Shonen Archive Ep 95! Gintama Ep 244-247! (Thorny Arc) ft  

I FORGOT TO ADD IN THE HASEGAWA PIC!! I blame my work scrambling my brain. I'll find out a way to include it next ep!

I saw this thumbnail in my feed not too long ago and thought, "Oh sht!! Need to get back on track with Shounen Archive." Not only is this one of the top tier character arcs to finally touch base on back stories/origins, it also introduces even more characters and groups who will absolutely be essential to the movement of the main plot that eventually crystallizes in the near future. Also, I used to have the arc's title as an old username since no one was using it; before someone hacked it.😊💢 Although it was already setting morsels of hints and foreshadowing by previous arcs and episodes, this one holds quite a few elements that are key to the changing tides of the series that completely 180s everything like crazy.

Ooh, I just had a sort of realization on what you said about "defending someone vs. pure vengeance." Remember oh so long ago when the Shinsengumi were tasked with protecting an Amanto emissary Frog, who said some snide remark against Kondo that made Sougo snap? While Hijikata naturally stopped him at the time because he didn't want it to cause problems for Kondo and the Shinsengumi, it's also because he'd been in Sougo's place as a kid when his brother got attacked in front of him. He could probably sense his killing intent right away and made him stop before he'd regret it. In a way he was at the time both being responsible as the second in command and actually showing empathy towards Sougo; which I didn't consider that fact until now. It's arcs like these that remind me of why Hijikata is one of my favorites by the end. He seems cold and aloof to most things, but in reality he's really nice and tries to take care of those around him; which is quite similar to Gin. He could have easily not interfered further with Tetsu's life, especially when he takes him by surprise in finding out that he learned about his past, and yet he goes out of his way to write a formal letter to Isaburo requesting he try to patch things up with Tetsu so that he doesn't have the same regrets he had with his own older brother. It really seems like the cool and sweet way Gin would try to help out someone who he's become attached to. Who speaking of which I really like how Sorachi generally tends to handle his MC so that he doesn't "steal the show." As you and Zen had hilariously noted, it's not particularly uncommon for the protagonist of a series to basically steal other characters screen time or thunder because they're "the hero of the series and have to be the one to shine and beat up the bad guys." It's especially infamous in Jump, where they think the main guy is all the kids want to see. But Gintoki takes on a great a support role that actually benefits Hijikata and the Shinsengumi, especially because he was surprisingly candid enough to say his war identity after years of keeping quiet just to help out Tetsu. It's so funny how Hijikata made sure he was secured after everything wrapped up with the Mimawarigumi, but again he was a nice guy and let him off the hook at Tetsu's request. And though they didn't say it, I do believe he got paid a little bit for his work; namely Tetsu in his request to bring him to Hijikata's brother to give the letter, which I think he was still not under the impression that he'd passed away. And again, it's a very subtle thing, but I think Gintoki went and did something nice again out of sympathy towards Tetsu and the Shinsengumi near the end. Because I believe the implication was that he actually took the letter that Tetsu threw into the river (in the form of the paper airplane) and actually brought it to Hijikata to read. I might be wrong in interpreting those scenes, but it's something that I've really grown to love in Sorachi's style of writing that I think he might have picked up from Hayao Miyazaki; which is the art of telling scenes without words and letting the actions and moments of silence carry it.

Sadly I do believe the fact that the Shinsengumi (and effectively the Mimawarigumi) didn't last long was an accurate fact. Especially when you consider the time period they were experiencing where Japan was moving into the new age of technology and weapons more advanced than there's, the country inevitably let them fade with the passing of time. Though from what I read on a Gintama fandom, there was a really cool article that stated recently that the surviving descendants of the Shinsengumi decided to host a reunion of sorts, which included Hijikata, (I think) Shinpachi, and Sougo's descendants to name a few.

I find it so hilarious that we haven't seen the "New York Background" Since the Ninja Squad episode with Curry Yellow Katsura.🤣 Same for drug dealing since the first and third season. I think I've heard the particular style of Tetsu's rap intro video was really popular in Japan, especially the 90s, so that's a funny bit of time capsule.

As per usual of Hijikata's luck, he ends up getting saddled with the new task that nobody wants; other than Sougo, who clearly wants to make the "problem disappear conveniently" in his squad. 😂 I like how it's so on brand for Hijikata to try to bottle up his rage knowing this is a job he can't afford to screw up since it could definitely tarnish the reputation of the Shinsengumi, or worse. (Him beating his head into the support beam kills me, cause he hasn't done that since the temporary smoking ban a while back. 🤣) And Tetsu is such a typical bratty and spoiled kid who wants to stand out cause of the neglect and scorn of his high society family. It's nice to see this somewhat softer side of Hijikata where he's trying to reach out to Tetsu when he can tell thorny brat of his own kind. And speaking of which, I believe Kondo mentioned that Hijikata's biological father tended to be a playboy in their small town. So the day his father died and all the children he'd had from legitimate marriages were gathered their, Hijikata happened to show up since his mother died not too long ago and told him before passing who his father was. All his siblings who were older and naturally more privileged than him wanted nothing to do with a bastard child, and saw him as a blight on their name; except the eldest son who welcomed him with open arms and even let him stay with him and his wife. (In retrospect, it's why he has this sort of deep attachment to Kondo, who he sees as a big brother figure akin to his elder half brother who warmly welcomed him as his own sibling despite everyone's opposition in the family.) But they were attacked one night by some raiding bandits who aimed for Hijikata, but the eldest brother shielded him and lost his eyes, and this ended up tapping into Hijikata's latent skills that made him the "Demon-Vice Captain". But like you said, the other siblings were horrified when they found the scene with the corpses and oldest brother blinded; more than likely missing everything before that. And instead of sneering at him they completely avoided him for fear he'd go wild; which is also why those who have the name " thorny" are feared in the town. The sad thing is his brother, even with his sight gone, never lost his affections for Hijikata. Whereas Hijikata felt reluctant to be as expressive as he was when he was a kid. Most likely (as you noted) because he felt guilty for not being able to save his brother who protected him. It's why he became so obsessed with becoming stronger than anyone to never lose something important to him again; even though ultimately he failed to say everything he wanted to the brother, which makes his efforts almost feel empty.

I'd say Sasaki and Nobume were some of my dark horse favorites later on in the series. There's something about them that feels cool but also equally quirky/dorky that makes them fit right in with the cast. On a side note, I'm surprised you didn't talk about Isaburo's other quirk besides his cell phone obsession (which I wish he'd met Kagura and became one of her email buddies lol), where he'd tacks the word "Elite" on nearly everything. Though I'd say it's a quirk meant to purposely get under people's skin compared to the cell phone. 🤭 Weirdly enough there's something about Isaburo that reminds me of Nanami from JJK (rest the beautiful man's soul). I found it sooo funny when Isaburo said they'd financially compensate Gin for unlawfully arresting him and jumping to conclusions. And Gin didn't just rip up the paper he was offering to him to write his figures down, but instead grabbed a roll of toilet paper to write as many zeros down as he could; which Sougo sadistically blew his nose in to fck with him. XDD And it's not a very common meme, but it is one that is both relatable and very funny when Isaburo asked Gintoki if he really was that desperate for money, to which Gin answered "Hell Yeah!!" I feel like that's such a valid meme that should be up there with "Shut up and take my money!" by Fry from Futurama. 😆 Oh, and as far as you forgetting Nobume's name, it's a weird thing to note, but you best write that in your notes about Nobume and forgetting her name. Trust me, you'll understand one day. And duuude~ I feel like whenever something that you don't expect, such as Takasugi appearing right near the end of the arc, always makes things like this arc stand out. It kind of makes you take a moment to stop and rewind to the last time you saw him (which was the incident with the Harusame and allying with Kamui and the 7th Division), and how his presence as the main antagonist is really hitting home as he moves in the shadows towards pieces with the "potential" to help him in his goal of overthrowing the government. Tbh, I feel bad for the Kuroko abridged, and have no doubt you'll get back to it. But as you and Zen had said, you're starting to see some parts begin to move that clearly are signs you're getting closer to the shift that probably won't let you guys leave the series off on a cliffhanger for Shounen Archive. XDD

This arc also got a theatre release in Japan not too long ago. Also, don't you think isaburo resembles rufus shinra from ff7 with how he's wearing the white trench coat and fights with a gun and sword. After you watch episode 265, that's the best time to watch the 2nd Gintama movie which is called be forever yorozuya. The 2nd movie is anime original but was written by the gorilla as a legitimate ending to the anime.

Let's be honest here. When it comes to little kids or teens in any culture who don't want to learn languages seriously, the one thing they want to learn other than the basics is cussing. 😂 And tbh a lot of media that's popular overseas tend to have a lot of cussing anyway, so they assume that's how we are. And also, Lotus Juice is awesome. They really add a certain flavor to the Persona music, and hopefully will continue to in future games and remakes.

oh, you will remember the assissan girl's name after a certain episode in the future....

Yeah, I get what you mean as far as labeling things as "guides." It's why I generally try to repeatedly note that you should look to other sources and experiences of other fans when I wrote you the earlier guide on watching this series, because the experience is not always the same for others and may not be the same for you. So I don't want to mislead you if by chance my take is wrong. Also, a bit off topic, but what 8-bit or 16-bit are you using for the "Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot)" intro and outro? It doesn't sound like the ones I've heard before on RU-vid.