The samurai didn't stand a chance. First, the aliens invaded Japan. Next, they took all the jobs. And then they confiscated everyone's swords. So what does a hotheaded former samurai like Sakata "Gin" Gintoki do to make ends meet? Take any odd job that comes his way, even if it means losing his dignity.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Talk about a high concept that's perfect for the Shonen Jump line of boy's adventure comics: samurais versus aliens. In this book, aliens invaded Edo-era Japan and outlawed the samurai way of life. Centuries later, Gin Tama is a renegade ronin, who does various odd jobs to help his friend Shin get his family dojo back in business. The chapters are actually much more character-based than one would expect from such a far-out idea. The theme of not letting traditions die in the face of changes in society is presented by Gin and Shin holding onto the samurai way while the rest of Edo gives way to alien decadence. Not only is there some food for thought in the book, the adventures can actually be pretty funny. Characters occasionally break the fourth wall. In the first chapter, when Shin asks why Gin held off attackers for only one page, Gin confesses that's still a lot for a manga artist to draw. Sorachi's characters are designed very appealingly, but his line work could be stronger. There are many times when characters would look much better developed, as a book with this much panache demands. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Hideaki Sorachi was born on May 25, 1979 and grew up in Hokkaido, Japan. His ongoing series, GIN TAMA, became a huge hit when it began running in the pages of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump in 2004. A GIN TAMA animated series followed soon after, premiering on Japanese TV in April 2006. Sorachi made his manga debut with the one-shot story DANDELION, which is included in volume 1 of the GIN TAMA graphic novels.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
gintama:humour for the wierd,
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This review is from: Gin Tama, Volume 1 (Paperback)
I've loved this series since I first set eyes on the fansubbed anime back a few months ago. If you can suspend all your regular systems of belief that Peacemaker and Rurouni Kenshin might have taught you about the Edo period, you will undoubtedly have fun with this. The Gintama-fied version of the once fearsome Shinsengumi had me in stitches: Okita is no longer sweet, childish and playful-he's now a crazy person carrying around a rocket launcher trying to off his boss at any oppurtune moment. Kondo is now a complete buffoon (and crazy person) trying to stalk Shinpachi's sister...and failing miserably. And the long suffering Hijikata is now-you guessed it! a crazy person-desperately holding on to what remains of his sanity while keeping his subordinates under control, and kicking the stuffing out of them in the process. Oh yes; and the famous rebel bomber Katsura now has a giant pet duck named 'Elizabeth' who might just be an hairy old man in disuise. Its stupid, its crude, and its crazy, but good grief its funny.
Special mention must also go to our protagonist Gintoki, whose hilariously cynical and philosophical approach to life, even in the most off-the-wall situation, is a breath of fresh air into a genre where most of the heroes are cardboard cut-out sterotypes that spout 'I want to become stronger!' over and over again. And believe it or not, there is a decent storyline hidden in there too; so even if you don't like the 'client of the day' theme, I beg of you to just hang in there and you won't be disappointed! The only thing I find disappointing with the manga adaptation is that Katsura no longer has his famous line-'Zura ja nai! KATSURA desu!' which is a great shame and an unjustifiable change. Other than that, full marks go to this comedy/action masterpiece, Gintama truly wins the gold (or silver!!) award for the best series to grace Shonen Jump since Naruto. Lets 'pray' for english release of the anime soon! (puns intended) 5/5
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like the previous reviewer said-- Gin Tama is a breath of fresh air,
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This review is from: Gin Tama, Volume 1 (Paperback)
Viz is on a roll.... Death Note, Naruto, Naoki Urawasawa's Monster, Strawberry 100% and now Gin Tama. These are all masterpieces of their respective genres and that Viz has each is high praise indeed (not just for them but for us Americans who maybe have heard of these properties, seen the fansubs and wanted to own them ourselves outright). I am so intrigued and happy about this I don't know what to say, this is hands down one of the funniest manga in the US! I have lauded Sgt Frog and Yakitate japan (both which can sometimes be lacking in total humor and seem like they are trying TOO hard) but Gin Tama is one of those rare manga that is in control of its comedy 100%. It gets everything right, wraps it up in a very interesting premise and gives shonen jump fans (who require a little bit of action) to even get off a few beats of coolness once Gin Toki jumps into his sugar fueled berserker rages. This manga is even more funny when one actually is familiar with Edo period historical characters like Kondo. All in all, very funny 1st volume and I can attest it gets even better as it goes on.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hilarious Series,
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This review is from: Gin Tama, Volume 1 (Paperback)
Easily one of the funniest mangas I've ever read and truly deserving of being physically bought.The art is pretty good for a comedy manga and the humor is hard to miss. Buy it if you want to laugh not if you want a story(at least for the first couple volumes anyways).
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