In the beginning, it's mostly comedy. In my case, I watched 12 episodes and then had a 1 year break. That's how much I didn't like it at first. But if you give it a chance and go on watching, you'll see that Gintama also has one of the best stories out there other than its comedy element and you'll begin to think "why the hell didn't I watch such a masterpiece before?". It's an anime where you can both laugh to your heart's content and also cry a river, or sometimes both of them at the same time :D
There is a story. If you really want to know, watch the arcs instead especially if you don't want to watch all the other episodes. http://www.yorozuyasoul.com/gintama/arcs I also recommend watching the movie too (forever Yorozuya esp). It takes time and a lot of build up. The staff even sometimes play around with the openings. There'll be subtle changes like in one where they're on the scooter and end up slipping.
Gintama is mainly gag but it has it's moments of seriousness. Honestly the current season is all about the main characters past and present situations. It's become quite serious despite having funny moments here and there.
There are some arcs which you can skip over if you didn't like what was going on (I wouldn't recommend skipping serious arcs). I honestly would skip over the Barber arc just because I didn't some of the jokes, not because it wasn't funny, but I found some things I rather not see. Most of the arcs are pretty serious or at least, they are hilarious. It can make you laugh and then cry in the next moment.
But yeah, give some of the arcs a few try. Gintoki gives some pretty nice advice from time to time.
Also, they did a Kuroshitsuji reference for their opening once. For some of these, it's usually not in arc episodes but the stand alone episodes. It's usually the first 5 minutes when they try to take up time. I can't remember the exact episode seeing how it's been a long time. I would recommend watching their opening and ending most of the time. It's hilarious when it changes to their current situation. They make a lot of references but it's something that you have to watch all the episodes to find out. Stand alone episodes are pretty hilarious too. When you find yourself getting into the story, I recommend going back and watching some of the stand alone episodes.
I think it's good. But it's a comedy anime. So it's not as good as the douhjinshi. .
watching gintama would be the best desicion of your life.
it's comedy anime/manga. no... a crazy, pot-smoking read. I don't know if you are into those kind but it's reaaaaalllly entertaining. and yes. about the reference, you would enjoy the insider jokes more if you have read or watch a lot of manga.
there's a storyline if you continue reading. (I only watch the anime as a supplementary) So if you want to ask me about it, i'd give you a general gist of the plot.
I was actually wondering the same thing! And for the same reason! The gintama DJs are nice but wasn't sure about the anime itself! Thanks for asking and thanks everybody body for the great advice! ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~
When I first watched the first epi, it made me lose interest, so maybe a year later, I tried to watch it again and kept on watching until the good parts come along. Trust me you will love it. I am a HUGE FAN OF GINTAMA
Thank you for your responses, I'm the kind of person that really don't like to miss/skip things, even if they are fillers (I've watched ALL Naruto episodes, so I'm used to lol) so, if it turns boring I doubt I'll skip it XD I just wanted to have some motivation in order to watch the whole thing hahaha and if many people say that is good enough, I'll give it a second chance. I know that firsts episodes are sometimes boring and they get good through time in time, anyways, again, thank you very much<333
Oh my, at first I was kinda ashamed of admitting that i'm interested in gintama for Djs haha i'm glad that i'm not the only one X'DD
Haha! No shame here! I've read a lot of DJs some from animes I've watched like Naruto and some I haven't watched like Free! so I certainly can't judge anybody!!
Is gintama really good? I mean, the only thing that i know from it, is of those yaoi doujinshis I've read and most of them are enjoyable. I tried to wached the anime (only five chapters) and I don't get it, a friend said that has a lot of another anime references and I've wached a lot of animes so that would not be a problem but is just like, only focused on comedy or there is really a story behind?