About “Gintama” in a few words:

Gintama is a Japanese anime series set in an alternate universe where aliens have taken over Japan and samurais are no longer needed. The story follows Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai who now runs an odd jobs business with his friends Shinpachi and Kagura. The series is known for its blend of comedy, action, and drama, and its numerous references to Japanese pop culture and history.

Meet the characters from Gintama

Gintoki Sakata

Gintoki is the sugar-addicted, flopped-samurai who somehow looks like he hasn’t slept since 1865 and yet slices through enemies like it’s casual. He mooches ramen, shirks rent, and reads way too many trashy books (but will absolutely defend your honor if needed), so basically a paradox wrapped in a silver perm. Loud, lazy, deeply sarcastic and somehow sentimental in the worst possible moments — he claims he hates responsibility but will carry the weirdest burdens for people he barely knows. Also, he has a sweet tooth that defeats his dignity on a weekly basis and, no, I still don’t know how someone that lazy is the best swordsman in town.

Shinpachi Shimura

Shinpachi is the bespectacled “normal” anchor of the chaos, the one who keeps reeling everyone back to reality even when reality is screaming. He’s awkward, earnest, the voice of conscience — and also secretly a little bit ridiculous (yes he practices samurai stances in the mirror, yes he has a stern face when he eats). He tries to be serious but gets pulled into every ridiculous Gintama scheme because loyalty, and also because somebody has to make sure nobody burns the apartment down. Sometimes painfully sensible, sometimes embarrassingly sentimental, and occasionally suspiciously brave when it counts.

Kagura

Kagura is pure chaotic sunshine with too much strength and zero chill; a Yato girl who loves food, naps, and punching things into next week. She cries at cute things, eats everything in sight (I mean everything — sweets, meat, the occasional stolen burger), and then wakes up ready to kick ass but apologizes later with a smile. Childlike energy plus sudden terrifying competence makes her both adorable and kind of a walking hazard, which is why you adore her and keep her away from fragile furniture. Also she claims she hates rules but will obey one person if bribed with pudding.

Toshiro Hijikata

Hijikata is the ice-cold vice-commander with a mayonnaise obsession and a face that says “disapproval” under every possible circumstance. He sneers at incompetence but will go to war for his squad and has this weird soft spot for the people he bullies — like a grumpy cat who insists on leadership. Super strict, obsessed with duty and order (except when he’s obsessing about his mayo stash at home), and also suspiciously clumsy with affection. He’s terrifying, intimidating, and also a walking meme when it comes to food choices, which somehow makes him even more awesome.

Isao Kondo

Kondo is the love-struck, towering commander who charges into trouble with nobility and zero subtlety, and honestly it’s kind of his brand. He’s absurdly earnest — full of grand speeches and half-baked plans — yet somehow people trust him because his heart is enormous and oddly competent when it matters. Perpetual romantic, persistent fangirl magnet (women and problems both, apparently), and definitely more heroic than he gives himself credit for. Also a bit clumsy, cries at reunions, and insists on making the worst wedding plans you could imagine but with infinite enthusiasm.

Sogo Okita

Sougo/Okita is the smiling little monster who punches first and apologizes never, a prodigy who thinks pranks are an art form. Cold, sadistic, absurdly talented, and somehow emotionally immature in the cutest and most terrifying ways, he loves to torment Hijikata like it’s a national pastime. Brilliant tactician, terrible sibling rival, and occasionally shows a sliver of decency that you notice and then immediately forget because he stabbed it with a training sword. He bakes? No, he definitely does not bake — except when he does, for reasons nobody can explain.

Tae Shimura

Tae (Otae!) is fierce, endlessly practical, and somehow both mom and bodyguard of the Shimura household; she runs things with a frying pan and a death glare. She scolds the boys, punches perverts, and cooks surprisingly well (but will deny that she enjoys it), a mix of tenderness and absolute no-nonsense vibes. Loyal to a fault and weirdly soft about her family, she pretends to be blasé but gets flustered when praised, which is adorable and unfair. Also she can out-drink most people and will win an argument by simply existing in the room — 10/10 would not mess with.

Kotaro Katsura

Katsura is the dramatic, tea-drinking rebel leader who insists on calling everyone “Zura” as if that explains anything, and it’s somehow both tragic and hilarious. Deeply idealistic, constantly plotting world-changing (and often ridiculous) schemes, he alternates between philosophical speeches and hiding in a convenience store robe, because of course he does. Loyal, stubborn to the end, and prone to melodramatic exits, he is both a nuisance and a genuine inspiration to his followers. Also he loves small fluffy animals but will deny it loudly while secretly carrying a plushie in his coat.