Ep 65. Episode 65 - "Rhinoceros Beetles Teach Boys that Life is Precious"

In episode 65 of Gintama season 1, titled "Rhinoceros Beetles Teach Boys that Life is Precious," viewers are taken on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The episode revolves around a group of kids who are desperately trying to find a rare rhinoceros beetle to win a bet set by their peers. The winner of the bet will become the coolest kid in the neighborhood, but things quickly take a turn for the worse.

The episode begins with Gintoki, Kagura, and Shinpachi observing a group of kids searching for a rhinoceros beetle. Gintoki, impressed by the kids' enthusiasm, decides to join them in their search. As the group searches for the beetle, they come across a shady man who offers to sell them a rare rhinoceros beetle for a hefty amount of money. The kids, unable to afford the beetle, are left heartbroken.

Determined not to let the shady man get away with his scam, Gintoki devises a plan to catch him in the act. He sets up a fake bet, pretending to be interested in buying the beetle from the man. Meanwhile, Kagura and Shinpachi follow the man to his hideout, where they discover that he has been capturing and selling rare beetles to make a profit.

As the trio confronts the man, they realize that his actions have consequences beyond his greed. The man explains that he had grown up poor and had become obsessed with catching rare beetles to make a name for himself. He had lost sight of the value of life and had forgotten the thrill of catching a beetle on his own. The group decides to teach him a lesson by releasing the captured beetles back into the wild and reminding him of the joy of catching a beetle on his own.

However, the lesson extends beyond just the shady man. The kids, who had been so focused on winning the bet, realize the true value of life and nature. They release their own beetle, realizing that the experience of catching it on their own is more important than any bet or prize.

The episode ends with the group parting ways, but with a newfound appreciation for the preciousness of life and nature. With its heartwarming message and nostalgic tone, "Rhinoceros Beetles Teach Boys that Life is Precious" is a standout episode in the first season of Gintama.