Gintama

Episode 303

The latest entry in the Shogun Assassination Arc is an edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Although the past few installments have introduced new plot elements left and right, episode 303 shifts the focus exclusively to pulse-pounding action. This episode features one of the most exciting battle sequences we've seen in a while, and considering how high the bar has been set over the past few weeks, that's saying something. Certain moments, like Gintoki and Kagura charging down a cliff toward their archenemies, are feature film-caliber. As our heroes jump from one frenetic battle to the next, it becomes clear that the stakes have never been higher for the Odd Jobs crew and their friends.

With Zenzo mortally wounded and Sa-chan vastly outnumbered, the intermittently myopic kunoichi activates a smokescreen and escapes the Kiheitai's airship with her dying friend in tow. Before Takasugi's men can give chase, the Oniwaban arrive on the scene to hold them off. (Die-hard fans will notice cameo appearances by the members of Zenzo's seldom-seen Shinobi 5.) Meanwhile, the Odd Jobs crew and Shigeshige are intercepted by a battalion of Yato while attempting to flee the besieged Iga village. Thanks to the timely arrival of Hijikata and Kondo, the good guys are able to take down a group of the universe's strongest warriors with nary a hitch. However, their victory is short-lived, as Abuto and his elite squadron soon show up to avenge their fallen brethren.

Despite a few instances of off-model characters, the Odd Jobs/Shinsengumi/Yato face-off was beautifully choreographed and paced just right. There's certainly no love lost between the Shinsengumi and Gintoki's gang, but when the going gets tough, these two groups are always willing to come to each other's aid. When Hijikata is about to be done in by a Yato flunkie, Gintoki saves the life of his longtime frenemy without missing a beat. As Kondo points out, the Shinsengumi and the Odd Jobs crew have known each other for a long time (even though the series utilizes a floating timeline—or, as Shinpachi calls it, "the Sazae-san timeline"), and although neither party is likely to acknowledge it, they've grown close. By the same token, Gintoki also refers to Sa-chan as his "buddy" early on in the episode. In the past, the silver-haired samurai has shown nothing but disdain for his S&M-obsessed stalker. Not only does he frequently respond to her twisted displays of affection with physical violence, he even advised her to commit suicide in last summer's Confessional Arc. Suffice to say, learning that he considers her a friend is quite the revelation.

Before Abuto's men can attack, Momochi Rappa gets the jump on them with her deadly ninja puppets and proceeds to guide Gintoki and company out of the Iga village. The instant the group crosses the bridge leading out of the village, Rappa blows it up, ensuring that they can't return. Not wanting to abandon the Iga, Hijikata and Kondo jump across the demolished bridge and task the Odd Jobs crew with getting Shigeshige to safety. Kondo describes this as the Shinsengumi's first formal request of Odd Jobs Gin-chan, but I'm reasonably certain Edo's top cops have sought Gintoki's help in the past. (Were those requests not formal?)

While attempting to get the gravely injured Zenzo out of the village through a secret passageway, Sa-chan is intercepted by the Kiheitai and Kamui. After being stabbed through the stomach by Takasugi and shot in the arm by Kamui, Sa-chan appears to be down for the count. However, before the villains can finish her off, Zenzo activates a kunai trap, which takes out a sizable chunk of Takasugi's underlings. Just as the remaining flunkies prepare to retaliate, an enraged Gintoki and Kagura arrive on the scene and rush towards their respective nemeses. (Gintoki makes a beeline for Takasugi, while Kagura goes right for her bloodthirsty brother.)

After Shigeshige's demise was revealed to be a fake-out, it's hard to be concerned that Zenzo and Sa-chan seem to be at death's door. While seeing the shogun (or rather, one of his body doubles) lose his head provided a short-term shock, the prompt reveal that Shigeshige is still alive made that moment considerably less powerful. Until a character is mourned for episodes on end, I'm unlikely to believe they are actually gone, even if the injuries they incurred seem fatal. Also, while dozens (possibly hundreds) of nameless ninja, royal guards, Joi rebels, and Yato have lost their lives in this arc, Gintama has never struck me as the type of series to kill off recurring characters. Many of the featured players are as impervious to death as Tex Avery characters. (Gintoki has even died a couple of times, only to reappear unscathed in the next episode.)

If, as the preview indicates, this is really the last Gintama of the year, it wasn't a bad episode to go out on. The heroes have finally come face-to-face with the main antagonists, the stakes have been upped considerably, and viewers are left with the impression that something big is about to happen. While I prefer this show's usual silliness to its occasional drama, this arc has proven time and again that Gintama can valiantly hold its own against its action-oriented Shonen Jump contemporaries.

Rating: A-

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for two decades.