The Juxtaposition Between These Two Is Incredibly Well Done. In Addition To Their Conversation, You Can

The juxtaposition between these two is incredibly well done. In addition to their conversation, you can also literally see that Takasugi and Zura are just different versions of each other. (It’s especially poignant since Zura’s hair is chopped.) Takasugi’s heretical and chaotic. Zura’s traditional and disciplined. Takasugi dresses flamboyantly and keeps a shikomizue at his side– a cane sword. Zura dresses modestly and uses a standard katana.

Despite their polar personalities, they actually have a lot common. They’ve known each other the longest out of the Joui Four being classmates in that military academy before attending Shouyou’s school, and both are leaders of new Jouishishi factions working to usher in change. So how did they become such stark contrasts of each other? What was the catalyst? 

It was Gintoki. 

Zura admires Gintoki for bearing his unjust suffering without hatred. Zura even says to to Takasugi, “Do you know how many times I have wanted to reduce this world to ashes? However, that man has always endured it. Gintoki. He who has the most reason to hate this world has always endured it.” Takasugi, on the other hand, blindly refuses every line of logic and commits to making Gintoki the object of blame. He just cannot accept that there may have been a bigger reason as to why Gintoki “didn’t abandon them to save sensei.” Zura has never once accused Gintoki for Shouyou’s death, while Takasugi chooses to harbor deep resentment.

Takasugi and Zura are two sides of the same coin, yet, the most significant characteristic they share is how emotionally fragile they truly are. Maybe the loss of their sensei wasn’t enough to drive Zura over the edge, but the loss of Gintoki in the Be Forever Yorozuya movie was. Gintoki and Zura are nothing short of brothers, but they’re related by history rather than blood. (Well, maybe bloodshed too…) Losing your best friend, your only family, and the one person you trusted wholeheartedly– of course that kind of grief could consume and break a man. And perhaps that’s why present-day Zura admires Gintoki so much. Maybe he’s fully aware that he’s not as emotionally strong as Gintoki.

Shouyou was to Takasugi as Gintoki is to Zura, and in this light, Takasugi isn’t so crazy and evil anymore. In different lifetimes he and Zura (sweet, stupid Zura) share the same tragedy.

…sorry for the hella Gintama feels. This thought struck me last night, and I had to flesh it out in writing. There’s so much potential between these two of Shouyou’s brats. Please, Sorachi they need another confrontation!