The highly anticipated spin-off anime, Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class, officially premiered on October 6, 2025, in Japan, bringing a beloved alternate universe of the Gintama franchise to the screen. Fans can now dive into the comedic chaos as Gintoki Sakata takes on the role of an eccentric high school teacher.
A Return to the Classroom: What to Expect
Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class, known in Japan as 3-Nen Z-Gumi Ginpachi-sensei, adapts the popular light novel series penned by Tomohito Ōsaki with illustrations by original Gintama creator Hideaki Sorachi. The series transports the familiar cast of characters into a modern high school setting, with Gintoki Sakata, complete with his signature silver, curly hair and deadpan eyes, presiding over Class 3-Z at Gintama High School. This class is, predictably, filled with the same troublemaking, quirky personalities fans have come to adore.
The spin-off is not directly tied to the main Gintama storyline, offering a fresh entry point for new viewers while delivering nostalgic laughs for long-time fans. Early episodes have embraced the classic Gintama comedic style, featuring meta-jokes, parodies of anime tropes, and plenty of absurd situations that only Ginpachi-sensei and his students can create.
Plot and Premise of Class 3-Z
The core premise sees Ginpachi Sakata attempting to manage his unruly Class 3-Z. These students, reimagined versions of the original Gintama cast, navigate typical high school challenges with an exaggerated, often nonsensical, flair. For instance, the premiere episode reportedly threw students into a conundrum involving an exam, where failing to score 80 out of 100 would result in weekend make-up classes. The series promises to deliver the same blend of satire, parody, and heartfelt storytelling that defined its predecessor.
Production and Streaming Details
The anime adaptation is produced by Bandai Namco Pictures, with Natsumi Higashida directing and Makoto Moriwaki serving as chief director. Kazuyuki Fudeyasu and “To be determined MarkII” are handling the series composition, while Shinji Takeuchi is responsible for character designs and chief animation direction. Music for the series is composed by Audio Highs.
Where to Watch
Gintama: Mr. Ginpachi’s Zany Class airs on TV Tokyo and its affiliate channels in Japan. For international audiences, Crunchyroll is streaming the series in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS. New episodes are typically released on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. PDT / 12:00 p.m. EDT with English subtitles, usually an hour after their Japanese broadcast. The season is expected to run for 12 episodes.
Theme Songs
The opening theme song for the series is “Sakurakaze” (Cherry Blossom Wind) by virtual YouTuber Botchi Boromaru, while LONGMAN performs the ending theme song, “Underclass HERO.”
Early Buzz and Fan Reception
Ahead of its full broadcast, a world premiere of an episode was held at Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles on July 5, 2025, offering attendees an early glimpse alongside special messages from the original voice cast. The announcement of the series, as part of a multi-year Gintama 20th anniversary project, generated significant excitement among fans eager to revisit the beloved characters in a new setting. Since its premiere, the spin-off has been lauded by fans for maintaining the original Gintama‘s signature sense of humor and bringing back familiar faces.
