Gintama

Episode 296

Although the anime adaptation of the epic-sounding “Shogun Assassination Arc” begins next month, the staff seems to be in no hurry to plow through the remaining humor-centric arcs beforehand. In many respects, this show is a strict devotee to the Tex Avery school of comedy. Outside of the occasional serious arc, the characters are almost impervious to explosions, vehicle collisions, and various other sources of physical trauma.

This week, the series applies the time-tested "bad things don't happen until they're noticed" trope to the Yato race's weakness against the sun, with great comedic results. Almost all of the Yato we've met thus far take some form of precaution against sunlight. Kagura, Kamui, and Umibōzu are often seen carrying parasols (which double as machineguns), the recently-outed Yato Mutsu sports an enormous sunhat, and the late "Night King" Housen constructed a sprawling underground red light district to escape the sun's piercing rays.

This episode opens with all three members of Odd Jobs Gin-chan trying to fit beneath Kagura's parasol as they trail an unfaithful husband on a scorching-hot summer day. When Kagura points out that she needs the parasol more than the boys, Shinpachi reminds her that she's frequently gone out in the sun without protection and is no worse for the wear. Gintoki then reasons that the whole "weakness against the sun" plot point has been dropped, and as such, Kagura is no longer in danger. At one point, Gintoki and Shinpachi grab the parasol and run after their target. By the time they realize that Kagura's not with them, the superpowered tween has already collapsed from UV exposure.

After being rushed to the hospital, Kagura takes advantage of her doctor's lack of knowledge about her alien race and pretends to be gravely ill. This enables her to guilt her coworkers into indulging her every whim. (Gintoki is so eager to oblige that he breaks the time/space barrier when he rushes off to purchase the latest issue of Jump and winds up buying the subsequent week's issue instead.) Kagura eventually gets her just desserts when she actually falls ill from eating too many sweets, leading her friends and the ill-informed hospital staff to believe that her "sickness" has taken a turn for the worse. Not wanting her initial lie to be exposed, Kagura refuses to speak up and bring the twisted farce to an end.

Everything about this week's installment is so perfectly Gintama. There's the moment where the characters break the fourth wall to discuss Kagura's inconsistent reaction to sunlight. There's the utter selfishness and deviousness of one (or more) of the primary characters, as Kagura plays up her heatstroke to maximum effect. There's the situation going further than you ever imagined and the selfish character getting into hot water when Kagura can't find a good moment to make a "miraculous recovery." There's Kagura as this week's tsukkomi—at least in her thoughts. Episode 296 also contains a number of parodic elements, poking fun at hospital dramas and "grieving family member" archetypes. For example, anyone familiar with the "I'll die when that tree sheds its last leaf" trope will have a good laugh toward the episode's mid-point. Couple all this with appearances from many of our favorite supporting players, and you've got a recipe for a great episode.

The story's faux-dramatic undercurrent provides Rie Kugimiya with an excellent platform to showcase her acting chops. Despite being voiced by the "tsundere queen," Kagura's delivery is rarely so quiet, meek, and even poignant. (Granted, part of this has to do with the character speaking in a stereotypical Chinese accent.) Of course, this being Gintama, her heartfelt lines are juxtaposed with comically devious inner monologues.

All in all, episode 296 is about as good as Gintama gets. The series knows how to use its unique formula for humor over and over in new situations and still make people laugh. If the rest of the stories leading up to the potentially game-changing Shogun Assassination Arc are as funny as this, we'll have plenty of fond memories to look back on when the show puts on its serious face.

Rating: A+

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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