Gintama

Episode 307

It's been a wild ride, but episode 307 marks the end of the darkest story arc Gintama has ever undertaken. To be honest, I thought the series might return to the status quo after the Shogun Assassination Arc wrapped up. Following the show's previous forays into drama, Gintama has had no problem returning to its comedic roots. In fact, most “serious” arcs are never even spoken of again outside of other dramatic arcs. Given the show's elastic reality and episodic nature, this never presented much of a problem. However, as the closing moments of this week's installment reveal, things will never again be the same for the Odd Jobs crew. Going off the post-credits preview, another epic-looking arc is beginning next week, marking the first time Gintama has immediately jumped from one serious arc to another.

Once Matsudaira arrives with an airship armada, the Shinsengumi, and droves of Shigeshige's retainers, the Tendoshu representative advises Nobonobu to retreat, reasoning that there aren't enough Naraku soliders to take on both the Tokugawa Faction and the Kiheitai. Before making his exit, the representative asks the recently-deposed shogun what he hopes to accomplish by opposing the new regime. In a Shoyo-esque display of eloquence, Shigeshige expresses a desire to create a world without shoguns, in which every person adheres to their own samurai code and fights for the ideals they believe in. Realizing they're vastly outnumbered, Oboro calls back his men and retreats with the rest of Nobunobu's retainers. Kamui then escapes with a heavily injured Takasugi as his little sister carries a thoroughly battered Gintoki to meet up with their friends. As Kagura and Kamui silently drag their fallen comrades away and head in separate directions without so much as a backwards glance, the uneasy truce between these foes becomes apparent. Not wanting to endanger his loved ones any further, Shigeshige allows Matsudaira to escort him to the emperor's palace in Kyo and entrusts the Shinsengumi and the Oniwaban with keeping the peace in Edo until he returns. While in exile, Shigeshige intends to build up an army strong enough to take down Nobunobu and the Tendoshu once and for all.

Two weeks later, both Gintoki and Takasugi are still recovering from their injuries, with the latter currently in a coma. Since the upper echelons of the Harusame conspired with the Tendoshu in getting rid of the Kiheitai and Kamui's 7th Fleet, Kamui and Abuto are no longer part of the organization. Much to Abuto's surprise, Kamui isn't bothered by this at all. As Kagura's wayward brother puts it, “I was eventually going to kill them all anyway, and now I'm closer to becoming the Pirate King!”

Back in Edo, Gintoki and company receive a letter from Princess Soyo explaining what she and her brother have been up to since arriving in Kyo. Now that he's under the protection of the emperor, Shigeshige's time is being spent meeting with retainers who were driven out of the bakufu for continuing to support him. To display his commitment to creating a shogun-less Japan, he even refuses Matsudaira's protection while commiserating with his allies. However, this proves to be the idealistic young ruler's undoing. While greeting an old friend, Shigeshige is stabbed in the arm with a poison-laced needle by the man, who was once his retainer. Despite Matsudaira's pleas, the palace doctor insists nothing can be done. Wishing to keep Soyo in the dark, Shigeshige fulfills the desire he expressed in this arc's opening installment: being free of the office of shogun, spending a quiet evening with his sister, and enjoying a cup of her “awful” tea. Soyo believes her brother is simply tired as he rests his head on her lap and falls into eternal slumber.

As previous serious arcs have shown us, Gintama isn't one to shy away from bloodshed. For example, countless nameless faces met grisly demises in the Benizakura Arc, the Yoshiwara in Flames Arc, and the Four Devas Arc. However, in these instances, the dearly departed weren't so much characters as props. Killing off an established character—one who's been used exclusively for comedy until this point—is arguably the series' boldest narrative choice to date. It's particularly jarring when you consider how much physical torment Shigeshige has been subjected to in the name of comedy. In the past, we've seen the late shogun used as a snowboard, drowned, and rectally impaled. One of the main jokes surrounding Shigeshige's character was his Looney Tunes-esque indestructibility, so seeing him murdered in such a subtle fashion is shocking.

Set against an ominous sunset, Shigeshige's final exchange with his beloved sister is one of the show's saddest sequences. (After seeing Gintoki behead his adoptive father a couple weeks ago, that says something.) Had he actually been dispatched by Zenzo at the beginning of this arc, his loss wouldn't be nearly as meaningful or emotionally impactful. Unfortunately, the upbeat end theme that plays as Soyo cradles her deceased brother in her lap undoes some of the emotion and makes the moment feel less powerful.

While lacking in both action and comedy (save for a few well-timed gags), episode 307 leaves a lasting impression, thanks to its game-changing ending. Although the extended look into Gintoki's past and his long-awaited faceoff with Takasugi were the highlights of the Shogun Assassination Arc, this latest offering brought things to a satisfying (though tragic) conclusion. Just as the audience is given the impression that all will be well, the show pulls the rug out from under us, leaving us to wonder what the future holds in store for the residents of Kabuki-cho.

Rating: A-

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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