Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 delivers pure fan service and meta madness

It’s finally here, Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 has arrived, and for longtime fans, it feels like being reunited with an old friend after years apart. Even with its new “school AU” setting, the premiere somehow captures the exact same unhinged energy that once defined late-night anime chaos. The episode wastes no time pulling fans straight into a nostalgia trip.

Before even touching the main plot, Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei delivers a self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking baton-passing sequence that has instantly become the highlight of the premiere.

Fans couldn’t stop laughing at how the show roasted its own directors, labeling them “1st,” “2nd,” and “3rd Director,” while Elizabeth stepped in as the new “standard director costume.”

The gag escalated when Gintoki literally passed a baton to Ginpachi-sensei (his “school AU” counterpart), blending heartfelt symbolism with complete nonsense. Many fans admitted to tearing up when Gintoki disappeared mid-hand-off, only for the emotional moment to be immediately undercut by a gag involving an Umaibo stick. Classic Gintama.

The School AU chaos begins as shown in Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1

After the baton sequence, the series dives into its main premise: the beloved Gintama cast reimagined in a school setting. Ginpachi-sensei (Gintoki’s teacher version) takes the role of a lazy, pudding-loving homeroom teacher, surrounded by familiar faces who’ve all been reintroduced as students, faculty, or, in some cases, total chaos incarnate.

Prince Hata (now Principal Baka) gets one of the biggest laughs of the episode with his golden self-statue and the line, “I accept Prince, too. Hehe.” Only to rage moments later when someone calls him “Baka.” Hijikata still clings to his mayo bottle like it’s a lifeline, Okita torments him with his trademark sadism, and Shinpachi’s tsukkomi screams remain as hilariously over-the-top as ever.

Kagura and Otose’s comedic timing is impeccable, while Hedoro proves that he doesn’t even need to say a word to make everyone freeze in terror. Even minor details, like Mone casually playing the flute throughout chaotic scenes or the random Justaway cameo as a student, had fans howling.

Peak parody energy: From Dragon Ball to Gintama GT

It wouldn’t be Gintama without parodies, and Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 comes out swinging. Fans immediately latched onto the Dragon Ball spoof, specifically the “Gintama GT” gag, complete with the fake title “Gomenasai Toriyama-sensei desu yo.” It’s a direct callback to Gintama’s long history of roasting anime classics while simultaneously paying tribute to them.

The baton-passing montage even hints at Gintama’s rivalry with long-running giants like Attack on Titan, joking about how they needed to “keep true to their legacy” now that even AoT has finally ended. Overall, Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 was entertaining from the second it began.

Fan reactions: “We Are So Back!”

Across social media, one sentiment echoed louder than all others: “We’re so back.” Viewers rejoiced in seeing the Yorozuya trio again, even if it’s technically an alternate version of them. Some of the reactions after watching Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 are:

"Finished Episode 1 of 3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei. A slow burner, but a masterclass at story writing. It gives the characters a chance to shine and serves up some of the finest battles with its signature comedy. Gintama soars through almost every genre but doesn't fall short in" Said one fan.

"3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei 1st episode was great. Four years after "The Final", it's nice to see old friends again and rewatch the openings (and endings) of the show. I still think this is the best shonen title ever existed! Gintama is still peak!" Said another fan.

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In a world where most anime play it safe, Gintama once again proves that no one breaks the rules of storytelling and the fourth wall like it does. That is why Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1 deserves all the hype it is getting.

Still, for a first episode, it does an impressive job balancing legacy with novelty. Even the Gintama: 3-Z Ginpachi Sensei Episode 1's opening and ending themes ooze nostalgia. In the end, the school setting might be new, but the soul of the show remains intact.

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