Gintama, an absurd comedy anime based on a manga by Hideaki Sorachi, takes pranking its viewers to a whole new level by completely transforming its opening. While some anime make minor changes to their OPs over time, Gintama breaks the mold by breaking the series itself.
Follow the adventures of the Odd Jobs trio as they assist quirky characters in a historical version of Japan invaded by aliens. Gintama tackles everything from parodying other anime to absurd situations, even joking about the show's own potential cancellation. One notable and hilarious arc is the Popularity Poll Arc, where the characters hilariously compete in Shonen Jump's Popularity Polls, showcasing the meta nature of the series. Brace yourself for a mind-blowing prank that awaits the audience.
Gintama's Experimental Art Style Makes Its Joke Even Funnier
Sorachi's inclusion in the popularity poll took a dark turn when a character of lower rank resorted to murder for the sake of climbing the rankings. The consequence was a noticeable decline in the show's art style, evident in the rather childlike and amateurish appearance of the opening credits in episode 183. What makes this situation particularly amusing is the stark contrast to the normal version of the opening, which typically emphasizes the more serious and dramatic aspects of the story. The unexpectedness of this joke only adds to its hilarity.
Most anime tend to keep the same opening theme song throughout the season, which can actually be a good thing. These opening sequences often hold hidden meanings that only become clear later on, like in the case of Madoka Magica. However, Gintama proves that changing a small part of a show that viewers consider constant can have great impact, whether it's for a hilarious joke or a shocking plot twist. Hopefully, more anime will take inspiration from Gintama and explore different styles and openings.
In addition, Gintama continued to switch up their opening themes at various points in the series, resulting in hilarious outcomes. These changes could be as subtle as the characters messing up their final pose in the song, or as bold as transforming the entire show into a parody of typical Shojo series. Each time, the unexpected nature of these changes brought laughter. These pranks serve as a reminder to never skip the openings or endings of an anime that demonstrates thoughtful and careful craftsmanship, because it may surprise fans by altering what they would normally expect to be constant.
Gintama is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
