Gintama

Episode 310

This week, the prominent Gintama characters collectively decide that the country's leadership is in desperate need of yet another sea change. Although the audience is once again presented with a large amount of information, episode 310's relaxed pacing prevents it from becoming overwhelming. Had the first few episodes of the previous arc been paced in a similar manner, I think the audience would have been a lot clearer on some of the more pertinent plot details. Where the Shogun Assassination Arc was eager to get right to the action, the Farewell Shinsengumi Arc has wisely chosen to bide its time and take things slow—though not too slow.

With the Kiheitai crippled, the Shinsengumi disbanded, and Kondo, Matsudaira, and Katsura behind bars, Sasaki believes that the biggest hindrances to the new shogun are out of the picture. Nobume, however, doesn't share her boss's enthusiasm. The stoic donut-lover has no interest in “sitting perched atop this derelict nation” with no allies to depend on or enemies to fight. While Sasaki certainly understands her apprehension, he makes it clear that he's more or less content with things as they are. When Nobume exits the commissioner-general's office, we're shown a few fragmented images of the duo's hitherto unexplored past. Notable among them is a shot of a younger Sasaki holding a sword to a prepubescent Nobume. Additionally, toward the end of the episode, Nobume is approached by Oboro, who addresses her as “Mukuro,” indicating that she was once a member of the Tenshoin Naraku. Although these characters have only made two notable appearances prior to this arc, I've always found them intriguing—particularly Sasaki, with his Severus Snape-esque undertones. Perhaps the current arc will provide us with additional insight into their respective backstories.

Even though the perpetually battered Nobunobu has no memory of what transpired at the hostess club, Gintoki is still in deep doo-doo for decking the country's most powerful leader. Unable to return to his apartment/office, the silver-haired samurai is now a fugitive from the law. (In his absence, maybe Otose will find a tenant who actually pays rent?) With nothing left to lose, Hijikata (with his eternal frenemy in tow) returns to the heavily police-taped Shinsengumi headquarters to find Sogo, Saito, Yamazaki and the rest of his comrades in arms standing at the ready. Determined to rescue his best friend, Hijikata officially okays the Shinsengumi's alliance with Katsura's group of Joi rebels. With their mission clear, this motley crew of incompetent terrorists and disgraced lawmen set out to save their respective leaders.

The Shinsengumi's “Demonic Vice-Captain” displays some noticeable character growth this week. Despite possessing more common sense than his compatriots (Shinpachi once referred to him as “the only normal person in the Shinsengumi”), Hijikata is methodically set in his ways. Nothing can shake his insatiable love of mayonnaise, his propensity for chain-smoking (his preferred brand being Mayoboro), or his hatred for Joi patriots. Aside from being inconvenienced by Katsura on occasion and temporarily deposed by Itou Kamotaro, we've never really seen Hijikata suffer at the hands of the rebels. Given his strong sense of duty, it can be inferred that his distaste for the Joi is more an occupational hazard than a reflection of his true feelings. Still, Toshiro doesn't have much of a life outside of his job, so his acknowledgement that the current situation has rendered the Shinsengumi's contemptuous relationship with the rebels null and void is impressive. He even takes Gintoki's pep talk about protecting the things he holds dear to heart, prompting a flashback to the day of Shoyo's death. Each time this scene is replayed, it becomes more powerful. It's strange how one small display of emotion—Gintoki's hand trembling as he's about to kill his adoptive father—can make the audience feel empathy for one of the most selfish animated characters this side of a Seth MacFarlane series.

After bringing his fellow prisoners up to speed on the alliance, Katsura sells Kondo and Matsudaira on his escape plan. According to Zura, the first phase of the plan involves swallowing pills that will put the trio in a state of suspended animation, creating the impression of death. However, a failed attempt at tossing one of these pills to Matsudaira results in the pill bouncing off one of the bars and landing directly in Katsura's mouth, knocking the over-excited space-case out cold before he can explain the rest of the plan. Although this is later revealed to be fake-out on Katsura's part, Zura's comically creepy open-eyed sleeping face and his allies' overblown reactions to his supposed blunder are this week's comedic showstopper. When several guards enter the detention area, Kondo and Matsudaira decide to follow Zura's lead and play dead.

Unfortunately, the guards aren't buying this ruse and promptly attempt to slay the men before their execution date. After taking out their attackers, the group discovers that the baddies have the mark of Yatagarasu tattooed on their arms, confirming that they were sent by the Tenshoin Naraku. (Finding the dead bodies of the actual guards further confirms this.) With their cell doors now unlocked, the men decide to make a break for it. Once the other guards discover the corpses of their comrades, the prison is thrown into chaos, which enables the trio to slip away disguised as guards. (Since every other guard has a samurai top-knot, I'm unclear on how these disguises are able to fool their pursuers.) However, as Zura reveals, escape will ultimately prove difficult, as the prison is located on a secluded isle known as Kokujo Island.

While somewhat lacking in humor, episode 310 offers enough character insight and plot advancement to make up for its comedic shortcomings. The Shinsengumi has begrudgingly worked with the Odd Jobs crew on a number of occasions, but I never thought we'd see them throw in with the Joi patriots. Equally surprising was Sogo's willingness to defer to Hijikata, a man whose job (and life) he's constantly targeting. At this rate, I suspect it's only a matter of time before the remnants of the Kiheitai join in. All these unlikely alliances are sure to make for some compelling stories in the coming weeks.

Rating: A

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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