Considering how gag manga is not usually my cup of tea, I would say this did a decent job of keeping me as a reader... ((I eventually gave up but I did go through 1/2 of the manga))

Gintama is silly and needs to be viewed with an open mind observing for jokes and hidden innuendos. It's not for anyone who wants a clear plot that makes a lot of sense (me) or someone who honestly wants some character development beyond the length of a few chapters (me).

Gintama is for those who are in the mood to laugh and enjoy episodic manga. I recommend this nonetheless to every one though, since who knows if you might enjoy it or not?

However, if you don't like it at all, don't even leave a review---as it would be clear that you don't even belong in this group of lovers of episodically strange gag

... Last updated on June 29th, 2014, 2:14am

Not my cup of tea.

It's funny at first, then after some chapters, the jokes get old (well, at least to me) and I get, kinda bored reading it. There isn't any character that I really like either.
I can understand why people like it though, this is a pretty unique and refreshing manga.

Anyway, a manga that can make people laugh is a good manga, so it's worth trying.

... Last updated on November 4th, 2013, 3:21pm

For the longest time I've had a hard time getting into this series, I've tried countless times but I just didn't get it... Then I tried to anime and after watching several episodes it started to grow on me. I soon found myself reading and watching it then regretting not getting into it earlier.
This series is just so unpredictable and if you want to start it, you have to go in there with no expectations and just understand that anything is possible.

I have never laughed so hard and as well shed tragic tears for a series ever. It's amazing... Even though it's mainly a gag series, when it gets to those arcs where it gets serious, it plays out extremely well and you will find how genius this series truly is.
One of the best thing about the series are the characters. I don't have a single character I hate. There isn't a lot of character development because the characters have already been developed. The characters are so... realistic in a way? There's just so much to them beyond what you see like with a real person. They all have their individual quirks and personalities that makes it really easy to fall in love with them all.
I highly recommend this series for anyone to try. I for one, will always follow this series, both anime and manga no matter where it leads.

First off

This series has no noticeable plot. After you read it for a long time there are things that you can kind of say is plot like, but for the most part no. The series is really episodic with some short arcs (3-4 chapters or so) thrown in
Keep that in mind when you start reading so you don't complain that this series has no plot later on.

This series is better to be seen in anime. Trust me on this when i say the anime is REALLY REALLY GOOD. It also has the best voice cast in any anime that I have seen, it's like the all star group of VA in one anime, Zoro's, Gaara's, Kenpachi and a hell lot more (and I seriously mean that) are in here. Also in the anime, it explains a lot of the Japanese jokes much better than those really tiny explanations in manga that you find between the panels.

Another thing you have to remember is that Gintama is to Japan as South Park is to America. Meaning that it is a manga/anime that parodies as it's main form of entertainment.This anime parodies EVERYTHING, including itself, other anime/manga, Japanese, American, Chinese (and I think one time Indian) actors and shows whether they be anime, live action Japanese, American Sweedish and Chinese (from what I can recall) as well as movies. I think I even spotted a Scooby Doo reference once.

This is also a mature read so to get the full read, you have to read with an adult perspective in mind, and by that I don't mean reading everything as a sex joke. I mean you have to try to figure out what the overlying meaning is, or got to try and figure out how the other people are feeling. That being said, sometime the overlying meaning is not as complicated as it seems and it's really just funny. So you shouldn't read it like you are expecting some psychological mystery either.

It's like one of those reads where you just pick up and you know you are gonna get a good satisfying read. I mean satisfying as in you don't feel like you just got cheated off your 20 pages. Every chapter feels like at least 20 pages due to the huge amounts of dialogue involved. Gintama chapters are never depressing (unless you are lookng from Madao's point of view) and will always contain a laugh.

I would recommend to watch the anime first though and start the anime at episode 3 since the first 2 are fillers. The way some of the characters are introduced and then their latter states are pretty hilarious.

This isn't a manga for everyone.
If you like solid straight-laced characters, some steamy plot, with seriousness...
Then Gintama is not going to be your cup of tea.
Those of you who are searching for character development, some kind of conclusions, or major resolutions, or even a solid continuous plot, then again, you might wanna look elsewhere.

But for that small few. That fantastic few of you, who are eagerly searching for parody, humour, random nonsense that makes sense only through a strict adherence to madness. Then you will adore Gintama. This manga is unlike any manga you've ever read (or will ever read!). There is nothing predictable about it. It pokes jokes at itself and at every Shounen Jump genre out there. Its quirky and its weird. Its like that post man who comes around wearing his uniform, but asks you if you have a door bell. The plots are active, forceful, tearful, beautiful, and gross. They encompass so much in them, that many could feel overwhelmed.

Gintama is not for the faint-hearted, or the serious types. Its for the adventurous lot, the crazy and ridiculous lot. Its for the cool kids who never got cool at school, but suddenly found themselves the centre of attention in University cause they smartened up about human nature (...what was I saying?) Oh but honestly, its for all of you lazy sods who can relate so much of gintoki in yerselves.

And as such, to this sorry few, I tell you to hurry up, and go read Gintama. Don't waste another second reading any other review. You've been convinced, now execute it.

1 year back i used to like Gintama , but now it's come to the point where i just want this to end

i know it's a GAG manga but even this Genre has an expiry date and this Seriously needs to end now, coz all the LAUGHS now only comes from one tickling himself for amusement coz the episode and Chapters are like a blank stare.........it's that DULL seriously END this one

... Last updated on March 26th, 2013, 11:23am

I don't really get it. Why's everyone so into Gintama? I read it because there were so many good comments but I can't really agree with what everyone is saying. Characters: funny and interesting. Art: ok. Plot: The biggest issue I have with Gintama is that it lacks plot. I read up to 247 and stopped because I just got bored. The stories always seem random and there isn't really any flow from one arc to the next. Oh and there's just too much gag (most of which is stupid?). It makes everything feel a little forced. I like some action, mystery, seriousness in mangas and on my scale, Gintama's just about average. I started reading this because it was about samurai but I realized halfway through that it's not anything like the historical action shounen I like. I can't compare it to Rurouni Kenshin at all. Meh. On hold for me.

... Last updated on March 12th, 2013, 5:05am

I don't know. I read it because I heard from a friend that it's good. Hell, I read it from the beginning up to the current release non-stop. Now I'm going for the anime. I never watched the anime of the manga I read. This is the first time. The comedy really is painfully funny. I had no regrets reading Gintama instead of studying for my quiz in tomorrow. Awesome manga.

Who knows if it will be the best ever but as of right now this manga/anime top every other manga out there. great Characters, Great comedy, great timely action(i e arcs). has everything u would love in a manga.

Gintama is my absolute favourite series of all time! I love this gloriously picaresque series. The hilarious rhapsodizing, the fantastically wacky and lovable cast of characters combines the wonderful style of Japanese manga with the hilarious, physics and logic-defying wackiness of my favourite cartoons: Freakazoid, Animaniacs and the setting reminds me of the beautiful open universe containing endless possibilities for humour and stories of Futurama. It does all of this while being it's own unique series. It also offers more than just humour, there are crowning moments of epic and there are wonderfully serious, thoughtful and even heart-breaking moments that set off the general tone of levity in the series. It's everything I like and I adore all the characters. I can't help but completely gush. Whatever anyone else thinks of this series, I will always find it PERFECT! FLAWLESS! LULZY in the extreme! ^.^ Seriously it is the greatest series ever and I find it genuinely and sincerely PERFECT.

... Last updated on June 21st, 2012, 2:11pm