Gintama

What is Gintama about?

Gintama is a TV anime series of 201 episodes animated by Sunrise, adapted from a manga. It aired from April 4, 2006 to March 25, 2010. AniList classifies it as action, comedy, drama and science fiction.

Synopsis from AniList, which credits Sentai Filmworks. The summary above it is written by FreeAnime.xyz from AniList's data.

Themes AniList users associate with it: Parody, Samurai, Ensemble Cast, Found Family, Meta, Slapstick, Surreal Comedy, Male Protagonist, Anachronism, Satire.

Main characters

Characters AniList lists in a main role, with spoiler-free notes.

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  Gintoki Sakata 坂田銀時

  Main character

  A samurai living in an era where a samurai is no longer needed. To add to his troubles, oppressive aliens have moved in to invade. Gintoki lives with Kagura and Shinpachi, taking on odd jobs to make the world a better place...and to pay their rent.

  Japanese voice: Tomokazu Sugita

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  Shinpachi Shimura 志村新八

  Main character

  Shinpachi Shimura works under Gintoki to learn the ways of the samurai. He used to stay at his family's dōjo. However, it seems more like he's just trying to help Gintoki pay the rent than to learn. Shinpachi is the captain of the "Otsu's Imperial Guard," a pop singer's fan club.

  Japanese voice: Daisuke Sakaguchi

• 

  Kagura 神楽

  Main character

  Although she appears to be a normal, cute, human girl in Chinese-style clothing, she actually belongs to the Yato Clan, one of the strongest and most bloodthirsty of the Amanto races. The Yato is said to have "transparent" skin that is highly sensitive to sunlight, so Kagura carries a purple parasol at all times.

  Japanese voice: Rie Kugimiya

• 

  Sadaharu 定春

  Main character

  Sadaharu has the outward appearance of a giant dog, but is actually an inugami. When sitting on his haunches, he is taller than most humans. He was left in front of Gintoki's apartment in a box that had "To Mr. Freelancer" written on it.

  Japanese voice: Mikako Takahashi

Supporting characters

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  Kotarou Katsura 桂小太郎

  Supporting character

  Katsura is Gintoki's former comrade during the Joi war. Even after the Amanto take-over of Japan, Katsura continues to resist the Amanto, and has amassed a band of followers. He is a wanted man due to his involvement in terrorist activities against the Bakufu, and is constantly on the run from the Shinsengumi.

  Japanese voice: Akira Ishida

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  Ayame Sarutobi 猿飛あやめ

  Supporting character

  Sarutobi Ayame is a ninja from the Oniwabanshuu by training, but is currently working as an assassin. She also has a part-time job at the Kunoichi Café. Since her initial appearance, she has developed a serious obsessive infatuation with Sakata Gintoki, to the point of even stalking him.

  Japanese voice: Yuu Kobayashi

• 

  Sougo Okita 沖田総悟

  Supporting character

  Okita is the best swordsman in the Shinsengumi. Personality-wise, he tends to be light-hearted and somewhat childish though his speech is heavily deadpan.

  Japanese voice: Kenichi Suzumura

• 

  Toushirou Hijikata 土方十四郎

  Supporting character

  Toshiro Hijikata is the famed chain smoking, vice commander of the Shinsengumi so named by his subordinates, because of his fearsome demeanor. Purportedly the brains behind the force, he takes his work seriously, and is fiercely loyal to his leader, Isao Kondo.

  Japanese voice: Kazuya Nakai

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  Isao Kondou 近藤勲

  Supporting character

  Isao Kondo is the Commander of the Shinsengumi. When not working, he is the stalker of Tae Shimura, earning him the nickname Gorilla-stalker. His superior is Katakuriko Matsudaira, a high-ranking government officer under direct control of the Bakufu.

  Japanese voice: Susumu Chiba

• 

  Tae Shimura 志村妙

  Supporting character

  Tae Shimura is Shinpachi's older sister. She runs the Kakidokan Dojo—which was her father's failing dojo—with her brother. She is usually addressed as "Otae"; the "O" is an honorific used to refer to women. Kagura always addresses her as "big sister" (anego).

  Japanese voice: Satsuki Yukino

• 

  Tatsuma Sakamoto 坂本辰馬

  Supporting character

  Sakamoto is a former member of the Joi. He is a good-natured man and optimistic to the point of being ridiculous, even in the most dangerous situations. His favorite phrase is "AHAHA! It must be _". He also has a tendency to misspell names; he calls Gintoki "Kintoki".

  Japanese voice: Shinichirou Miki

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  Elizabeth エリザベス

  Supporting character

  Elizabeth resembles a giant white duck or a giant penguin and is Katsura's companion. Elizabeth was a present from Tatsuma Sakamoto, who presumably picked it up on his travels around space.

  Japanese voice: Shinji Takamatsu

• 

  Bansai Kawakami 河上万斉

  Supporting character

  He is an assassin and is one of the strongest swordsmen of the Kiheitai, an extremist Joui faction bent on causing world destruction. He regularly keeps his headphones on, as well as sun glasses even while others are talking to him.

  Japanese voice: Takumi Yamazaki

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  Shinsuke Takasugi 高杉晋助

  Supporting character

  A former comrade of Gintoki and Katsura and a major antagonist. He is easily recognisable through his bandaged left eye, his colorful kimono, his eerie smile, and the pipe he is often seen smoking.

  Japanese voice: Takehito Koyasu

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  Matako Kijima 来島また子

  Supporting character

  Matako Kijima is the only female member of the Kiheitai and is skilled in using a pair of pistols. She is fiercely loyal to Shinsuke Takasugi, and appears to have a crush on him. Her name is roughly based on a samurai of the Bakumatsu era, Kijima Matabei.

  Japanese voice: Risa Hayamizu

• 

  Zenzou Hattori 服部全蔵

  Supporting character

  A highly skilled ninja who sports a light-brown/dark-blonde mop-top and a goatee. He is first introduced in episode 37 when he and Gintoki attempt to fight to the death over the last remaining issue of the Christmas Double Issue Jump, which in fact, was actually the Christmas Double Issue AKAMARU Jump.

  Japanese voice: Keiji Fujiwara