gear now that they're starting to get the pesky business of getting intros and character establishment out of the way. I think the series honestly starts to pick up after the (one ep) Harusame arc, and then just becomes a thundering ride after the Umibozu arc.

Well, I don't think Sorachi has much to do with the actual writing of the show, so that'd be based on the series director or the staff. And it could be true, although I don't think a lot of the Japanese audience would "get" it. It's probably more or less a parody of A) their censorship issues and B) how a lot of "sensei" series often has the sensei smoking in class, which is probably prohibited. Again, in the manga, Ginpachi is actually smoking a cigarette--in fact, in the 3Z ending animation (based on the novels IIRC), he'll actually take it out and blow smoke.

Yes, Shinpachi does go to an internet board. ... wackiness does ensue. XD; (Honestly, the Densha Otoko parody is really one of my favorites cause it's so freakin' hilarious.)

I sat through the Densha Otoko TV series and it's kinda sweet, but the drama really dragged it on too long. The movie is probably better, but honestly, I can't bring myself to really care for things like "Impossible Love Story" too much... especially since most interpretations of Densha Otoko tend to put otaku in a rather farce light.

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[aruru.livejournal.com]

Heh! Well, I pretty much enjoy both elaborate plots as well as shorter episodic things, so that's just fine by me. What ep is the Harusame arc, BTW?

Ah, I see, okay. Still, realizing that something is funny on yet another level than the intended one is hilarious. I think I'm going to like this series if only for that bit! XD

And oh man, the Densha Otoko parody ep sounds even better now that I know they even did the Internet aspect of it and all - can't wait to see it! I hope the internet people give him terrible advice, LOL! XD Is it really far in the ep count?

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

List of Gintama eps.

Honestly, a lot of the eps CAN be watched out of order and it won't hurt you at all. A great deal of them are out of order from the manga, even, lol... The only ones that should be watched in order, are, of course, any arc eps. And some eps do make running jokes based off previous things, but not very many... But since the eps are generally self-contained, it's easy to follow the story along as long as you have the basic premise (which you do).

But anyway...

Ep 13 is the Harusame ep.

Ep 34 & 35A is the Densha Otoko parody. (35B is one of my favorite Shinsengumi eps. XD;)

Ep 40-42 is the Umibozu arc.

I really want to see ep 119: "Chain smoker Hijikata is forced to go leave Earth and search for another planet where he can light up, after a smoking ban was implemented." I heard that Okita was the one that forced the ban to happen, no less. XD;;;

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[aruru.livejournal.com]

Haha... whoops, I should've realized that Wikipedia WOULD have a list with that info there I could check on my own. Thanks for the link and the info, though! I'll be looking forward to these! :D

And LMAO, it seems Okita's pretty damn EVIL regarding anything that might affect Hijikata. I mean, first the bazooka gags, then I saw ep 9 last night and noticed that Okita did not only blab to the rest of the Shinsengumi about Kondo's loss to Gin-chan despite Hiji apparently trusting him to be discreet, but according to the subordinates he apparently did it OVER THE HEADQUARTERS' LOUDSPEAKERS, haha! And now this story about the smoking ban? LOL, I say, LOL. XD

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

Yeah Okita... uh... really makes it his job to torment Hijikata. He's also lazy, goofs off on the job, and pretty selfish. I love him, cause it's such a different take on the usually "so kindhearted it hurts" take on Okita that you typically see in Shinsengumi adaptions. (Peacemaker is really the worst ugghhhhh...) They also got rid of his tuberculosis disease (wooo!) so we don't have to worry about him suddenly dropping dead in the middle of the series or anything. =(

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[aruru.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I noticed the "lazy/goofs off" part when I saw in ep 8 that he was doing the morning excersises with his weird sleep mask on... and then he SNORED, LOL. XD Guess he's really that much of an old hand and knows the routine by instinct, huh?

And yay, no angsty death for him this time! May he keep making Hijikata spaz out with his antics! XD

(BTW, love your Hiji icon there - it really is a perfect framing of the "D:" emoticon. XD)

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

He's totally unrepentant it about it, which is the best part.

From what I've seen, Okita's been with them a long time--he was pretty much Kondou's first student, as I believe Hijikata came afterward...

(The ep this icon is from is fantastic. I love eps that feature both the Yorozuya and Shinsengumi working together. In this one, you find out how much a loser both Hijikata and Gin-san are. XD; But yeah, this face is so totally un-Hijikata-ish, I felt it was perfect for the D: face XD....)

Re: Reposting to fix stray tag (damn, why can't free users get to edit too? ;_;)

[aruru.livejournal.com]

LOL @ thinking of these two being students of Kondo, given Kondo's antics in the eps I've seen thus far... then again, they're all apparently goofs at heart anyhow, so I guess like does attract like... XD (Does Kondo ever get a chance to look competent badass, or is he always a "gorilla?" XD)

Also, am very amused by your Gin-san icon in that last comment - it looks like he's thinking "I just got to touch boobies, yay!" or something along those lines. >D

I have far too many Gintama icons.

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

Well, it still follows "true" Shinsengumi history, in a sense. But yes, they were students of Kondou, before their dojo was given the chance to be the Bakufu's arm... Despite what it may seem like, the Shinsengumi are fanatically loyal to Kondou. This is most apparent during the Itou arc, but there's a few other occasions.

(Hmm... well, not really, at least, not in the sense that he kicks ass and takes names like Hijikata or Okita. But as the glue that holds the Shinsengumi together, he does get his chance a few times to say some cool things... before he does something stupid again. XD;;; )

XDDDD That's Gin-san's trademark grin. XDDDDD

Re: I have far too many Gintama icons.

[aruru.livejournal.com]

*even more LOL @ your icons!* Oh man, is that... Hiji draped on top of the vending machine and Gin-san with his head stuck inside it? Hahahaha! Did they go on a bender or something? XD (Also amused by your choice of words in the icon - now I can't get that line of the song out of my head... XD)

And nah, I meant badass in general, not necessarily as a fighter. That's cool that he gets some moments... and even better if he keeps messing up right after, LOL. XD

And THAT is Gin-san's trademark grin? Hahahahahe's such a DORK if that's the case! XD

Re: I have far too many Gintama icons.

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

YES!!! They drank a little too much. It's from the Jump Festa. If you find it, it's a pretty decent introduction to the series too and is based off one of the manga chapters--minus the Gundam jokes. (They end up this way in the manga too.) There's a lot of reuse of animation from the Jump Festa in later actual TV series eps though lol...

Yeah, Kondou ... will never really cut a break hahahahaha. I actually like him overall, cause he's got a really good heart. Hijikata? or was it Okita... put it best. Kondou always sees the good in people, but can't see the bad. I feel kinda sorry for him about Otae though...

YES. During the Benizakura arc, the enemies ask Kagura and Shinpachi, "WHO ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH?!!?!" and they grin JUST LIKE THAT. It's totally Gin-san's trademark grin--he uses it several times besides the point in my icon (Harusame arc was another).

Gin-san is a dork. I love him. It's so nice to have a Jump hero like him. I keep forgetting he's published in Jump. XD;

Re: I have far too many Gintama icons.

[aruru.livejournal.com]

(LOL too @ this icon - are they glaring or is it blushing, given the lines under their eyes? Who knows but the fangirls? XD)

...I actually downloaded the Festa piece from Rumbel's site! :D (It wasn't very well-seeded, but it was available via direct download too, so I got it from there.) I was actually thinking of saving it for later, but now I'm guessing that, since it wasn't made with the rest of the anime series and was supposed to be an introduction and all, it isn't referenced in any of the series itself?

LOL yeah, I like Kondo too. I nearly DIED when he showed up in his first "stalking Otae!" ep wearing NOTHING but his undies, flippers, and the snorkel! He kinda has a hot bod there too, LOL. XD And the conversation about impotence earlier in that ep too, hahahaha! Poor guy. XD

And yeah, I kinda got the feeling that he was a dork from his habits, heh. At least he's a SMART dork... well, sometimes! XD

Re: I have far too many Gintama icons.

[ruaki.livejournal.com]

Actually, they're blushing AND glaring. It's in the Jump Festa. XD You'll see.

Yeah, it was actually shown at Jump Festa before the anime was announced and then was announced after. Oh my GOD was Sorachi stoked when he heard that his series was getting a Jump Festa anime. In the tankubon where he announces it, that's ALL he talks about--he manages to twist all the answers to the questions people send him to somehow mention "GINTAMA IS GETTING ANIMATED HEHEHEHHEHEHE" ... XD

Sorachi's about our age btw.

Sorachi draws himself as a monkey (as you've probably seen in the little extras they show between the eyecatches), and I find his resemblence to how he draws Kondo rather interesting. Although honestly, Sorachi acts a lot like Gin-san... (this man finds so many ways to avoid his deadlines XD... the "Oonishi" that Ginpachi-sensei always picks on is actually the name of his editor at Kodansha.)

Re: I have far too many Gintama icons.

[aruru.livejournal.com]

(Haha penis cannon! I love that thing. XD)

And man, I guess I'm just gonna have to see the Festa ep next time I have the time to watch stuff. It sounds like a riot! XD

Hahaha, Sorachi sounds like an adorable (and dorkalicious) kind of guy! And somehow, his age being around ours isn't much of a surprise to me... something about his sense of humor seems to make me want to peg him as being around our age.

And yeah, I've seen the Sorachi-as-monkey making commentary once already, hee. I didn't notice that about his monkey-depiction resembling Kondo's design, though! Will have to see that sometime. And his personality resembling Gin-san's... LOL, I think I can already picture that a bit too well despite still being a newbie to the series! Guess he took the advice "write/draw what you know" a bit to heart, eh? XD