Gintoki Sakata

Gintoki Sakata
Gintama character
Gintoki Sakata by Hideaki Sorachi
First appearanceGintama Lesson 1: Nobody with Natural Wavy Hair Can Be That Bad
Created byHideaki Sorachi
Portrayed byShun Oguri[1]
Voiced byJapanese:
Tomokazu Sugita[2]

Other:

English:
Chris Patton (first movie)[4]
Michael Daingerfield (Gintama°)[5]
Roly Gutiérrez (first anime series)

Other:
  • Michael Adamthwaite (bodyswapped with Hijikata)
  • Sabrina Pitre (Gintama°; young)

    • Gintoki Sakata (Japanese: 坂田 銀時, Hepburn: Sakata Gintoki) is a fictional character in the manga and anime franchise Gintama created by Hideaki Sorachi. Gintoki is the protagonist of the series and his name serves as part of the basis of the series' title. He is introduced as a former rebel samurai who lives in a fictionalized version of 1860s Japan after being invaded and transformed by aliens. Gintoki once fought in the Joui (rebel) war until a tragic event where he was unable to protect what he was fighting for, leading to him instead establishing "Yorozuya Gin-chan" (万事屋銀ちゃん)" (with Yorozuya (万事屋) literally meaning "worker of 10,000 jobs"), choosing to make a living as a freelancer for hire in Edo. Eventually, Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura choose to stay and work with him, forming a found family. Across the series, more details about Gintoki's past are revealed leading him to encounter former friends as enemies. As the main character, Gintoki has appeared in most of the episodes of the anime series, as well as in other media related to the franchise, including the film and all of the spin-off video games and original video animations.

    Sorachi created the character after suggestions of his editors of having silver-haired samurai. He was originally going to be based on Hijikata Toshizō, the vice-captain from the Shinsengumi special forces. However, Sorachi changed his mind as he did not want the main character to be working in an organization and further remodeled his design into the present one. In the anime series Gintoki was voiced by Tomokazu Sugita, who enjoyed his character. For the English release of the first movie, he was voiced by Chris Patton, whereas in the Gintama° episodes Gintoki was played by Michael Daingerfield; later, Roly Gutiérrez dubbed him in the first anime series.[6] Shun Oguri portrays him in the live-action films.

    Gintoki's character has received critical response from various reviewers and publications for manga, anime and other media. While Gintoki's reception has been positive, writers have also criticized his characterization in some story arcs. When he once parodied a Japanese politician in 2016, the company behind the manga, Shueisha, expressed pressure as well as laughter. Gintoki has also remained highly popular with Gintama fans, ranking first in all of the popularity polls. Merchandise based on Gintoki has also been released, including figurines.

    1. ^ "Gintama Manga Gets Live-Action Film Adaptation in 2017 Starring Shun Oguri". Anime News Network. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
    2. ^ Director: Shinji Takamatsu (April 4, 2006). "てめーらァァァ!!それでも銀魂ついてんのかァァァ". Gintama. TV Tokyo.
    3. ^ "Upcoming Gintama Episode Features Gender-Swapped Characters". 20 August 2023.
    4. ^ "Home". voiceofchrispatton.com.
    5. ^ "Crunchyroll Adds English Dub of "Gintama Season 3"!". Crunchyroll. February 2, 2017. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
    6. ^ "Gintama". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 2020-07-09.