The BEST episodes of Gintama

Every episode of Gintama ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Gintama!

Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who's ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles.

Last Updated: 12/27/2023Network: TV TokyoStatus: Ended
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Farewell, Buddy
star
9.93
61 votes

#1 - Farewell, Buddy

Season 7 - Episode 42 - Aired 1/27/2016

With the battle over, the survivors each go their separate ways. With Nobunobu appointed the new Shogun, Shigeshige and his retainers retreat to Kyo to regroup. For those left in Edo, there may be dark times ahead.

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Ghosts Aren't The Only Ones Who Run Wild Around Graveyards
star
9.92
127 votes

#2 - Ghosts Aren't The Only Ones Who Run Wild Around Graveyards

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/6/2011

Pirako has double crossed Gin! Her real plan is to help Jirocho, her father, take over the town. Can Gin stop a war?

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Karma
star
9.80
56 votes

#3 - Karma

Season 7 - Episode 49 - Aired 3/16/2016

Things come to a head on Kokujo Island, as death itself descends upon the battlefield.

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Don't Trust Bedtime Stories
star
9.69
109 votes

#4 - Don't Trust Bedtime Stories

Season 3 - Episode 45 - Aired 2/12/2009

Gintoki arrives before Hosen, just in the nick of time. To restore the bond between mother and son that has been torn by the city of eternal light, Gintoki engages Hosen with fierce determination. But against the King of the Night’s awesome powers, Gintoki is beaten helplessly to the ground. “Go home to the world above with your mom…” Taking to heart the words left by Gintoki, Seita tries to escape from Yoshiwara with Hinowa, but…

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Pinky Swear
star
9.69
83 votes

#5 - Pinky Swear

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/31/2013

Just when it looks like all is lost, the Shinsengumi and Mimawarigumi arrive to lend their aid to our heroes. Sadasada attempts to escape but Gintoki is hot in pursuit.

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'Tis an Honor!
star
9.67
84 votes

#6 - 'Tis an Honor!

Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired 6/27/2011

Jirocho and Gin battle Kada's elite Harusame forces while the rest of the denizens of Kabuki-cho take on her main forces in the streets. Kada is utterly stunned when her elite forces are beat by just these two humans, and flees the scene. Gin then helps Jirocho resolve his issues regarding Tatsugoro; Otose and Jirocho reconcile at the hospital. Outside the hospital, Kada desperately launches one last feeble attempt at conquering Kabuki-cho, but is stopped in her tracks by Pirako and the Yorozuya - Kada settles for swearing that the Harusame will be back, and flees yet again. At the very end, Jirocho denounces all other names he has ever been called except for Father of Pirako, and goes with his daughter back to the country.

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Life Is About Making Consecutive Decisions
star
9.49
113 votes

#7 - Life Is About Making Consecutive Decisions

Season 3 - Episode 43 - Aired 1/29/2009

As Gintoki and the gang head toward Hosen’s lair, they encounter Abuki, one of Kamui’s subordinates, and are overwhelmed by the incredible fighting power of the Yato Clan. On Shinpachi and Kagura’s urging, Gintoki heads out to face Hosen alone. The remaining two fight desperately against Abuki, only to be cornered by the overwhelming difference in power. In the midst of the fierce battle Kagura renews her feelings toward her older brother Kamui and her reason for fighting. But with Shinpachi’s life in danger, Kagura goes through a dramatic transformation…

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Always Hold On to Your Trump Cards
star
9.48
33 votes

#8 - Always Hold On to Your Trump Cards

Season 11 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/20/2018

As Sadaharu fights to quell the rampaging ley lines, the gang puts it all on the line to take down Utsuro.

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The More Precious the Burden, the Heavier and More Difficult It Is to Shoulder It
star
9.42
107 votes

#9 - The More Precious the Burden, the Heavier and More Difficult It Is to Shoulder It

Season 4 - Episode 30 - Aired 10/22/2009

Gintoki strikes down Jiraia and frees Tsukuyo from his twisted web. Chiding Tsukuyo for trying to shoulder every burden herself, Gintoki goes on to say that rather than throw away your life to die beautifully, it’s far better to live and be yourself – even if your life is not a pretty one. And finally, Gintoki expresses his anger toward Jiraia for betraying his own student, despite calling himself a master.

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Those Who Stand on Four Legs Are Beasts. Those Who Stand on Two Legs, Guts, and Glory Are Men
star
9.40
102 votes

#10 - Those Who Stand on Four Legs Are Beasts. Those Who Stand on Two Legs, Guts, and Glory Are Men

Season 3 - Episode 44 - Aired 2/5/2009

Amidst the fierce battle, Kagura awakens to her Yato instincts and defeats Abuto. Thanks to Shinpachi’s desperate plea, Kagura is able to return to her senses and together they head after Hosen. Meanwhile Kamui has brought Seita before Hinowa, who is confined to her quarters. “Mom, let’s go home together!” Seita shouts out to his beloved mother. However, unexpected words leave Hinowa’s mouth…

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The Lost Rabbit
star
9.39
51 votes

#11 - The Lost Rabbit

Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/5/2017

As the battle between Utsuro and Umibozu comes to a head, Kamui reflects on his childhood, where he had to deal with an increasingly sick mother and an increasingly absent father.

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Sworn Enemy
star
9.38
53 votes

#12 - Sworn Enemy

Season 7 - Episode 40 - Aired 1/13/2016

As Gintoki and Takasugi continue their frenzied fight, the past they shared together with Katsura is revealed, as well as the fate of their teacher, Shouyou.

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Beware of Those Who Use an Umbrella on a Sunny Day!
star
9.37
81 votes

#13 - Beware of Those Who Use an Umbrella on a Sunny Day!

Season 3 - Episode 41 - Aired 1/15/2009

Seita was picking pockets to see Hinowa, the highest-ranked 遊女/Yujo (courtesans/ prostitute) in the underground 遊郭/Yukaku (Licensed Quarters) Yoshiwara Tougenkyo, where law has no meaning. But his picking act was all for the sake of seeing the mother he was separated from at a young age. To let Seita see Hinowa, Gintoki and the gang march into Yoshiwara Tougenkyo, where they receive a rough welcome by Tsukuyo – the head of Yoshiwara’s paramilitary force, “Hyakka.”

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Chains of a Warrior
star
9.37
104 votes

#14 - Chains of a Warrior

Season 5 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/13/2011

Pirako is pleased to hear that Otose, the reason for Jirocho's attachment to the Kabuki district, has been eliminated. With Otose gone, the balance of power among the Four Devas has crumbled and a war is in the works in the Kabuki district. Meanwhile, the Odd Jobs crew is watching over Otose when Saigo appears and informs them that the bar will be destroyed by the Four Devas. He urges them to leave this town, now that they've lost their home...Finally, the day comes for them to leave Snack Otose.

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Everybody's a Santa!
star
9.37
100 votes

#15 - Everybody's a Santa!

Season 4 - Episode 51 - Aired 3/25/2010

The contest has finally begun but instead of a real contest to decide who's the real Santa, Kagura, Otae and the five Santas together with Shinpachi and Hasegawa are shown in various scenes playing a role like a school girl and not fighting each other like in a real contest. In each scene they imagine, the Santa has to show his kind of version what he would do as Santa and this is judged by Kagura, Otae and Hasegawa. Although in the end none of the Santas has any desire to continue with this contest so they all quit. The episode ends with Kagura, all along figured out the identity of everyone, wishing everybody a Merry Christmas.

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Those Who Protect Against All Odds
star
9.34
53 votes

#16 - Those Who Protect Against All Odds

Season 7 - Episode 39 - Aired 1/6/2016

Past histories are finally confronted for Gintoki and Kagura as they face off against Takasugi and Kamui.

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Nobume
star
9.32
47 votes

#17 - Nobume

Season 7 - Episode 50 - Aired 3/23/2016

With everyone fighting to regroup and escape, Sasaki makes the same mistake one more time.

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It's the Irresponsible One Who's Scary When Pissed
star
9.28
102 votes

#18 - It's the Irresponsible One Who's Scary When Pissed

Season 4 - Episode 29 - Aired 10/15/2009

Tsukuyo falls into the hands of Jiraia, her former master, and is held captive. Meanwhile Gintoki manages to survive the attack thanks to Zenzo, and he learns about Jiraia’s past. During the Amanto attack twenty years ago, Jiraia is said to have killed his own people within the Oniwabanshu, all for the sake of his devotion to the previous shogun. In the end Jiraia himself was the one to be terminated, but he managed to escape. Now his devotion is directed toward his own creation, Tsukuyo. Jiraia’s motive is to eliminate the bond that she has come to rely upon. And he intends to achieve that goal by setting fire to Yoshiwara and burning down everything!

Ogres Are Weak Against Tiny Heroes Like the Inch-High Samurai
star
9.28
60 votes

#19 - Ogres Are Weak Against Tiny Heroes Like the Inch-High Samurai

Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 2/26/2018

The Kabuki District is under siege, and the fearsome Dakini race arrive on the scene. How can the District and its residents cope with this onslaught?

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The Color for Each Person's Bond Comes in Various Colors
star
9.26
102 votes

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

Season 3 - Episode 46 - Aired 2/19/2009

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

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Everyone Looks Pretty Grown Up After Summer Break
star
9.26
72 votes

#21 - Everyone Looks Pretty Grown Up After Summer Break

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/11/2011

As Katsura and Kyubei fight for the title of the best transgendered, Shinpachi leaves to find that the Shinsengumi members also suffered a sudden change in their selves; Sogo Okita is the leader from the group and orders him and Toshiro Hijikata, Sagaru Yamazaki to attack the Yorozuya. As the three leave, Hijikata knocks out Yamazaki, as he was faking his change. He and Shinpachi learn that an invasion of parasite aliens is responsible for change to their friends and proceed to destroy them. However, they find problems in the outcome, and both Hijikata and and Shinpachi are knocked out in the process, with Gintoki being actually only person without a parasite.

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Santa Claus Red Is Blood Red
star
9.24
95 votes

#22 - Santa Claus Red Is Blood Red

Season 4 - Episode 50 - Aired 3/18/2010

It's Christmas in Edo and Kagura writes her father a letter. She is sad that Santa Claus never visited her. Moved, her father Umi Bozu dresses himself up as Santa and hides watching Kagura, Otae, Shinpachi and Hasegawa celebrate Christmas. When he finally jumps out of the bushes to surprise her there is another Santa, a dressed up Gintoki. Both of them think that their counterpart is real. They start punching each other when another three Santas show up (Sachan, Kondo and Kyubei). Kagura decides on a contest to see who's the real Santa.

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First Student
star
9.24
42 votes

#23 - First Student

Season 8 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/19/2017

As the gang comes to grips with the aftermath of the battle with Kamui, a familiar figure appears before Takasugi and the Kiheitai.

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The Line Between Tenacious and Annoying Is Paper-Thin
star
9.24
59 votes

#24 - The Line Between Tenacious and Annoying Is Paper-Thin

Season 10 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/29/2018

The encounter with Utsuro leaves Gintoki feeling more helpless than ever before. That's when he receives a very powerful reminder.

Directors: Shûji Miyahara
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Cat Lovers and Dog Lovers Are Mutually Exclusive
star
9.23
98 votes

#25 - Cat Lovers and Dog Lovers Are Mutually Exclusive

Season 3 - Episode 31 - Aired 10/30/2008

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…

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