“I am the Disciple of Yoshida Shouyou, Sakata Gintoki“ “Sworn Enemy“ aired January 13th 2016 so about 2,960 days from today and I first watched this episode about 549 days ago. With everyone getting on Gintama recently I thought I'd express my thoughts on this historic episode (Major spoilers down below). Undeniably, undoubtedly, and indisputably The Greatest Episode Of All Time. Gintoki, the embodiment of the indomitable force empowered by his love and compassion versus Takasugi the embodiment of revenge and violence, empowered by his hatred. Both lost their sensei, Shouyou, to the cruel indifference of the world but what differentiates them is how they took his death. One accepted his sensei’s wish and continued to live while the other with his one eye could only view the world with hatred and was moved to avenge his former sensei. This fight is so crucial because you can make an argument for it being the highest peak in the show, nothing else is more built up in the show than this fight here between two students who went their separate ways after the death of their beloved teacher. The symbolism, voice acting, dialogue, score, animation, atmosphere, etc. is nothing you’ve never seen or felt before. Every scene is so picturesque, and ostentatious; you’re hit by waves of emotion because you’re slowly starting to understand why Takasugi is so bent on turning the country over, on why he’s so consumed by hatred. On the other hand, we witness Gintoki struggle his hardest to free Takasugi from the bonds of their past and his destructive tendencies. Overall, this fight gets us to empathize with Takasugi since we realize he’s not a heartless beast but a broken man haunted by a horrible past. Takasugi’s alter ego couldn’t accept it when he remembers the final image of Gintoki before his left eye shut, the moment Gintoki cries while smiling after executing Shouyou. He’s so clouded with hatred that he can’t help but continue forward with his goal of avenging Shouyou but Gintoki makes him finally realize that he did what he did to protect Takasugi and Katsura, that it was all under their sensei’s wishes. “I see, I had no idea. I haven’t been expelled yet, have I?“ Takasugi finally understands and the fight ends beautifully. Takasugi and Gintoki’s characters continue to get expanded as the story progresses but what this episode does for both of them is absolutely sensational. In conclusion, Nothing touches this masterfully crafted piece of Television; The Greatest Episode of All Time. Period.