Aug 2, 2007
This is a podcast review for Gintama Volume 1 by Hideaki Sorachi published by Viz under their Shonen Jump Advanced line of manga. Rated for Older Teen $7.99. Japan's Edo period is ended by the arrival of the Amanto, aliens from outer space, who insinuate themselves into all facets of Japanese society and disenfranchise and outlaw the samurai. Gintoki, Shinpachi, two samurai, and Kagura, one of the last survivors of an alien warrior race, try to make ends meet any way they can in this adventure comedy that suffers from a bad translation and too much self-awareness.
My Rating F
Amanto in this Manga represent the Gaijins (foreigners) that came and changed Japan after the war, forcing Japanese people to forget their \"Samurai Spirit\". Kind of nationalist manga, you have to be Japanese or live in Japan to fully appreciate it.
As I live in Tokyo since 2002 and have a lot of Japanese friend I really like that manga which is almost impossible to translate.
My rating: A