Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen
Summary: Gintoki and his Yorozuya friends (or rather, employees suffering under labor violations), Shinpachi and Kagura, continue to scrape by in the futuristic, alien-infested city of Edo. They take on whatever work they can find while trying not to get involved in anything too dangerous. But when Katsura, the leader of the Joui rebels and Gintoki's long-time acquaintance, disappears after being brutally attacked by an unknown assassin, Shinpachi and Kagura begin an investigation into his whereabouts and the identity of the assailant. Meanwhile, Gintoki takes on a seemingly unrelated job: the blacksmith Tetsuya requests that Gin recover a strange and powerful sword called the Benizakura which was recently stolen.
As the two investigations gradually intersect, the Yorozuya crew find themselves in the midst of a major conspiracy that hinges on the sinister nature of the Benizakura sword. Gintoki resolves to take the fight directly to the enemy headquarters, and together with a few unexpected allies, sets out on one of his most perilous jobs yet.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Description
Gintoki and his Yorozuya friends (or rather, employees suffering under labor violations), Shinpachi and Kagura, continue to scrape by in the futuristic, alien-infested city of Edo. They take on whatever work they can find while trying not to get involved in anything too dangerous. But when Katsura, the leader of the Joui rebels and Gintoki's long-time acquaintance, disappears after being brutally attacked by an unknown assassin, Shinpachi and Kagura begin an investigation into his whereabouts and the identity of the assailant. Meanwhile, Gintoki takes on a seemingly unrelated job: the blacksmith Tetsuya requests that Gin recover a strange and powerful sword called the Benizakura which was recently stolen.
As the two investigations gradually intersect, the Yorozuya crew find themselves in the midst of a major conspiracy that hinges on the sinister nature of the Benizakura sword. Gintoki resolves to take the fight directly to the enemy headquarters, and together with a few unexpected allies, sets out on one of his most perilous jobs yet.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen Review
Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen — Gintoki and his Yorozuya friends (or rather, employees suffering under labor violations), Shinpachi and Kagura, continue to scrape by in the futuristic, alien-infested city of Edo. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi conventions as a Movie work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.52). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Elizabeth
Main
Love, Andrew
English
Elizabeth
Main
Takamatsu, Shinji
Japanese
Elizabeth
Main
Wigand, Walter
German
Kagura
Main
Kugimiya, Rie
Japanese
Kagura
Main
Christian, Luci
English
Kagura
Main
Möller, Kaya Marie
German
Kagura
Main
Granato, Jolanda
Italian
Katsura, Kotarou
Main
Ishida, Akira
Japanese
Katsura, Kotarou
Main
Guardiola, Illich
English
Katsura, Kotarou
Main
Seidenberg, Mark
German
Katsura, Kotarou
Main
Lomazzi, Edoardo
Italian
Sakata, Gintoki
Main
Sugita, Tomokazu
Japanese
Sakata, Gintoki
Main
Patton, Chris
English
Sakata, Gintoki
Main
Weigert, Jacob
German
Sakata, Gintoki
Main
Viola, Federico
Italian
Shimura, Shinpachi
Main
Sakaguchi, Daisuke
Japanese
Shimura, Shinpachi
Main
Laskowski, Mark
English
Shimura, Shinpachi
Main
Diakow, Tobias
German
Shimura, Shinpachi
Main
Singh, Mosè
Italian
Abuto
Supporting
Ootsuka, Houchuu
Japanese
Staff
Azuma, Fukashi
Producer
Hieda, Susumu
Producer
Higuchi, Hiromitsu
Producer
Takamatsu, Shinji
Director
Kobayashi, Katsuyoshi
Sound Director
Yoshimura, Ai
Episode Director
DOES
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Arrangement, Theme Song Composition
Akai, Masataka
Key Animation
Asai, Akito
Key Animation
Audio Highs
Music
Fujisaki, Shizuka
In-Between Animation
Fukuyama, Eiji
Key Animation
Fukuyo, Manami
2nd Key Animation
Habe, Takashi
Key Animation
Handa, Shuuhei
In-Between Animation
Hasegawa, Yuka
Key Animation
Hattori, Manami
Key Animation
Hayano, Yoshito
Production Manager
Hayashi, Youko
In-Between Animation
Honjou, Keiichirou
2nd Key Animation