#Bimbokusai

[razberryyum]

Gintama manga chap 684

Dear Gintama gods and Sorachi-sama,

I am worried. You have been so amazingly generous in these last two chapters that I fear that this might only be the glorious calm before the horrific storm. And you aren't just being generous towards me alone, but to many others in the fandom with the number of ships you showcased in this chapter: Gintoki/Hijikata, Hijikata/Yamazaki, Gintoki/Takasugi, Gintoki/Otae, Hijikata/Otae, Kyuubei/Otae, Gintoki/Kyuubei, and even a good dose of Shinpachi/Otae for those who like to walk on the incest side of the road. I could probably include Yamazaki/Otae since she was technically eyeing his mosaic and touching his half-naked body. This felt strictly like a fanservice/gag chapter and that is what made me nervous, because I worry that you are softening us up so that when you actually deliver the crushing blow, we would be completely unprepared and utterly devastated. I apologize if I am coming off as being a killjoy; truth be told, my pessimism is bourn from a sense of disbelief since I still cannot believe Gintoki and Hijikata are once again together and miraculously stayed together by the chapter's end. My feeble brain almost cannot deal with the flood of euphoria I am feeling so as a way to cope, it is coming up with dark possibilities to counter the happiness.  I mean, I thought their time together was surely coming to an end as soon as Tae-chan appeared, since I was certain that she would immediately recognize them, but once again, you surprised me by going a completely different direction. Even though she no doubt did see through their rather flimsy disguises, I love that she still chose not to acknowledge them outright or point them out to Kyuubei. Grant it, Kyuu-chan should have realized who they were as well, but I am entirely able to accept the possibility that by that point, they were so beaten by Tae-chan's students that she probably couldn't see past all the blood and bruises.

Speaking of Kyuu-chan, I downright gasped in surprise when she appeared because she looks so stunning with her new hairstyle! I am so glad that she is alive and well and seemingly has taken over as leader of her clan. When she mentioned Gintoki as a potential candidate for her marriage interview, I actually grinned happily: in lieu of Hijikata, Kyuubei would have been the woman I wouldn't mind seeing Gintoki end up with. I shipped them ages ago, and I cannot say that I ever completely gave up on that idea since it does tend to pop up once in a while when they do have triggering interactions. I really appreciated the fact that she wouldn't have been against the idea of considering him as a potential marriage partner; based on the fondness in her words and expression as she and Otae talked about Gintoki, I don't think Kyuubei would have been doing it only for her not-dead grandfather's sake.  

I was also glad that Tae-chan was able to revive her dojo in such a clever way, even though she is clearly scamming those unfortunate women. While I doubt those women would be using the "swordsmanship" they are learning in any kind of fight, at least the Koudoukan is thriving once again and her new profession is definitely better than being a cabaret girl. Although, seeing her in this new position only reaffirmed my belief that she and Kondou are in fact married already and she is indeed pregnant with his child. As a married woman with a baby on the way, of course she would have to quit the Snack Smile: I doubt Kondou would want her to still entertain men every night and in her condition, she wouldn't be able to consume alcohol anyway, which is part of her job duties.  Kyuubei's decision to get married also further confirms my suspicion since I can only imagine that she would give up on Otae if she knows she absolutely has no chance with her anymore. At first I couldn't work out the minor discrepancy of why Otose wouldn't know about her marriage, but after thinking about it more, I guess if Tae is in fact still trying to keep it a secret from Shinpachi, then it would make sense why she would not want to tell more people about it. Telling Kyuu-chan is unavoidable since they are so close, but someone like Otose I can easily understand why she would keep out of the loop. I know all of this conjecturing might only be wishful thinking on my part, but I have wanted Kondou and Tae-chan to be together for way too long to willingly give up on their final fantasy so easily.  I can accept the near impossibility of my GinHiji dreams becoming reality, but I thought at the very least, my KonTae wishes would be a no brainer. I wish you would just definitely tell us the truth already. If Kondou is indeed actually married to Princess Bubbles, then I want more proof than just an easily doctored photograph. I think my potential broken heart deserves at least that.

But going back to the Shimura's dojo, I did feel a pang of sadness when you first revealed that Bimbokusai had passed away, so I was glad that by the end we find out he's very much alive, even though he's inexplicably living the life of a humble trash collector. I cannot even begin to guess where he's carting Gintoki and Hijikata off to, but as I mentioned before, I'm just glad they are being carted off together...literally...since Gintoki is lying on top of Hijikata. That image just pleases me to no end. Actually, when Tae-chan threw Hijikata at Gintoki, I just about screamed in delight as well since the crazy part of me wanted to believe you meant that as some kind of pro-GinHiji symbolism. It also didn’t escape my notice that as soon as Gintoki realized Tae-chan was about to subject Hijikata to the same treatment as she inflicted on Yamazaki, he immediately created a distraction by rolling away. I know I'm nuts, but I hope you will continue to forgive my fangirl tendencies since they tend to be fleeting. I mean, Bimbokusai could be wheeling them to Yoshiwara for all I know, so I am always fully prepared to put a cap on my silly notions at a moment's notice. Even though I am not eager to see Gintoki and Hijikata's time together end so soon, I honestly cannot complain. You have given me so much already, it is only reasonable that you spread your generosity around to others. Not to mention, I am curious as to what Tsukky and the others have been up to these past two years, I miss Sacchan as well, so if that is whom we will be visiting with next, I look forward to seeing them.

Yours truly,

A silly fangirl with yaoi dreams

(^3^)  

PS: Those who mannequin, get beaten to a bloodied pulp and are thrown out like trash together, STAYS TOGETHER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Sorachi-sama!

[razberryyum]

A Gintama chapter a day keeps the ending away...Lesson 684

MY 17 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 684:

1) Tae-chan was pretty much checking out their packages, especially Yamazaki’s mosaic.

2) Takasugi obviously got infected by Gintoki’s dork virus.

3) Or maybe Takasugi was always a dork, even in his evil villain phase. Either way, Hijikata’s indignant reaction was hilarious.

4) I really want to know who Yamazaki was reacting to in order to be able to keep his Tower of Babel up. Hopefully it was Tae-chan.

5) Good to know that Tae-chan hadn’t lost her violent edge in the two years.

6) She is so brutal. I love her. But poor Yamazaki. Ouch. Thank the gods he’s Robozaki now.

7) He got his penis pummeled and his head ripped off, of course he couldn’t stay as Yama or Robozaki anymore. I didn’t understand the Colonel thing at first but now I have since been educated that apparently KFC is beloved in Japan. I’m guessing it’s probably because they make it better there...they seriously make everything better there. 

8) And suddenly I wondered if Tae-chan is actually a GinHiji shipper herself.

9) Omg she is seriously BRUTAL. And of course by this point I had to think Tae-chan must have seen through their disguise. I mean, otherwise that would just be randomly sadistic.

10) I actually thought that was rather clever of Otae to turn their dojo into a weight loss center. Of course she was totally scamming her students since she made sure they stayed chubby with all the Haagen Daez, but that just makes her an even smarter businesswoman.

11) KYUU-CHAN IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! Like, dashing AND pretty at the same time.

12) So happy to see that the Yagyuu devas were all present again, especially Toujou.

13) I was actually pretty saddened when I thought he had passed away. Already started to miss the little old geezer.

14) I am of course still hoping that someone could end up being a woman, but I also understand Kyuu-chan’s strong sense of duty to her family. It would be nice if she could just have baby with some guy to carry on the Yagyuu clan and have a female lover...even though I also think she seems to only be Tae-sexual.  I’m just happy she is at peace with herself. She looks so beautifully joyful.

15) This was actually an odd bit of conversation since it sounded like they both thought Gintoki was in love with Kyuubei. Not that I’m objecting, but it is interesting that they would even think he’d care about her being in a wedding dress.

16) And then when something like this happens, I realize I’m stupid to even think Kyuu-chan can ever be with a man. He wouldn’t survive the attempt.

17) Bimbokusai lives! And I was genuinely happy about it.

SHIPS TALLY: 

Gintoki x Hijikata: they’re still together, suffering together, being discarded like trash together. That’s enough to make me immensely pleased.

Kyuubei x Otae: they’re still spending time together. Although, to be honest, since Kyuu-chan lacked the intensity of emotion she usually possesses around Tae-chan, I actually thought that was evidence that Otae was indeed married to Kondou. Would explain why she was finally willing to even seriously consider marriage. Didn’t mean to turn this into a KonTae thing, but that was what I was thinking when I first read this chapter.

Gintoki x Kyuubei: yes, even now I still think that if Gintoki had to end up with any of the Ginta ladies, I would still prefer that woman be Kyuubei. 

Hijikata x Yamazaki: they were communicating with each other psychically!!!  

Hijikata x Otae or Yamazaki x Otae: both could apply here, since it depends on whether or not she saw through the disguise. Either way, she wanted to see some nakedness.

Disclaimer: Gintama is not only about shipping. Gintama is hilarious, clever, exciting, poignant, heart-breaking, loving, brilliant, and just so freaking amazing.  It is only due to Sorachi-sama’s generosity that I can enjoy Gintama on yet another level, the shippy level, and I am forever grateful for that. GINTAMA IS LIFE AND LOVE.

11/21/2018

[razberryyum]

A Gintama chapter a day keeps the ending away...Lesson 618

MY 10 FAVORITE MOMENTS IN LESSON 618:

1) The Yagyuu Four Devas’ devotion to each other was pretty touching.

2) Really wish we got to see more of them beyond these short scenes.

3) Omg I was so damn worried for Toujou. If anything happened to him, I wanted those Dakini guys all pulverized.

4) I was glad baldy wasn’t dead after all but felt bad for him losing an arm. 

5) Grandpa Yagyuu is just so amazing: Nishino is like probably 10 times his weight.

6) I LOVED Kyuu-chan’s speech: “You’re the one that doesn’t know what a war is. This thing you people needlessly cause because you’re going on about freedom or  whatever, is a deed that ropes in men, women and children and returns them all to dust and ash. Surely you didn’t start this battle without the readiness to swing that metal club down on the heads of women and children? Surely you didn’t stand in front of us without the readiness to have your throat cut by a woman or a child?”

7) SO proud of them!!

8) LOVED this fight sequence...

9)...despite the rough quality...still loved it...

10)...especially this surprise attack. Teamwork banzai!

SHIPS TALLY:

Kyuubei x Otae: Tae-chan always has such soft looks for Kyuu-chan. I feel the feelings.

Gintoki x Kyuubei: ok, that was gross and rude of Gintoki and I refuse to believe that Kyuu-chan smells anything but clean from there, but it’s still kinda a cute moment...even if he deserved the punishment she doled out to him right after. 

Disclaimer: Gintama is not only about shipping. Gintama is hilarious, clever, exciting, poignant, heart-breaking, loving, brilliant, and just so freaking amazing.  It is only due to Sorachi-sama’s generosity that I can enjoy Gintama on yet another level, the shippy level, and I am forever grateful for that. GINTAMA IS LIFE AND LOVE.

9/16/2018