Ep 26. Episode 26 - Don't Be Shy - Just Raise Your Hand and Say It

As the title suggests, the twenty-sixth episode of Gintama's first season is all about speaking up for yourself. The episode starts with an angry crowd gathering together outside a TV station, fuming over a sudden cancellation of a popular variety show. The leader of the pack is a young girl named Terukado Tsuu, an up-and-coming idol who got her big break through the canceled show.

Tsuu is approached by the odd-job trio - Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi - who offer their services to help her get the show back on air. However, this will not be an easy task as the director of the station, the arrogant Hasegawa, isn't easily swayed.

Gintoki's plan involves an all-out protest where they will chant and hold up signs demanding the show's return. The plan takes a comical turn when only they and Tsuu show up, causing them to scramble to find more supporters to make their protest look more legitimate. The plot thickens as they come up against Hasegawa, who is desperate to maintain his clear record of 100% success rate when it comes to keeping shows from being revived.

The rest of the episode follows a series of hilarious scenes, with each character trying to outdo the others in their absurd attempts to save the show. Shinpachi, in particular, gets a few moments to shine when he shows off his impressive calligraphy skills, which is essential in making authentic-looking protest signs. Kagura, on the other hand, is tasked with holding a "free hug" sign, which leaves her quite baffled.

Meanwhile, Hasegawa is getting nervous, as Tsuu's fans have started sending threatening messages to his office. In an attempt to quell the situation, he offers a private meeting with Tsuu to explain why the show was canceled in the first place.

In the meeting, Tsuu learns that the real reason behind the show's cancellation was due to Hasegawa's crush on her. He was giving her more screen time than planned, causing an uproar from the network officials. However, the network further objects to Tsuu's singing skills. Hasegawa convinces Tsuu to sing again by giving her his old mike and telling her that he believes in her, realizing it as the mike that gave birth to her idol career. As a result of this meeting, the show is set to go on the air again.

With the help of the odd-job trio, the show premieres with resounding success. It’s a heartwarming moment, as Tsuu thanks them for their help, and everyone takes a group photo to mark their victory.

To sum up, Episode 26 of Gintama's first season is a mix of comedy, drama, and social commentary with a message of "speaking up.” It is clear that the writers took a tongue-in-cheek look at protest culture, examining its absurdities and how even the smallest movement can force a change. Overall, it's an entertaining episode, providing a good balance between humor and deeper themes.