Gintama

Episode 309

Just three short months ago, the streets of Edo were rife with bright colors and comic energy, but doom and gloom are now the order of the day. When Gintoki informed Shinpachi that things were always darkest before the dawn at the end of the previous arc, he sure wasn't kidding. With Shigeshige dead and buried, Kondo and Matsudaira awaiting execution, and Nobunobu ruling the country with an iron fist, there shouldn't be a lot to laugh at. Still, the show manages to break up the dark mood with some well-timed comedic interludes.

Still recovering from the emotional gut-punch of Shigeshige's death, Shinpachi has stopped going to work. (Given how little—and how infrequently—Gintoki pays him, this may actually be a smart move.) When Otae asks him to lock up the house if he decides to go out, her brother points out that securing their home is pointless now that Kondo's behind bars. Despite being creepily (but hilariously) stalked by him for hundreds of episodes, the Shimura siblings actually appear to miss the Shinsengumi's screw-loose commander. Throughout the series' run, we've seen occasional signs that Otae may have a twinge of affection for her “gorilla stalker,” but this was probably the most definitive indicator that she's softened her strict anti-Kondo stance. Even though Shinpachi's sister complex prevented him from ever truly warming up to Kondo, it's clear that Kabuki-cho's most prolific tsukkomi is devastated by the prospect of losing another prominent figure in his life.

In an effort to cheer up his new employee, Kozenigata holds a welcoming party for Hijikata at the hostess club where Otae makes her living. Much to Hijikata's chagrin, Gintoki attends the shindig after being promised free booze by the event's orchestrator. Predictably, this gives way to a squabble between the two long-time frenemies, resulting in the men repeatedly calling each other “ball-sacks” and attempting to bludgeon one another with Kozenigata's word balloons (a gag that probably worked better in manga form). Things take a dark turn when Nobunobu shows up at the club accompanied by Sasaki Isaburo and a squadron of Mimawarigumi officers.

Since his predecessor enjoyed mingling with the common folk, the new shogun is excited about continuing this tradition. After being seated, Nobunobu wastes no time in berating Hijikata, suggesting that he work security detail at Kondo's funeral. Eager to show off how much of an evil jerk-wad he truly is, Nobunobu has his bodyguards inflict sword wounds on two hostesses in response to being served liquor that Shigeshige enjoyed. When the shogun turns his attentions to Otae, Gintoki delivers the super-powered punch that Nobunobu so richly deserves. (It wasn't quite as powerful as the one he got from Kamui, but Gintoki is technically a normal human.) However, before the Mimawarigumi can arrest the silver-haired samurai, Katsura (once again in drag) arrives on the scene and creates a diversion with a tray of Umaibou-based explosives, providing Gintoki and Hijikata with enough time to get away.

Nobunobu's callous, violent, and unpredictable behavior at the club helps the audience feel the true menace of his character. Strength-wise, he doesn't match up to the show's other villains, but his cruelty and sociopathic tendencies make him a fairly frightening presence. Still, Isaburo actually proved more fascinating to watch. Although he stood idly by and allowed his boss to make a complete heel of himself, he also showed empathy for our heroes after Gintoki knocked Nobunobu unconscious. I've always gotten the impression that Isaburo is basically a good person, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his loyalties shift before all is said and done.

As the hostess club debacle unfolds, a jobless Sogo is approached by a group of Joi patriots while wandering the streets of Edo. Before the rebels can attack, several of them are stepped on by Sadaharu, who's out for a walk with Kagura. In keeping with the episode's theme of frenemies helping each other out, Kagura informs her old adversary that Princess Soyo is deeply grateful for all the help he provided during the airship raid (although she'll never eat liver or offal again). Kagura also acknowledges that the wound Sogo inflicted on Kamui proved helpful in her battle against her brother. With his spirits reinvigorated, Sogo prepares to make mincemeat out of the rebels, but he's deterred by a familiar voice: Yamazaki. It turns out that Yamazaki, Saito, Tetsunosuke, and other former Shinsengumi officers have joined forces with Katsura's group of Joi rebels, intent on rescuing Kondo and Matsudaira. Although Zura was unable to prevent Shigeshige's assassination, he intends to honor the promise the two of them made as friends to build a better country.

The episode ends with Katsura, who purposefully got himself arrested back at the cabaret club, being put in the jail cell opposite Kondo's. Intent on keeping his promise to Shigeshige, Zura acknowledges that Joi rebels can't change the country by themselves and proposes that Kondo and his officers unite against a common enemy. Despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum, Katsura and Kondo have always gotten along when they've crossed paths in the past. Of course, because of overblown disguises, pure stupidity, and occasional head trauma, they're rarely able to recognize one another during these interactions. Katsura approaching Kondo without a disguise represents another game-changing element in what's sure to be another game-changing story arc.

Even after devoting years to deposing the late shogun, Katsura is willing to risk his life avenging him. As we've seen throughout the series, Zura is open to changing his beliefs. He detested Amanto until meeting Elizabeth, he despised the shogunate until meeting an amnesia-stricken Shigeshige, and as evidenced by his proposal to Kondo, he's now open to working with the Shinsengumi.

While not equal to the comedy-focused storylines, episode 309 features more humor than the past few installments combined. Gintoki and Hijikata's insult-filled argument at the hostess club proves that nothing can keep their mutual hatred at bay, not even the impending death of the latter's closest friend. Despite being thoroughly depressed, both men sling mean-spirited zingers at one another with aplomb. Although many of their profanities are bleeped, it's pretty clear what they're saying. Additionally, now that Saito and Elizabeth have had some extended interactions, it's become clear that their characters overlap—and neither one is keen on giving up the “perpetually silent goofball” role. Their ensuing signboard-based duel serves as the week's comedic highlight and one of the funniest Gintama moments from recent memory.

This week's Gintama confirms that no matter how dark things get, humor will always be the backbone of this franchise. In any other series, fourth wall breaches and word balloon fights would seem completely out of place within a serious narrative. While sometimes there are too few jokes in these more dramatic episodes, there was just the right amount of humor to lighten up the otherwise somber mood this week.

Rating: A+

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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