Gintama 15
In honour of Katsura-san’s birthday (in some parts of the world it’s already over though, too bad), let’s discuss a classic Katsura episode!
Episode title: An Owner and His Pet Are Alike
Source of subs: Shinsen-Subs
Episode summary:
The episode starts with Katsura-san on a boat. He is intently peering into the darkness of the night and is looking very beautiful indeed.
Sidekick A confirms that the meeting time is right, but Katsura-san expresses legitimate concerns.
But at last Sakamoto’s ship arrives.
A short conversation with Mutsu follows, during which we find out that Sakamoto is ‘screwing around somewhere, as usual’.
Mutsu: ‘We really do have a troublesome boss.’
Mutsu: ‘This is why we called you. A present from our boss. Katsura-san, it’s for you.’
Katsura-san experiences some unnamed emotion.
After the opening we see Gintoki taking Sadaharu for a walk and having trouble controlling the dog.
Katsura: ‘You can’t even train your dog properly. Pathetic.’
Gintoki: 'Zura, what the hell is that? It’s disgusting.’
Gintoki: ‘Maybe alone it would not look so bad, but it’s disgusting when it’s next to you. More accurately, you’re disgusting!’
Katsura: ‘That idiot Sakamoto dumped it in my care. He probably just picked it up on some planet. It seems he’s still sailing around in outer space.’
Gintoki: ‘Didn’t you used to hate aliens?’
That remark caused Gintoki emotional damage.
Katsura: ‘Let’s go to the river today.’
Back at Yorozuya, Kagura, Gintoki and Shinpachi watch the TV and discuss Katsura’s new pet.
Shinpachi: ‘Really? Katsura-san? Well, that’s a surprise.’
Gintoki: ‘I guess he’s getting soft in his old age.’
The TV shows a commercial of a pet show, and the Yorozuya decide to participate.
Then we see Katsura and Elizabeth enjoying dango and tea.
Meanwhile, the Yorozuya are in the park training Sadaharu. Shinpachi and Gintoki are constantly getting mauled. Katsura approaches them.
Katsura: ‘What are you people doing?’
Gintoki: ‘Oh, Zura?’
Katsura: ‘I’ll ask again, what are you doing?’
Kagura: ‘Can’t you tell by looking? We’re in the midst of training Sadaharu.’
Gintoki: ‘Don’t be ridiculous! Who’d change their mind just from listening to you?’
They explain that they are training Sadaharu for the TV show, and gives Katsura ideas.
Some time passes and the scene changes to Otose’s bar, where Otose and Catherine are watching the TV and are shocked to see the ‘Sakata-san family’ participating in the pet show. And they have to compete with none other than:
Gintoki: ‘What does he think he’s doing?’
Shinpachi: ‘I guess he really loves that pet.’
Kagura: ‘Not just the pet, he also seems to love that disguise.’
The show host asks the Space Captain how he feels about competing with Sadaharu.
Katsura: ‘My dog Taro, back home, is about that size.’
Gintoki: ‘What do you mean by that, Zura? At home your penguin-look-alike monster is so common it might just slide out of my tap.’
The show starts, and the pets have to show a trick. All Sadaharu can do is maul Gintoki and Shinpachi. Space Captain is not impressed.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘If something this barbaric could take the top prize, there’d be no need to train.’
The host: ‘Next up is Elizabeth-chan’s appeal time!’
The host: ‘Paintbrushes? What do you intend to use them for?’
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘Let them see how talented you are, Elizabeth!’
Elizabeth paints a picture.
The host: ‘Wh-What is that? And the result is a magnificent piece of work. It looks like it was painted by a human!’
The host: ‘Ah, I’m sorry.’
The participants wait impatiently for their scores. Elizabeth has an overwhelming advantage.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘It’s obvious who’s going to win.’
The next competition is a race to catch a bone. Both teams stand at the start line...
The host announces that whoever wins the race gets the grand prize.
The hose: ‘Ah, that was just to make the show more fun...’
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘That kind of thing isn't necessary! I demand that you change the rules now!’
Gintoki: ‘Hey, Zura! Don’t trouble the announcer with your demands. If you've got a problem with this, just go home.’
They bicker, but at last the race starts. Elizabeth runs unexpectedly fast, but for some reason it looks like she has old man’s legs! The host is shocked, but Space Captain Katsuura defends his pet.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘Elizabeth has been working hard to train for this day. Do not say that it looks like some old man.’
The host: ‘I’m sorry...’
Elizabeth is about to grab the bone, when Gintoki starts choking her. Space Captain Katsuura intervenes.
But suddenly Sadaharu bites Space Captain Katsuura’s head.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘But if you continue to bite my head, I’ll break your master’s neck. So what do you say?’
Gintoki: ‘There’s nothing to say. He can’t even understand you!’
The host begs them to stop fighting or it will be impossible to broadcast the show. But Space Captain Katsuura is way too much into it to stop.
Suddenly a mysterious voice from inside Elizabeth says it’s tired and wants to leave. Everyone is shocked.
Something is crawling out of Elizabeth!
The broadcast interrupts and the episode ends with Otose and Catherine screaming angrily at the TV.
Episode discussion:
Putting aside Katsura-san's stunning looks and the fact that the pirate disguise suits him perfectly, what we learn from is episode is:
1) Katsura-san has some warm feelings towards Sakamoto - he smiles when talking about him and accepts his pretty much useless present. It's obvious that relationships with ex-comrades mean a lot to Katsura-san, even though he does try to choke Gintoki to death later in the episode.
2) Katsura-san's idea of cuteness is very odd. He seems to like Elizabeth immediately, pretty much at first sight, and that doesn't have anything to do with the fact that he doesn't judge to book by the cover. At that point he doesn't know anything about Elizabeth's personality, so normally anyone would think Elizabeth gross, but not him.
3) Katsura-san still has not given up saving the country (well, it is a very early moment in the series XD) and actually expects Gintoki to if not join him then at least to have the same ideals. But at the same time it is obvious that he is not as radical in his opinions as he used to be - Gintoki says that he used to hate all aliens, but now Katsura-san at least discriminates between sentient and non-sentient creatures (Elizabeth's sentience being at that moment still unknown).
4) during Katsura-san's appearance in the park the sun is behind his head giving an appearance of a halo. Coincidence? I think not!
5) the participation in the show reveals that Katsura-san can plan things perfectly when need be - just look at what a mess the Yorozuya's performance was, and how cool was Katsura-san in comparison. He is not the leader of a revolution for nothing. And he is quite eloquent. There was not really much of a debate going on, but he managed to say the things that would make the jury have a worse opinion about his competition - after all, the show is about unusual pets, so if he compares Sadaharu to a regular dog, the unusualness factor is immediately diminished.
6) Katsura-san is very determined and competitive, to the point of threatening to break the neck of one of his oldest friends. Maybe those are just his feelings towards Elizabeth that are bringing out these qualities in him, but I suspect not - after all, if you remember the snow sculpture festival, he was also very engaged in those activities.
7) Katsura-san chooses not to hear things that disturb his views on the world. In the end it was plainly revealed that Elizabeth is in fact an old dude in a costume, but Katsura-san chose to completely ignore that fact later on, so that now he stubbornly clings to the idea that Elizabeth is just Elizabeth. I guess this obstinate, childish desire that the world is as he wants it to be is one of his charm points!
Any other comments?
Episode title: An Owner and His Pet Are Alike
Source of subs: Shinsen-Subs
Episode summary:
The episode starts with Katsura-san on a boat. He is intently peering into the darkness of the night and is looking very beautiful indeed.
Sidekick A confirms that the meeting time is right, but Katsura-san expresses legitimate concerns.
But at last Sakamoto’s ship arrives.
A short conversation with Mutsu follows, during which we find out that Sakamoto is ‘screwing around somewhere, as usual’.
Mutsu: ‘We really do have a troublesome boss.’
Mutsu: ‘This is why we called you. A present from our boss. Katsura-san, it’s for you.’
Katsura-san experiences some unnamed emotion.
After the opening we see Gintoki taking Sadaharu for a walk and having trouble controlling the dog.
Katsura: ‘You can’t even train your dog properly. Pathetic.’
Gintoki: 'Zura, what the hell is that? It’s disgusting.’
Gintoki: ‘Maybe alone it would not look so bad, but it’s disgusting when it’s next to you. More accurately, you’re disgusting!’
Katsura: ‘That idiot Sakamoto dumped it in my care. He probably just picked it up on some planet. It seems he’s still sailing around in outer space.’
Gintoki: ‘Didn’t you used to hate aliens?’
That remark caused Gintoki emotional damage.
Katsura: ‘Let’s go to the river today.’
Back at Yorozuya, Kagura, Gintoki and Shinpachi watch the TV and discuss Katsura’s new pet.
Shinpachi: ‘Really? Katsura-san? Well, that’s a surprise.’
Gintoki: ‘I guess he’s getting soft in his old age.’
The TV shows a commercial of a pet show, and the Yorozuya decide to participate.
Then we see Katsura and Elizabeth enjoying dango and tea.
Meanwhile, the Yorozuya are in the park training Sadaharu. Shinpachi and Gintoki are constantly getting mauled. Katsura approaches them.
Katsura: ‘What are you people doing?’
Gintoki: ‘Oh, Zura?’
Katsura: ‘I’ll ask again, what are you doing?’
Kagura: ‘Can’t you tell by looking? We’re in the midst of training Sadaharu.’
Gintoki: ‘Don’t be ridiculous! Who’d change their mind just from listening to you?’
They explain that they are training Sadaharu for the TV show, and gives Katsura ideas.
Some time passes and the scene changes to Otose’s bar, where Otose and Catherine are watching the TV and are shocked to see the ‘Sakata-san family’ participating in the pet show. And they have to compete with none other than:
Gintoki: ‘What does he think he’s doing?’
Shinpachi: ‘I guess he really loves that pet.’
Kagura: ‘Not just the pet, he also seems to love that disguise.’
The show host asks the Space Captain how he feels about competing with Sadaharu.
Katsura: ‘My dog Taro, back home, is about that size.’
Gintoki: ‘What do you mean by that, Zura? At home your penguin-look-alike monster is so common it might just slide out of my tap.’
The show starts, and the pets have to show a trick. All Sadaharu can do is maul Gintoki and Shinpachi. Space Captain is not impressed.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘If something this barbaric could take the top prize, there’d be no need to train.’
The host: ‘Next up is Elizabeth-chan’s appeal time!’
The host: ‘Paintbrushes? What do you intend to use them for?’
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘Let them see how talented you are, Elizabeth!’
Elizabeth paints a picture.
The host: ‘Wh-What is that? And the result is a magnificent piece of work. It looks like it was painted by a human!’
The host: ‘Ah, I’m sorry.’
The participants wait impatiently for their scores. Elizabeth has an overwhelming advantage.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘It’s obvious who’s going to win.’
The next competition is a race to catch a bone. Both teams stand at the start line...
The host announces that whoever wins the race gets the grand prize.
The hose: ‘Ah, that was just to make the show more fun...’
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘That kind of thing isn't necessary! I demand that you change the rules now!’
Gintoki: ‘Hey, Zura! Don’t trouble the announcer with your demands. If you've got a problem with this, just go home.’
They bicker, but at last the race starts. Elizabeth runs unexpectedly fast, but for some reason it looks like she has old man’s legs! The host is shocked, but Space Captain Katsuura defends his pet.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘Elizabeth has been working hard to train for this day. Do not say that it looks like some old man.’
The host: ‘I’m sorry...’
Elizabeth is about to grab the bone, when Gintoki starts choking her. Space Captain Katsuura intervenes.
But suddenly Sadaharu bites Space Captain Katsuura’s head.
Space Captain Katsuura: ‘But if you continue to bite my head, I’ll break your master’s neck. So what do you say?’
Gintoki: ‘There’s nothing to say. He can’t even understand you!’
The host begs them to stop fighting or it will be impossible to broadcast the show. But Space Captain Katsuura is way too much into it to stop.
Suddenly a mysterious voice from inside Elizabeth says it’s tired and wants to leave. Everyone is shocked.
Something is crawling out of Elizabeth!
The broadcast interrupts and the episode ends with Otose and Catherine screaming angrily at the TV.
Episode discussion:
Putting aside Katsura-san's stunning looks and the fact that the pirate disguise suits him perfectly, what we learn from is episode is:
1) Katsura-san has some warm feelings towards Sakamoto - he smiles when talking about him and accepts his pretty much useless present. It's obvious that relationships with ex-comrades mean a lot to Katsura-san, even though he does try to choke Gintoki to death later in the episode.
2) Katsura-san's idea of cuteness is very odd. He seems to like Elizabeth immediately, pretty much at first sight, and that doesn't have anything to do with the fact that he doesn't judge to book by the cover. At that point he doesn't know anything about Elizabeth's personality, so normally anyone would think Elizabeth gross, but not him.
3) Katsura-san still has not given up saving the country (well, it is a very early moment in the series XD) and actually expects Gintoki to if not join him then at least to have the same ideals. But at the same time it is obvious that he is not as radical in his opinions as he used to be - Gintoki says that he used to hate all aliens, but now Katsura-san at least discriminates between sentient and non-sentient creatures (Elizabeth's sentience being at that moment still unknown).
4) during Katsura-san's appearance in the park the sun is behind his head giving an appearance of a halo. Coincidence? I think not!
5) the participation in the show reveals that Katsura-san can plan things perfectly when need be - just look at what a mess the Yorozuya's performance was, and how cool was Katsura-san in comparison. He is not the leader of a revolution for nothing. And he is quite eloquent. There was not really much of a debate going on, but he managed to say the things that would make the jury have a worse opinion about his competition - after all, the show is about unusual pets, so if he compares Sadaharu to a regular dog, the unusualness factor is immediately diminished.
6) Katsura-san is very determined and competitive, to the point of threatening to break the neck of one of his oldest friends. Maybe those are just his feelings towards Elizabeth that are bringing out these qualities in him, but I suspect not - after all, if you remember the snow sculpture festival, he was also very engaged in those activities.
7) Katsura-san chooses not to hear things that disturb his views on the world. In the end it was plainly revealed that Elizabeth is in fact an old dude in a costume, but Katsura-san chose to completely ignore that fact later on, so that now he stubbornly clings to the idea that Elizabeth is just Elizabeth. I guess this obstinate, childish desire that the world is as he wants it to be is one of his charm points!
Any other comments?