Gintama: Season 4
Season 4 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 3.
- 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 4 Progress Shield
A Conversation With a Barber During a Haircut is The Most Pointless Thing in The World
Apr 2, 2009
Gintoki visits a barber shop to get his hair cut. After Kagura mentions that the seventh volume of the manga Abu is missing, the barber runs off to buy the volume and leaves the Yo
The Heavens Created Chonmage Above Man Instead of Another Man
Apr 9, 2009
The Shogun wants Gintoki, Kagura and Shinpachi to redo his mage. After Kagura is trying to ask the Shogun how he wants his hair done, she vomits and a Naruto gets stuck on the Shog
Sleep Helps a Child Grow
Apr 16, 2009
Kagura can't fall asleep , so she goes to Gintoki's room and troubles him about her problem. After few methods, she finally fells asleep while listening to a story from a radio sho
That Person Looks Different from Usual During a Birthday Party
Apr 23, 2009
Otae and Shinpachi are invited to Kyubei’s birthday party. The two arrive at the Yagyu mansion with a birthday cake in hand, only to find the place filled with celebrities from the
The Other Side of the Other Side of the Other Side Would Be the Other Side
Apr 30, 2009
Hasegawa is tired of alway losing and being called a Madao, so together with Gintoki they bet on horse races. After many failures, Hasegawa tells him of his effort to leave the "Ma
It Takes a Bit of Courage to Enter a Street Vendor's Stand
May 7, 2009
Yatai “Guchiri-Ya” (Whining Store) has three rules: One, a customer can come in alone and whine as much as they want. Two, if there’s a familiar face, pretend like you don’t know t
Any Place Can Become a Battlefield When Men Gather
May 14, 2009
Today’s Tsu Terakado concert is another lively success. But fan club president Shinpachi is angered because only four of the Tsu Terakado fan club members have come to the concert.
If a Friend Gets Injured, Take Him to the Hospital, Stat!
May 21, 2009
The fierce battle begins over the title of the Official Tsu Terakado fan club. Tosshi, Hijikata’s loser otaku personality created from a demonic sword, was once thought to have bee
If One Orange in the Box Is Rotten, the Rest of Them Will Become Rotten Before You Realize It
May 28, 2009
The preliminary round for the Official Tsu Terakado fan club title is a marathon race. With Takachin in critical condition and Kagura taking the wrong route, team Shinpachi’s chanc
From a Foreigner's Perspective, You're the Foreigner. From an Alien's Perspective, You're the Alien
Jun 4, 2009
Tosshi finishes the preliminary race in first place by rounding up all the contestants to block Shinpachi’s team from making the goal. Despite Toshi’s scheming, team Otsu-chan fan
Laputa's Still Good After Seeing It So Many Times
Jun 11, 2009
For the second round in the Official Tsu Terakado fan club championships, it is a battle of charms. Both teams must come up with a virtualized situation where the winner is decided
Love Is Unconditional
Jun 18, 2009
The time to settle the battle for the official fan club title is finally here. The match between Shinpachi and Hijikata is a card battle using Otsu chip playing cards. Never knowin
The Black Ships Even Make A Scene When They Sink
Jun 25, 2009
After an intense battle, Shinpachi and Hijikata both fall to the ground with zero life points. Despite being exhausted and battered, the two men rise up to resume their battle. The
That Matsutake Soup Stuff Tastes Better than the Real Deal / If a Person Is Dead, They Can't Come Back to Life
Jul 2, 2009
Part 1 - Rumors of Yorozuya imposters gaining popularity within the city reach Gintoki’s ears. Upon investigating, the Odd Jobs Trio discover that someone is using their Yorozuya n
If It Works Once, It'll Work Over And Over Again
Jul 9, 2009
The city is hit by a bad flu one winter day. Even Otae is sick with the flu. Shinpachi gets some long-awaited time alone with his sister and is tending to her when he gets a visit
Two Is Better Than One. Two People Are Better Than One
Jul 16, 2009
Hijikata is on a stakeout near the apartment’s dumpster. There, a sleepy Gintoki comes to throw away his trash. Finding Gintoki’s persistent intrusion a burden, Hijikata arrests Gi
Smooth Polygons Smooth Men's Hearts Too
Jul 23, 2009
Tama works hard everyday starting early in the morning. Even when Otose tells her to take a break, Tama won’t and says she is happy just being with everyone. But Otose notices that
The Human Body Is Like a Little Universe
Jul 30, 2009
After learning from Gengai that Tama has been infected by a computer virus, the Odd Jobs trio launch “Operation Midget” and enter Tama’s body to eradicate the virus. Inside, they f
The Chosen Idiots
Aug 6, 2009
Gintoki and the gang arrive at Tama’s main system. The group tries to devise a battle strategy for fighting the Great Archfiend Tapir’s black body suit minions. But they can’t come
And into the Legend...
Aug 13, 2009
At last, Gintoki and his friends confront the Great Archfiend. While the Leukocyte King can’t lay a finger on the Great Archfiend who has taken Tama’s form, Gintoki attacks without
If You Keep Copying, They Will Retaliate / A Loss Opens Your Eyes to the Love You Have
Aug 20, 2009
Part 1 - On top of the Odd Jobs building, two awfully familiar men seem to be scheming. They manage to hide themselves from several visitors, but they are spotted by the man who’ll
Using the Carrot and the Stick Method Depends on the Situation
Aug 27, 2009
A man called Executioner Kohei is brought under strict guard to the Shinsengumi. He is the executive officer of the Radical Joi Faction, the Akatsuki Party, and is also a lethal mu
It's What's On The Inside That Counts / It's What's On The Inside That Counts, But Only To A Certain Extent
Sep 3, 2009
Part 1 - While taking Sadaharu out for a walk, Gintoki runs into Katsura who is with some “thing” that hardly resembles Elizabeth. Shinpachi and Kagura also notice the change in El
Are There Still People Who Go to the Ocean and Yell "Bakayaro!"? / When a Person Is Trapped, Their Inner Door Opens
Sep 10, 2009
Part 1 - The Yorozuya are sent out on a tuna fishing boat to pay off their debts. There, they meet some old men they've seen somewhere before... Part 2 - Gintoki and his friends,
No Matter How Old You Get, You Still Hate the Dentist
Sep 17, 2009
Gintoki’s mouth is swollen like crazy, forcing him to go to the dentist for treatment. Unable to cope with the stress and pressure of waiting, a crazed Gintoki screams for someone
It's Bad Luck to See a Spider at Night
Oct 1, 2009
Gintoki and the gang return to Yoshiwara at Hinowa’s request for the first time in a while. Although Hosen’s death has brought freedom to Yoshiwara, it’s also drawn the renewed int
Once You’re Entangled in a Spiderweb, It’s Hard to Get It Off
Oct 8, 2009
Gintoki and Tsukuyo infiltrate the Benigumoto, the Red Spiders, to get a lead on the man with the tattooed spider on his neck, but are discovered and quickly surrounded. The two ma
It's the Irresponsible One Who's Scary When Pissed
Oct 15, 2009
Tsukuyo falls into the hands of Jiraia, her former master, and is held captive. Meanwhile Gintoki manages to survive the attack thanks to Zenzo, and he learns about Jiraia’s past.
The More Precious the Burden, The Heavier and More Difficult it is to Shoulder
Oct 22, 2009
Gintoki strikes down Jiraia and frees Tsukuyo from his twisted web. Chiding Tsukuyo for trying to shoulder every burden herself, Gintoki goes on to say that rather than throw away
Watch Out For A Set of Women and A Drink
Oct 29, 2009
The city of Yoshiwara is making its recovery, though Tsukuyo has shut herself in her room. Hinowa asks Gintoki to help Tsukuyo have some fun for a change. It turns out that Tsukuyo
Screw Popularity Votes
Nov 5, 2009
Character popularity results are announced to celebrate Gintama’s 182nd episode! Shinpachi is alone at the café, feeling depressed after learning that he’s still in 8th place in po
Popularity Polls Can Burn in Hell
Nov 12, 2009
Characters unhappy with the popularity poll results begin attacking high-ranking characters. Surrounded by the low-ranking characters, Shinpachi attempts to escape across the rooft
Popularity Polls Can...
Nov 19, 2009
Shinpachi and his friends are evacuating, but a fight breaks out inside the building as well. Meanwhile, Gintoki and his group of men are attacked by Otae, Kyubei, Tsukuyo, and Sac
Hometowns and Boobs Are Best Thought of from Afar / The Whole Peeing on a Bee Sting Is a Myth. You’ll Get Germs, So Don’t Do It!!
Nov 26, 2009
The Odd Jobs are requested to remove a hornets’ nest on the temple grounds. Fully armored in protective suits, what awaits the trio is a ginormous hive, like none they’ve ever seen
Beware of Foreshadows
Dec 3, 2009
Okita is going through a selection of sweets at the cake shop. As Okita leaves the store, a girl suddenly comes up and stabs him!! Calling Okita her father’s killer, the girl’s act
It’s Goodbye Once a Flag Is Set
Dec 10, 2009
Gintoki and Shinpachi start re-investigating the Rokkaku incident. Upon learning what really happened from Kamiyama, one of Okita’s subordinates, they leave to save Okita. Meanwhil
An Observation Journal Should Be Seen Through To The Very End
Dec 17, 2009
Students at a temple school share their independent research projects completed during the past summer vacation. After one of the students finishes reading a well-written journal,
We Know It’s Best to Finish Yearly Tasks Before the End of the Year, But then You Put It Off Till Next Year for a Fresh Start. That’s How the End of the Year Goes / Radio Exercises are Socials for Boys and Girls
Dec 24, 2009
Part 1 - While researching the Anti-Foreigner War, a reporter interviews Nagai, a former reporter from the war called Nagai in order to know about the White Demon's (Gintoki's alt
When Looking For Something, Try Using its Perspective
Jan 7, 2010
While on a job observing stray cats at a shrine feeding themselves,the Yorozuya waiting for the boss cat to show up with the name Hoichi. But as he finally shows up, and Kagura and
Freedom Means to Live True to Yourself, not Without Law!
Jan 14, 2010
Having turned into cats, Gintoki,Katsura and Kondo (who turned into a gorilla) are brought by Hoichi to Otose to get food. While eating, Otose tells them that if caught, they can n
Kabukicho Stray Cat Blues
Jan 21, 2010
While protecting Gintoki from the stray cats, Hoichi and the cats get caught. Soon Gintoki, Katsura and Kondo goes to save him.
Cooking is About Guts
Jan 28, 2010
After eating egg over rice for three days straight, Gintama is fed up with Kagura being the cook in charge and doesn't want any egg over rice. Frustrated by Gin's reaction Kagura g
Whenever I Hear Leviathan, I Think of Sazae-san. Stupid Me!!
Feb 4, 2010
The episode begins with a short sequence about Kamui transferring into Yato High School and is told from Abuto's point of view. While the Shinsengumi are out on a mission, Hijikata
Not Losing to the Rain
Feb 11, 2010
Lately the weather forecasts Ketsuno Ana is predicting are always wrong. When Gintoki meets her on the streets he takes her to the Yorozuya's place to help her.But after a monster
Not Losing to the Wind
Feb 18, 2010
Weather girl Ketsuno Ana is giving the wrong weather forecast. Turns out she comes from a line of traditional Onmyojis, and her forecast is not derived from mere fortune-telling bu
Not Losing to the Storm
Feb 25, 2010
In order to save Ketsuno Ana, Seimei agrees to Douman's proposal of a Shikigami Tag-Team Mystic Death Match. Seimei arrives at the arena only to be captured by Douman, but Gintoki
Never Losing that Smile
Mar 4, 2010
Seimei takes the risk of being dismissed as lead guardian of Edo by undoing the Shikigami placed throughout the city, and fueling himself with all their power to face Douman. Their
That’s How I Wish to Be, Beautiful and Strong
Mar 11, 2010
Consumed by negative emotions, Douman is transformed into a giant demon. He now possesses within his body Antenmaru, a demon sealed away over a millennium ago by the desperate effo
Santa Claus Red Is Blood Red
Mar 18, 2010
It's Christmas in Edo and Kagura writes her father a letter. She is sad that Santa Claus never visited her. Moved, her father Umi Bozu dresses himself up as Santa and hides watchin
Everybody's a Santa!
Mar 25, 2010
The contest has finally begun but instead of a real contest to decide who's the real Santa, Kagura, Otae and the five Santas together with Shinpachi and Hasegawa are shown in vario