Gintama is a Shounen pillar that is clearly good at everything. Having parodied and referenced all manner of media and Shounen tropes, it has become a bit of a jack-of-all-trades within the industry, whether that means high octane action or the hilarious comedy that it is known for.

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It just makes sense that the series that has seen it all would also know a thing or two about romance. Taking a few pages and even entire panels from romance's past, Gintama has a colorful gallery of ships and love interests that have tantalized fans along with all the stories. With April Fool's still pretty far away but Valentine's Day gets ever closer, this exposé on the series will take a step back from all the comedy and shed some light on its various, fan favorited ships.

10 Tama x Yamazaki

While not the most developed ship in the world, the potential romance between Odd Jobs' robot maid and the straight man of the Shinsengumi did make for an interesting story arc in the series. Yamazaki often seems like a character that the series just forgets about, as he's just given a random gimmick every time he makes an appearance.

As the story drew closer and closer to its ending, it gave Yamazaki more depth and a few clearer interests, with one of the biggest ones being that he's fallen in love with Tama. It's a charming dynamic between two characters who don't get enough screentime, and Tama's deadpan demeanor and gross visual gags do a great job of complimenting and contrasting Yamazaki's trying hand.

9 Gin x Sarutobi

As the main character, it makes sense that Sakata Gintoki would be a wanted man. Throughout the course of the series, he's accrued a strong variety of love interests and even had an entire arc dedicated to teasing all of them. To introduce his colorful love history, this list will start readers off with the female counterpart who has no issues with hiding her feelings but does a great job of hiding within his apartment.

Sarutobi is Gin's overzealous, ninja stalker whose central gags revolve around wanting to be punished by him and being found hiding in various parts of his home. While it's not exactly a reciprocated, healthy, or even a legal love, Gin and Sarutobi have one of the most entertaining relationships throughout the series.

8 Katsura x Ikumatsu

An often forgotten one within the series' long line of side stories and anthologies, the short yet simple story between Katsura and a humble, ramen shop owner is still fondly remembered by fans today. While on the run from the police, Katsura takes refuge within a local ramen shop and is immediately put to work by its store owner, Ikumatsu.

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Ikumatsu was married for a time but actually lost her husband to some of the activities by the Jouishi, the terrorist organization that Katsura runs. Despite this, she stills the eccentric Zura and begins to enjoy his company throughout the time he works for her. It's a story that teases a fresh relationship for Katsura and a new beginning for a lonely widow.

7 Kyubei x Otae

While there are not a lot of LGBQ themes across the series, it does occasionally dabble in the spectrum of non-hetero relationships. One such dynamic is the close friendship between Kyubei and Otae that Kyubei all so desperately wants to be more than just a friendship. The two were childhood friends that stopped seeing one another once Kyubei had to be entrusted to be "the man" of her dojo and thus cultivated a male demeanor over the years.

Using this, she tries to build a relationship with Otae, trying to be the stable protector that's strong enough to maintain Otae's needs. Otae, on the other hand, is the kind, understanding friend that's stuck by Kyubei across her life and, if nothing else, enjoys her company as a best friend. Though more has yet to be seen, this is still one of the more tantalizing relationships within the series.

6 Gin x Otae

Otae really is quite the popular girl. Beyond her curious relationship with Kyubei, Otae has consistently been seen as a possible match and, to many, the definitive ship for the silver-haired hero himself, Gin. She was the female lead before Kagura even crept unto the stage, and she's been near consistent as the lone backbone of Gin and Odd Jobs throughout the series.

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She's often teased as being part of the core family when the situation ever seemed at its lowest, and one episode straight up flaunts the possible relationship straight in the fans faces. It's a time tested ship that really does seem likely if it weren't for another, tempting relationship that the series has set up for her.

5 Kondo x Otae

Isao Kondo is the brotherly chief of the entire Shinsengumi whose heart has been trudged on through various, romantic hardships. When Otae gives him the slightest bit of attention within her hostess boss, Kondo falls head over heels for her. In doing so, he kind of rips off Sarutobi's gimmick and begins to constantly stalk Otae and even break into her home, often leaving Otae to constantly assault the gorilla as well as consistently torture him.

However, beyond the creepy gags, there is something here. Kondo always faithfully looks to protect Otae beyond everything else, and the two have shared the same term of endearment that's complemented their more bestial nature. In a sense, when there are only two gorillas within an enclosure, something is bound to happen. Hopefully, it's not one gorilla assaulting the other for food, but who really knows?

4 Shinpachi x Pandemonium

Undoubtedly the most heartwarming romance within the entire series and possibly the greatest, most tragic love story of them all, the standard-bearer of Gintama romance is between Shinpachi and the demonic parasite, Pandemonium.

Their story started innocently enough as a Fear Factor-esque eating challenge; but when Shinpachi couldn't find the heart to really eat one of the pandemoniums, he accidentally kissed one. His first kiss no less. Being an overimaginative otaku with no other romantic experience and the beautiful visage of Pandemonium being a total figure of his imagination, this would end up being love at first sight.

3 Hijikata x Mitsuba

Being the cool, silent type, Hijikata hasn't consistently been put at the foray of romance in the series. However, he had one, incredibly major spot early on, when one of the series' saddest arcs would tragically see him come to terms with a childhood regret and the loss of his first love.

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Okita Mitsuba was Sougo's older sister. When Kondo began training and forming the Shinsengumi to be, Mitsuba would often look after his early disciples, specifically Hijikata. Not only would the two charm each other in conversation, but they'd also share a similar affinity for strange tests. It's unfortunate that this relationship couldn't see the end of the series, but it was a heartfelt romance that gave plenty of depth to the Demon Vice Chief.

2 Kagura x Okita

They say that when a boy tugs a girl's hair or even hits her that it's actually a sign of affection. In the case of Gintama, the lethal battles and martial arts exhibitions between Sougo and Kagura must mean that the two are head over heels in love with one another.

There's is a less than friendly rivalry that would see the immaturity of Odd Jobs' and the Shinsengumi's main vanguards clash and create one of the cutest and most hilarious dynamics in the series, one that will see hearts flutter if they aren't just flying through the air.

1 Gin x Tsukuyo

At the top of this list is a beloved fan favorite of a Shounen tsundere routine. Tsukuyo is the leader and best ninja among the Hyakka whose initial interaction with Gin would have her see one of the few men that she can actually respect and admire. That interest quickly turns to infatuation, as she only becomes more coy around Gin and even resorts to slapping him in the back a few times.

But, instead of slapping Gin in the back, she dropkicks him or stabs him in the face with a kunai. It's the lead ship with the most tension in the series, and it's always fun to watch.

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