Multiple characters appear but only two actually have significant screentime throughout the whole thing - Gintoki and Hijikata. The episodes definitely feel very low quality at times though so you might not enjoy all of them. The webseries clearly doesn't take itself seriously, as evident by the deliberately shoddy budget (the characters parodying certain shounen anime shows in one episode are basically wearing very cheap cosplay and that just makes things all the more funny). As the humour is Gintama's shining point (and also the thing this live-action adaptation is best at), this is a good way to have some laughs at ridiculous gags and storylines. The first episode is about Kagura struggling to sleep (with Gintoki naturally suffering the consequences) the second is about Hijikata coping with the new smoking ban (since he practically lives on cigarettes, this of course ends well) the third is about Gintoki and Hijikata going the dentist (and acting like the totally mature adults they are). I don't really recommend this to newcomers since I don't think it's that enjoyable from an outsider's point of view.
The episodes do not relate to the movie so you are free to watch then before or after the movie! Either way, this is definitely for people who already know Gintama. Unlike the last webdrama, it is entirely episodic and focuses on comedy rather than drama. A short webdrama that aired at the same time as the second Gintama movie to help hype it up. But nevertheless, as long as you came for a laugh, I’m sure you will be able to get it.Weak but still funny. We are left with a film that somehow entertains but leaves us a little confused as to what it all means. But for non-fans, these bear no meaning at all. But I believe fans will be satisfied with small details, including character habits, dialogues, and nuances, present all throughout the film.
Gintama will give you a few laughs but its action scenes are wanting. Will the fight scenes satisfy you? Maybe. To sum up, will Gintama make you laugh? Yes. The alien, amanto, looks like grown puppets and their fearsome nature was overshadowed. I expected better action sequences because after all, the main protagonist is a skilled samurai. The film’s action sequences also fell short. It may be a good adaptation of Gintama but it is not a good film. But all these rob the film of its potentiality of being good. There is some level of enjoyment especially if one is to let go of all matters of character, story, or plot. While it delivers some punches, viewers are left empty for its trite concoction. The comedy was reduced to farce and slapstick. Given this story, the film could have explored more satisfying story and character arc but instead focused on its comedic sketches that feel misplaced in the film as a whole. Shinsuke Takasugi and the Kiheitai Members of the Kiheitai The search for the sword leads Gintoki to childhood friend and comrade Shinsuke Takasugi (Tsuyoshi Domoto) who has revived Kiheitai, a band of rebels out to destroy the world.
The adaptation centred on Gintama’s Benizakura arc, where sword-maker siblings, Tetsuya (Ken Yasuda) and Tetsuko (Akari Hayami) seek the help of Gintoki to retrieve the monster-like benizakura sword from its current owner, the assassin Nizo Okada (Hirofumi Arai). Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura Shinsengumiįollowing this pre-opening sequence is the real opening of the film. This was followed by the beetle-hunting sequence that introduces most of the cast – Gintoki’s Yorozuya friends, Shinpachi (Masaki Suda), and Kagura (Hanna Hashimoto) and the members of Bukufu police force, the Shinsengumi, Gintoki’s long-time friend, Katsura (Masaki Okada), and Shinpachi’s sister, Tae (Masami Nagasawa).
The film sets the tone early on even before the opening credits by parodying its own opening credits with a karaoke-ish video of Gintoki Sakata (Shun Oguri) singing with clips of only himself. However, having said that, I find myself enjoying the quirkiness of the film. It is for me, a sequence of comedic sketches done under the guise of an undeveloped plot and cack-handed storytelling. And it is for the sake of comedy that I am willing to forego the lack of story & character development one would expect in a film. And Gintama’s ‘braveness’ for such stupidity is part of its comedic appeal. Take note that in Japan, fair use is a tricky issue. Adapted from the manga by Hideaki Sorachi, Gintama is unique in its comedy because it parodies other franchises to borderline illegal. Whether it’s a good adaptation, I will have to let real fans decide.Ĭoming to the movie theatre, I have a few expectations on the film. So this review is a reaction to the film itself. I feel that I have to start with a disclaimer, as I am not a fan of Gintama, in manga or anime form.