Gintama has been around for quite a few years. The basic plot of the comic is that aliens have invaded during Japan’s Edo era. The local Samuri and Shogun have no desire to find the extremely foreign force. The fate of humanity rests in the hands and swords of three freelance Samuri: Gintoki Sakata, Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura. The original Magna graphic novel version was launched at the end of 2003. Three years later the action switched over to an anime series that lasted nearly 400 episodes over a 15-year run. They show finally decided to wrap up on a theatrical note: Gintama: The Very Final. If you’re confused about the title, back in 2013 the producers released Gitama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya. Then the put out more shows. This movie swears it will be The Very Final although you need to stick around after the final credits.
The movie starts with a quick summary of how the aliens invaded and took over Japan. We’re given a quick introduction to the three heroes and thrust into their massive plan to finally stop the aliens. This initially involves keeping Utsuro from transforming into an immortal state. This is not a straightforward anime adventure. There’s plenty of toying with the story structure so it does a fine job balancing the conventions of the genre while delivering the goods. Even if you haven’t watched the previous 400 plus episodes and two movies, you’ll find yourself getting caught up in the action and attitude.
Visually Gintama: The Very Final will keep your eyes busy for the entire running time. There’s constant action. This would be one of those anime films that would play on a video screen during a dance night. And the dancers at that club whenever they look over would be impressed and also think they’re watching a bunch of anime clips instead of an entire movie. There’s so much going on. It’s almost a bit of a shock when it comes to an end although even then it doesn’t come to an end as there’s a strange scene at a school that takes place after the credits roll. The filmmakers didn’t want to completely make things normal and thus a gorilla shows up at a high school with a few answers as to what we saw without banana coating it. Gintama: The Very Final is a fantastic finale.
The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The Blu-ray transfer lets you enjoy the imagery as things get weirder and weirder. The audio includes the original Japanese language mix in DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo. The English dub is also in DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo. The movie is subtitled in English.
DVD features the movie and the bonus features.
30-Second Trailer (0:32) promises the last Gintama film.
90-Second Trailer (1:33) gives a sense of the mayhem to come. You have to come to the theater to see the real ending.
Booklet has character designs and a few storyboards.
Shout! Factory and Eleven Arts present Gintama: The Very Final. Directed by Chizuru Miyawaki. Screenplay by Chizuru Miyawaki. Starring Cole Howard, Michael Daingerfield, Jocey Lowen and Joe Daniels. Running time: 104 minutes. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: February 8, 2022.
