Gintama Original Soundtrack 1 – Review

Album Title: Gintama Original Soundtrack 1
Anime Title: Gintama
Artist: Eiichi Kamagata, Audio Highs, Tommy Heavenly6, Captain Straydum, amplified
Catalog Number: SVWC-7391
Release Type: Soundtrack
Release Date: October 9, 2006
Purchase at: CDJapan


Track List:
[spoiler]

Track Title Artist Time
1. Temee Raaaa!! Soredemo Gintama Tsuiten no Kaaaa! Eiichi Kamagata 1:55
2. Pray (TV Size) Tommy Heavenly6 1:31
3. Subtitle da Konoyaroo Eiichi Kamagata 0:10
4. Toubun Tora ne Tonaa Eiichi Kamagata 1:26
5. Su Konbu Okawari Yoroshi? Eiichi Kamagata 1:49
6. Uchuu Senkan Otousei Eiichi Kamagata 2:06
7. Ameendayo, Omaera!! Eiichi Kamagata 2:00
8. Hatujouki Desuka Konoyaroo Eiichi Kamagata 1:59
9. Yo no Charm Point Eiichi Kamagata 1:31
10. Ah Kimochi Warii, Futsukayoi Eiichi Kamagata 1:38
11. Dorobou wa Dorobou Demo Koi Dorobou sa!! Eiichi Kamagata 1:51
12. Kono Stalker Yarou gaaa! Eiichi Kamagata 1:14
13. Oi, Soko Motto Koe Hareee! Eiichi Kamagata 1:34
14. Koko wa Samurai no Kuni da Eiichi Kamagata 2:39
15. Oi Oi, Seishun Desuka? Eiichi Kamagata 2:14
16. Oyaji no Seichi Snack Eiichi Kamagata 1:30
17. Touyako ni Ai wo Komete Eiichi Kamagata 1:36
18. Sesuji Nobashite Iki te Kudake Yotsu!! Eiichi Kamagata 1:35
19. Mata Sore Kaii! Eiichi Kamagata 1:42
20. Fuusen Gamu (TV Size) Captain Straydum 1:30
21. Eyecatch Desuzee Eiichi Kamagata 0:09
22. Kenkatte no wa yoo Nani ka wo Mamoru
Tameni Yarumon Daro ga
Eiichi Kamagata 1:49
23. Dura Janai Katsura daaa!! Eiichi Kamagata 1:38
24. Goyou Aratame de Aru! Eiichi Kamagata 2:05
25. Taigi wo Tousu Mae ni Manaa wo Touse Manaa wo Eiichi Kamagata 2:20
26. Marude Anime no Aku no Soshiki Mitai da na Eiichi Kamagata 1:52
27. Temee Raa! Butta Kiru!! Eiichi Kamagata 2:22
28. Kenka wa Guu de Yarubeshi Eiichi Kamagata 2:04
29. Doukou ga Hirai Tenzo Eiichi Kamagata 1:55
30. Mukashi no Yuujin ga Kawarazu ni iru
Toiu no mo Waruku nai Mono da na…
Eiichi Kamagata 2:41
31. Banji Ya Gin Chan to wa Ore Tachi no Koto da! Eiichi Kamagata 1:31
32. Mazuha Omae ga Kaware! Ja Nakya Nani mo Kawara nee! Eiichi Kamagata 1:33
33. Wake no Wakara nai Yatsu ne Eiichi Kamagata 2:00
34. MR. RAINDROP (TV Size) amplified 1:31
35. Ore mo, Mou Jump Sotsugyou Shi Nakya
Ike nee Toshi da yo naa
Eiichi Kamagata 1:52
36. Katoken Samba! Eiichi Kamagata 2:11

[/spoiler]
Review: My taste for anime music can be quite predictable. Elegant, moving, and graceful soundtracks, such as Aoi Hana’s, Ouran High School Host Club’s and Le Portrait de Petite Cosette’s, will definitely be able to gain my approval. However, Gintama is one oddball that pops up among my long list of favourites.

Gintama’s OST can neither be described as being beautiful nor subtle. As far as I can tell, there is not even a recurring theme. And yet, it manages to be enjoyable all the same. Like the anime, the soundtrack’s selling point is its quirkiness and guts. By utilising every ‘instrumental’ imaginable, Gintama’s OST feels unrestrained and unconfined.

The choice of instrumentation is commendable because of how unconventional it is. While most of it is dominated by guitar, one will also hear an eclectic mix of instruments such as the accordion, saxophone, xylophone and bassoon. Once in a while, even beat-boxing and yodelling are used. Most things associated with tranquillity, like the violin and flute, are almost completely abandoned here.

Doukou ga Hirai Tenzo
[audio:29 Gintama.mp3]

Yo no Charm Point
[audio:09 Gintama.mp3]

Despite its unorthodox nature, the music is also a perfect fit for the anime. One of the most entertaining tracks is the one depicting the story’s heroes’ slacker lifestyle. The cute bassoon solo is entertaining in that it makes listeners think of someone idling around.

Toubun Tora ne Tonaa
[audio:04 Gintama.mp3]

The other character themes are amusing in their own ways, including notables like the militaristic-mafia mixed track depicting the monster landlord, Otousei, “China Girl” Kagura’s Chinese-themed video-game-like music, and the jamming of an electric guitar depicting the stalker Kondou Isao.

Kono Stalker Yarou gaaa!
[audio:12 Gintama.mp3]

Once in a while, a more sober track surfaces. “Koko wa Samurai no Kuni da” is one such track, using a slow piano solo with acoustic guitar and string accompaniments to depict the sad reality of the samurai becoming obsolete. Compared to the pieces in many piano-dominated soundtracks, this track definitely is not up to par. However, it does provide a breather from the almost endless supply of energy the previous tracks give off.

Koko wa Samurai no Kuni da
[audio:14 Gintama.mp3]

Those who understand Japanese (or can find a translated version of the tracklist) will find the naming of the tracks amusing on its own as well, with tracks like “Ah Kimochi Warii, Futsukayoi” (Argh, I feel sick from the hangover), “Dorobou wa Dorobou Demo Koi Dorobou sa!!” (I’m a thief… of love), and “Mata Sore Kaii!” (That again?) topping the charts in terms of hilarious titles. While the track title does not really seem to have much to do with the music, it does give people an idea the context under which it was used in the anime, thereby making the association to the anime stronger.

Those who’ve watched the anime will definitely be able to relate to this soundtrack better, since few viewers can forget the themes which get used repeatedly during the first minute of the earlier episodes. A lot of the other tracks may not be as memorable, but viewers will definitely recognise them as being Gintama material.

Basically, “upbeat,” “noisy” and “fun” are the words I’d use to describe this soundtrack. If you’ve watched the anime, this soundtrack is an absolute must! If you haven’t, I’d still say “give it a go!” The energetic rock themes and pure wittiness this soundtrack brings forth are guaranteed to entertain.

Rating: Very Good

Jen

I have been a contributor to Anime Instrumentality since late 2009 (blimey...). Being a lousy musician trained in cello, keyboard and voice, I feel obliged to censure the other amateurs who have the cheek to release their rubbish to the world, and to affirm those who actually deserve their salary. Nothing gives me more joy than listening to good music, though I admit that writing scathing reviews on bad ones comes close.

10 thoughts on “Gintama Original Soundtrack 1 – Review

  • January 6, 2010 at 1:12 am
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    one of my favorite osts too for many of the reasons you mentioned. It’s very fun and very, very memorable.

    Reply
  • January 6, 2010 at 2:06 pm
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    “Argh, I feel sick from the hangover”, lol.

    I haven’t seen the anime, but this OST sounds promising.

    Reply
  • January 7, 2010 at 11:26 pm
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    Agreed that this is one of those soundtracks that are fun, wacky, different.
    Great review!

    Reply
  • January 8, 2010 at 4:55 am
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    Ah I’ve been pimping this OST for so long the next 2 already came out. The 2nd one I might even like better than the first since it has “Jinsei wa Belt Conveyor no Youni Nagareru” and “Mada Warete nee Janeeka, Shabontama” which are probably my 2 favorite tracks from the OST, but also the most poignantly used in the series. The 3rd OST I think is a bit of a departure from the other 2. I don’t think as many new songs were written for it. It’s a fun fun fun soundtrack. I know I listen to it sometimes and think well that’s not too technically impressive but it’s certainly quirky and eclectic. Also you nailed on the head for fans of the series this OST is a must.

    Reply
  • January 8, 2010 at 11:52 am
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    @taka
    I figured you’d be all over this one. The samples she posted does give it a goofy feel all around and if I attune my mind just right, I can see the hilarity in it. Somehow, it does strike me as one of those soundtracks where you sorta have to be there though.

    May just grab it on a whim though and give it a good listen.

    Reply
  • January 9, 2010 at 9:03 am
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    @ digitalboy
    That’s one of the best things about it. It just stands out so much.

    @ Reltair
    The OST is similar to the show in the sense that well… both can get disturbing straightforward at times. Still, it is daring and you can really feel the energy from it. =)

    @ Yi
    It’s quite a nice break from the usual styles of soundtracks out there. And it’s different while not being completely over the top, to the point that people start questioning whether this is proper music at all.

    @ Taka
    I’m very fond of “Mada Warete nee Janeeka, Shabontama” too. Another one of my favourite is probably “Ah! Ore no Jump!!”. While I haven’t heard the third soundtrack, I get the idea that Gintama soundtracks are fun the in the sense they just don’t stop coming up with different styles.

    @ zzeroparticle
    Not really sure how much you’d like this though. Because I don’t listen to rock-ish soundtracks much, usually only those where rock has elements of other genres, I don’t know how well it’ll compare to the others out there.

    Reply
  • January 20, 2010 at 8:06 am
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    Shall say that the third soundtrack is easily my favorite out of the three, though i can’t say no to a few certain pieces from the first soundtrack release. Especially tracks 14 and 30.

    Reply
  • January 24, 2010 at 7:29 pm
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    There’s a lot of touching tracks that go well with stories from the anime, I particularly enjoyed OST 2.

    Reply
  • January 30, 2010 at 11:59 am
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    There’s a track I’m looking for, it’s been used as early as episode 4, but we can still hear it late in the series…

    You can hear it at 8:22, during episode 4, when kagura explains her family is poor and why she decided to come to Earth

    Reply
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