Manga creator Hideaki Sorachi reported in his 63rd Gintama volume on Friday that he is starting the manga's final arc this year. He added that he does not know himself if the manga end this year or next.

Sorachi had mentioned at last year's Jump Festa that the manga would enter its final arc this year. Afterwards he received various worried letters from fans, so he clarified in this volume that he did not say whether or not the manga was ending this year.

Sorachi began the manga in 2004 and it continues to be ranked among the top-selling manga in Japan. Viz Media published the first 23 volumes in English.

The manga inspired a television anime that premiered in 2006 and continued (with several extended hiatuses) until 2013. The latest Gintama television anime series premiered in April 2015, and Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs in Japan. The manga also inspired two anime films, including the "final" Gekijōban Gintama Kanketsu-hen: Yorozuya yo Eien Nare film that opened in 2013, and various OVAs and event anime.