Gintama

Episode 279

After 13 weeks of off-the-wall wackiness, Gintama enters its first serious story arc of the season. For a series that revolves so heavily around comedy, Gintama does an admirable job of pulling off the occasional foray into drama. While I'd argue that action and drama aren't the main draw of the series, they're not a bad reason to tune in, either. Unlike many shonen series that start off humorous before evolving (or devolving) into more serious fare, Gintama never forgets its comedic roots. In fact, each dramatic arc is peppered with gags, particularly at the start, to ease the transition from wackiness to solemnity. Episode 279, the introductory chapter of the Reaper Arc, is a perfect example of this.

Following an evening of heavy drinking, Gintoki stumbles down the deserted streets of after-hours Edo, obliviously cavalier about the recent string of murders that have swept the city. Suddenly, our "hero" comes across what appears to be an actual grim reaper about to commit seppuku. After being persuaded to stand over the skeleton-faced-figure with his sword to make sure the deed is done, Gintoki tries to change the reaper's mind to no avail. Unable to convince the suicidal specter to relent, Gintoki bashes the reaper on the head with a rock. As sirens near the scene, the ever-resourceful Gintoki uses the reaper's exposed intestines to tie the body to his back and heads home.

It's gross-out comedy at its finest, but thankfully, all is not what it seems. (Bloody severed nipples later in the episode are, alas, entirely what they seem. It's cringe-inducing but good for a laugh.) Beneath the skeleton mask is Ikeda Asaemon, a young woman from a clan of bakufu-sanctioned executioners on the run from the law. She didn't commit seppuku but tried to manipulate Gintoki into killing her because she feels guilty about the lives she's taken. Since the serial killings were done in such a way that only a member of the Ikeda clan could have committed them, it seems a given that Asaemon's the culprit. The character draws heavy inspiration from Yamada Asaemon, the protagonist of the Samurai Executioner manga. In addition to sharing the same family name, the two characters were forced to kill their fathers and work as executioners. (There are also a great many Bleach references in this episode, due to the presence of reapers.)

When the Odd Jobs Trio take Asaemon back to her clan for a reward, however, they discover that things aren't so open and shut. The episode doesn't drag out the mystery of the serial killings, to the show's benefit. This isn't a mystery arc. It's a story about guilt, crime, justice and redemption. Gintoki's past as a Joi rebel comes back to haunt him, and he's left with little choice but to help the serial killer accomplish his task—or become the killer's next victim.

Episode 279 is a promising start to one of the show's rare attempts at seriousness. The newly introduced characters have depth, and the story surrounding the murders and the consequences of taking the law into one's own hands, even for good reasons, should prove intriguing. While having the stomach for gross-out gags is required to make it all the way to the end credits, fans of the show's dramatic side and those of us who tune in for the laughs are both sure to walk away happy.

Rating: A

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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