Appeal and evaluation of the movie "Gintama: The New Benizakura Arc": New developments seen in the first film adaptation of the series

"Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc": A must-see for Gintama fans, a compilation of emotions and laughs

"Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc" is the first feature film in the anime series based on the popular manga "Gintama" by Sorachi Hideaki, and was released on April 24, 2010. This work makes the most of the worldview of Gintama, while providing fans with new excitement and laughter through a story that condenses the essence of the original work and the gorgeous visual expression that is unique to the feature film version.

story

The story of "Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc" is set in Japan at the end of the Edo period and depicts the battle against the "Tennin", invaders from outer space. The main character, Gintoki Sakata, was once a samurai feared as the "White Demon", but after losing a battle with the Tennin, he now runs a general store. He spends his days completing various requests with his companions, Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura.

The story begins when Katsura Kotaro disappears after being attacked by a mysterious assassin. The assassin wields an evil sword called Benizakura, which has artificial intelligence and parasitizes its user, accumulating combat data and evolving into a demonic weapon. Takasugi Shinsuke obtains Benizakura and revives the strongest fighting group, the Kiheitai. Gintoki and his friends are asked by Katsura's partner Elizabeth to search for Katsura.

The story moves towards a fateful confrontation between Gintoki and Takasugi, and the bonds and beliefs of the group are put to the test. The story maximizes the appeal of the original work, while adding the sense of scale and dramatic direction that only a movie version can provide, making it a must-see for Gintama fans.

character

In "Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc," all the main characters from the original work are gathered together, and their individual personalities are fully displayed. The cast from the original anime, including Tomokazu Sugita as Gintoki Sakata, Daisuke Sakaguchi as Shinpachi Shimura, and Rie Kugimiya as Kagura, are participating as they are, bringing out the charm of the characters to the fullest.

In particular, the confrontation scene between Gintoki and Takasugi is a highlight, with Takasugi's cold-heartedness and charisma, played by Takehito Koyasu, standing out, and the tense exchanges between the two are a highlight. Additionally, Ishida Akira's voice, who plays Katsura Kotaro, realistically expresses the character's feelings, adding depth to the story.

Visuals and Music

The high-quality visual expression that is unique to theatrical versions is also one of the attractions of "Gintama: The New Benizakura Arc." The technical capabilities of director Shinji Takamatsu and Sunrise, who were in charge of animation production, have been brought together to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the original work, while allowing viewers to enjoy the dynamic action scenes and beautiful background art that are unique to theatrical versions.

In terms of music, the theme song "Bakuchi Dancer" and the ending theme "Bokutachi no Kisetsu" by DOES will build up emotions as the story progresses. In particular, "Bakuchi Dancer" has impressive lyrics and melody that combine the themes of "gambling" and "dance" from Gintama, helping to liven up the atmosphere of the movie.

Evaluation and Impressions

"Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc" has been highly praised by fans of the original work, especially for its story development, character portrayal, and visual beauty. By condensing the essence of the original work while depicting the story from a new perspective, it has succeeded in conveying the appeal of Gintama to new viewers as well as existing fans.

The balance between laughter and emotion, a characteristic of Gintama, is also exquisite, with serious and comedic scenes skillfully intermingled, so the audience never tires of watching. In particular, the confrontation scene between Gintoki and Takasugi depicts the tension and depth of friendship, and can even bring tears to your eyes. On the other hand, the humor characteristic of Gintama is also sprinkled throughout, so the element of laughter is not forgotten.

Related works and recommendations

"Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc" is deeply connected to other works in the Gintama series. In particular, by watching the original manga and TV anime series, you can gain a deeper understanding of the character backgrounds and story details. In addition, the sequels "Gintama: The Movie - The Final Chapter - Be Forever Yorozuya" and "Gintama THE FINAL" are also recommended as works that further expand the world of Gintama.

To enjoy this work, we strongly recommend reading the original "Gintama". The original work describes in detail the pasts and feelings of characters such as Gintoki, Takasugi, and Katsura, allowing you to understand the story of the movie version more deeply. The TV anime series also depicts the daily lives and episodes of the characters in abundance, making it a good entry point to enjoy the world of Gintama.

Conclusion

"Gintama: The Movie - The New Benizakura Arc" is a must-see for Gintama fans, a culmination of emotion and laughter that brings out the best of the original work. The story development, character portrayal, and visual beauty all deserve high praise. Even those who have never experienced the world of Gintama will be able to feel its charm from this work. Please watch the movie and immerse yourself in the world of Gintama.