Stand arc - Episodes 131 - 134 This is quite an interesting arc. I'm not sure what's the name of this story arc so I shall just name it the Stand arc since the word 'Stand' is most used in this arc.If you follow Gintama closely, I'm sure you know that Gintoki is extremely afraid of ghost. In the Stand arc, he not only had to face ghosts, he also had to serve them. It's funny to see him getting all freaked out. ^-^ My favorite part is the part where he sang 'Sen no Kaze ni natte'. I first heard this song a couple of years ago and I find it very meaningful and touching. The original singer is Akikawa Masafumi. This time round, when I heard Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki) singing it, I couldn't stop laughing.This arc also makes fun of some of Japan's historical figures (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Akechi Mitsuhide, Tokugawa Ieyasu and St. Xavier). Since I'm not a Japanese, I couldn't quite get the full essence of the jokes but it's still funny to watch.Mini SummaryOtose arranges for Gintoki, Shinpachi, Kagura and Otae to spend their winter break at a hot spring inn located deep in the mountains. Anticipating a secluded hot spring bath, the group makes their way up the mountain, only to arrive at a completely deserted and run-down inn. With no available bus to return to Kabuki-cho, the group has no choice but to stay at the inn. The innkeeper, Okami welcomes them, but Gintoki and Shinpachi notice a semi-transparent being standing behind her back!The hot spring inn, which Gintoki and gang are staying at, turns out to be a ghost inn where all the Stands (ghosts), who are unable to enter heaven due to their attachment to the living world, gather. Gintoki finds himself all alone after Shinpachi, Kagura, and Otae are possessed by Stands. Okami explains she's looking for someone spritually tough enough to help run the inn. Forced into working in the ghost inn, Gintoki must join one of Okami's Stand, Rei to serve the visiting Stand customers.Sick and tired of Okami’s tyranny, Gintoki decides to shut down the inn by teaming up with Rei. He plans to use Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Mitsuhide (aka Brief Trio; they are all Stands) to bring down the inn’s reputation. However, it turns out that Brief Trio have been under Okami's control for quite some time. Though Gintoki was initially overwhelmed by Okami’s husband and also most powerful Stand Tagosaku, he nonetheless manages to bring salvation to the inn’s customers (Stands) with the help of Shinpachi, Kagura and Otae, who are now living Stands. With the fate of the inn and himself at stake, Gintoki enters into a battle with Okami.Okami lets Tagosaku possess her own body to become 'His Excellency'. Fueled by anger and sadness, her relentless attacks corner Gintoki. However, just in the nick of time, Gintoki also lets himself be possessed by Stands (Rei, Kagura, Otae, Shinpachi, a random Stand and Xavier) to become 'His Excellency'. With the help of all the Stands, Gintoki manages to defeat Okami and Tagosaku. Okami admits defeat and is regretful of her past action but Tagosaku turns angry and starts to absorb all the existing and living Stands around to make himself more powerful. In the end, Okami manages stop her husband and most Stands, including Tagosaku, rise to heaven.PicturesJapanese style vs Western style LOLOkami's Stand, TagosakuLOL Kagura, Shinpachi and Otae are all possessed by Stands and they play uno non-stop.Gintoki has to serve the Stands.Gintoki finally decides to rebel!!Rei offers to help in his rebellion!Gintoki decides to enlist the help of the Brief Trio (Mitsuhide, Hideyoshi, and Nobunaga) but they turn out to be on Okami's side.Shinpachi, Kagura and Otae's Living Stands exit their bodies to help out Gintoki.Gintoki sings 'Sen no kaze ni natte'.Gintoki vs Okami and TagosakuGintoki also lets himself be possessed by Stands.Out of nowhere, Xavier takes over Gintoki's body and defeats Okami. (This is so random! LOL)Tagosaku turns angry and starts to absorb all the existing and living Stands.Rei manages to save Okami and Okami manages to stop Tagosaku.In the end, all the absorbed Stands rise to heaven.Yea!! Gintoki and gang can go back to Yoruzuya!
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