 |
GINTAMA is a Japanese manga by manga artist Hideaki Sorachi. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from January 2004 to June 2018. There are 77 volumes in total, and the total circulation in Japan exceeds 55 million copies. The genres of this manga are science fiction, historical drama, gag manga, and battle manga.
Set in Kabukicho, Edo, earth is attacked by aliens called Amanto, and humans and Amanto beings confront each other and war breaks out. In the end, humans lose, and Amanto coexists with them in Edo. However, the scientific civilization was developed by Amanto, and in the Edo world, there are mobile phones, computers and convenience stores. Cultural changes do not catch up, and the lifestyle of Edo still remains. The main character is Gintoki Sakata. He looks like a dead fish eyes and has a sloppy personality, such as not paying his salary. But, he’s a cool character that decides firmly when he decides. He runs a general store called Yorozuya with Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura. There is also a big dog called Sadaharu. Yorozuya takes on various requests of various kinds. For example, from walking a dog to saving the earth, they do everything from small to big.
GINTAMA is almost a gag manga, with 80% being a gag and 20% being a serious story. It is a parody of gags. It contains the current problems and material that is too maniacal, such as Ghibli and political material. This work was scolded several times by great people for that. The characters in this manga often take their names from people who were active at the end of the Edo period. For example, Shinsaku Takasugi is Shinsuke Takasugi, and Toshizo Hijikata is Toshiro Hijikata. I recommend reading this manga to people who like gags, want to laugh, or like history.
