#afro arc

55. Katsura is facing Saito in this picture based on a panel from the end of the Afro arc.

56. Guardian Spirits arc. Katsura and Elizabeth are inside Katsura's guardian spirit - a Toyota Corolla. (Despite Katsura not having a driver's license!)

Gintama Stills for Every (Canon) Episode → [294/316] “Afros of Life and Death”

MY 15 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 488:

The Afro Arc!!!! One of my favorite arcs about one of my favorite Shinsengumi members...even though he never existed until now, 488 chapters later. Lmao.

Moment 1: Right from the get go, first time I read this chapter, seeing that it would be Shinsengumi-centric, I was already excited. But now, knowing what this chapter and arc is about, seeing that sign makes me even more thrilled.

Moment 2: This goofball. I love him so much even though he’s an idiot sometimes.

Moment 3: All that sweat-dropping. Originally, I was a bit surprised that Toshi, Kondou and Sougo didn’t recognize him since that was hardly a disguise.

Moment 5: Honestly, I was both excited and confused that they were introducing a new Shinsengumi character so late in the game...

Moment 6: ...and then when we saw his face a second later, I actually thought it was just Gintoki in disguise. I think I spent most of this chapter...hell, maybe half of the arc, thinking it was just Gintoki. This was before we saw them together in a scene and of course before I knew Saitou’s hair color is actually orange. I thought Gintoki was just pranking Zura.

Moment 7: I just like this moment because Zura called Kagura “leader” and she was sort of admonishing him like a leader. I don’t know if I express enough how much I actually love their leader and subordinate relationship which is actually bourne out of a rather whimsical reason (I mean, it pretty much boils down to, she was willing to be a leader and Zura was willing to just go along with her), but I do love it.

Moment 8: The canker sores part killed me.

Moment 9: Just, Zura standing there saluting from morning to night like some idiot. I know he was trying to be a good subordinate and it’s actually entirely in his character, but it was still hilarious. He’s so silly.

Moment 10: I was thinking Saitou really got the cushiest position in the Shinsengumi if that’s all he did on a daily basis.

Moment 11: I loved that diary.

Moment 12: Zura being very Zura-ish.

Moment 13: He sounded so badass, looked badass, but I’m pretty sure I still thought it was Gin-chan in disguise. I really, really thought he had joined up with the Shinsengumi to con Zura for some reason.

Moment 14: The “I’ll kill you, seriously” made me guffaw. I just love their relationship...even though I didn’t think their interaction was shippy enough to put into the Ships Tally this time.

Moment 15: Zura looking like a psychotic zombie clown was just adorable.

SHIPS TALLY:

Zura x Saitou: they were sleeping together. That’s good enough for me.

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.

Gintama Stills for Every (Canon) Episode → [295/316] “Afuro and Wolfro”