Gintama: Season 3
Season 3 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Gintama Season 2.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 3 Progress Shield
The More Something Is Disliked, the More Lovely It Is
Apr 3, 2008
Gintoki gives his suggestions to the editor and author of "Gintaman" on what should the series improve on.
Rules Are Made to be Broken
Apr 10, 2008
Some Shinsengumi member shows up, and it is soon revealed to be a rival of Hijikata.
Otaku Are Talkative
Apr 17, 2008
Itou Kamotarou (appeared on the previous episode) proceeds with his agenda. Hijikata seeks help from the Yorozuya to save the Shinsengumi from destruction.
There's a Thin Line Between Strengths and Weaknesses
Apr 24, 2008
Okita appears to save Kondou from the rebel Shinsengumi led by Itou. The Yorozuya along with Hijikata are also on their way to the scene.
Important Things Are Hard To See
May 1, 2008
Now fully free from the curse, Hijikata battles against Itou. Meanwhile, Gintoki is forced into a confrontation with none other than Bansai, right hand man to Takasugi.
It’s All About the Beat and Timing
May 8, 2008
The concluding finale to the Shinsengumi Crisis Arc.
Love Is Often Played Out In Sudden Death
May 15, 2008
Kagura accidentally knocks out an international soccer team when their captain was out by giving them water from a janitor's bucket. Now the Yorozuya and others have to fill the te
Kids Don’t Understand How Their Parents Feel
May 22, 2008
The Yorozuya are requested to help a Yakuza boss's son who has become a hikikomori, but little do they know how dangerous this job could turn out to be...
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
May 29, 2008
The Yorozuya's Yakuza client has died, and the group's young new leader carries a dark secret about the boss's son.
Life is a test
Jun 5, 2008
Yamazaki, with the intent of spying on the Joui faction, undergoes the necessary testing and training as one of its new recruits.
People Are All Escapees of Their Own Inner Prisons
Jun 12, 2008
Katsura is inprisoned, and fellow inmate Suekichi tries to find a way to make Katsura fall asleep so that he can make his escape.
Definitely Do Not Let Your Girlfriend See the Things You Use for Cross-Dressing / There's Almost a 100% Chance You’ll Forget Your Umbrella and Hate Yourself For It
Jun 19, 2008
Part 1 - Yorozuya's asked by a crossdresser hostess to help with the courting of a host. Part 2 - A story about Kagura and an umbrella during the rainy season.
A Birthday in Your Twenties Has No Deep Meaning / Lucky Is a Man Who Gets Up and Goes to Work
Jun 26, 2008
Part 1 - Katsura briefly takes over the series in an attempt to promote his birthday. Part 2 - Gintoki attempts to help Tama find a way to enjoy herself.
Cleaning the Toilet Cleanses the Soul
Jul 3, 2008
A member of the Shinsengumi suggests a "washroom revolution". Eventually it evolves into a battle of Shinsengumi vs. washroom germs.
They Say Soy Sauce On Pudding Tastes Like Sea Urchin, But Soy Sauce On Pudding Only Tastes Like Pudding and Soy Sauce
Jul 10, 2008
Hijikata tells Matsudaira that he would fend off the store clerks who are coming-on to Matsudaira's daughter, Kuriko, just so he'd spare their lives. Kuriko mistakes Hijikata as so
Summer Vacation is the Most Fun Right Before It Begins
Jul 17, 2008
While Gintoki, Shinpachi, Kagura, Hasegawa, Tae, Kyuubei and Katsura are on their way to the legendary Dragon Palace, a quarrel between them ends up bringing them onto an isolated
The Older, the Wiser
Jul 24, 2008
Kamenashi (the turtle) tells the group about Otohime, the owner of the Dragon Palace, and that they are the only ones who are capable of stopping her plan.
Beauty Is Like a Summer Fruit
Jul 31, 2008
The group goes to save Tae. On their way, Shinpachi, Gintoki and Katsura stumble upon a room where they learn about Otohime's past.
Even if Your Back is Bent, Go Straight Forward
Aug 7, 2008
Otohime's past lover's will gives the antidote to the aging virus to Shinpachi. However, their time is limited as a missile carrying another batch of the virus aimed at Edo is abou
Within Each Box of Cigarettes, Are One or Two Cigarettes That Smell Like Horse Dung
Aug 14, 2008
Smoking ban comes to Edo. Heavy smoker Hijikata is desperate to find cigarettes.
Japanese Restaurants Abroad Taste Pretty Much Like School Cafeteria Lunches / Once You've Taken a Dish, You Can't Put It Back
Aug 21, 2008
Part 1 - Katsura goes undercover at an Amanto-only Japanese restaurant to stop a radical branch of the Joi Faction's plan of causing havoc. Part 2 - Hasegawa takes over a sushi ba
Novices Only Need a Flathead and a Phillips
Aug 28, 2008
The Yorozuya goes into the world of online role playing game (RPG) to search for the Amantos who are responsible for turning part of their bodies into screwdriver heads.
Imagination Is Nurtured In the 8th Grade
Sep 4, 2008
Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura go around in the online role playing game to find powerful players to be their companions on their search for the Amanto. Their new found companions
Always Keep a Screwdriver In Your Heart
Sep 11, 2008
Everyone seems to have given up on getting their original bodies back except for Ayame, who continues to gather leads to organize one final attempt in the real world, but she'll ne
When Nagging Goes Too Far It Becomes Intimidating
Sep 18, 2008
Otsu has overcome her past scandals and become Edo's top idol. And the release date of her new single has finally been announced! Shinpachi and her other fans are overjoyed at the
Entering the Final Chapter!
Sep 25, 2008
On news of the series entering its final arc, the characters go over their choice of best moments in the series.
Some Things Can Only Be Conveyed Through the Written Word
Oct 2, 2008
The fan club members for Edo's top idol, Tsu Terakado, are at the beach practicing their choreography for an upcoming concert. But Takachin notices his fellow members’ enthusiasm g
Sometimes You Must Meet to Understand
Oct 9, 2008
Even though it’s believed the letters are coming from Okita, Shinpachi's response letter turn out to be a big hit. Urara is happy her older sister has received a response to her le
Sometimes You Can’t Tell Just By Meeting Someone
Oct 16, 2008
Urara's older sister learns that Shinpachi sent Okita's picture with his letters. Shinpachi desperately tries to apologize, but Urara's older sister tells him that she wants to hel
Beware of Food You Pick Up Off the Ground
Oct 23, 2008
Worried about her pet’s sudden drop in appetite, Kagura takes Sadaharu to the veterinary hospital. Katsura happens to be there as well, explaining how Elizabeth is in bad health an
Cat Lovers and Dog Lovers Are Mutually Exclusive
Oct 30, 2008
To let the dying dog Kintaro see its owner for one last time, Kagura and Katsura sneak it out of the hospital…only to find themselves caught in the war between the “Planet Eaters”
Fights Often Ensue During Trips
Nov 6, 2008
Otose arranges for Gintoki and the gang to spend their winter break at a hot spring inn located deep in the mountains. Anticipating a secluded hot spring bath, the group hikes thei
Briefs Will Unavoidably Get Skidmarks
Nov 13, 2008
The inn Gintoki and the gang are staying at turns out to be a ghost inn where all the stands (ghosts) gather, unable to enter heaven due to their attachment to the living world! Gi
Gin and His Excellency's Good-for-Nothings
Nov 20, 2008
Sick and tired of Oiwa’s tyranny, Gintoki decides to shut down the inn by teaming up with Rei. He plans to use Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Mitsuhide (their stands, that is) to bring d
Be Very Careful When Using Ghost Stories
Nov 27, 2008
Oiwa lets Tagosaku possess her own body to become “His Excellency.” Fueled by anger and sadness, her surge of attacks gradually corner Gintoki. But just in the nick of time, Gintok
Before Thinking About the Earth, Think About the More Endangered Gintaman’s Future!
Dec 4, 2008
Once, the manga Gintaman gained immense popularity in Jump magazine, and was even made into an animated series thanks to Gintoki’s random advice. Ofuji has since taken over from Ko
It's Your House, You Build It
Dec 11, 2008
As always, Hasegawa, aka MADAO idles away his life. While talking on the phone with his estranged wife Hatsu, Hasegawa ends up inviting her over to his house. But thanks to a strin
99% of Men Aren't Confident in Confessing Their Love / People Who Don't Believe in Santa Are the Very Ones Who Want to Believe, You Contentious Bastard
Dec 18, 2008
Part 1 - After so many attempts and failures, Sarutobi and Kondo try to play matchmaker to get the other's love for them to win a bet. Part 2 - In the second part, Gintoki meets S
Let's Talk About the Old Days Once in a While
Dec 25, 2008
It’s the usual scene at Odd Jobs Gin. Shinpachi and Kagura are cleaning up the place when they see a picture fall out of the back of a wall frame. To their surprise, the picture is
Don't Put Your Wallet In Your Back Pocket
Jan 8, 2009
Seita is a kid who makes his living through pickpocketing. One day Seita picks Gintoki’s wallet only to find it pretty much empty, and discovers that his own wallet was picked back
Beware of Those Who Use an Umbrella on a Sunny Day!
Jan 15, 2009
Seita was picking pockets to see Hinowa, the highest-ranked 遊女/Yujo (courtesans/ prostitute) in the underground 遊郭/Yukaku (Licensed Quarters) Yoshiwara Tougenkyo, where law has no
Butting Into a Fight is Dangerous
Jan 22, 2009
Kagura’s older brother Kamui arrives in Yoshiwara. As the Seventh Division Captain of the Space Pirate Harusame, Kamui is here to talk with the division’s former captain, The Night
Life Is About Making Consecutive Decisions
Jan 29, 2009
As Gintoki and the gang head toward Hosen’s lair, they encounter Abuki, one of Kamui’s subordinates, and are overwhelmed by the incredible fighting power of the Yato Clan. On Shinp
Those Who Stand On Four Legs Are Beasts. Those Who Stand on Two Legs, Guts, and Glory, Are Men
Feb 5, 2009
Amidst the fierce battle, Kagura awakens to her Yato instincts and defeats Abuto. Thanks to Shinpachi’s desperate plea, Kagura is able to return to her senses and together they hea
Don’t Trust Bedtime Stories
Feb 12, 2009
Gintoki arrives before Hosen, just in the nick of time. To restore the bond between mother and son that has been torn by the city of eternal light, Gintoki engages Hosen with fierc
The Color for Each Person’s Bond Comes in Various Colors
Feb 19, 2009
The only way to defeat Hosen is to bring back the Sun to the Yoshiwara Shangri-La, the city trapped within eternal night. Seita runs for the control room to break open the iron-pla
The Taste of Drinking Under Broad Daylight Is Something Special
Feb 26, 2009
At last the sun rises above Yoshiwara Shangri-La, the city of eternal light. At the end of a fierce battle, Hosen finally reveals his true feelings for Hinowa and passes away. Obse
All Adults are Instructors for All Children
Mar 5, 2009
It is shortly after the fierce battle at Yoshiwara Shngri-la. Shinpachi and Kagura, having faced powerful foes in Hosen and Kamui unlike any they have encountered, are training har
Zip Up Your Fly Nice and Slowly
Mar 12, 2009
During their routine night patrol Hijikata and Okita are attacked and kidnapped by an unknown assailant. When they wake up, the two find themselves chained together and imprisoned
When Breaking a Chuubert in Half, the End with the Knob Should Be Better. It's Also Tasty to Drink from There
Mar 19, 2009
As the bombing of the Shinsengumi headquarters nears, Hijikata and Okita are still unable to find any means for escape. Only one key exists to unlock the shackles chaining each oth
If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them
Mar 26, 2009
The Odd Jobs trio is going about their usual meaningless chatter when a man with an eye-patch suddenly shows up and begins “ordering” them around. The man’s “power” is so strong, t