Gintama': Enchousen

Holy crap even if this season is much shorter than the others this is easily my favourite season - going from the kintama arc to the to the courtesan of a nation the stakes just get so much higher and each arc just out does the previous - the courtesan arc is quite easily the best arc of the show up to this point - it was genuinely some of the best stuff I have ever seen - it’s just so gripping and learning more about gintokis past was the cherry on top - there’s a clear upgrade in the animation and the quality of ... everything this season from the openings to the endings to how genuinely serious it can get - the introduction of oboro and the tenshuin naruko was absolutely incredible - just a fantastic time

This season of Gintama is "a little more serious"... just kidding (but not really).

Gintama' Enchousen maintains exactly what makes the series so unique: a chaotic (and brilliant) balance between absurd humor and surprisingly profound moments. Right from the start, the anime shows what it's all about with the "substitute" Kintoki Sakata arc, which basically forces Gintoki Sakata to fight to reclaim his place. And of course, all this happens with an avalanche of jokes, ranging from blatant parodies to that nonsense humor that only Gintama can execute so well. It's the kind of arc that makes you laugh non-stop and at the same time establishes ... the unpredictable tone of the season.

But if there's something that truly elevates Enchousen to another level, it's the greater focus on Gintoki's past.

Here, we delve deeper into the period of the war against the Amanto, a crucial moment within the Gintama universe. This context shows what the world was like before (or rather, during) the arrival of the aliens, and how this completely shaped the protagonist's personality. It's a very striking change of tone: we move from slapstick humor to a heavier narrative, laden with melancholy and meaning.

Gintoki's past may seem simple at first glance, but it's anything but light. We're talking about someone who lived through the horrors of war, who lost important people, and who carries deep emotional scars. And the most interesting thing is how the work doesn't portray this in an overly dramatic way; it lets these moments speak for themselves, with a silent weight that contrasts perfectly with the character's seemingly carefree personality in the present.

This duality is perhaps the season's greatest strength.

Enchhousen manages to alternate between completely chaotic and hilarious episodes and more serious arcs that delve deeper into the world and the characters. And the best part: this transition never feels forced. On the contrary, it is precisely this mixture that defines Gintama's identity. You laugh at something completely idiotic in one episode, and in the next you're reflecting on war, loss, and purpose.

Another point worth highlighting is how this season functions almost as a "perfect business card" for the series. It encapsulates everything that Gintama does best: sharp comedy, charismatic characters, intelligent parodies, and, when you least expect it, a surprising emotional charge.

For those looking for an unconventional shounen that breaks rules, mocks clichés, and still delivers an engaging story, Gintama is a sure choice. And Enchousen is one of the best proofs of that.

In the end, it's the kind of season that makes you laugh a lot, become even more attached to the characters… and, as a bonus, even makes you want to rewatch it all again.

Highly recommended.

Rating: 9/10

=================================================================================================================Versão em Português=====================================

Essa temporada de Gintama é “um pouco mais séria”… brincadeira (só que nem tanto).

Gintama' Enchousen mantém exatamente aquilo que faz a obra ser tão única: um equilíbrio caótico (e genial) entre humor absurdo e momentos surpreendentemente profundos. Logo de cara, o anime já mostra a que veio com o arco do “substituto” Kintoki Sakata, que basicamente força Gintoki Sakata a lutar para recuperar seu próprio lugar. E claro, tudo isso acontece com uma avalanche de piadas, que vão desde paródias descaradas até aquele humor nonsense que só Gintama consegue executar tão bem. É o tipo de arco que te faz rir sem parar e ao mesmo tempo já estabelece o tom imprevisível da temporada.

Mas se tem algo que realmente eleva Enchousen a outro nível, é o foco maior no passado do Gintoki.

Aqui, a gente mergulha mais fundo no período da guerra contra os Amanto, um momento crucial dentro do universo de Gintama. Esse contexto mostra como era o mundo antes (ou melhor, durante) da chegada dos alienígenas, e como isso moldou completamente a personalidade do protagonista. É uma mudança de tom bem marcante: saímos do humor escrachado para uma narrativa mais pesada, carregada de melancolia e significado.

O passado do Gintoki pode até parecer simples à primeira vista, mas ele é tudo, menos leve. Estamos falando de alguém que viveu os horrores da guerra, que perdeu pessoas importantes e que carrega cicatrizes emocionais profundas. E o mais interessante é como a obra não joga isso de forma exageradamente dramática, ela deixa esses momentos falarem por si, com um peso silencioso que contrasta perfeitamente com a personalidade aparentemente despreocupada do personagem no presente.

Essa dualidade é, talvez, o maior trunfo da temporada.

Enchousen consegue alternar entre episódios completamente caóticos e hilários e arcos mais sérios que aprofundam o mundo e os personagens. E o melhor: essa transição nunca parece forçada. Pelo contrário, é justamente essa mistura que define a identidade de Gintama. Você ri de algo completamente idiota em um episódio, e no seguinte está refletindo sobre guerra, perda e propósito.

Outro ponto que merece destaque é como essa temporada funciona quase como um “cartão de visitas perfeito” para a obra. Ela encapsula tudo o que Gintama tem de melhor: comédia afiada, personagens carismáticos, paródias inteligentes e, quando menos se espera, uma carga emocional surpreendente.

Para quem procura um shounen fora do padrão que quebra regras, zomba de clichês e ainda assim entrega uma história envolvente, Gintama é uma escolha certeira. E Enchousen é uma das melhores provas disso.

No fim das contas, é o tipo de temporada que te faz rir muito, se apegar ainda mais aos personagens… e, de quebra, até dá vontade de rever tudo de novo.

Recomendo demais.

Nota: 9/10

The season itself doesn't last long; it's just three arcs with a good structure and incredible endings. The first one starts unexpectedly, touching very briefly on topics such as identity. The second one, in general, is even more incredible, giving us a glimpse into the old shogunate and Gintoki and Takasugi's past with Master Shouyou. The third one is the weakest for me, but that doesn't mean it isn't still good. Because it explores the relationship between Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Otae in a little more depth.

Despite everything, this season has moments of comedy that are a little out of place but are still great. Now ... more than anything, I'm excited for the next season and the "Shogun Assassination" and "Farewell Shinsengumi."

Top 3 Episodes

1._ Five Pinkies (6x07) (9.8)
2._ Pinky Swear (6x08) (9.8)
3._ Unsetting Moon (5x09) (9.6)

HM:
Dog Food Doesn't Take Like You Think (6x13), Two Brothers (6x11), Liquor And Gasoline, Smiles And Tears (6x12), The Meaning Of A Main Character (6x04), Inside The Palace (6x06), Kin-san's Kintama (6x03)

Top 3 Lowest Episodes

1._ The Sound Of A Beam Can Pearce Every Heart (6x10) (7.5)
2._ Kintoki And Gintoki (6x02) (8.4)
3._ Nobody With Natural Straight Hair Can Bet That Bad (6x01) (8.5)

Top 3 Characters

1._ Gintoki Sakata (Tomokazu Sugita)
2._ Kagura (Rie Kugimiya)
3._ Shinpachi Shimura (Daisuke Sakaguchi)

HM:
Isao Kondo (Susumu Chiba), Sougo Okita (Kenichi Suzumara), Toushirou Hijikata (Kazuya Nakai), Otae (Satsuki Yushino), Tsukuyo (Yûko Kaida)

Relevant Arc's:

Ikkoku Keisei ~ Arc (9.8 / 10)
Kintama ~ Arc (8.7 / 10)
Beam Saber ~ (8.3 / 10)

Overall: 9.7