Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class [Season 1 Episode 9: You Say School Festival is Boring But You’re Actually Enjoying It Aren’t You]

If you’re a Gintama fan who’s been scrolling through your watchlist craving that chaotic, reference-heavy comedy we all know and love—stop right there. Season 1 Episode 9 of Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class is here, and it’s exactly the dose of unhinged fun we needed. Let’s just say the Yorozuya crew (well, their school AU alter egos) are back, and this episode’s school festival theme is the perfect playground for their nonsense.

First, a quick recap for anyone out of the loop: This spin-off takes Gintoki Sakata (the silver-haired, deadpan samurai we adore) and drops him into a high school teacher gig as Ginpachi Sakata, leading Class 3-Z—a ragtag group of misfits that’s basically the OG Gintama cast in plaid uniforms. Episode 9 dives headfirst into the classic “school festival” trope, but with that signature Gintama twist: a Grinch-like troublemaker is trying to ruin the festival, and Class 3-Z bands together to stop them… in the most over-the-top, absurd way possible.

The jokes here are peak Gintama. If you’re a shounen fan, you’ll snort at the blink-and-you-miss-it shoutouts to Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen) and All Might (My Hero Academia)—they’re not just random nods; they tie into the chaos of the festival (like a booth game that references Gojo’s infinity technique). And long-time fans will catch the rehashed confession booth skit from the original series—shoutout to anyone who remembered that deep cut! Even if you’re new to Gintama, the slapstick is light but effective: think Ginpachi’s deadpan reactions to his students’ chaos, or Zura (Katsura’s school AU self) doing whatever weird thing he does best. Some fans on MyAnimeList mentioned the slapstick feels a bit softer than the OG, but honestly? For a school AU, it works—it’s like a warm hug with a side of chaos.

Character moments are where this episode shines. Zura steals the show again (surprise, surprise). His random bits—like popping up in a festival booth with Elizabeth (his alien sidekick) and spouting nonsense about “revolution” (even in a school setting)—had me rolling. Yamazaki, the quiet guy from the OG series, gets a chance to be the hero here: he’s the one who figures out the Grinch’s plan, and his awkward but determined energy is so relatable. Tsukuyo’s cameo is iconic too—she’s there, looking cool as ever, and her banter with Ginpachi is just chef’s kiss. And let’s not forget Otsuu’s song joke: her performance at the festival gets a savage (but funny) review (“Not even 5!”) that’s pure Gintama.

Fans are losing it over this episode, and for good reason. One MyAnimeList user called it a “1,000/10 episode” (mood), while another gushed about how happy they are Gintama’s back. The 4th wall breaks add that extra layer of magic—like when the characters joke about production issues (relatable, tbh) or how the school setting is a bit awkward for their OG personas. It’s those little touches that make Gintama feel like an old friend.

If you’re under 20 and love comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously, this episode is a must-watch. It’s nostalgic for long-time fans, accessible for new ones, and packed with enough references to keep you pointing at the screen like “I get that!” Grab your favorite snacks, round up your friends, and dive into the chaos—you won’t regret it. The Yorozuya crew is back, and they’re ready to make your school festival dreams (and nightmares) come true.

P.S. If you’re new to Gintama, don’t worry—you can jump into this spin-off without watching the original 350+ episodes (though you’ll miss some deep cuts). Just sit back, relax, and let the chaos unfold. You’re in for a ride!