#sakuramitsusuki

[ryuukenden4]

I was talking to my roommate about how deeply anime openings affect me, and I have finally solidfied that Gintama opening 13 is the best anime opening ever created.

Sure you have your bangers like Bleach 13, Fire Force, Noragami Aragoto, Bungo Stray Dogs 2, and Black Clover 4 (those are some of my other faves), and I will accept those as your favorites over GT 13. However, no other opening I've seen conveys such a deep message as this one (at least to me).

It starts off showing Gintoki alone in a dark room (where he was during the Shiroyasha years). The moonlight softly illuminates him with silver light, showing off his silver soul (haha gin tama, right). Then we cut to Shinpachi and Kagura together on the balcony of the Yorozuya office. They're together but still in the dark. Their lives before Gintoki were difficult too, but they had people there for them. Nevertheless, they were really saved when Gintoki came into their lives. They were so touched by him that they became his kids (not really but still. LET ME DREAM). They are bathed in silver as well, showing Gintoki's effect on them.

Next we cut to Gintoki running through sakura blossoms. He stumbles once, showing that his path is not entirely clear and he's still overcoming obstacles from his past trying to knock him down. But he keeps running. And then we get glimpses of his past, namely the biggest regret of his life- when he failed to save his mentor and father figure. That haunts him to this day.

But suddenly, who comes up to remind him he's not alone? His kids Shinpachi and Kagura. They smile at him, reminding him of what's important- living for the now and not in the past. He smiles too, knowing he's not alone.

And then we get shots of the other characters. They've all got their own tragic pasts they're working through, and we're reminded of that as they're bathed in silver light as well. This shows us how many lives Gintoki has touched, regardless of how they feel about him or not. (We also get Madao on the lyric that sounds like Madao, so that's poetic cinema in and of itself.)

Then we get the fight scenes. They are the main focus of the arc (I believe. I'm not chronologically there in the anime yet, but I know a few spoilers, so I think that's it) These fights are rough on Gintoki, as he is nearly beaten again. And then we get his switch from present Gin to Shiroyasha, struggling with his guilt again. The amount of anguish Gintoki is going through internally is heartbreaking to me. He hides behind his humor so no one will be worried about him. But he really needs so much support and so many hugs I-

...but anyway. Back to the analysis.

Then we immediately cut to Kagura and Shinpachi running ahead through the cherry blossoms, calling back to the first chorus. They are the ones leading the way, not Gintoki. They are showing him the future he has, with them and for himself. They're giving him a reason to keep going, to catch up with their youthful innocence and drive. He follows them, smiling.

The last shot we get is of the trio standing in the silver moonlight, sakura petals dancing around them. It solidfies the trio's bond, and shows us they'll be together forever. The beauty of the sakura and the beauty of them as a unit is paralleled, and I think that is the cutest and softest shit ever.

No other opening ever has spoken to me like this. Gintama really is the best anime (besides Bleach, but I could go so in depth about my appreciation for that one).

#its 12:30 and i have a japanese test tomorrow i should be sleeping #here i am analyzing gintama lmao #ive never done an op analysis so go easy on me uvu #also feel free to add your own input! #i wanna know what you think #i just love anime ops so much andjdodlaksbdb #ryuu's thoughts #analysis #anime op #gintama #gintoki sakata #kagura #shinpachi shimura #sakuramitsusuki #gintama op 13 #for a comedy show this show is so beautiful and serious and I LIVE FOR IT