The BEST episodes directed by Ai Yoshimura

#1 - The Form of Friendship

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 3 - Episode 48

In front of Tatsunagi Corporation HQ, Miwa wants to cardfight Aichi, but Misaki insists on being Miwa's opponent instead. Steadfast on returning Miwa to his former self, Misaki recalls how Miwa is really a caring person underneath his usual carefree demeanor. After repelling Miwa's Crossbreak Ride combo with Dauntless Dominate Dragon "Яeverse", Misaki performs her own Crossbreak Ride with Omniscience Regalia, Minerva and defeats Miwa, thus lifting the spell of Reverse from him. After everyone gathers around Miwa as he regains himself, Aichi makes a direct challenge to Kai.

#2 - Friend

Cardfight!! Vanguard - Season 3 - Episode 41

Kamui continues his battle against the Reversed Rekka, who reiterates how she has no friends despite Emi and Mai being there for her ever since she transferred into Miyaji Academy. After both fighters perform Crossbreak Rides and stop each other's attacks, Kamui points out a flaw in Rekka's logic of using Emi and Mai as hostages when it would have been easier to Reverse them. This is proof of how Rekka does not actually want to Reverse Emi and Mai and that despite her earlier claims, she deeply cares about them as friends. While Rekka reels from this exposure, Kamui launches multi-pronged attacks to win the fight and dispel her of Reverse. Along with Emi, Mai, and Team Handsome, Kamui and Rekka then battle and defeat Reiji, Eiji, and the Rekka Corps, lifting the spell of Reverse from them. Emi expresses her thanks to Kamui, which causes him to run off in embarassment. At the front of the school, he runs into Maki and Kourin who have just arrived from the camping trip. Kourin gives a troubling look towards Kamui as an airplane flies overhead.

#3 - The Color for Each Person's Bond Comes in Various Colors

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 46

The only way to defeat Hosen is to bring back the Sun to the Yoshiwara Shangri-La, the city trapped within eternal night. Seita runs for the control room to break open the iron-plated seal covering the city. Meanwhile, Gintoki and the Hyakka led by Tsukuyo are desperately holding off Hosen’s attack. But despite their best efforts, they cannot stop the King of The Night’s onslaught…King

#4 - Cat Lovers and Dog Lovers Are Mutually Exclusive

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 31

To let the dying dog Kintaro see its owner for one last time, Kagura and Katsura sneak it out of the hospital…only to find themselves caught in the war between the “Planet Eaters” (dogs) and “Planet Pukers” (cats), while Earth’s fate hangs in the balance. Escaping from the Planet Pukers, who are after Kintaro, the two head to the hospital where the old man is hospitalized. Meanwhile, the old man, who is supposedly in critical condition, goes missing. The old man’s children request Gintoki’s services, but when he arrives at the hospital…

#5 - Popularity Polls Can…

Gintama - Season 4 - Episode 34

#6 - Within Each Box of Cigarettes, Are One or Two Cigarettes that Smell Like Horse Dung

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 20

Smoking ban comes to Edo. Heavy smoker Hijikata is desperate to find cigarettes.

#7 - Pleased to Meet You

At the Mercy of the Sky - Season 1 - Episode 6

The new semester starts and on the bus to school Saku notices a tall man also getting off at the school. During the welcome back ceremony, the man that Saku saw earlier is introduced as a new teacher named Nozomu Sōma who is in charge of Saku's class and world history. Mihoshi calls him "Sō-nii" in front of everyone and rumors abound as to what their relationship is. Later, Sōma becomes the astronomy club's adviser and he explains to the others how Mihoshi's father was his professor at college and also the club adviser for their astronomy club. Sōma wants the club to do a planetarium for the upcoming cultural festival and they get in the top three in a popularity contest in exhibits, the club will get more funding. Saku becomes annoyed at Mihoshi's and Sōma's relationship and is approached by Fumie to help with the literature club.

#8 - Starry Sky Loop

At the Mercy of the Sky - Season 1 - Episode 12

The astronomy club members wake up late the next morning and first spend some time warming up in the outdoor baths. Ayumi Ōmi notices Roma stressing over studying for university entrance exams, and takes him to buy a study book and then have dinner at a fancy restaurant. The astronomy club members wait until the moon sets on the third night and spend their final night in the mountains stargazing and taking photos. The members use some eyepieces Mihoshi brought to find Saturn, which is an entrancing sight for everyone. The following spring, Mihoshi has succeeded as club president after Roma graduated and entered into university with Ayumi. Everyone puts in more effort this year for recruiting members, since they are now one member short, and are again in danger of getting disbanded.

#9 - If One Orange in the Box Is Rotten, the Rest of Them Will Become Rotten Before You Realize It

Gintama - Season 4 - Episode 9

The preliminary round for the Official Tsu Terakado fan club title is a marathon race. With Takachin in critical condition and Kagura taking the wrong route, team Shinpachi’s chances of winning look slim. But thanks to Gintoki’s quick thinking, Takachin makes an instant (and improved?) recovery and emerges from the hospital to rejoin the race! As the race gradually turns into a battle of deception, Shinpachi runs furiously for the goal. Will he be able to beat the tactical general Tosshi?!

#10 - The Heavens Created Chonmage Above Man Instead of Another Man

Gintama - Season 4 - Episode 2

The Shogun wants Gintoki, Kagura and Shinpachi to redo his mage. After Kagura is trying to ask the Shogun how he wants his hair done, she vomits and a Naruto gets stuck on the Shogun's head. Then the three Yorozuya try removing it with a razor and accidentally cut off the Shogun's mage. To cover up their mistake they try to find a replace for it.

#11 - Two Is Better Than One. Two People Are Better Than One

Gintama - Season 4 - Episode 16

Hijikata is on a stakeout near the apartment’s dumpster. There, a sleepy Gintoki comes to throw away his trash. Finding Gintoki’s persistent intrusion a burden, Hijikata arrests Gintoki for insulting and obstructing an officer on duty. But while pushing and shoving each other, Hijikata accidentally handcuffs himself to Gintoki. Hijikata calls Okita who is staking out a different location to come and unlock them and take Gintoki to the Shinsengumi Headquarters. Instead, Okita puts a second pair of handcuffs on Gintoki and Hijikata. In the midst of all this, the Radical Joi Faction makes a move.

#12 - After School / Skirts / Ghost Stories / Female Companion / Literary Girl

Daily Lives of High School Boys - Season 1 - Episode 1

In this episode, see high school boys role play how to get a girlfriend, wear their sister's clothes, tell scary stories, block another boy's relationship with a girl, and act cool down by the river.

#13 - When Riding a Train, Make Sure You Grab the Straps with Both Hands

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 45

Hasegawa gets a job. While commuting on his first day, an accident lands him in jail with harassment charges.

#14 - Four Heads Are Better Than One

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 30

Gintoki, Isao, Toujou, and Binbokusai are in the toilet, all looking for something to wipe....

#15 - Unsetting Moon

Gintama - Season 6 - Episode 9

As the Tendoshu arrive to take control of the situation, Shigeshige makes an unexpected announcement. Later, things have finally calmed down, but one question still remains; Will Suzuran finally meet her beloved after all these years?

#16 - Too Many Cuties Can Make You Sick

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 21

It's revealed that the android head belonged to a murder suspect. Two other androids were sent to retrieve the andriod head; along with a horde of maid androids.

#17 - There's a Thin Line Between Strengths and Weaknesses

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 4

Okita appears to save Kondou from the rebel Shinsengumi led by Itou. The Yorozuya along with Hijikata are also on their way to the scene.

#18 - You Can Never Pause at the Perfect Time

Gintama - Season 7 - Episode 1

Gin finds a strange clock and accidentally breaks it, causing all time in the universe to come to a stop.

#19 - It's What's on the Inside that Counts / It's What's on the Inside that Counts, But Only to a Certain Extent

Gintama - Season 4 - Episode 23

Part 1 - While taking Sadaharu out for a walk, Gintoki runs into Katsura who is with some “thing” that hardly resembles Elizabeth. Shinpachi and Kagura also notice the change in Elizabeth, or more like being totally replaced, and decide to bring Katsura back to his senses. Part 2 - It is morning and Gintoki wakes up in his closet for some reason. Dumbfounded, he makes his way to his bedroom after going to the bathroom, only to find himself already sleeping in his bed. Realizing that something funny is happening to him yet again, he tries to resolve it through trial and error.

#20 - Page.6

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 6

Yuuri reveals to Futaba that she's in love with Kou. Futaba's feelings about her long-awaited friendship struggle against her budding feelings of love. Futaba decides to suppress her feelings for Kou so as not to lose her friend, but class representative work puts her alone together with Kou.

#21 - When Nagging Goes Too Far It Becomes Intimidating

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 25

Otsu has overcome her past scandals and become Edo's top idol. And the release date of her new single has finally been announced! Shinpachi and her other fans are overjoyed at the news. But there trouble arises right before the release. Otsu's music producer, Tsunpo, is late with the creation of her song and says the release will be postponed. Otsu is determined to not betray her fans and takes her own actions, but…

#22 - Page.11

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 11

While Kou was going to middle school in Nagasaki, he lost his mother to an illness. Futaba finally realizes the pain Kou feels over that sense of powerlessness. Hoping to open Kou's heart the way that Kou opened hers, she chases after Kou and desperately expresses her feelings to him.

#23 - 99% of Men Aren't Confident in Confessing Their Love / People Who Don't Believe in Santa Are the Very Ones Who Want to Believe, You Contentious Bastard

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 38

Part 1 - After so many attempts and failures, Sarutobi and Kondo try to play matchmaker to get the other's love for them to win a bet. Part 2 - In the second part, Gintoki meets Santa and Ben (his reindeer) as they reunite.

#24 - A Lawless Town Tends to Attract a Bunch of Whoohooey Folk

Gintama - Season 5 - Episode 9

Pirako Chin is looking for the strongest man in the Kabuki District. Now Gintoki has an underling who wants to turn Kabuki District into a garden of bright red flowers.

#25 - Welcome to the Astronomy Club!

At the Mercy of the Sky - Season 1 - Episode 1

After having moved away several years earlier, Saku Ōyagi returns to his hometown to begin his high school life. Saku has always enjoyed simply staying home and reading books, but his childhood friend Mihoshi Akeno used to forcibly take him outside to take part in various activities. On their last day together, Mihoshi fell out of a tree, causing Saku to go to the hospital with a broken arm, and since then Saku has never wanted to see Mihoshi again. However on his first day at high school, he meets Mihoshi as she is trying to recruit members into the astronomy club. Saku attempts to avoid her as well he can, but after Saku realizes that the reason Mihoshi did not see him off years ago was because she too was in the hospital, Saku makes up with Mihoshi, and joins the astronomy club.

#26 - Play Video Games for Only an Hour a Day

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 49

The popular game console "Owee" is finally on sale. The otaku, as well as the Yorozuya and the Shinsengumi are at the store trying to get their hands on the consoles.

#27 - I Can't Remember a Damn Thing About the Factory Tour

Gintama - Season 5 - Episode 15

Kagura invites a bunch of kids to the Yorozuya. They, along with other characters get shunned by them and invites them into a "factory tour".

#28 - Page.12

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 12

Futaba sees Kou's vulnerability for the first time, then sends him home to where his brother and father are waiting. As the three of them sit around the dinner table, Kou finally tells them how he feels. The next day, Kou's friends notice something different about him. At last, the class term ends. Their shining summer is about to begin!

#29 - Stress Makes You Bald, But It's Stressful to Avoid Stress, So You End Up Stressed Out Anyway, So in the End There's Nothing You Can Do

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 4

While trying to burn old JUMP issues, Gintoki is captured by a female fire fighter in search of a local arsonist.

#30 - Be a Person Who Can See People's Strong Points and Not Their Weak Points

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 43

An assassin has been hired to kill Matsudaira; but encounters unexpected scenerios while carrying out the task.

#31 - Page.4

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 4

Futaba has volunteered to be class representative for her new class, and so has Kou. They're all set to participate in an overnight leadership workshop with event representatives Yuuri, Murao Shuuko, and Kominato Aya. However, a troubled start to their morning foreshadows anxieties down the road, and a bad vibe hangs over the team...

#32 - Dimension Transfer

Ixion Saga: Dimension Transfer - Season 1 - Episode 1

Kon was getting nowhere in the game until a character by the name of Flora asked for his help in the “real world”.

#33 - It's Often Difficult to Sleep When You're Engrossed with Counting Sheep

Gintama - Season 2 - Episode 37

Sougo's older sister, Mitsuba, arrived in Edo for a visit. Hijikata and Mitsuba's relationship is revealed.

#34 - Page.3

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 3

Futaba asks about Kou's family when she learns that Tanaka-sensei is actually Kou's older brother. She also learns the real reason Kou didn't meet her for the summer festival back in middle school. As her 2nd year begins, Futaba vows to start from scratch in her new class... which for some reason includes Kou, despite the fact that he's supposed to be in advanced classes.

#35 - Demons / Lies / UFO Catchers / Store Employees / Assertiveness / Getting Hit On / Frankfurter / ...

Daily Lives of High School Boys - Season 1 - Episode 12

In this episode, see high school boys lie, play a crane game, get help from a store clerk, comment on the relationships of others, save a girl from the advances of strangers, enjoy a hot dog, and graduate from high school.

#36 - Collage

Gatchaman Crowds - Season 1 - Episode 12

Chaos ensues with more citizens using Crowds and fighting against each other as OD calls Katze out to the Gatchaman's hideout for a showdown. As Katze makes his way to meet OD, Hajime talks with him and promises him she will not kill him, inviting him on a "date" after everything is settled. Katze and OD fight, and although OD is heavily damaged by Katze, he manages to retrieve Rui's NOTE and deliver it to him. Rui then sends every GALAX user a Crowds app to take part in a "Tachikawa Crowds Game", setting up various types of games to encourage users to help out the community and defeat the Neo Hundred Crowds. After the situation is dealt with, Hajime gives her mother a call and reassures her that no matter what happens she will always be herself, and then goes to meet with Katze for their "date" showdown. A year later, the use of Crowds has become widespread, and Hajime, now in her third year of high school, makes her way to school while talking with Katze, whose voice comes out from Hajime herself.

#37 - Gamification

Gatchaman Crowds - Season 1 - Episode 11

The Gatchaman look back on how Hajime has influenced their lives since joining them. Meanwhile, Rui manages to get reunite with X once more, allowing the Gatchaman and the citizens to receive assistance from the GALAX network. Hajime gets the Prime Minister Sugiyama to broadcast on the Gatchannel, where he shows more of his honest side and requests everyone sign up to GALAX, before he helps with the evacuation efforts. However, Katze suddenly appears in the guise of Sugiyama, luring the citizens to utilize Crowds.

#38 - Page.10

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 10

Futaba notices a change in the vibe between Kou and Yuuri during the study meeting. She really wants to ask Kou about it, but ends up skirting the issue. Instead, she tells Kou that she wants to know more about him. Kou shows her to a certain room. There, in silence room, Futaba realizes the reason why Kou changed.

#39 - Definitely Do Not Let Your Girlfriend See the Things You Use for Cross-Dressing / There's Almost a 100% Chance You'll Forget Your Umbrella and Hate Yourself for It

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 12

Part 1 - Yorozuya's asked by a crossdresser hostess to help with the courting of a host. Part 2 - A story about Kagura and an umbrella during the rainy season.

#40 - Page.1

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 1

At the end of her first year of high school, Futaba has a fateful reunion. Tanaka Kou, her first love -- who transferred without warning and disappeared from her life in middle school -- appears before her for the first time in three years.

#41 - Page.8

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 8

Futaba resolves to tell Yuuri about her feelings for Kou. After class, she tells Yuuri and Shuuko how she feels. On the way back, Futaba happens to run into Kou, who's out late at night. Intrigued, she follows him, and finds Kou hanging out with some kids in the entertainment district.

#42 - Page.2

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 2

Motivated by painful memories of middle school, Futaba has taken on superficial friendships in high school. Kou refers to them as "friends-in-name-only." One day, Futaba encounters a classmate, Makita Yuuri, who is shunned by the other girls for putting on a "cutesy girl act," eating lunch alone.

#43 - Use a Calligraphy Pen for New Year Cards / The Heart Comes Before Chocolate

Gintama - Season 5 - Episode 3

As Gintoki complains of writing News Years cards, Yorozuya learn of what his friends have done over the holidays. He also receives cards saying his friends have gotten married, while they have lied and just Photoshopped the photos. The episode ends with Kondo, Sachan and Hasegawa telling their story of how they wrote a News Years card. The second part starts with the same opening, but Gin complains of the lack of chocolate. Kagura has a chocolate for Gintoki and Shinpachi, but is too embarrassed to give to them. She enlists the help of Tsukuyo, and Sachan to help, but they are each too embarrassed to help her and make her give their chocolates to Gintoki. She indifferently give Gintoki and Shipachi the chocolate saying they were on the door step, as the happily run for the chocolate, they find all the chocolates were said to be from Kagura.

#44 - Page.9

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 9

Futaba tells Yuuri and Shuuko about Kou's words: "Caring for things brings a lot of trouble." Futaba and Yuuri's worries about Kou deepen when they learn that his grades at school have been bad, too. So they bring Shuuko and Kominato along for a "study meeting" at Kou's house.

#45 - Page.7

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 7

Futaba realizes that she likes Kou, and makes up her mind to tell Yuuri about it. But a chance encounter with an old friend from middle school makes her realize that it can be hard to balance love and friendship. Futaba decides she'll keep her love for Kou a secret, but this makes her conversations with Yuuri awkward.

#46 - Love Is Often Played Out in Sudden Death

Gintama - Season 3 - Episode 7

Kagura accidentally knocks out an international soccer team when their capitan was out by giving them water from a janitors bucket and now The Yorozuya and others have to fill the teams spots.

#47 - Page.5

Blue Spring Ride - Season 1 - Episode 5

Futaba has begun to develop feelings for Kou, and Yuuri happens to learn about Shuuko's pining over Tanaka-sensei. As they bear under the weight of their emotions, the team slowly begins to grow closer over the course of the workshop. But then, the five of them get lost in the forest during orienteering.

#48 - Episode 8

B: The Beginning - Season 1 - Episode 8

Eric implores Keith to return to the RIS, then suspends Lily in an effort to track Keith down. Minatsuki sends Takeru after Koku.

#49 - Gymnastics Samurai

The Gymnastics Samurai - Season 1 - Episode 11

All eyes are on Jotaro on the day of the All-Japan finals, but Leo is already on his way to the airport to go back to London.

#50 - Morning Journey / Convex Mirror Girl / Friendship Power / Literary Girl 2 / Traditional Events / The Time of Childhood / Ghost Stories 2 / The Daily Life of a Lady

Daily Lives of High School Boys - Season 1 - Episode 2

In this episode, see high school boys LARP on the way home from school, work at a pizza place, prove their friendship and camaraderie, mistake people for someone else, talk to their principal, relive their childhood, and tell more scary stories.