Gin Tama volume 17: Only One Hour of Video Games Per Day begins a new story arc,  quite possibly the longest one yet (I'm missing a few volumes in the middle, however); it takes almost the entire volume.

Highlights

This volume is a great jumping on point for new readers; it's a new story, and the character introduction pages in the front are particularly helpful; it even tells about some of the really weird random stories from the last volume. Gin Tama volume 17 celebrates all things nerdy; the main bulk of the volume is a story in which an army of robots attacks Tokyo. However, they're not just any kind of robot. A popular new personal maid robot model has run amuck, and all of them are on the warpath. The story in this volume uses the unusual setting of a futuristic historical Japan more efficiently than any I've seen yet. There's the familiar metaphors about what it means to be a human interposed with the ideals of the samurai; not to mention tank battles and an exciting conclusion in the central power core of Edo.

 

Gin runs into a severed maid robot head that comes from a maid robot accused of commiting a terrible crime; murdering her creator, Dr. Ryuzan… gulp. There's a mystery to be uncovered however; this is probably one of the most dramatic Gin Tama arcs yet despite all the comedy that still remains.  The series of gags (for example) where she acts like a video game machine are priceless. She keeps talking about their game saves, and giving them passwords. There are mutliple references to popular RPGs as well. At one point, when Gin and the gang are fleeing from killer maids she says, "I think you should run away right now. But if you always run away, your level will not increase.  And don't forget to equip yourself with weapons. Simply carrying your weapons does not mean you're armed".
 

I don't want to spoil the plot, but it has more twists and turns than I expected, and it's the first Gin Tama story to get me to shed a tear. Becoming a robot, can it ease the pain of human existence? Maybe, but killer maids still feel the need to clean up messes even in assassination mode.

Finally, Gin and the yorozuya (odd jobs crew) get a job to stand in a huge waiting line for the hottest new video game console; the Owee. It looks suspiciously like a Nintendo Wii. Gin's old friend, also waiting in line, appears in a costume that looks suspiciously like a famous plumber.. "I'm not Mario.. I'm Katsurio." Even the Shinsengumi are in line, so the store manager begins what is quite possibly the dumbest video game contest ever.. the prize, an OWee! This story is completely silly; a good way to relax after the roller coaster ride of the last story. It doesn't end in this volume, but all the video game references are hilarious to a big gamer like myself. Both of the stories in this volume really showcase the "anything goes" nature of Gin Tama. It's hard to predict what the next story will be, if not impossible.

Overall

Gin Tama is a really peculiar piece of work; Sorachi gets free reign to stick all sorts of sci fi and anachronistic zaniness in his historical Japan. It's surprising how well it all seems to fit together; although once you believe in giant alien dogs you can probably believe anything. The characters are frequently in service to the gags, but they always retain their individual personalities. This volume more than any other showcases the somewhat schizophrenic nature of Gin Tama.

The large epic in the front of the volume switches between zany comedy and serious drama within the same page, even sometimes within the same sentence. It's sometimes introspective or melancholic, but the upbeat tone and high energy make sure it's never depressing. Far from it, Gin Tama is a celebration of weirdness.
 

The cast, despite the art still being sketchy at times, is defined by their contradictory personalities (Gin is cynical, yet a romantic about honor while Kagura is an ex-assassin who loves fighting but doesn't want to hurt people anymore) and distinctive appearances. One of the killer maids has giant, chibi eyes and their old mechanic friend from last volume is balding, has a wild beard and huge goggles. Then there's the giant maid in the sewer…
 

It's not all good however; the fast pace and somewhat adhoc nature of the translation (often feeling more like a translation in the spirit of than an exact literal one) may turn some off.  Those looking for a huge, continuous arc might find themselves asking what the point of the Owee story is; frequently, there is little point. As of yet, the series has consistent themes but no real direction. It's not getting there in a funny, creative way, but Gin Tama is a bit out there. It's quite popular in Japan (with a ongoing anime series) but don't expect another Bleach or Naruto; it's more similar to a series like Excel Saga with a shonen bent than anything. This is a good "try out" volume; if it doesn't make you laugh somewhere, you might be a bit too sane for Gin Tama (or not a fan of absurdist comedy dramas). In that case, I feel sorry for you.

 

ComicsOnline gives Gin Tama 17 Only One Hour of Video Games Per Day, 4 out of 5 broom-swinging killer maid robots.