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#SamTamaRewatch Gintama& #39;s SA arc is SSS tier, it& #39;s literally one of the best things I have ever seen. And it still is, after rewatching it. It is pure adrenaline from beginning to end, while providing incredibly emotional characterization. SPOILERS ahead.
Shigeshige is a top 10 character for me. He& #39;s so wise, patient, and noble - the perfect shogun. He tries to understand the common man, as shown in his comedic episodes, and carries the heavy burden of leadership. His character absolutely floored me, and embodied the samurai soul.
All he wanted was to protect his friends and encourage others to fight for what they believe in. He represented what exactly is so beautiful about the series. At the end, he became Shigeshige the brother, not the shogun, and what he wanted most was to have tea with his sister.
The action is phenomenal. It& #39;s gripping, brutal, with extremely high stakes felt throughout. They really went all-in to add weight (physical and emotional) to each strike and blow. Kamui vs Okita is short but heart-pounding, along with other side fights, which showed off teamwork
...which I really enjoyed. We got to see awesome new duos fight together, and further establish the bond with the Yorozuya and Shinsengumi. In particular, Kagura vs Kamui was resonant with me because of how much Kagura has grown. She learned to love her new home, and has ...
taken in Gintoki& #39;s ideals into her own life, not through being lectured, but through seeing Gintoki live his life and inspire others. She has grown stronger to protect her family, both old and new, since she was too weak to do so in the past. Kagura vs Kamui gave me chills.
However, nothing reaches episodes 304 and especially 305, which is arguably my favorite episode ever. 304& #39;s flashbacks are expertly directed with a feeling of nostalgia and childhood peace. Shouyo is introduced as someone who truly exemplifies the themes of the show.
Right away, he is charismatic and almost enlightened-seeming. He teaches Takasugi the value of becoming a samurai for your own bushido, which is the very core of Gintama. Seeing Takasugi find a home, fall in love with Shouyo& #39;s teachings, and smile, makes me insanely emotional.
During their fight, Takasugi shows himself to be someone who is very broken - as feelings of guilt, anger, despair, are all captured into every hit he deals. His depth and his feelings are too layered to get into now, but through these episodes becomes a highly sympathetic antag.
This is one of many reasons why Gintoki is the greatest MC of all-time. He lives on being the perfect student of Shouyo& #39;s teachings. Despite everything he had to shoulder, he doesn& #39;t break. He fights to protect his "family," and carries on those teachings.
The SA arc is perfect, easily one of the highest peaks in fiction I have encountered. It hits hard, on a very deep level, providing powerful context to the cast, while delivering on its hype moments. It is 300 episodes of payoff, while still being great setup into future arcs.
