Benizakura Arc

Benizakura Arc
Arc Information
Volumes	11-12, 2 volumes
Lessons	89-97, 9 Lessons 98 (Aftermath)
Anime Episodes	58-61, 4 episodes 62 (Aftermath)
Release Date	2006 (Manga) 2007 (Anime)
Arc Chronology
Manga
← Previous	Infant Strife Arc
Next →	Mother Arc
Anime
← Previous	Mother Arc
Next →	Fuyo Arc

Benizakura Arc is the ninth arc in Gintama. It introduces Takasugi's terrorist group, Kiheitai and the swordsmith Tetsuko. It also gives hints of the shared history between Katsura, Gintoki and Takasugi involving the man Shouyou.

Story

The Yorozuya receive two jobs: Namely to search for Katsura as requested by Elizabeth and, additionally, to recover a dangerous blade known as Benizakura for the blacksmith Tetsuya. Although, as the Yorozuya start to bump into each other more and more while attempting to solve these two (seemingly) unrelated cases, it becomes clear that there's more to both requests than they had been led to believe.

Aftermath

Hijikata learns of Gintoki's involvement with the "civil war" between Katsura and Takasugi, He tasks Yamazaki to research the man and the inspector gets more than he bargains for in the process.

Impressions

The Benizakura Arc is a major arc for Gintama. It showed that Gintama was not just a nonsensical comedy; it had a story and can show drama and action from this point onward.

Perhaps the major aftermath of the arc is that there is now a storyline to make a basis on Gintama's storyline. It reveals the origins of Gintoki, Katsura, and Takasugi that will be shown at different times later in the series. It also establishes the Kihetai as another antagonist within the story.

Characters

Characters in order of appearance

1. Katsura Kotarou
2. Okada Nizou
3. Elizabeth
4. Shimura Shinpachi
5. Sakata Gintoki
6. Kagura
7. Murata Tetsuya (debut)
8. Murata Tetsuko (debut)
9. Sadaharu
10. Recycle-shop Proprietress
11. Takechi Henpeita (debut)
12. Takasugi Shinsuke
13. Kijima Matako (debut)
14. Shimura Tae
15. Kawakami Bansai
16. Yoshida Shouyou (flashback)
17. Harusame
18. Ikumatsu (flashback)
19. Saigou Teruhiko (flashback)
20. Saigou Tokumori (flashback)

Aftermath characters (Lesson 98)

1. Hijikata Toushirou (aftermath)
2. Yamazaki Sagaru (aftermath)
3. Kondou Isao (aftermath)
4. Sarutobi Ayame (aftermath)

Movie only Characters

1. Kamui (movie)
2. Abuto (movie)
3. Ungyou (movie)
4. Otose (movie)
5. Harusame
6. Sougo Okita (movie)

Major Fights

• Sakata Gintoki vs Okada Nizou (Round 1)
• Kagura vs Kijima Matako (Round 1)
• Sakata Gintoki vs Okada Nizou (Round 2)
• Shimura Shinpachi vs Takechi Henpeita
• Kagura vs Kijima Matako (Round 2)
• Katsura Kotarou & Sakata Gintoki vs Harusame

Trivia

• This arc introduces the Kiheitai.
• More introductions to the Kiheitai's plans and alliance toward the Harusame are revealed.
• More past moments of Katsura Kotarou, Sakata Gintoki and Takasugi Shinsuke toward Shouyou are revealed.
• The Benizakura Arc is the first arc to be used in Gintama's first movies (animated and live-action).
• The differences of Anime, Manga and Live Action.
• The name "Benizakura" comes from "Benihime" and "Senbonzakura"- a playful reference to two legendary Zanpakuto swords wielded by Soul Reapers/Shinigami Kisuke Urahara and Byakuya Kuchiki respectively from the manga/anime Bleach.