whatisaburrito

This show is so funny that you could have an episode's joke spoiled for you and still laugh when you see it in the show -- that's what makes Gintama the best anime comedy tbh.

Also he shogun episodes never fail to have me dying laughing at every moment of the show -- it's not even like Sorachi is trying to force the characters to be funny, it just naturally ends up that way. Shogun episodes will never not leave you in pure hysterical laughter and this episode is no exception. The skiing! The "penile brake"! Everything! Even the next episode is wildly hilarious with the bigfoot reference, igloo, being stranded, etc.

Kyou's character development isn't impressive because he helped Sei; it's impressive because he clearly changed from a self-entitled brat with no allies to a man that genuinely tried to do good and was tragically killed for it.

Early Kyou was focused on his own safety and entertainment, screw everyone else. He never lifted a sword and screamed when he shed blood and looked down on everyone. But he perishes as a man who actively sought after the well-being of the people who were near & dear to him, even if it meant discriminating against the people he wanted to unite. That's such a culminative point of development, and I think it does him well as a bittersweet sendoff.

This episode is the culmination of what makes Thorfinn who he is and who he will be -- it's really a testament to the people and things that have defined him most.

So many stories would blunder at this sort of moment: a time when the main character is facing a truly life-changing event despite it being something that normally isn't remembered (dreams). Putting so much heart and emotion into this episode, combined with improvement-driven encouragement, creates a chilling sense of redemption and rebirth. It's an ode to the lessons Thorfinn has learned along the way and, additionally, his most important one: becoming a true warrior.

Not to mention, it draws a harrowing parallel between the things Thorfinn has done before and what he needs to do now.