Episode Title: Those Who Stand On Four Legs Are Beasts. Those Who Stand On Two Legs, Guts, And Glory Are Men

MY 14 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN EPISODE 143 (manga chaps 220, 221 and 222):

I get weepy every time I watch this episode. Even though I already know everything that’s going to happen and even try to prepare myself from getting emotional, it doesn’t matter, I still cry at least three times.

1) First cry. I’d have to be a soulless monster not to feel anything from seeing Kagura in such a vulnerable state.

Episode Title: The Color For Each Person's Bond Comes In Various Colors

MY 12 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN EPISODE 145 (manga chaps 226, 226 and 227):

Leave it to the Sunrise anime team to interrupt one of the most exciting fights in one of the most exciting arcs of the series for no good reason other than to kill some time since they were short on content to fill out two complete episodes. Lmao.

1) At the same time, BLESS the anime team for this bit of sexy randomness. If they had produced those kind of DVD covers, I would totally by three copies of each volume.

SO ADORABLE!!!!!

MY 15 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 650:

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER SO MUCH!!!!

1) I loved Kamui’s way of saving people.

2) Kamui acknowledging Gintoki as an asset was just so darn sweet.

3) ASDFGHJKL!!!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I WANTED THIS AND HOW HAPPY I WAS????

4) I still can’t even deal with how fucking cute this was. Seriously, I don’t even know HOW I managed to get through this scene without passing out from happiness. 

5) I was glad Gengai was ok...

6)...but most of all, I was just happy to see Abuto. 

7) So proud of them for working their magic, but so so worried for them since Utsuro was onto their scent already.

8) I was glad to see that Matsudaira was ok, even though he’s still an old pervert.

9) This was strangely ominous yet sad considering the fact that he was saying this to Takasugi: most of the things he was trying to protect WERE hurt, permanently so.

10) Ugh, he was thinking of Bansai, he had to be. I was thinking of Bansai.

11) I wish they had more time to talk on the phone. They really still have so much to say to each other. I want them to be able to have a chapters long conversation, with Sakamoto and Zura joining in as well. 

12) Ugh, this baby puppy....it hurt me to see it hurt.

13) Yah, I screamed a lot during this chapter. Seriously don’t even know how I survived this moment...and I’m saving the best part of this scene for the Ships Tally of course.

14) I love this puppy so much!

15) Ok, he looks a little crazy here, but STILL, LOVE HIM. I wanted to protect him at all cost!!

SHIPS TALLY: 

Gintoki x Hijikata: I think I’ve already adequately expressed how much I loved this moment and why I loved it. See HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Okita x Kagura, Kamui x Okita, or Kamui x Okita x Kagura: any and all would have been COMPLETELY APPLICABLE.

Kamui x Okita: this specifically was between the two of them and I totally saw the sparks flying. Yes, I am very unfaithful; can’t help it, they’re too adorable, I can’t resist straying.

Gintoki x Takasugi: that soft expression on Takasugi’s face...I can see why people ship them.

Gintoki x Kamui: they were being totally flirty and I can’t discount the fact that Kamui did save his pretty ass.

Matsudaira x Ane: I absolutely don’t support this, the man has a wife and family ffs, and he’s so much older than Ane (like, grandpa older...I know that sounds judgey, I’m all for May/December romances, but gotta draw the line somewhere), but they did have a moment and they clearly have some sort of weird feelings toward each other, so I have to acknowledge 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.

Dear Gintama gods and Sorachi-sama,

Please allow me to humbly express to you what I am most thankful for in this episode:

BUT WAIT, before that! Sorachi-sama, please tell me, what does Team Bandai Namco have against Bansai? Once again they cut him out of the episode completely when, in your original chapter, he was included, in a really touching moment: when NobuNobu was imploring everyone to hold back on their desire for revenge, Takasugi actually pictures Bansai. That was completely omitted from the episode and I just don’t understand why. I still loved the entire episode but that omission was rather disappointing, especially considering the other Takasugi and Bansai moments that were cut out two episodes ago.  Apologies for my minirant; please allow me to return to thanking you and praising the fruits of your labor that blessed us with all the other wonderful moments in this episode.

Thank you for:

- the long-awaited demise of the fool who brought about so much death and destruction,

- the end of an era,

- an ancient premise that was not forgotten,

- Kamui’s method of saving people,

- a brother acknowledging another brother’s strength and value,

- sadistic future boyfriends brother-in-laws flirting sparing,

- a BEAUTIFUL sister doling out earned punishment,

- sweet Shinpachi, 

- Hijikata once again returning to Gintoki what was forgotten, 

- Sadaharu,

- Puppy gods,

- a wise and understanding husband subordinate, 

- the big rabbit and “Nobutas”,

- the Yorozuya emojis,

and lastly, my favorite manga to anime moments (4-way tie, I CAN’T CHOOSE!):

I remember when I first saw NobuNobu die, I didn’t quite feel sadness because you had reminded us that he was responsible for ShigeShige’s death. I only felt a little sympathy for him since he was killed just as he was trying to change himself for the better and I was worried how Soyo would take the news. However, in watching his death on screen, I actually got teary-eyed for two reasons: the choice of music used which was straight out of the Shogun Assassination Arc and Sakamoto’s griefstricken reaction thanks to seiyuu Miki Shinichiro-san’s amazing performance. It was a touching moment, and a grander exit than NobuNobu probably deserved considering what he has done in the past. I was also very happy to see Enshou finally fall; it was such a satisfying moment, I loved seeing it in full animated color. And despite the aforementioned exclusion of Bansai, I actually loved this episode a lot as it included some of my favorite moments from the battle on Earth. As stupid as this may sound, I also got teary-eyed over seeing Hijikata returning Gintoki’s bokuto to him. You know I’m a sucker for GinHiji moments. Of course the interactions involving Kamui’s harem and between the Yato siblings were also treasures to me. Thank you for the abundance of riches that never fails to put a big smile on my face and brighten my day. 

Yours truly,

A silly fangirl with yaoi dreams

MY 8 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 638:

1) That was a seriously traumatic moment. Kondou looked like he freaking disintegrated.

2) I didn’t think Sorachi-sama would kill off Kondou and Otae AND Otose in one chapter like that, but that still was a nightmarish sight.

3) Only shitty Utsuro would try to wipe out the entire universe with the Hinokagutsuchi and the Altana terminal. As if wiping out Earth wasn’t enough. He’s such an evil asshole.

4) I loved Gin-chan’s words and how these two panels were set up: as if he was actually trying to bite off Utsuro’s head.

5) I couldn’t believe Gintoki and Utsuro were going to have their showdown amidst all this destruction. It made me both excited and super anxious.

6) I was trying to figure out how they would stop the Altana bursts and of course shamefully forgot about Sadaharu’s actual role on Earth when it mattered the most. 

7) Awwwww.

8) Big fluffy floofball to the rescue! I love him so much!

SHIPS TALLY:

Gintoki x Hijikata or Okita x Kagura or Gintoki x Kamui or Okita x Kamui or Gintoki x Shinpachi or Gintoki x Kagura or any other combo that is appropriate: because they could have potentially all died together had the Altana blasts hit in the wrong spot.

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.

MY 13 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 635:

1) I love big brother.

2) Love love love!

3) Kamui’s rather insightful words.

4) I was glad that Gori-pirate and Cyclops-pirate were back and on the good guys’ team, and I also loved Kamui’s smiling face.

5) Kamui giving his idea of a peptalk.

6) Seriously, I am just so proud of Kamui for finally growing up and being a proper big brother and actually paying respects to his little sister for straightening him out.

7) I wish this moment had better resolution because it was so amazing: Kamui crossing paths with both Gintoki and Okita, which I had been hoping for so much.

8) They’re back-to-back and being a united sibling unit. How can I not love this??? Felt like I’ve been waiting for this moment forever!

9) Kouka must be so proud of her two babies.

10) Not a favorite moment but I was surprised by the Elder’s physique. Kinda creepy that he still has a little head and seemingly no neck. 

11) Yato on yato violence is always a win for me.

12) Really, I was so proud of Kamui in this chapter because of how much he’s matured, I felt as if I was Kouka.

13) YES. ALL THE YESES IN THE WORLD. LOVE.

SHIPS TALLY:

Abuto x Kamui: again, as far as I’m concerned, they’re freaking married.

Gintoki x Kamui: yeah, I know I’m being totally unfaithful to AbuKamui but I can’t deny that I still get a little thrill whenever their paths cross. 

Takasugi x Kamui: I feel the same way when this power couple cross paths., or in this case, talk to each other.

Gintoki x Hijikata or Okita x Kamui: please refer to moment #7...they were within close proximity to each other, that’s 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.

MY 13 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 637:

This chapter lifted me to Heaven only to slam me all the way down to Hell. 

1) I think Kagura and Kamui just didn’t want to look at the Eldest’s Tower of Babel.

2) This disturbingly large and almost sentient mosaic.

3) I almost couldn’t deal with all the cute sexual innuendos and flirtations going on between Kamui, Gintoki and Okita. I think Kagura was a little jelly.

4) I had wanted Kagura and Okita to cross paths again for such a long time that I was already happy enough that they did so very briefly in the previous chapter, but when they actually got to interact in this chapter, I was overjoyed. The fact that Gintoki was thrown in the fray as well and included in Kamui’s harem just made me beside myself with happiness.

5) Gods I wish they had time to have a proper fight again. I loved the look of happy anticipation on both of their faces.

6) Loved this!!!

7) Kagura being surrounded by her two big bros just filled my heart with so much joy.

8) Damn these party poopers!!

9) Damn this super duper gigantic party pooper! The biggest party pooper of them all!

10) Total holy fucckkkk moment.

11) And this is where my descent to Hell began. I was so damn worried about whether or not Kondou survived those blasts, and for such a long time too...it was all just so traumatic. 

12) This scary motherf-er...that look...it’s like the stuff of nightmares.

13)  Yeah, this was Hell. And I thought all I had to worry about was the gang having to face off Utsuro too soon...didn’t think the world literally ending would be a real concern as well.

SHIPS TALLY:

Gintoki x Kamui: Gin-chan was being especially flirtatious with Kamui...I felt jealous on behalf on Hijikata...yet thrilled at the same time.

Okita x Kamui: the same goes for Sougo. No disrespect meant to Kagura or Abuto, cuz both of them were like RIGHT THERE as well, but the flirting was pretty hot. 

Gintoki x Hijikata: they were near each other. That’s all I need.

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.

MY 13 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 649:

1) I was so glad to get confirmation that Mutsu and Elizabeth were ok, and I did appreciate the fact that NobuNobu gave the order to treat their injuries above all else. 

2) Sakamoto made my heart ache...especially since they were inevitably going to be foolish people who did let their kings die.

3) Again, just loving the contrast of emotions between Sakamoto and Zura: Sakamoto was taking NobuNobu’s impending death more personally because he had already grown attached to him, while Zura was much more calm and almost distant, even though he was still respectful. It spoke to the difference in their attachments: Sakamoto to NobuNobu because they interacted more whereas Zura was bonded to Shi-chan due to their time together.

4) I loved how NobuNobu’s line referenced back to the title, and the beautiful idea it conveyed.

5) I felt bad for what could have been, and the anime made me more emotional about his death, but I still can’t say I like NobuNobu. I pitied him even though I still couldn’t forgive all that he had done.

6) Shi-chan!!! I really loved this moment. So tremendous...especially in the anime with the score.

7) I think this was definitely a more grand send off than NobuNobu probably deserved. Yes, he was on his way to redeeming himself, but I didn’t think he was quite there yet. Still, this was a noble exit; more noble than the life had led up until shortly before his death. I wish he had met Sakamoto sooner and he hadn’t been led so astray by his retainers. 

8) NobuNobu could not have asked for a better guide or reception to the afterlife. RIP.

9) Loved this, for the obvious reason [ship] and also for the reference to kings. They are kings: the Pirate King and the Samurai King.

10) Omgggg I was worried about this man for so many weeks!! I don’t remember if I cried when we finally saw that he survived the blast, but I probably felt like it. 

11) I was also relieved that the ladies survived everything as well, and I loved that we jumped right to Tae-chan right after Kondou’s reappearance.

12) Ane and Mone!!! I was so happy to see them again! As soon as I remembered Sadaharu’s origins, I was waiting for these sisters to appear.

13) I was excited about seeing Squad Dragon Hole Guardians getting together and then like extreeeeemmmmmely fearful for them, especially for our dear puppy Sadaharu. 

SHIPS TALLY:

Gintoki x Kamui: there was a time when I would have freaked out happily over this moment, and while it still made me smile wide, it was more due to nostalgia than anything, since I already committed them to others.

Kondou x Otae: honorable mention due to what I said in moment #11. 

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.