A Gintama chapter a day keeps the ending away...Lesson 527
MY 20 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 527:
aka, one of my favorite chapters in one of my favorite arcs of all time. Oh wait, I said the same thing last chapter. Oh well. It’s true though. Love love LOVE this chapter and this arc. The Snack Smile scene is just...I really can’t think of any other word than LOVE. Love love LOVE IT. Not to mention, this chap features all three of my main OTPs: GinHiji, OkiKagu, KonTae. It’s truly glorious.
1) Zura!! I was so happy to see him!! When he appeared at the beginning of this chapter, I immediately started hoping that he would finally get to participate in a serious arc since he’s usually forced to sit them out. I loved his tribute to Shi-chan: so touching, so sweet.
2) Awww...
3) ...she misses Kondou...
4) ...they both miss Kondou. Ugh, my heart. I wish he could have known their feelings.
5) I wanted to kiss Kozenigata for inviting Gintoki to Hijikata’s welcome party.
6) Dear Haji, she gets it. She obviously ships Gintoki and Hijikata too.
7) They are so adorable I can’t even. This was probably the first time Toshi had any levity since probably as far back as ShigeShige’s death. Kondou’s arrest most likely made him feel worse. Really, again, bless Kozenigata for inviting Gintoki to the party.
8) But then these two assholes had to show up and shit on the party. I loved Hijikata’s look...he was ready to kill their asses.
9) Again, Hijikata’s expression. I still amazes me NobuNobu lived utter another word.
10) What kind of idiot would still stand around threatening this man after seeing that look on his face?
11) Omgggggggg swoooonnnnnn!
12) When I first saw this, I probably screamed in happiness when Kagura and Sadaharu appeared to “rescue” Okita.
13) I wanted to kill NobuNobu myself. I hated him so much at this point; I still can’t believe Sorachi-sama managed to redeem this asshole.
14) I love that the focus is on Gintoki since he was essentially forced to do the same thing, and worse, since he had to actually carry out his leader’s execution. Such a perfectly set up moment.
15) Their reactions to NobuNobu striking down two of Tae-chan’s coworkers in cold blood. He was such a horrible villain! I seriously can’t believe I actually have warm feelings for him now. Sorachi-sama is amazing.
16) I was so proud of Tae-chan for totally standing up to NobuNobu.
17) I loved the setup of this moment...
18) ...which led to this. I love this moment so damn much. Gintoki sacrificing his face to save Hijikata and probably the entire Shinsengumi from being executed. If Hijikata had hit NobuNobu, it would’ve been all over for him for sure. He would have been executed alongside Kondou and Matsudaira. Gintoki did this to save him. And my heart just about burst into a tiny happy floating pieces.
19) Gintoki is holding Hijikata’s hand. I am not going to apologize for my fangirling. I deserved this.
20) I CHEERED. And then of course was immediately worried for Gintoki. I didn’t want him to be executed either.
SHIPS TALLY:
Gintoki x Hijikata: I’ve probably said enough already so I’ll just leave it at Squeeeee!
Okita x Kagura: she appeared like a beacon of light out of the darkness for him. She loves him. I refuse to believe otherwise.
Kondou x Otae: I’ve always believed that this is where Tae-chan started to really come around on Kondou and her feelings of annoyance with him began to turn into love and affection. She missed him and obviously admired him. I just wish he wasn’t in prison for all this. He would’ve been so happy to see her defend him.
Kondou x Hijikata: Toshi missed Kondou too. Of course I can’t board this ship but I totally understand why people do.
Kozenigata x Otae: he was being a bit presumptuous with that “Otae-chan”.
Gintoki x Hijikata x Otae: personally, I think it was more KonTae than anything since she was missing him, but if this 3P makes you happy, I can see that too.
NobuNobu x Otae: he was a total creep doing a total creep thing, but he weirdly lingered on her for a tad bit too long so I have to recognize that.
Disclaimer: Gintama is not only about shipping. Gintama is hilarious, clever, exciting, poignant, heart-breaking, loving, brilliant, and just so freaking amazing. It is only due to Sorachi-sama’s generosity that I can enjoy Gintama on yet another level, the shippy level, and I am forever grateful for that. GINTAMA IS LIFE AND LOVE.
6/17/2018