Gintama – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class continues to deliver its signature blend of irreverent humor and surprising depth, and Episode 4, titled “Fear and Laughter Are Two Sides of the Same Coin,” is no exception. Airing on October 27, 2025, this installment takes viewers on a nocturnal adventure through Gintama High School, subverting classic school horror tropes with a distinctly Gintama twist, ultimately leading to a moment of unexpected poignancy.
The Premise: Unraveling Gintama High’s Seven Mysteries
The episode kicks off with the familiar trio of Ginpachi-sensei, Shinpachi Shimura, and Kagura sneaking into Gintama High School after hours. Their mission? To retrieve forgotten personal items – Gintoki’s Jump manga, Kagura’s seven packets of sukonbu, and Shinpachi, ever the straight man, simply wanting to keep them out of trouble. As they navigate the eerie, darkened hallways, Shinpachi, naturally, brings up the school’s infamous “Seven Mysteries.” What begins as a classic horror setup quickly devolves into a series of absurd comedic encounters, as the trio discovers the true, mundane, and often hilariously inappropriate identities behind these so-called supernatural phenomena.
Antics and Absurdity: The Real “Mysteries”
The “mysteries” of Gintama High are revealed to be nothing more than the eccentric antics of the school’s various inhabitants. For instance, the “sobbing sounds” emanating from the staff room, which Shinpachi attributes to the ghost of a teacher, are comically exposed as Zenzou Hattori secretly applying ointment for his hemorrhoids, much to Ginpachi’s disgust and the audience’s amusement. Another “eerie piano music” heard in the dark classrooms turns out to be Katsura and Elizabeth haphazardly playing notes for no particular reason. These moments exemplify the series’ knack for parody, taking well-worn tropes and flipping them on their head with characteristic Gintama humor, often featuring the main characters reacting with exaggerated horror or deadpan exasperation.
A Shift in Tone: The Rooftop Encounter
Amidst the chaos and laughter, Episode 4 takes a sudden, poignant turn. As the trio searches for the final mystery on the school rooftop, they encounter a student contemplating suicide, overwhelmed by academic pressure. This scene shifts the narrative from pure comedy to a surprisingly heartfelt moment, showcasing the deeper, compassionate side of Ginpachi-sensei.
Ginpachi, in a move that resonates with the core themes of the original Gintama series, talks the boy down not with grand philosophical statements, but by reminding him of the simple, enjoyable things in life, like looking forward to new Jump manga stories, movies, or even the absurdities of Class 3-Z. This unexpected interlude highlights how Gintama consistently balances its irreverent humor with genuine emotional resonance, finding value in the small joys of existence even in the face of despair.
The Ghostly Revelation and Lingering Impact
The episode concludes with a classic Gintama twist. The following day, as Ginpachi, Shinpachi, and Kagura review student records, they discover that the boy from the rooftop was, in fact, a ghost. This revelation adds a bittersweet layer to Ginpachi’s earlier words, transforming the rescue into a touching moment between the living and the departed. It underscores the show’s ability to blend laughter with meaningful reflections on life, often delivering a profound lesson when least expected.
Gintama – Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class ‒ Episode 4 masterfully weaves together parody, slapstick comedy, and a surprising emotional core. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Gintama universe, proving that even in a spin-off, its characters can tackle both the utterly ridiculous and the deeply human with equal parts wit and warmth.
