Editing Episode 256

{{Template:Episode Box
|title           = The Meaning of a Main Character
|image           = [[File:Vlcsnap-2015-03-24-20h07m18s92.png|300px]]
|jname           = 主人公とは
|rname           = Shujinkō to wa
|ename           = The Meaning of a Main Character
|episode         = 256
|airdate         = October 25, 2012
|chapters        = [[Lesson 378]]<br/>[[Lesson 379]]<br/>[[Lesson 380]]
|arc             = [[Kintama Arc]]
|opening         =[[Let's Go Out]]
|ending          = [[Moonwalk]]
|previousepisode = [[Episode 255]]
|nextepisode     = [[Episode 257]]}}

==Introduction==
The battle of Kin-chan vs. Gin-Chan reaches the climax. Kin-Chan will end this anime for good this time.

==Plot==
The situation between Gintoki and Kintoki intensifies as the latter brands anyone who sides with the former to be an enemy alongside him, taking Tsukuyo, Kyuubei, and Sacchan’s pleas to trust them as his friends as such.

In doing this however, Kintoki has turned Katsura and Hasegawa against him, Katsura affirming the promise they made to cut each other down if either of them changed and Hasegawa their friendship, and from this they finally believe that Gintoki is who he says he is. But Kintoki refuses to back down and hits them with another hypnotic wave that brainwashes all but Gintoki’s closest friends, who hold off the others while Gintoki and Kintoki finally clash. Despite Gintoki being able to easily overpower Kintoki though, Kintoki unveils that if two conditions are fulfilled that a program will activated that will wipe everyone’s memories clean, these conditions being the destruction of his core and the restoration of Kagura, Shinpachi, and Otae’s memories.

Alongside this Kintoki also reveals that he never intended to take over his position as the protagonist but completely destroy Gintama and start anew, as such this episode could be considered Gintoki’s tombstone. Even so however, Gintoki strikes him down with no regrets, tears out his core, and runs off to an isolated rooftop to attempt sacrifice himself. Declaring that like him, he too has copies in Kagura, Shinpachi, and every last character in the series. As he attempts to do this though, he finds himself surrounded by Kagura, Shinpachi, and Otae all willing to help him and sure that they’ll be able to meet again someday.

With Gintama now at an end, a new series known as Mantama begins revolving around the last man on Earth seeking the scabbard to his sword, with Kintoki as the protagonist. But only in the first episode do things start going downhill for Kintoki as his manhood, the thing that qualifies him as the protagonist in Mantama, is turned into ship in a bottle in a stroke of bad luck, and if this wasn’t enough when the heroine of the story steps forth as the transfer student she has a rather shocking secret. Being revealed to be none other than Gintoki here to hijack his series as a lesson to him with other characters removing their disguises.

Tama and Gengai arriving in the real world to explain this to him and why his hypnotic explosion failed, that the bonds people share go beyond memories. While Gintoki is prepared to just leave it be though, Kagura and Shinpachi attempt to apologise for Kintoki’s actions, Kintoki admitting that while perfect he was ultimately flawed and Gintoki responding that all the characters together help make up for each other’s flaws.

==Characters==
*[[Shimura Tae]]
*[[Tsukuyo]]
*[[Yagyuu Kyuubei]]
*[[Sakata Gintoki]]
*[[Sarutobi Ayame]]
*[[Sakata Kintoki]]
*[[Hasegawa Taizou]]
*[[Katsura Kotarou]]
*[[Kagura]]
*[[Shimura Shinpachi]]
*[[Tama]]
*[[Hiraga Gengai]]

==Trivia==
[[Category:Episodes]]
[[Category:Kintama Arc]]
[[Category:Sakata Kintoki]]
[[Category:Yagyuu Kyuubei]]
[[Category:Sarutobi Ayame]]
[[Category:Tsukuyo]]
[[Category:Sakata Gintoki]]
[[Category:Katsura Kotarou]]
[[Category:Hasegawa Taizou]]
[[Category:Toujou Ayumu]]
[[Category:Shimura Tae]]
[[Category:Shimura Shinpachi]]
[[Category:Kagura]]
[[Category:Hiraga Gengai]]
[[Category:Tama]]