Gintama: Love Incense Arc (2016)

In the neon-lit underbelly of Yoshiwara, the sprawling red-light district of Edo, a peculiar haze begins to drift through the narrow alleys and lantern-strung brothels. The air thickens with an intoxicating scent, sweet and cloying like forbidden cherry blossoms in bloom. This is Aizen Kou, the Love Incense, a mysterious powder that ignites uncontrollable passion in anyone who inhales it, binding their heart to the first person their eyes behold. The district, usually alive with the murmur of courtesans and revelers, descends into whimsical chaos as the incense spreads like a lover's whisper on the wind.

Tsukuyo, the fierce leader of the Hyakka Knights and guardian of Yoshiwara's shadowed peace, patrols the rooftops with her signature pipe clenched between her teeth. Her blonde hair sways in the breeze, eye patch glinting under the moonlight. She's no stranger to the district's vices, but this haze tugs at something deeper--her long-buried affection for Sakata Gintoki, the silver-haired Yorozuya who has stumbled into her life one too many times. As the incense curls into her lungs, her cheeks flush, her stoic facade cracking. "Gin-san..." she murmurs, her voice a mix of resolve and longing, her kunai trembling in her grip. The effect hits hard, amplifying her secret crush into an overwhelming torrent, her heart pounding like war drums in her chest.

Desperate to contain the threat, Tsukuyo leaps from rooftop to rooftop, scooping up clumps of the glowing Aizen Kou powder scattered across the streets. But in her flustered state, her foot slips on a loose tile. The pouch bursts open, unleashing a massive cloud of smoke that billows outward, engulfing Yoshiwara in a pinkish fog. The district-wide affliction begins: lovers clash, rivals swoon, and sanity unravels in a symphony of misguided affections.

Down below, Hinowa, the elegant mother of Yoshiwara's courtesans, fans herself on a balcony, her blind eyes unseeing but her senses sharp. She inhales deeply, coughing as the incense takes hold, her maternal warmth twisting into something fiercely protective yet comically misplaced. The Yorozuya trio arrives just in time for the madness. Sakata Gintoki, the lazy perm-headed samurai with a wooden sword at his hip, scratches his head amid the growing crowd. "What the hell is this smell? Feels like I ate bad parfait again," he grumbles, oblivious to the storm brewing.

Shimura Shinpachi, the bespectacled straight man of the group, adjusts his glasses--now comically exaggerated into mecha-like visors, sparkling with Gundam flair--as the smoke hits him. His eyes lock onto the first figure in his haze-blurred vision: Kagura. "Kagura-chan... you're the only one for me!" he declares, hearts practically exploding from his eyes, his usual tsundere restraint shattered. Kagura, the Yato girl with her massive strength and umbrella parasol, sniffs the air and locks onto Shinpachi in turn. "Gin-chan who? Shinpachi, you're mine now! Umbrella time for anyone who gets in our way!" she roars, her blue hair whipping as she grabs him in a bone-crushing hug, tension sparking between their sudden, absurd devotion.

The chaos escalates as more victims tumble into the fray. Shimura Tae, Shinpachi's fearsome sister with her frying pan of doom, inhales deeply while shopping for discount sukonbu. Her eyes fall on Yagyuu Kyuubei, the one-eyed swordmaster with a bandaged face and unyielding justice. "Kyuubei! My eternal rival... no, my eternal love!" Tae shrieks, charging with fiery passion, her poverty-stricken fury now laced with hearts. Kyuubei, affected moments later, draws her blade with a blush. "Tae... your wild spirit captivates me. Let's duel in love's name!" Their swords clash in a whirlwind of sparks, not as enemies but as star-crossed paramours, blades singing through the smoke-filled air.

Kondou Isao, the gorilla-like commander of the Shinsengumi, lumbers into Yoshiwara on a routine patrol, his fundoshi-clad form unmistakable. The incense strikes, and his gorilla heart fixes on the nearest figure--Tsukuyo, mid-leap. "Tsukuyo-san! My gorilla soul burns for you!" he bellows, pounding his chest as he pursues her with gorilla-like persistence, dodging debris from the growing brawl. Tsukuyo, still fixated on Gintoki, kicks him away mid-chase. "Not now, gorilla! Gin-san is the only one!" The emotional whirlwind builds, laughter and shouts echoing as affections collide like fireworks.

Gintoki, somehow dodging the worst of the initial wave, rallies the Yorozuya. But the smoke catches up, and in the haze, Tsukuyo's eyes--wild with intensified love--lock onto him fully. She descends like a falcon, kunai flashing. "Gin-san! I've hidden this too long... but now, nothing holds me back!" Before he can quip, her fist connects with his jaw in a powerful punch. Gintoki sails through a brothel wall, yelling, "Kshatriya!!" in a delirious Gundam reference, his body crumpling amid splintered wood and silk sheets. The impact shakes him back to semi-lucidity, pain cutting through the fog just enough for him to realize the insanity. "Ow... what kinda love tap is that, Tsukuyo?!"

As the district devolves into a battlefield of blooming rivalries, a shadowy figure emerges from the incense's epicenter: Aizen Myouou Hotaru, the enigmatic woman who calls herself after the Buddhist deity of rage, wisdom, and love. Her dark robes swirl in the haze, eyes glowing with mischievous intent, a censer dangling from her chain like a weapon of mass seduction. Hotaru is the perpetrator, having unleashed Aizen Kou not out of malice, but a twisted desire to force true love's hand amid Yoshiwara's superficial affections. "Love isn't chosen--it's ignited!" she proclaims from a high balcony, her voice echoing like a siren's call, incense billowing from her censer in deliberate waves.

Tension mounts as the affected pairs clash. Kagura and Shinpachi form an unstoppable duo, smashing through obstacles hand-in-hand (or umbrella-to-glasses), declaring undying loyalty while pulverizing anyone who interrupts. Tae and Kyuubei duel atop rooftops, their blades locking in passionate stalemates, sparks illuminating their flushed faces. "I won't lose to you... in battle or in heart!" Tae cries, sweat beading on her brow. Kondou barrels through crowds, his pursuits turning into comedic chases that topple lanterns and scatter courtesans.

Gintoki, rubbing his bruised jaw, confronts Tsukuyo amid the melee. Her kunai presses against his chest, eyes misty with raw emotion. "Gin-san, the incense only revealed what's always been there. Stay with me... forever." The moment hangs heavy, Yoshiwara's lanterns casting warm glows on their faces, her vulnerability piercing the comedy. Gintoki sighs, his silver hair disheveled, a rare softness in his gaze. "Tsukuyo... you're tough as nails, but this ain't you talking. Snap out of it, or I'll have to get rough." He dodges her flurry of strikes, their dance a blend of combat and unspoken tension, kunai whistling past his perm.

Revelations unfold in the chaos. Hotaru reveals her motive during a standoff: she's a scorned alchemist from Yoshiwara's underclass, believing Aizen Kou would strip away pretenses and reveal genuine bonds. "This incense doesn't create love--it exposes it! Tsukuyo's heart for Gintoki was always there, buried under duty!" The twist lands: Tsukuyo's slip-up wasn't mere accident; Hotaru had manipulated the initial batches, knowing Tsukuyo's feelings would amplify the spread. No deeper betrayals emerge--no hidden pasts, no character deaths mar the farce. This is pure Gintama comedy, where hearts bruise but no one bleeds out.

Momentum surges toward climax as Gintoki rallies the afflicted. "Oi, lovebirds! If this stuff makes you punch first and kiss later, we gotta burn it out!" He snags a lantern, igniting a counter-breeze, but the smoke thickens. Shinpachi, glasses fogged, analyzes through his haze: "Gin-san, the source is that censer! Hotaru's controlling it!" Kagura charges ahead, umbrella spinning like a drill. The group converges: Tae and Kyuubei redirect their duel toward Hotaru, Kondou's gorilla strength clears paths, and Tsukuyo, torn between love and duty, hesitates at Gintoki's plea. "Fight it, Tsukuyo! You're stronger than some stupid smoke!"

The central confrontation erupts in Yoshiwara's main square, under a canopy of swaying lanterns. Hotaru swings her censer like a flail, unleashing targeted bursts. "You can't stop love's fire!" Kagura clashes first, her Yato power shattering stone pillars, but the incense weakens her resolve momentarily. Shinpachi's mecha-glasses fire imaginary beams in his delusion, distracting Hotaru. Tae's frying pan connects with a resounding clang, Kyuubei's sword slices the chain, and Kondou grapples the censer in a bear hug. Gintoki and Tsukuyo tag-team the finale: Tsukuyo pins Hotaru with kunai precision, whispering, "Love isn't forced... it's earned," while Gintoki smashes the censer with his wooden sword. The device shatters, incense exploding outward in a final, harmless poof.

As the haze clears, affections fade like morning mist. Couples disentangle awkwardly--Kagura kicks Shinpachi away ("Gross, specs-boy!"), Tae blushes at Kyuubei before fleeing ("Forget this ever happened!"), Kondou laments his gorilla solitude. Tsukuyo stands before Gintoki, cheeks still pink, the incense gone but her feelings lingering raw. "Gin-san... thank you. Even without the smoke, some truths stick." Gintoki smirks, ruffling her hair. "Yeah, well, don't go punching me again. Kshatriya hurts."

Hotaru, bound by Hyakka ropes, reveals no malice remained--her "rage and wisdom" sated by the chaos. Hinowa oversees her gentle imprisonment, Yoshiwara returning to its sultry rhythm. No one dies; confrontations end in laughs and light bruises. The district heals under dawn's light, bonds subtly strengthened. Gintoki leads the Yorozuya out, quipping, "Next time, let's stick to parfait emergencies." Tsukuyo watches them go from the rooftops, pipe aglow, her heart a quiet ember amid the lanterns' fade.

The arc closes on August 4 and November 4, 2016, screens, a self-contained OVA of hilarity, where love's potion proves no match for friendship's antidote. Yoshiwara breathes free, secrets half-revealed, tensions unresolved but fondly remembered.

In the ending of "Gintama: Love Incense Arc," the main characters confront the true nature of the love incense and its effects. After a series of chaotic events, they manage to overcome the influence of the incense, leading to a resolution where they reaffirm their bonds and friendships. The film concludes with a light-hearted moment, showcasing the characters' return to their usual antics, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over artificial emotions.

As the climax of "Gintama: Love Incense Arc" unfolds, the scene shifts to a chaotic battlefield where the effects of the love incense have taken hold of the citizens of Edo. The air is thick with tension as the characters grapple with the overwhelming emotions and desires that the incense has amplified. Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura find themselves in a precarious situation, surrounded by people who are now driven by their heightened feelings, leading to misunderstandings and comedic confrontations.

Gintoki, with his usual nonchalance, tries to navigate through the chaos, but he is also affected by the incense. He experiences a moment of vulnerability, revealing his deeper feelings for his friends and the importance of their bond. Shinpachi, ever the voice of reason, attempts to rally the group, reminding them of their true selves and the value of their relationships beyond the superficial effects of the incense.

Kagura, with her fierce spirit, takes charge, determined to break the hold the incense has on everyone. She channels her strength and determination, showcasing her growth as a character. The trio works together, using their unique skills and personalities to counteract the effects of the incense. Their teamwork is a testament to their friendship, highlighting how they complement each other in times of crisis.

As they confront the source of the incense, they face off against the antagonist who orchestrated the chaos. The battle is intense, filled with both comedic and serious moments, as the characters unleash their signature moves. Gintoki's swordplay, Shinpachi's strategic thinking, and Kagura's brute strength come together in a spectacular display of camaraderie.

In the final moments, they manage to destroy the source of the incense, causing the effects to dissipate. The citizens of Edo slowly regain their senses, and the atmosphere shifts from chaos to relief. Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura stand together, breathing heavily but smiling, knowing they have overcome yet another challenge together.

The film concludes with a light-hearted scene back at their usual hangout, the Yorozuya office. The trio engages in their typical banter, reflecting on the absurdity of the events that transpired. Gintoki cracks jokes, Shinpachi rolls his eyes, and Kagura laughs heartily, showcasing their unbreakable bond. The ending emphasizes the theme of friendship and the importance of genuine emotions, leaving the audience with a sense of warmth and familiarity.

In terms of character fates, Gintoki remains the carefree leader of the Yorozuya, continuing to embrace his role as a protector of his friends. Shinpachi, with renewed confidence, takes on a more active role in their adventures, while Kagura's fierce loyalty and strength shine through, solidifying her place as a vital member of the team. Together, they reaffirm their commitment to each other, ready to face whatever challenges come their way in the future.

Yes, "Gintama: Love Incense Arc" features a post-credit scene that adds a humorous twist to the film's conclusion.

As the credits roll, the scene opens with Gintoki Sakata, the protagonist, lounging in a relaxed manner, seemingly unfazed by the events that transpired during the film. He is surrounded by his friends, Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura, who are engaged in a light-hearted conversation. The atmosphere is casual, filled with the typical banter that characterizes their interactions.

Suddenly, the scene shifts to a comedic moment where Gintoki is confronted by a group of women who are infatuated with him, a recurring theme throughout the series. They express their admiration in exaggerated, over-the-top ways, which leads to Gintoki awkwardly trying to fend them off while maintaining his signature nonchalant demeanor.

The humor escalates as Shinpachi and Kagura watch the chaos unfold, with Shinpachi offering his usual commentary filled with exasperation, while Kagura finds the situation amusing. Gintoki's attempts to escape the attention only lead to more comedic mishaps, showcasing the film's blend of humor and character dynamics.

The scene encapsulates the essence of "Gintama," leaving viewers with a light-hearted and entertaining moment that contrasts with the more serious themes explored in the main storyline. It serves as a reminder of the series' comedic roots and the enduring friendships among the characters, providing a fitting end to the film.

In Gintama: Love Incense Arc, the love incense is a central plot device that causes characters to experience intense romantic feelings, leading to chaotic and humorous situations. The incense is initially introduced as a product that can enhance love, but it quickly spirals out of control, affecting the main characters and their relationships.

Gintoki, initially skeptical about the love incense, finds himself caught in its effects, leading to comedic and awkward situations. His reactions range from confusion to frustration as he navigates the unexpected romantic advances from those around him, showcasing his characteristic blend of humor and exasperation.

Tsukuyo plays a crucial role in the Love Incense Arc as she becomes one of the primary characters affected by the love incense. Her interactions with Gintoki reveal her deeper feelings and vulnerabilities, adding emotional depth to the story. Tsukuyo's character development highlights her struggle between her tough exterior and her romantic desires.

During the Love Incense Arc, the relationship between Gintoki and Kagura is tested as the love incense amplifies their feelings for each other. While their bond is typically one of camaraderie and friendship, the effects of the incense lead to humorous misunderstandings and a temporary shift in their dynamic, showcasing the complexities of their relationship.

The use of love incense leads to a series of comedic situations, including characters confessing their feelings in exaggerated ways, unexpected romantic pairings, and chaotic confrontations. These moments are filled with slapstick humor and witty dialogue, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and the characters' reactions to their altered states of affection.

"Gintama: Love Incense Arc" contains several elements that may not be suitable for children or sensitive viewers. Here are some potentially objectionable aspects:

1. Mature Humor: The film features a significant amount of crude and sexual humor, which may not be appropriate for younger audiences.

2. Violence: There are scenes of action and combat that include exaggerated violence, typical of the series, which may be unsettling for some viewers.

3. Suggestive Themes: The plot revolves around themes of love and attraction, often depicted in a comedic yet suggestive manner, which could be uncomfortable for children.

4. Language: The dialogue includes strong language and insults that may not be suitable for all audiences.

5. Adult Situations: There are references to adult relationships and situations that may not be appropriate for younger viewers.

Overall, while "Gintama: Love Incense Arc" is a comedic film, its humor and themes are geared towards a more mature audience.