Gintama・Badges・Gintoki Sakata

Gintoki Sakata is the main protagonist of the Gintama series and the founder and president of the Yorozuya. He fought in the Joui War and was a respected samurai during this time. He became known as the Shiroyasha (white demon) on the battlefield, due to his white hair and demonic fighting style. After the war ended Gintoki decided to start living as a freelancer for hire and started up the Yorozuya with Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura.

Despite being a fearless fighter on the battlefield, Gintoki is notoriously lazy. He is often behind on his rent much to the ire of his landlady, Otose. Gintoki loves to gamble and spends his savings on Pachinko, which Shinpachi and Kagura often scold him for. Despite his idle nature, Gintoki is actually rather dedicated to his job and is passionate in trying to help other people. Although he often doesn't show it outwardly, Gintoki loves his friends dearly, especially as he grew up without a family. Gintoki has a great amount of charisma, which has allowed him to amass a large group of friends. Alongside Shinsuke Takasugi, Kotaro Katsura, and Tatsuma Sakamoto, Gintoki is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, who fought in the Joui War. Throughout Gintama, Gintoki shows great skill in swordsmanship being able to fight on equal grounds against human and Amanto warriors alike.

Outside of the Gintama franchise, Gintoki has also appeared as the lead character in the spinoff series, "3-Z Ginpachi Sensei" where he takes the role of a high school teacher. Gintoki has also appeared in various video games based on the Gintama series as well as in two Weekly Shonen Jump video games, Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars. Gintama has been extremely popular since his original debut and has consistently topped character polls within Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.