Gintama is the perfect anime comedy. Everything about it is perfect, you can watch any episode at random and it will be the absolute best choice you make this day! Go watch it! Stop reading!
(long pause)
+THAT'S IT?? THIS DOESN'T EVEN QUALIFY FOR A REVIEW! THIS IS NOT EVEN YOUTUBE COMMENT TIER!!
You don't understand, dear Shinpachi. If I told something else my text would reveal too much about myself and people wouldn't like to watch the show.
+Now you are making dumb excuses, aren't you?
So this is the end of the review. And remember, watch Gintama! This is everything that matters.
+NO!! WE ARE DONE? WHAT ABOUT THE REASONING? AND WHY DO YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE BEING PAID BY SUNRISE?
Fine, fine. Then we'll make something else. I have a revolutionary idea. An interactive review!
+How does that work?
Easy! We only need to pick random phrases from previous reviewers and form a cohesive text. Like this!

The characters convey a sense of visual individuality that at times goes beyond that of other shounen anime, although this is tempered with a small degree of genericism that allows the humour to flourish. They're imaginative, memorable and varied creations, each unique and appealing in their own different way. The main characters present incredible amounts of enthusiasm and are the real driving force behind Gintama, but certain members of the unbelievably vast supporting cast are almost as integral in their own right. Most of them are used for one or two jokes and that’s pretty much it.
+HEY!! STOP IT! MAL IS GOING TO SUE US! AND YOUR PARAGRAPH DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!
Fine, we'll try with another type of review. Ah, MAL loves nostalgia! Let's go with this!

I remember when I was just a little kid, playing with my toys, going to school and having fun all the time. Every evening I was the first to leave the classroom and go home, so I wouldn't miss a single episode from Gintama...
+What are you talking about? You were an edgy teen when Gintama first aired! These memories are fake!
But does it really matter if these memories are real or fake? The important thing is that they permeate with the viewers and help us manipulate them and take control of their poor souls.
+Psst, Jal, they can read us. And what is this evil scheme for a review anyway?
Okay, okay, I get it. Maybe it's time to bring the technical review.

The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence.

However one man, Gintoki Sakata, still possesses the heart of the samurai, although from his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya, one might not expect it. Accompanying him in his jack-of-all-trades line of work are Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a strong heart, Kagura with her umbrella and seemingly bottomless stomach, as well as Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog. Of course, these odd jobs are not always simple, as they frequently have run-ins with the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, oftentimes leading to humorous but unfortunate consequences.

Who said life as an errand boy was easy?
+THIS IS NOT A REVIEW! YOU JUST COPIED THE SYNOPSIS AND PASTED IT!
The perfect objective review.
+TAKE IT SERIOUSLY!
Oh my God, you are so difficult to please, Shinpachi. This is MAL! We should be able to get away with anything!
+DON'T SAY THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF A REVIEW!
What is your pick then? I'm so tired... Maybe we should stop being pressured to please everybody. You know, this text is meant to be personal.
+BUT NOBODY IS LIKING IT!
Jeez, this is exhausting. I'm taking a nap. You take care of the rest.
+HEY! WAKE UP, YOU ASSHOLE!
Alright, you know? Do it yourself. Bring your awesome idea and I'll join.
+Maybe we should start our review with a memorable quote from the series. Something that feels both epic and representative and convinces our readers to watch this show.
Fine, I'll go with your second-rate idea. Like this?

"My anus is bleeding!" - Kagura, episode 270
+NO! WHAT KIND OF QUOTE IS THIS? IT'S NOT EVEN IN THE SHOW! And what is supposed to be epic about this?
Well, it is quite accurate for the mood of the show...
+You have a point there, but what is so epic about this? It sounds like the catchphrase of some obscure rejected cartoon!
Agh, I get it, I get it! Let's do it your way!

""Listen… I don't care what you do somewhere else in the universe, but anywhere within reach of my sword, is my country!" - Gintoki Sakata, episode 13
+Finally! This sounds perfect!
Gintama is anime comedy in its ultimate form. A long-running collection of anecdotes, quirks and a playful narrative that mixes some serious with tons of crazy fun, the series has caught the attention of the viewers due to its creative and irreverent style of comedy and its flawless delivery. Over the years it has gained a well-deserved cult status and a growing dedicated fanbase that receives every following season with renewed enthusiasm. And the staff has answered properly by keeping a standard of quality that is unmatched in such a long run, with clear and crisp visuals and an animation that captures both the choreographied movements of its fascinating fight sequences and the awkward quirks and gestures of its routine comedy, and a soundtrack that after so many years keeps adding pieces that resonate and become the perfect accompaniment for any mood the show intends to create.

But we all know that the aesthetic presentation is not the only thing that matters, and in the case of Gintama, it may be subsidiary. So, what is the secret of its success? Is it worth investing this huge amount of time?

The Gintama Review Show will be back after these messages.
+OOOOOOOII!! WHY ARE YOU INSERTING A CLIFFHANGER AND A COMMERCIAL BREAK IN A REVIEW?
Our readers need time to assimilate the information we provide.
+You haven't said that much. Do you really trust our readers? Besides, they can just scroll down and ignore this filler nonsense.
We are back to The Gintama Review Show. In the previous episode...
+WHY ARE WE DOING RECAPS NOW? THIS ISN'T EVEN A SERIALIZED PROGRAM! JUST GO ON WITH THE REVIEW!
Jeez, you must be so fun at parties, Shinpachi. Okay, let's continue where we left it.

The answers to these questions lie obviously on the writing department. After all these years the jokes of Gintama haven't grown stale despite being based on predictable quirks and outcomes. How is that? Simply, because the characters form one of the most well-rounded casts an anime series has ever displayed. Each with their own individual personality traits, that complement each other and offer hundreds of possibilities for interaction. The fact that Gintama is such a vast and open world helps as well by keeping the series fresh. Almost anything is possible in the realm of this show, from dirty to complex fourth wall jokes, from hilarious slice-of-life to far-fetched premises. And this huge variety of scenarios forms a cohesive whole thanks to a large bunch of characters that remain solid and recognizable through any of them. The voice acting for each of them is spot on and makes sure that the quality of the delivery is at its highest every time, and in the end, even in the least amusing bits, you can't help but enjoy the little interactions between characters and quirks you have grown so fond of.

In spite of the above stated, Gintama is a series that is doomed to be divisive. Comedy as a genre almost guarantees irregular reception from the viewers and this is no exception. On the other hand, such a long run is an investment and people may feel pressured by the insane amount of episodes they have to go through. It is commonly agreed as well that it starts very slow, and the huge variety of "Gintama gets good after the first X episodes" newcomers get from fans can be exhausting. On that matter, I suggest to just try and establish your own pace. One of the advantages of this series is that you can leave it and go back to it any time you want. It is structured in either episodic stories or short standalone arcs, making it an ideal anime to watch under this routine. And if you eventually get tired, feel free to leave! Nothing is less recommendable than struggling through a show that is supposed to be laid-back fun 80% of the time.

In the end, this is a show I am very fond of and I will very happy to see people trying, no matter if they end up liking it or not. I don't know you, and you don't know me, but if you ask me "Is Gintama worth it?" I will always be glad to answer something like [url=https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1353749#msg38178609]this[/url].
+Pssst, Jal! BBCode is disabled for reviews!
And why didn't you tell anything? Now my conclusion sounds stupid as hell! Nobody is going to like this! Nobody will find it helpful!
+We can fix it! Just focus a little more on it! You were doing well before!
Shinpachi...
+What?
Time's up.