#and then his only other scene is where hes being Evil with takechi

[todayisafridaynight]

day seven i desperately need to know where the original of this cap is from cause my blind ass aint seein it in game

[sparda3g]

Gintama Chapter 675 Review

After the fans practiced the feel of no Gintama for a week, we are back with a new chapter that thankfully didn’t give us a major brain damage. Instead, we got what we expected from our normal prediction with a few new twists that is best to say that we are going to be here for a long time. I’m not going to complain; more Gintama for us. Seriously, this chapter increases my interest with its setting and more questions that have me intrigued to follow.

There was a brief feeling of uncertainty in the first scene with some guy in a Mafia suit because well, I was scarred from Kanna’s reveal. It was building up to his reveal like he was going to be someone we believe we know who he is, only to troll us. Luckily, the man behind the suit is in fact Sougo, only now he has his own gang. The good news is Sougo is back. The bad news is Sougo is back.

Interestingly though maybe not surprising, he attacks Shinpachi and the kids like they’re his target, even though it is Katsura that they should target at. I got to credit Shinpachi for dodging those bullets swiftly as well as protecting Tamako. It’s worth noting that Kanna did her own saving, so the Yato bloodline is an amazing perk for kids. It’s great to see Sougo and of course, he didn’t die. That would have killed fans. His disappearance remains unanswered; at least until after the next scene.

The gag scene with an awful drawing of Takasugi is hilarious. This has to be a reference to One Piece gag scene; only this one has its own way to bring in the laughter. Gintoki either can’t draw a person accurately or he’s trolling hard, he does go around asking for help to find him. The best part is where he found a guy with the same look as the picture and yet, he bad mouths it like it’s not his business.

What’s funnier is his family has the same face but pay no mind that they’re identical. It made it better that it went casually and never really point out the obvious from anyone. I got a good laugh from that small scene. Eventually, Gintoki does find Takasugi in a feud with strangers. I would have thought he was going to show more sinister vibe of his to gives us more insight of his agenda. Nope. It wasn’t him.

I laughed so much at the reveal because it’s Takechi behind the disguise, yet I should have known better. The buildup was the guy bashing him about women being disappointed; somehow I missed that cue. The running gag never fails to make me laugh. Gintoki just pummel him like he is going to finish him off where the War failed to do so.

Once Matako shows up, I was back to focusing on the potential drama for we finally see Kiheitai in the scene again. I was ready for a serious talk with them since Gintoki did encounter Takasugi. But nope, Gintoki got another serious question in mind. He was very curious of Matako, but not actual her, rather her movie counterpart.

Apparently, there was “something” from her towards Shinpachi in the live-action, which is funny because I have the blu-ray copy and I haven’t seen it as of this time of writing. After what Gintoki said, I’m pretty curious now. There’s a good innuendo joke that thankfully the note was written to understand completely. The joke is just him being him but in a funny way. What a way to break the serious moment there.

The chapter shifts back to Shinpachi and his more or less battle against Sougo. He does pretty well for evading all of his attack, so that’s a good progress. He doesn’t fight back because that’s not his intention, which I respect that. Sougo does want to test out his strength after two years for entertainment purposes. Well, that’s one hell of a way to do so.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the new insight of the current world that really screams for this arc to be lengthy. Sougo’s “death” is only addressed as a metaphor because realistically, they felt cheated from this world. It’s revealed that the Mafia is practically Shinsengumi; even Saitou is there without a mask. It’s rather clever for Sorachi to somehow made Sougo as the leader without dealing with the ranking within Shinsengumi.

What compelled me is what Sougo said about why he left or “died.” The New Government has been controlling the new state of the world behind the scene and when you look over the past chapters, it really does feel like it’s all been a farce. I’m very impressed that Sorachi didn’t go with the typical route of war ending equals happy ending. Tell me, when was the last time the war aftermath doesn’t result to all peace, no problem?

I find this direction very appealing because not only it is going to be on a personal level than the War portion, but it went with a realistic route of not everything would result happiness. Utsuro wasn’t wrong when he said that life will have many hardship and suffering even without him. This revelation made his words truthful; making a villain credible is worth admiring. Now I really want to know how this would be resolved. This also could connect to the last part of this chapter.

It is funny that despite some truthful words about the lies and conspiracy from the New Government, Sougo has created a new organization that surely doesn’t scream evil. If anything, without the law of Shinsengumi, let alone in general, he is now free to be as sinister as he wants to be. Hell, he’s looking more like the main final villain of the arc; that’s how much darkness he’s showing. There must be more to his agenda behind this Mafia thingy, but right now, he’s a savage beast that wants to kill.

Maybe it’s because of the design, but Kanna is adorable here yet she was being rather thoughtful and taunting in a way towards Sougo. She didn’t feel any bloodlust from him at all, so she didn’t get what’s dangerous about that. Wow, that is some fighting words you’re spouting. Sougo swings his sword at her, but she’s taunting him further while standing on his sword. Sorachi knows how to make a kickass child.

For what it’s worth, the action is pretty neat for what it is. The artwork is solid with choreograph of evasive maneuvers. Kanna was easily dodging his move and even called him a disappointment. She must have motivated him to fight at his best for being reminded of Kagura. Another interesting piece is Sougo dropping another mystery by mentioning “other.” It appears that Katsura won’t be the only target and whoever other is it could be a sign of a real focus coming in play. I’m really absorbed with this new plot.

It’s an appealing approach to have two focuses going at once and it does feel like both are slowly tying-in together. It ends with Gintoki being sincere and somewhat protective for Takasugi. I do like the connection from the last arc with Kiheitai never dissolved; only gone away for a moment. I do hope they reunite to shed the light on why Takasugi left. It’s a bit eerie for Gintoki to not call him living.

The most touching scene is when Gintoki defends Takasugi and it’s not only because of his defense. Despite the hidden feelings behind Takasugi’s action, Gintoki understands his motive or at least has the best idea on why he split up and tries to attract no one’s interest. It’s obvious that he’s trying his way to cleanse his past; it’s just hard to understand his action and why that path.

What really stuck me is not only Gintoki was defending him in a way; he’s actually speaking from his heart because he can relate to him. By that, I mean splitting up from his family. When he reminds himself from his farewell to Yorozuya, there’s that sense of possible regret or action that he must take care of without others to be involved. It’s a past that they feel that the present should not intervene for it is their own personal demon they must cleanse for good.

I seriously love where this is going. We have Shinpachi who is struggling to move forward to a new path while Gintoki is struggling to move forward from his past. That subtle expression of him believing their loved ones stopping them would be the best option speaks volume of his feelings. Two years and they got no real progress in their life. At least Kagura got a child. But seriously, it’s only matter of time for her coming in to bring the balance and hopefully, the payoff will be the best that any series could offer me right now.

The ending is interesting because Gintoki is under attack. Honestly, I thought it was just a one-time moment with Hijikata’s men, but this surprised me that he’s really being targeted. The only question is who. I am grasping the feeling that the New Government may want to wipe him out because maybe we are back to the period before Amanto’s Invasion.

This was a pretty compelling chapter to read with a good amount of comedy moments. It’s good to see Sougo back in action, despite being even more devilish. The art is clean and the comedy is well delivered. The buildup for this arc is getting really interesting. The personal scene with Gintoki is touching and sincere.  I feel that this is going to be a real personal arc and honestly, that’s the best option to end the series with.

[sparda3g]

Gintama Chapter 647 Review

A man can shed a tear once in a while. Not from sadness, but from hope. I have been aching for a good War Arc in Shounen for a long time, let alone the final arc. Usually, I can only hope the anime would make it better because the manga was lackluster. In here, I don't beg the anime to save it; I simply ask to show it to the world. This magnificent chapter left me in tears.

You know how you see in anime when a person cries because there is a new hope and they can finally break the curse? That's how I felt when I finally got to witness a gratifying moment in the final arc and it's not even the end. It has just about what all other recent Shounen final battle has but not only it's not the last, it was done in the upmost outstanding performance. It's all I wanted.

The fight against Enshou overachieve my expectations. It's not only so thrilling and downright intense battle yet, but it also captures the spirit of the series perfectly when it comes to action sequence. It's vintage Gintama and yet, it continues to leave with great satisfaction. What's even greater is that majority of the battle climax are unique to its own. No battle is copying Takasugi versus Gintoki climax. I'm amazed on how Sorachi can keep it fresh.

This chapter is essentially the final standoff and it was excellent. I was sure that Enshou was done but again, a villain that can't admit defeat is a terrifying foe. I know people hate him, as it intended to be, but in writing perspective, it's fantastic to have someone that is beyond stubborn to submit. What I love is how Takasugi and Enshou are at their final stand; how they're trying to strike first gives a riveting and high tension event. Everyone else fights to give their leader the opening to win the battle. This is just an incredible moment.

The flashback contributes powerfully to the present time. While it's great to see what happened when Shoukaku found Takasugi, the real purpose is the excellent buildup to the final act. To begin with, it emphasizes that Takasugi is in a bad shape, as shown in the last chapter, but the magnitude is properly addressed here. He wasn't even supposed to fight anymore, hence why he can barely stand up now, but he's doing it for his people.

The conversation between him and Takechi is touching. The quote about living longer based on how bad you are is sad when you think about it; it's just how he lived. I love how he knows the magnitude of the war has gotten out of hand, so he wanted Matako to leave. She is technically the co-founder of Kiheitai.

It is surprisingly sweet that he always know that she is not evil enough like them and wants to protect her, let alone with the respect to Bansai. Now I understand why her involvement always sways him to react, like in the last arc. A man who is said to be evil can have a good heart too. Then, it begins the breathtaking sequence of the final standoff.

The monologue is superb and that's because it's the climatic piece of the story of a hero being made. Hero is always needed for those who seek for one and honestly, it's not a bad thing. However, what Sorachi tops it is the idea of a hero and a man. It was building up since this volume began and it was addressed properly. It all ends on a profound message.

Hero is a title that can give hope to the fallen. It's like when you hear "super" you would think that person is beyond powerful than any man. While it doesn't compare in terms of meaning, it compares in terms of what you believe in. Many fictional stories have a hero to count on, but in real life like in a historical war, there is no true hero; there are only men. That's Takasugi.

People fight for him to win; people fight to protect him; people fight to save him. They do so because they love him as whom he is, not what he is. Hero is a dream and we can go beyond that. I can't do the scene justice but the sequence and the monologue made it incredible.

Everyone is out there fighting with everything they got. Enshou breaking his arm to make it able to swing one more time is sickening but that's how intense it is. Takasugi getting back up is breathtaking; I was clinging on to something for him to get back up on time. Instead pulling the usual moment where the hero gets back on time, he actually was going to die. Then, out comes the glorious save.

I was beyond happy to see Matako to save Takasugi and led Enshou to his fall. It perfected the morale of a hero. They didn't see him as a hero, they see as their friend. That was so satisfying to see her to get one stoppage. The woman was saved by the man that led to the beginning of Kiheitai; now, the same woman saved the same man that will continue to lead. Beautiful.

The break must have given a lot of time for Sorachi to create this wonderful presentation. While I was heavily impressed with the last chapter, I'm astounded with this one due to the great mix of monologue and the sequence. It's gratifying to the max. The double page spread is picture perfect; it's a rare moment of how a rarity use of double page can make the moment twice as epic. Takasugi cutting down Enshou is like looking at a masterpiece being displayed.

If that wasn't enough, Utsuro even inputs his thought and it's such a sinister way to say that Enshou is no longer needed. It's the perfect segue to one last set piece: the end of Enshou. He's not dead but that devastating blow along with his left arm getting cut off is the last step before entering his demise. Unless he can start fighting with his feet, it is over. What a fight.

What else can I say? It's really hard not to be highly impressed without looking like a complete fanboy.  Can you blame me? It's an outstanding climatic piece of a battle that is going to be really hard to top it. But I believe in the Gorilla. My only problem is my anger will rise significantly at U.S. manga publication. People must read this. People must own this.