Gintama Arcs In Chronological Order
Gintama is one of the most sought-after anime series of all time. After all, it is rare to see such a complete package of anime on screen nowadays. Therefore, fans love this show a lot.
However, since this series lasts for more than 367 episodes, there are a ton of arcs to deal with. And that’s why in this article, we will be taking a look at all these arcs.
We will be focusing on the serious ones that have some of the most hype moments as well as listing down all the comical ones. So all Gintama enthusiasts, get ready for a swing that will throw you into outer space.
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Gintama Arcs In Chronological Order
The following is the chronological order in which all the arcs play out in the series. There’s no denying that all these arcs are amazing and have a lot of content and value put into them.
There’s a reason why people lose their minds over Gintama. And after watching these episodes, you would too.
Name Of The Arc |
Release Date |
Harusame Arc |
2004 |
Gengai Arc |
2004 |
Rengokukan Arc |
2005 |
Memory Loss Arc |
2005 |
Umibozu Arc |
2005 |
Go-Ninja Arc |
2005 |
Inugami Arc |
2005 |
Infant Strife Arc |
2006 |
Benizakura Arc |
2006 |
Mother Arc |
2006 |
Yagyu Arc |
2006 |
Okita Mitsuba Arc |
2006 |
Hardboiled Detective Arc |
2006 |
Fuyo Arc |
2007 |
Owee Arc |
2007 |
Hasegawa Prosecution Arc |
2007 |
Shinsengumi Crisis Arc |
2007 |
Ryugujo Arc |
2007 |
Guardian Dog Arc |
2007 |
Monkey Hunter Arc |
2008 |
Ghost Ryokan Arc |
2008 |
Correspondence Arc |
2008 |
Kintaro Arc |
2008 |
Yoshiwara in Flames Arc |
2008 |
Shinsengumi Death Game Arc |
2009 |
Otsu Arc |
2009 |
Tama Quest Arc |
2009 |
Red Spider Arc |
2009 |
Character Poll Arc |
2009 |
Rokkaku Arc |
2009 |
Kabukicho Stray Cat Arc |
2010 |
Diviner Arc |
2010 |
Santa Arc |
2010 |
Kabukicho Four Devas Arc |
2010 |
Glasses Arc |
2010 |
Timeskip Arc |
2010 |
Scandal Arc |
2011 |
Jail Arc |
2011 |
Vacation Arc |
2011 |
Love Choriss Arc |
2011 |
Renho Arc |
2011 |
Host Club Arc |
2011 |
Thorny Arc |
2011 |
Kintama Arc |
2012 |
Courtesan of a Nation Arc |
2012 |
Beam Sword Style Arc |
2012 |
Confessional Arc |
2012 |
Kagura’s Boyfriend Arc |
2012 |
Excalibur Arc |
2012 |
Homeless Arc |
2013 |
Dekobokko Arc |
2013 |
HDZ48 Arc |
2013 |
Patriot Reunion Party Arc |
2013 |
Feigned Illness Arc |
2013 |
Shinigami Arc |
2013 |
Soul Switch Arc |
2013 |
Kaientai Arc |
2014 |
Afro Arc |
2014 |
Love Potion Arc |
2014 |
Guardian Spirits Arc |
2014 |
Shogun Assassination Arc |
2014 |
Farewell, Shinsengumi Arc |
2015 |
Rakuyou Decisive Battle Arc |
2015 |
Silver Soul Arc |
2016 |
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Important Serious Arcs of Gintama
The following are the serious arcs of Gintama. While fans love the comical aspect of the series, the episodes that make this anime one-of-a-kind are the serious ones. Therefore, if you wish to watch some selective arcs of Gintama or rewatch them for some nostalgia then these are the ones you should go for.
1. Benizakura Arc
As one of the first arcs in the show, this one talks about the common history that is being shared by our characters. The arc is also focused on Kiheitai which happens to be Takasugi’s terrorist group.
These episodes are also fixated on the recovery of the Benizakura blade which was so lethal that people were afraid of it. Since this was the first serious arc of the show, people got the idea that Gintama is not all about comical relief.
Instead, this anime is a lot more about being character-heavy and story-centered.
2. Okita Mitsuba Arc
This arc will dive into the characters of Okita Mitsuba and Sougo. However, it will be a lot more interesting than what meets the eye. The story will talk about Okita’s marriage.
And later on, the characters will realize that the person insisting on marriage is doing so just for the sake of getting support from the Shinsengumi family. This is where things are going to be rough for our character.
Moreover, we will also be able to get glimpses of the past shared between Hijikata and Mitsuba. In the end, Mitsuba’s disease will prevail but her words will be worth it.
3. Shinsengumi Crisis Arc
This arc will focus on Hijikata and the shift in his life after he got his hands on a sword that will change the way things work around him forever.
Here’s what happens. He manages to secure a sword that turned out to be cursed in nature. And that’s why he started acting strange because of it. Soon enough, things get bitter when Itou Kamotarou, the adviser of Shinsengumi shows up to improvise on the group’s position.
However, a rumor breaks out that Hijikata won’t be a part of the group anymore and this may lead to the dismantling of the same.
4. Yoshiwara in Flames Arc
The story talks about a guy named Seita and his interactions with Gintoki. Seita wishes to reach his mother who stays in Yoshiwara. And that’s why he has been pickpocketing for so long.
However, pickpocketing wasn’t going to take him far anyway and so, Gintoki and the gang decide to reach out to her on his behalf. However, they will soon realize that a yato named Housen is the one who is guarding the place.
And that’s where things will get interesting for our gang as they will also clash ways with Kagura’s brother here Yoshiwara.
5. Red Spider Arc
This arc will feature a man with a tattoo of a spider on his neck. And this man won’t be doing great to Yoshiwara. If anything, he has plans to destroy the place.
That’s where Gintoki and his gang will come into play. Gintoki gets to know about this guy who is planning to attack the Edo tower and take down Yoshiwara all on his own.
And in order to catch him, Gintoki and Tsukuyo decide to infiltrate the Red Spiders. While they do manage to make it out alive, they will realize that this man is no joke.
Tsukuyo seems to be sharing a past with this man.
6. Rokkaku Arc
This arc will talk about a girl named Kirie who happened to have lost her father. However, she believes that it was Sougo who did the job. And that’s exactly where the story gets interesting because Sougo claims that he does not remember killing her father.
And later on, it was revealed that Shinsengumi Kamiyama happens to be the one responsible for her father’s death. This is where things will be getting interesting as Sougo doesn’t want the truth to circulate just yet.
And that’s how things are going to be a lot more menacing for the audience.
7. Kabukicho Four Devas Arc
This one is going to be filled with action. And you will realize that right at the start of the series. This arc is all about a girl named Pirako Chin who wishes to find the strongest man in town and comes across Gintoki with that notion.
Soon enough, Yorozuya finds out that this woman is no joke. She is a bloodthirsty gangster who wants Gintoki just so she could have control over the Kabuki District. This is where the dispute kicks in as all four factions get against each other with the intent of figuring out a solution for this.
However, their methods are a bit unconventional.
8. Thorny Arc
Sasaki family is a family that is quite popular in the series for its prestigious holdings. In fact, people claim that this family is elite on a completely different level.
The idea here is that one of the members of the family named Tetsunosuke is joining Shinsengumi. And he is doing so for the sake of getting into Mimawarigumi police squad.
He was sent there because people assumed that he is a menace to everyone around him. And that’s where he gets in touch with Hijikata and things get interesting between the two as this storyline is going to take some serious turns.
9. Kintama Arc
This arc will have a new Gintoki. And he is supposed to be the perfect version of our main character. He happens to appear when Gintoki was absent. And it was later revealed that this man was built by Gengai with the sole intent of making things easier for the group.
Kagura seems to be the one who pitched the idea. However, it was revealed that Gintoki abandoned the group and that’s why this new person came to be. And while he was there for the sole purpose of making things easier for the group, the latter seems to have happened instead.
10. Courtesan of a Nation Arc
The previous Shogun will be a part of this arc. And that’s why it is so crucial for the audience. The idea here is that Gintoki will be going to Yoshiwara so he could meet the courtesan living there.
This courtesan is considered to be legendary but turns out that she is an old lady. Soon enough, things will be going rough between these characters as we will witness the previous Shogun himself, step up and get hold of the situation.
Gintoki might need to be in control or else things will fall apart right in front of his eyes. This will be amazing.
11. Beam Sword Style Arc
This arc is about Otae and her attempt to bring back the legacy of the dojo that her father once had. However, since he abandoned it years ago, it is time for her to build it yet again.
Soon enough, Otae will come across a former instructor who seems to be absent from the narrative for quite some time. And if this wasn’t surprising enough, the Beam Sword Style arc will feature a secret that will change the way you look at the series altogether.
If you haven’t watched this arc yet, give it a go. It is absolutely stunning in terms of its content and values.
12. Shogun Assassination Arc
This is one of the most popular arcs in the series. And that’s because it will feature some crazy fights. The idea here is that Nobu Nobu, along with his subordinates, is planning to take down Shige Shige.
And the way he will do so is quite fascinating. The Oniwabanshuu, Shinsengumi, and Yorozuya will get involved in the situation as well. This is going to be fun since they will be facing an incredibly strong ninja and Yato.
And both these opponents are going to make things go insane for the audience. The Shogun Assassination Arc is meant to be great.
13. Farewell, Shinsengumi Arc
Nobu Nobu managed to become the Shogun, thanks to Shige Shige’s death. And this is why things got a bit messed up. He starts committing acts that he shouldn’t and that’s exactly why this arc is so memorable for the audience.
The Shinsengumi also ends up dissolved because of the issues that were taking place because of him. And so, the situation seems to be getting worse and worse as we see these characters boil down into something we can’t even imagine.
However, Naraku and Mimawarigumi will be going against the flow for the greater good.
14. Silver Soul Arc
This arc is absolutely insane as it deals with someone who just so happens to be immortal. This is the story of Utsuro as he tries to put an end to the world and everything that comes along with it.
However, his plans will not be fruitful anymore as we see these characters going against this freak of nature and making the most out of their life. Gintoki and his team will team up again and find a way to take care of this monster.
The way they will do so is going to be remarkable. And if you are someone who wants to enjoy this anime’s peak then you must watch silver soul arc.
FAQs
1. How many arcs are there in Gintama?
There are a grand total of 67 arcs in the series. The way these arcs are divided between the anime and the manga version is what creates the difference. Therefore, you might find some websites claiming that there are 64 arcs in total.
2. Which Gintama arc is the best?
The Shogun Assassination Arc is one of the best arcs in the entire series. For a lot of people, this arc is where the anime reaches its fullest potential and explores all the bonds and emotions it has created over the previous episodes.
3. Can I skip the first 50 episodes of Gintama?
Well technically yes. These episodes don’t really have anything amazing within them. However, they do entertain you enough to keep you going until you finally complete them. The idea is to spend so much time with the characters that their stories touch you even more.
4. What is the saddest episode of Gintama?
Okita Mitsuba’s death is often regarded as one of the most heartbreaking moments in the series. And that’s why Okita Misuba’s arc is often considered to be one of the saddest arcs in the entire series.
5. Is Gintama mostly filler?
Not really. Only 20 out of the 367 episodes can be truly called a filler. The thing is, Gintama has a lot of episodes where it’s just the characters doing their thing and having fun.
And people tend to consider them as filler episodes. However, that’s not the case and so Gintama is not mostly fillers.