Gintama

Episode 290

Seldom-seen intergalactic merchant Sakamoto Tatsuma is the focus of this week's Gintama, told largely from the perspective of Gintoki and Sakamoto's right-hand woman, Mutsu. It's a rare opportunity to delve into the past of the man most known for his sunglasses, his infrequent appearances, and his bizarre, incessant laugh. Nearly every time he interacts with Gintoki (the series' show-runner, breakout star, and head of merchandising), Sakamoto begs his old friend for an expanded role. However, in light of Gintoki's short fuse, his kowtowing usually has the opposite effect. We don't get to see what makes the character tick this week, but we do see how he came into Gintoki's life as a captain and sea merchant during the Joi Rebellion.

Nonetheless, more attention is paid to Mutsu's origins than Sakamoto's in this episode. Before partnering with Sakamoto, she was the captain of an intergalactic slave ship and worked alongside a dastardly commander whose face is never shown. (The bit is funny but gets repetitive after the umpteenth time someone tosses their cookies to conceal his face.) She first becomes acquainted with Sakamoto when her men pull him from the ocean. Despite being a prisoner to be sold as a slave, the intrepid young merchant immediately offers to purchase Mutsu's entire fleet. However, the theme of Sakamoto-told-through-other-perspectives actually works for the character. Even when we're treated to his "origins," it's not (yet) about him, it's about how he impacted someone else.

Sakamoto is the perfect combination of rogue, self-serving hero and peculiar comic relief. When Mutsu offers him the chance to escape his imprisonment—and unbeknownst to him, his execution—his first concern isn't saving his fellow prisoners. Instead, he wants to steal everything for himself, including the ships and the slaves. It often seems like not much is going on in that carefree head of his, but he wouldn't be a successful merchant if that were truly the case.

Some of the humor is repetitive, particularly the repeated projectile vomiting, but gross-out gags don't completely dominate the proceedings. The scene where young Gintoki haughtily pokes fun at Takasugi's privileged upbringing is particularly amusing, sure to please fans of the series' elusive antagonist. (Katsura doing his usual "I'm not X, I'm Katsura" routine throughout the same flashback makes it even funnier.) Personally, I don't see every Takasugi appearance as a momentous treat, but I always appreciate attempts to add humor to the character. He seems more like part of the Gintama world when he's not just delivering clichéd villain dialogue and setting diabolical plans into motion.

While at times predictable, this week's Gintama is an enjoyable spotlight on Sakamoto. The way his story is framed through the eyes of his closest friends fits the character. Next week is sure to bring more of the same—more seasick Sakamoto and more reasons to keep that character's face covered—but Gintama is sure to pull it off admirably.

Rating: B+

Gintama is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for two decades.