Many fans and guides on sites like Reddit and Radio Times recommend that new viewers skip the first two episodes and start with Episode 3 , which is the true beginning of the manga's story.
The first episode of Gintama , titled "You Bastards! Do You Even Have a Gintama?!" (or "You Guys!! Do You Even Have a Silver Soul?!"), is a unique and often polarizing entry point into the series. Unlike most anime that begin by adapting the first chapter of their source manga, Gintama chose to start with a two-part special—comprising episodes 1 and 2—that was created specifically by the animation staff to celebrate the manga's adaptation.
To understand why some fans suggest skipping these initial episodes and where you should actually begin your journey, watch this guide on the ideal watch order: Ultimate Gintama Watch Order Guide TikTok• Nov 4, 2021 What is the plot of Gintama anime? - Facebook
Because this episode does not follow the manga's timeline, it is widely considered . This leads to a few common experiences for first-time viewers:
The story follows the "Odd Jobs" (Yorozuya) trio—Gintoki Sakata, Shinpachi Shimura, and Kagura—as they are hired to protect a client from a plot involving a high-ranking Amanto official. The episode serves as a chaotic introduction to the series' core cast, including members of the Shinsengumi (the special police force) and other recurring characters like Katsura.
The episode introduces the eccentric world of Edo-period Japan, which has been conquered by advanced alien invaders known as . In this anachronistic setting, samurai have been banned from carrying swords in public, leaving them without a clear purpose in society.