Gintama

Episode 294

With the intent of bringing down Edo's top police force from the inside, Joi terrorist Katsura "Zura" Kotaro decides to infiltrate the Shinsengumi. Donning an afro wig and a fake mustache, "Hashira Afro" bests thirty of the organization's top swordsmen in combat and passes the entrance exam with flying colors. However, instead of being assigned to Hijikata or Sogo's units, Zura is placed in the Shinsengumi's hitherto unmentioned Third Squadron, which is overseen by the perpetually silent Saito Shimaru— "Captain Wolfro" to his comrades at arms. Despite this being Saito's first appearance, he claimed to have "been there the whole time" in last week's post-credits preview. In this respect, he's akin to Planet Express's mustachioed janitor Scruffy and Invader Zim's Minimoose.

Katsura bends over backwards to ingratiate himself to his new commander so he can kill him and assume control of the Third Squadron. Unfortunately, his efforts appear to prove fruitless, as Captain Wolfro refuses to speak a word to him. Things go even further south when Katsura reads Saito's diary and becomes convinced that Wolfro has discovered his identity. More credence is given to this assumption when Saito unceremoniously breaks into Gintoki's apartment and makes a beeline for the bathroom without so much as acknowledging the silver-haired samurai or his employees. After suffering considerable gastric distress, Saito exits as quickly as he entered, leaving the Odd Jobs crew utterly baffled. However, Saito leaves something other than a pungent smell in his wake: a formal request for Odd Jobs Gin-chan. (Not to mention a thick wad of cash.)

As it turns out, Saito desperately wants to make friends with his new subordinate; he simply doesn't know how. This painfully shy man of few words suffers from severe social anxiety and is stricken with diarrhea whenever he contemplates joining in on a conversation. (It's been two full weeks since poop was last utilized as an important story element!) In true Sakata fashion, Gintoki claims to be sympathetic toward Saito's plight, but in reality, all he wants is his money. Surprisingly, Gintoki is able to provide Saito with some practical tips for making friends, but his latest client's inability to properly put these pointers into practice results in Katsura becoming even more suspicious of him.

While socially awkward characters scaring people off with bungled attempts at communication isn't an original vehicle for comedy, Gintama takes this trope a step further than expected. Wolfro's attempt at a friendly smile isn't just scary, it's bone-chillingly terrifying. When he acts on Gintoki's advice to "create a little accident" to break the ice with Katsura, copious amounts of blood are shed. Hilariously, this serves to deflect an assassination plot of Katsura's, ultimately causing Zura to flee the scene in terror.

Elizabeth's appearance in this episode draws attention to the fact that there may be some silent-character overlap, as both "she" and Saito communicate exclusively through writing. Both characters also have a personal connection with Katsura. Fortunately, Wolfro's social awkwardness perfectly complements Zura's obliviousness, and the two make an effective comedic duo. In some ways, this relationship mirrors the one Katsura shares with Tokugawa "Sho-chan" Shigeshige.

Although the members of Odd Jobs Gin-chan are relegated to supporting roles this week, the group is able to fulfill its purpose—i.e., taking on any request, no matter how bizarre. Despite the series initially revolving around the gang accepting jobs from various clients, this premise was largely dropped as the show became progressively wackier and (sort of) developed an overarching plot. (This is one of many things Gintama has in common with Aqua Teen Hunger Force.)

Although introducing a new character late in a series' run generally doesn't bode well for Western comedies (à la Cousin Oliver in The Brady Bunch), it's hardly considered unusual in anime and manga franchises. Wolfro's introduction nearly 300 episodes into the series is so jarring that it actually makes his random appearance even funnier. Even if he doesn't prove particularly important after this arc, everything about this character is perfectly suited to the world of Gintama.

Rating: A

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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