In light of the gintama anniversary, I want to,once again, thank Sorachi for this series that holds such an important place in my heart. The way Sorachi manages to make me care for characters is unparalleled, to the point where I consider an episode about an umbrella peak fiction

From one of the greatest antagonist cast, which has emotionally resonant characters like Isaburo which can elevate an entire arc to greatness and has one of my favourite backstory in anime all done in a few episodes. Again showing the mastery within Sorachi's pen

The dynamic between nobume and isaburo is perfection. In Isaburo's purpose for living being snatched,in his quest for vengeance upon the world he found something so valuable that he would would forsake his vengeance upon the very world that took everything from him to protect her

From peak antagonist writing to kagura, a very simple premise but it's executed to perfection. A girl who just wants a family, where she's valued, needed and cherished. In her quest to protect her family, fight her blood and finding out what it means to be strong, we

...once again have one of the most organic journey presented in the medium, and kagura, to this day is the most lovable character in the medium for me. Not just her the whole kamui-kagura-umibozu-kouka dynamic is executed to perfection, making for a great family dynamic.

..representing how a family has to sacrifice and overcome many troubling times and tragedies to be a truly a family. But it has been proven to kagura, through the yoruzuya that if a bunch of strangers can form such a strong bong, surely her family can be revived.

Group dynamics is where sorachi really excels, he wrote four such dynamics which are particularly GOATed. The yoruzuya, shinsengumi, the Joi 4, and the disciples of shoyo. All these groups bring such powerful and compelling stories but my favourite out of these is the shinsengumi

..not only because of the shinsengumi being home to my favourite characters in gintama but because of why the group exists in the first place and the interactions that take place. A bunch of country samurai and thugs that band together merely for economic reasons and finding work

....at the end of the day, there's nothing more realistic than that. The interactions that ensue are organic and captivating, the sougo-kondo-hiji dynamic has everything from love, envy, respect and sheer heart put into it. The following clip is a perfect example of this.

I could ramble on about so many things, like how Gintoki is the character who can manage to make me almost tear up merely by thinking about him, the thematic importance of Utsuro, the absolute tragedy that is Takasugi and much more, but then I'd be here all night

...these paragraphs are just ways for me to express my love for this series, because it came to me at a very low point in my life and I'll forever be grateful to sorachi for creating this world where only watching one episode can brighten my day up! "BUt pOOp jOke baD" yeah idc..

...it's still a 10/10, f*ck off. Once again, I thank you, Sorachi, from the bottom of my heart.