When Does Gintama Get Good? – A Guide
Gintama is one of the most acclaimed series ever. It is known for parodying other anime with self-deprecating humor and also mixing it with some serious actions in the middle.
Gintama’s fourth season is rated at 2nd position in Myanimelist and talk around the series is overwhelmingly positive from the fans. But one of the biggest issues I have people find is that early episodes aren’t enjoyable or boring. There are quite a few reasons for that and I will share my experience too watching it and maybe it will help you.
When does Gintama Get Good?
The true peak of Gintama is shown in episode 58 in the Benizakura arc. It is the first serious arc and it showcases everything that is great about Gintama. I suggest everyone experience that arc and decide whether to continue the stories. But the episodes before that are also great if we know what to expect from there.
Problems in First Season
Honestly think if we view Gintama as a fun episodic series instead of a long-term planned story like other big Shonen series, we can understand why the initial episodes feel underwhelming. Gintama isn’t supposed to have a great overarching plot and as a result, there aren’t any stakes or tension in the first season until the Benizakura arc. There aren’t any dramatic moments or plot twists in those times. It is hard to get engaged in a story that dont have those things.
But I also think it’s not that bad when we don’t view it as a serious story and view it as a fun ride. In our list of best standalone Gintama episodes, there are five episodes before episode 50 that make the cut.
Based on the hype around the series, I started my journey and was finding it hard to finish the first season which took a few weeks. But if I go back and rewatch those episodes I actually enjoy them still. It is the over-expectation and wanting to see some great dramatic action happen immediately that kills the first season. I would actually suggest someone not think too much about the greatness and hype around the series and just view it as a fun experience at first.
Series Only Get Better
Having said that Season 1 or the first 50 episodes are still the weakest stretches in the anime. There are more serious arcs going forward, even the comedic episodes improve and the emotional moments also increase to a great fold. You can check my best Gintama arcs here and find that the only arc from the first 100 episodes that finds a place there is the Benizakura arc. Everything since the Benizukara arc is actually great as the balance between serious arcs and comedy arcs is also better.
Gintama 58 to 200 Is An Amazing Watch
There are three arcs in our list of Top 16 Best Gintama arcs from this period. Overall this period is several times greater than the first season. We get to know the characters better and also know what to expect. By this time, we would have gotten used to the whimsical nature of the series. And also the comedy gets better and serious arcs are more frequent so that you don’t get bored like in the first season. There are enough mysteries and world-building too to keep the overarching plot interesting too.
Gintama post 200 Is Peak Shonen
While Gintama is good after Benizakura, I still think the Gintama is at its best after 200 episode mark. If you can see my top 16 best arcs list, 12 arcs out of the list are from an arc post 200th episode. Gintama deserves the praise it gets and definitely has a place in the list of greatest Shonen series ever. I genuinely suggest people continue watching the series. Gintoki is one of the greatest Protagonists and it also has a few arcs that have a place in the list of greatest Anime arcs ever. Gintama is just too good at the latter half.
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