Gintama watch order
A lazy samurai odd-jobber in an Edo invaded by aliens. Half absurd comedy, half serious samurai drama, split across a pile of confusingly named seasons.
First time? Watch in release order, skipping the recap movies. Lots of fans start at episode 3 and come back to episodes 1–2 later.
Story order
The same order with the recap and compilation films removed, so it's everything you need and nothing you don't.
- Gintama
Episodes 1–201. Episodes 1–2 are an anime-original two-parter; many fans start at episode 3 and come back to them.
- Gintama' (Season 2)
Episodes 202–252.
- Gintama' Enchousen
Episodes 253–265, a short extension season.
- Gintama: The Final Chapter, Be Forever Yorozuya
An original time-travel story. Despite the title, it isn't the ending; it fits between Enchousen and Gintama°.
- Gintama° (Season 3)
Episodes 266–316.
- Gintama°: Love Incense Arc (optional)
A two-episode comedy arc adapted from the manga, set after Gintama°.
- Gintama. (Season 4)
Episodes 317–328. The final arcs begin.
- Gintama.: Slip Arc
Episodes 329–341. A comedy break before the final war.
- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc
Episodes 342–353.
- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc, Second Half War
Episodes 354–367.
- Gintama: The Semi-Final (optional)
Two short episodes released alongside the final film. Watch them right before it.
- Gintama: The Very Final
The actual ending of the story.
- Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi's Zany Class (optional)
A school-comedy spin-off with the whole cast as students. Pure bonus; watch it after the main story.
Release order
Release order is the right way to watch Gintama. The only things to skip are the recap and compilation movies, marked optional.
- Gintama
Episodes 1–201. Episodes 1–2 are an anime-original two-parter; many fans start at episode 3 and come back to them.
- Gintama: The Movie (Benizakura) (optional)
A re-animated retelling of the Benizakura arc from episodes 58–61. Skip it if you've seen those episodes, or watch it for the upgraded animation.
- Gintama' (Season 2)
Episodes 202–252.
- Gintama' Enchousen
Episodes 253–265, a short extension season.
- Gintama: The Final Chapter, Be Forever Yorozuya
An original time-travel story. Despite the title, it isn't the ending; it fits between Enchousen and Gintama°.
- Gintama° (Season 3)
Episodes 266–316.
- Gintama°: Love Incense Arc (optional)
A two-episode comedy arc adapted from the manga, set after Gintama°.
- Gintama. (Season 4)
Episodes 317–328. The final arcs begin.
- Gintama.: Slip Arc
Episodes 329–341. A comedy break before the final war.
- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc
Episodes 342–353.
- Gintama.: Silver Soul Arc, Second Half War
Episodes 354–367.
- Gintama: The Semi-Final (optional)
Two short episodes released alongside the final film. Watch them right before it.
- Gintama: The Very Final
The actual ending of the story.
- Gintama on Theater 2D (three films) (optional)
Compilation films of the Baragaki, Courtesan of a Nation and Kintama arcs. Recaps; skip them if you've seen the series.
- Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi's Zany Class (optional)
A school-comedy spin-off with the whole cast as students. Pure bonus; watch it after the main story.
- Gintama the Movie: Yoshiwara in Flames (optional)
A compilation film of the Yoshiwara in Flames arc from the first series. A recap if you've watched the TV version.
Explained
Why the season names are so confusing
Every season after the first is still just called Gintama, with a symbol added: Gintama' (prime), Gintama° (degree sign) and Gintama. (with a period). Streaming services also call them Season 2, 3 and 4, and some number the episodes continuously from 1 to 367. They're all the same show in order.
Is there filler?
Very little. Most episodes adapt the manga's comedy chapters, which is the point of the show. The serious arcs sit between them, so don't skip the silly episodes looking for the plot.
Which movie is the real ending?
Gintama: The Very Final (2021). Be Forever Yorozuya (2013) has "Final Chapter" in its title as a joke; it slots in the middle of the series.