CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 205
QUESTION FROM MR. “SOMEONE WITH SEVENTH-GRADE SYNDROME FEELS ATTRACTED TO THE EYE PATCH AND THE PIPE”.
Happy New Year! After hearing that Gintama in Japan will end in 2016, the new year does not find me happy at all. I’m afraid I’m suffering from the “loss of Gintama” instead of the “loss of Fukuyama*” … What should I do?
ANSWER:
Thank you for purchasing volume 63 of Gintama! Last year at Jump Festa, I made it public that the final chapter of Gintama would be starting. Since I’ve been receiving a lot of letters like this, I can only assume that you were very upset by the news. That’s why I would like to give you all an explanation. I did not say that the work will end in 2016, but simply that it will enter its final story arc. I couldn’t say whether it will end this year or next year either, but if you read the comic, you can see that the story has reached its climax. In making that announcement I certainly didn’t intend to encourage the public to follow the work in view of an imminent ending, even though lately the staff of “Jump” magazine has been cunningly trying to launch ad hoc news to create a sensation, especially on the web. So, in the end, I too was forced by Onishi, my first scandalous editor, to announce that the work is nearing its conclusion, even though I myself am not clear about it. I knew that such an announcement would make the atmosphere gloomy, so, having no other choice, I had the stroke of genius to also make fun of the hair of Mr. Sugita, Gintoki’s voice actor, and so the latter news was highlighted on the internet more than the former. Well, it’s true that his hairline has receded, but in the end only Be___** and I turned out to be ” Gesu No Kiwami Gorilla“. Seriously, what the hell does the world look like? Who in the end is really scandalous?!
*The expression “loss of Fukuyama” refers to the discontent shown by singer Masaharu Fukuyama’s fans after he got married.
**Reference to Becky, star of the entertainment industry who had an affair with the married vocalist of the band Gesu No Kiwami Otome, which could be translated as “Really scandalous girl”.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 206
QUESTION FROM MR. “I REALLY LIKE GOING TO THE DENTIST – LAUGHTER”, OKINAWA PROVINCE
There’s a question that’s always been important to me. Did you use any patterns or themes for the designs on Gin-san’s kimono?
ANSWER
The theme is the cloud.
It’s meant to indicate that he’s indecipherable and unpredictable like the clouds that drift across the sky.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 207
QUESTION FROM MISS “I READ ‘JUMP’ IN THE CAR DURING WORK” – A 31-YEAR-OLD SALES REPRESENTATIVE FROM FUKUOKA PROVINCE
Since when did Okita start using the courtesy register towards Hijikata? (I guess it’s since they decided to move to Edo…)
Ever since Mitsuba taught him.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 208
QUESTION FROM MR. “A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO CRIED WITH JOY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE WHILE WATCHING THE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF THE GINTAMA’S SHOGUN ASSASSINATION SAGA,” FROM MIE PROVINCE
Sensei, I have a question. In the 305th lesson, it turns out that the head of the 4th Harusame division is Kada, but in the 561st it turns out to be Shokaku. Since this is the story created by the super-great Sorachi sensei, it certainly won’t be a mistake, but since I felt a great sense of dissatisfaction, I took the liberty of asking you this question.
ANSWER:
The head of Harusame’s 4th division was originally Kada, but she betrayed the organization, so her division was left without a head. So Shokaku came along. However, he too, with his temper, due to a personal dispute caused the organisation to lose face and was punished and imprisoned. However, after the elders were eliminated by Utsuro, he was freed and recalled to defeat the seventh division. Since the Harusame are all rogues, there are many individuals who make such messes, so it is not uncommon for personnel changes like this to be made.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 209
QUESTION FROM MISS “I’D LIKE TO BECOME A CAT”, OSAKA PROVINCE
Good morning, Sorachi sensei! Being a woman, for 22 years, that is, since I was born, I have never seen ba___. Can you understand me? I mean just what you’re thinking. How can I see them? Please let me know, Sorachi sensei, please!
ANSWER:
Watch the TBS channel at nine o’clock on Friday nights.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 210
QUESTION FROM MISS HIROCCHIMI, KANAGAWA PROVINCE
Good morning, Sorachi sensei! In volume 60, it was revealed that Yamazaki is 32 years old, but could you tell us some other little tidbits that you haven’t told anyone yet? Please grant the request of one of your biggest fans!
ANSWER:
Catherine has terribly ingrown toenails.
CONTACT WITH THE READERS: QUESTION CORNER 211
QUESTION FROM MR. “I LIKE TOSHI IN GINTAMA, AND I LIKE HOWL AMONG GHIBLI STUDIO CHARACTERS” FROM CHIBA PROVINCE.
When Gin-san beheaded Shouyo sensei in the Shogun Assassination saga, where was Sakamoto? In one scene, he had confided in Gin-san that he was going into space. Was this event before sensei’s death?
ANSWER:
The scene in which Sakamoto declared to Gintoki that he would go into space, looking at the starry sky, was before Shouyo’s death. He often said this. Later, Sakamoto sustained major injuries in battle and was forced to withdraw from the front line for treatment. In the meantime, in another battle, Gintoki and his comrades suffered a crushing defeat and Shouyo also died. When he recovered, Sakamoto rushed to his friends, but those who survived had already fled and scattered, as they were wanted by the Shogunate, and so the war ended. The only companion Sakamoto found was Gintoki. The scene in which he asked him what he wanted to do from then on takes place at that very moment, after which Gintoki stayed on earth and Sakamoto went into space.
That said, the volume 63 special “I’m Enough to be Considered Scandalous” ends here. Regardless, I believe the final chapter will begin within the year, but I can’t say when it will end, because I’m a punk-ish mangaka who’s been walking an extremely unsteady rope for about thirteen years, meaning I don’t even know if I’ll be able to complete the storyboards for the next issue in time.
So for now, it’s already a miracle if you find Gintama published in next week’s issue of Jump. So I would like you to enjoy reading it chapter by chapter, without worrying about the future. I think a manga, primarily, should be read that way. Well, I’m not talking about the fun it should provide in the immediate future, but I ask you to forgive me if I fail to meet the deadlines properly again this year.
New topic: “Whatever happens, I ask for your support again this year.”
Yorozuya Shinigami 