originally posted on ace-reviews.tumblr.com on january 27, 2016
but “shinsengumi: wind of blood chronicles reviews” is way too long and unwieldy a title for this feature. can’t you just call it “shintama” instead?
THE STORY THUS FAR: takasugi was introduced in an episode wherein he manipulated delightful old kook hiraga into attacking a festival, otae proved herself to be a goddamn queen, hijikata’s epic mayo love had its first appearance, and the series had an Obligatory Beach Episode ™
Last episode was the beach episode, so this episode is the other Standard Summer Filler Episode: the one with the ghosts/test of courage. Japanese ghost stories are fun, though, and episodes involving them tend to require at least a modicum of creativity, so I generally enjoy these more than beach or hot spring episodes.
I think this might be the first episode where the Odd Jobs crew and the Big Three of the Shinsengumi all interact. They’ve had run-ins with Kondo and Hijikata, and Kagura was hanging out at the festival with Okita in the one with Takasugi, but that’s been about it so far. As a result, the Big Three were unable to see through Odd Jobs’ awful exorcist disguises, and Gin mistakenly believed Okita was susceptible to reason.
This episode is hilarious. I don’t think there’s a single joke or gag that doesn’t land and the mosquito ghost was delightfully creepy. 10 outta 10 would watch again.
Next episode is more summertime shenanigans. Till next time
Ace Anime Reviews 