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[]
After Hijikata learns of Gintoki's involvement with the "civil war" between Katsura and Takasugi, he enlists Yamazaki to act as a reconnaissance agent and gather up as much information about the man as possible-- which results in giving the inspector more than he bargained for in the process.
Impressions[]
The Benizakura Arc is extremely important for Gintama. It proved that Gintama was not just a nonsensical action comedy on the surface; it had the strength to convey intense drama and action in addition to comedy, with this arc in particular having a confidence and setup that previous stories had only hinted at being capable of but never carried through or elaborated on to the same extent.
The origins of Gintoki, Katsura, and Takasugi manage to get more of a spotlight this time around, and the details revealed in this arc will get further elaboration as they become more relevant in the future. It also establishes the Kiheitai as an antagonistic faction within the story that have motives which are similar to Katsura's own Anti-Foreigner movement, but with a methodology and mindset behind them that clashes with Katsura's in a way that will offer a very unique villain dynamic for the Yorozuya, the Shinsengumi, and Katsura himself in the arcs to come.
Characters[]
Characters in order of appearance
- Katsura Kotarou
- Okada Nizou
- Elizabeth
- Shimura Shinpachi
- Sakata Gintoki
- Kagura
- Murata Tetsuya (debut)
- Murata Tetsuko (debut)
- Sadaharu
- Recycle-shop Proprietress
- Takechi Henpeita (debut)
- Takasugi Shinsuke
- Kijima Matako (debut)
- Shimura Tae
- Kawakami Bansai
- Yoshida Shouyou (flashback)
- Harusame
- Ikumatsu (flashback)
- Saigou Teruhiko (flashback)
- Saigou Tokumori (flashback)
Aftermath characters (Lesson 98)[]
- Hijikata Toushirou (aftermath)
- Yamazaki Sagaru (aftermath)
- Kondou Isao (aftermath)
- Sarutobi Ayame (aftermath)
Movie only Characters[]
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.