Gintama: Love Incense Arc

About Gintama: Love Incense Arc

Looking for background on Gintama: Love Incense Arc (銀魂 愛染香篇)? This comedy series by Bandai Namco Pictures (2016) starts out like this. The setup: "Gintama" manga volumes 65 and 66 will bundle OVAs adapting the Love Potion arc. Yoshiwara is besieged by an unexplained incense that has the ability to make whoever smell it fall for the first person they see; poor Tsukuyo is hit, her already hidden attraction with Gintoki intensified.

Soon after, in attempting to gather the incense, Tsukuyo's slip-up causes the entire district to be affected by the smoke, including the Yorozuya (and Tae, Kyuubei, and Kondou who happened to be there at the time). Can the Yorozuya and Tsukuyo overcome their afflictions to stop the perpetrator?

As a comedy title, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. Voice work is led by Tomokazu Sugita as Gintoki Sakata and Daisuke Sakaguchi as Shinpachi Shimura. This one is best suited to viewers who want something light between heavier series. At 2 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Bandai Namco Pictures, which means the visual identity of Gintama: Love Incense Arc follows that studio's craft. Within the comedy category, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. Viewers rate it 8.0/10, which signals strong word of mouth. On the casting side, Tomokazu Sugita voicing Gintoki Sakata gives the lead role a recognizable voice. It aired in 2016, which makes it easy to place in the wider anime calendar.