October 10 has been formally declared “Gintama Day” by the Japan Anniversary Association, aligning with the birthdate of the series’ lead character, Gintoki Sakata.
The proclamation was issued at a September 26 stage gathering that marked the launch of the special “Cho Enjo” edition of the Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames Arc animated film, which premiered in Japan on September 25.
Tomokazu Sugita, Daisuke Sakaguchi and Rie Kugimiya were present at the gathering together with ex-Gintama editor Kohei Onishi and anime producer Hiromitsu Higuchi. Sugita, the voice of Gintoki, accepted the formal anniversary registration certificate on behalf of the franchise.
Sugita commented:
“I’m thankful. This also demonstrates how widely recognized Gintama has become as a work. Because there’s a selection process, not every theme can become an official anniversary. The fact that it was granted in this way may help even more people realize that October 10 is ‘Gintama Day,’ and perhaps one day it will appear on calendars. After that, I hope it becomes a national holiday.”
The event also looked back on the anime’s 20‑year history. Series creator Hideaki Sorachi sent a surprise message recalling his initial expectations for the adaptation:
“In hindsight, I truly believed it would flop. I thought it would be hard to translate Gintama’s unique style into anime, and even if they succeeded, I figured few viewers would get it. Still, I was happy just knowing there were people who volunteered to bring Gintama to life. As long as those people were enjoying the anime’s creation, I felt the purpose was already fulfilled, and I wouldn’t have minded an early finish. That’s why I kept my involvement minimal. I only anticipated manga royalties. I never expected the anime to boost those earnings so dramatically. Thank you very much.”
Sorachi also shared a behind‑the‑scenes tidbit about the original voice‑casting, noting that Shinpachi and Kagura were locked in right after their auditions, whereas Gintoki required more deliberation. He explained that Sugita’s performance caught his attention because his voice occasionally hit a higher register during the try‑out.
At the end of the event, Sugita commented on the franchise continuing beyond what he once thought was its endpoint:
“A future I never imagined arriving, and a timeline I thought would never shift, has now begun to move. I’m gradually starting to sense it, and I hope this serene, gritty yet thrilling era endures for many years. To make that happen, I believe it’s vital for everyone—to echo this through your voices—to keep affirming that Gintama lives on and that you love it. Everyone, let’s reconvene.”
Hideaki Sorachi penned and drew the Gintama manga, which originally appeared in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 2003 to 2018, and subsequently continued in their Jump Giga until February 2019.
The Gintama anime series was produced by Sunrise up until its fourth season, after which Bandai Namco Pictures assumed production. Across its run, the show comprises 367 episodes, plus a wealth of OVAs, films, games, novels and specials. The most recent entry, Gintama: The Very Final, launched in 2021 and provided the conclusive ending to the anime by covering the manga’s final storyline. The movie received favorable reviews and strong sales, bringing in more than 1.85 billion yen (roughly USD 17 million) domestically and placing it among Japan’s top‑grossing anime releases that year.
Source: Oricon
© Hideaki Sorachi/Gintama the Movie Production Committee
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