Production Overview
During its creation, Hideaki wanted to make a manga based on the famous Shinsengumi but could not figure out how to do so. Rather than abandoning the idea, he kept the historical Japanese era as the manga's setting but added science fiction and fictionalized many famous figures in that era, creating a story that suits his own liking.
Originally titled Yorozuya Gin-san" (万事屋銀さん), Hideaki felt it didn't had any impact and changed it into Gintama (銀魂), a name similar to a certain familiar word but not completely. Gintama began serialization on 8 December 2003 and gained a huge following.
An anime adaption by Sunrise was announced and started airing in TV Tokyo on 4 April 2006 and ended on 25 March 2010. Yorinuki Gintama-san, a series of rerun episodes broadcast in high-definition format started airing from April 4 2010 till 28 March 2011.
In December 2010, Shonen Jump announced that the anime will continue on under the title Gintama' (銀魂’) and began airing on April 4 2011.
Story
"The Land of the Samurai."
It's been ages since our country has been last called that.
The dream filled blue skies of Edo which the Samurai once look at is now covered with foreign vessels flying about. Even the streets where they once walked with a prideful swagger is now filled with aliens wandering around.
This is our world. This is our tow--- SMACK!
Gintoki : Hey! Just how long to you intend to use this in almost every single media we're in?!
Shinpachi : This is an encyclopedia right?! It's obvious to explain it to those who don't know!!
Gintoki : These people look for tags, not a boring wall of text.