#toshitetsu

2) TOSHIIIII!!!!!! Ok Ok, I know I already did that, but seriously, how I can resist loving him? Look at that cuteness!! I just about died.

3) I loved this exchange so much, I actually spliced it with Donten so that every time the song comes on, it starts out with this conversation, up to Gintoki’s incredulous “gozaru???”.

4) Ack! SHE’S SO ADORABLE!!!!!

5) I will always love me some Yorozuya on Toshi violence because it’s just so funny and delightful. 

6) I often wondered how different Gintama would’ve been if Hijikata had stayed as Toshi. He definitely wouldn’t have been able to return to the Shinsengumi, so would he have just stayed with the Yorozuya? Of course that would’ve been the ideal situation. Just imagining the Kagura and Shinpachi ordering him around like a kouhai always brings a smile to my face, and then of course the added bonus would’ve been he’d be spending a lot more time with Gintoki. Yet, at the same time, I would’ve probably really missed Hijikata a lot. Especially that sexy, steely-eyed look of his, as above. We would’ve also been deprived of all his awesome moments in the future, so ultimately, I’m glad he turned back to the Hijikata we know and love. 

7) Itou looking his most evil. I was actually nervous when I first saw him feeding and petting the cat. I was so sure he would poison it or kill it. Thankfully that didn’t happen, but that look he shot at Yamazaki definitely made me immediately fear for Jimmy’s life. I think I was yelling at him to run the entire time.

8) Oh, and another thing that I would’ve definitely missed about Hijikata is the sexy way he smoked a cigarette. Only he could make me love something I hate so much.

9)  This hurt my heart so much because I imagined how much willpower it must’ve taken Hijikata to overcome his BOTH Toshi-ness AND his pride to beg the Yorozuya for help, all for the sake of his beloved Shinsengumi.

10) I was so shocked when Bansai stabbed Yamazaki because it looked like he pierced his heart. I just couldn’t believe someone so sweet, innocent and harmless like Yamazaki would be killed, especially since he has mostly been the comic relief of the Shinsengumi up to this point.

11) Ugh, that blood trail. So brutal.

12) I was devastated. I was so sure Bansai HAD killed Yamazaki. I of course immediately hated Bansai at that moment and wanted him very dead.  In retrospect, the fact that he didn’t really was a testament to Bansai’s strong moral character, despite the fact that he was technically a villain since he worked with Takasugi. 

13) That blush! Such CUTENESS!!!! I can’t even deal.

14) Again, Yorozuya on Toshi violence, I love. I imagine we would’ve seen a LOT more of that if he had stayed as Toshi and with the Yorozuya.

15) I loved this entire sequence so much, from the moment Gintoki grabbed Toshi to when he shoved him in the car.

16) Their collective braking makes me lol every time. Oh yeah, Toshi would’ve been a perfect fit with the gang. 

17) The Queen being awesome as usual.

18) Toshi’s expression: he looked like a little chick! So cute.

19) I really just love Toshi’s face. 

20) Proof that Itou didn’t recruit the sharpest pencils in the Shinsengumi pack: that dude spilled all the beans to the incredibly cute and strong ally who also inarguably sounded like a girl, when he should’ve known better since the Shinsengumi obviously do not have any female members.

21) I loved this scene so much because of just how cool and calm Kondou was, even though it had to be heart-breaking for him to realize the person he admired so much was betraying him, along with the men whom he had considered as his brothers. 

22) His speech...ugh, Kondou is so amazing. He so deserves Tae-chan and happiness.

23) As soon as Sougo walked through that door, my knees got weak from excitement. 

24) I died from his deadly sexiness.

25) The way he just cut down that random Itou follower was cool beyond words, and that was just like the tip of the iceberg. There was no way I could’ve been prepared for the supreme awesomeness that was to follow. Seriously, I felt and still feel so blessed that we got to see this killer side of Okita. 

SHIPS TALLY:

Gintoki x Hijikata Toshi: I will take Gintoki with ANY version of Hijikata. Gin-chan’s protectiveness towards him is valid, always.

Kondou x Okita: I felt the love, whether it be brotherly or otherwise, I’m ok either way cuz it was strong and obvious.

Hijikata x Itou: in a different life and universe, this would have been the beginning of a beautiful ship. 

Toshi x Kagura: FINALLY, someone admires and appreciates Kagura in the way that she deserves. 

Toshi x Tetsuko: it was actually nice to see Tetsuko again, and if Hijikata had turned to her for a sword, maybe all this wouldn’t have happened, but I did think it was cute how she got all blushy because Toshi was getting to close. 

Disclaimer: Gintama is not only about shipping. Gintama is hilarious, clever, exciting, poignant, heart-breaking, loving, brilliant, and just completely unbelievably amazing.  It is only due to Sorachi-sama’s immense generosity that I am able enjoy Gintama on an extra another level, the shippy level, and I am forever grateful for that. GINTAMA IS LIFE AND LOVE.