Gintama 99

PAGE1
Frame1
Center text, slanting:
DOWN THE SNOWY STREET
WALKS ONE MAN!?

Frame2, Gintoki
- Why am I walking so far in this kind of weather?
- Just for some streetside meat manju? Not worth it~~

Frame3, Gintoki
- Ah...
- Luckily I bought red bean manju too.

Frame4, Gintoki
- I don’t want to eat meat manju…

PAGE2
Frame3
Gintoki: …Ah--Ah, it’s smashed.
Santa Claus: AH---AH IT’S SMASHED!

Frame4, Santa Claus:
NOW WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO! IT’S ALLYOUR FAULT!!

Frame5,Santa Claus:
-THE SLEIGH IS WRECKED!!
-WE CAN WRITE OFF THIS CHRISTMAS NOW! THANKS TO YOU!!

PAGE3
Frame1,Reindeer:
-Write yourself off, you sick old man! Didn’t you agree to get off while we were going down the hill!!
- Its more like the sleigh was chasing me than me pulling the sleigh. My calf got hit and it’s bleeding a lot! It hurts! I’ve had enough of your attitude!

Frame2, Santa Claus:
- Well all you had to do was to run faster than the sleigh! Aren’t you a goddam reindeer!! Huh!?
- Your dad was a pro at this! He could pull the sleigh going downhill at top speed! That’s what I call a reindeer!

Frame3,
Reindeer: You seem to really admire my old man but let me tell you he was full of complaints when he came home!
Santa Claus: You can’t trick me! Carl and I are battle comrades, we’re beyond all that!
Reindeer: Yeah he did! His last words were “That guy’s beard is really brown.”

Frame4, Santa Claus:
-You bastard! Why did you have to shout it out! I only dye it white during Christmas!! What’s the big deal!!
- BECAUSE OF YOU THE SECRET IS OUT!!

Frame5, Gintoki:
-Hey hey, listen to me, listen to me.

Frame6, Gintoki:
-Cool down you guys.
- OUCH!!
-You bastard, what are you doing!!

PAGE4
The 99th Reading
THE PERSON WHO INSISTS ON SAYING “THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SANTA CLAUS” IS REALLY THE ONE WHO WISHES THE MOST FOR SANTA CLAUS TO COME.

PAGE5
Frame1, Gintoki:
- …That’s enough guys, settle down.
- Its already midnight, think about the neighbors.

Frame2
Gintoki: Anyway, I’m still not very clear about your story.
Santa Claus: Although you have already given me a beating
Gintoki: But, who cares. First, let’s drink sake!
Reindeer: Huh, what’s that?
Gintoki: Sake is the so-called oil that lubricates all relationships in life. I remember Tokugawa Ieyasu said that too. But I could have remembered wrongly.

TN: Tokugawa Ieyasu was the first shogun of Japan. He founded the Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Frame3
Gintoki: Hey Pops, heat up three bottles of sake and give us some Kanto snacks. The old beard will pay for it.
Stall owner: Yes---Sir
Santa Claus: Beard? Who? You mean me?
Stall owner: Yes---Sir
Santa Claus: Should I shave it off, this beard?

Frame4, Gintoki
- Where were we? Ah, you were both fighting over something?
-And who might you two be?

Frame5
Santa Claus: What?
Gintoki: Do you work at some sort of transport company?
Santa Claus: No...huh? Shouldn’t this be self-explanatory?

PAGE6
Frame1
Santa Claus: That…well according to the rules I’m not supposed to say it clearly...
-But practically speaking, I’m the one who rides around on a sleigh dispensing dreams to children.
Gintoki: Something like Robin Hood?
Santa Claus: Right – right – right ---, exactly that feeling, now add in the first two letters "SA"
Gintoki: SATAN?
Reindeer: Close—a pity! But judging from the meaning it’s just too far apart!

Frame2,
Stall Owner: Hoho, sorry to interrupt, mister, but I’ve already guessed it.
- Think about it, it’s that thing, the hint is that it hangs between your legs…
Santa Claus: No, of course not! What kind of hint is that! What kind of answer are you thinking about!?

Frame3
Gintoki: Forget about it, who cares if it is SANKON or SANTA
Reindeer: Hey, he just said it. Just now he said the correct answer.
Gintoki: Okay, so basically he is the uncle who rides around in a sleigh at midnight to do something for kids, right?
Santa Claus: You’re not wrong, but the way you put it makes me uncomfortable.

TN: “Sankon”=“three offerings” in Japanese, a style of saluting with sake

Frame4,
Stall Owner: Sir, I seem to be interrupting again but didn’t I guess it already?
-You know, they are the infamous guys who ride about in a sleigh at midnight, flashing at passers-by.
Santa Claus: Didn’t I tell you already that’s wrong! Who ARE you!? Just take a look at your ugly mug, your mind is full of perverted thoughts!!

Frame5, Santa Claus
- Presents! I give presents!
-Riding in a sleigh, giving all the good children presents, that’s my job.
-However, the sleigh’s a wreck now so it’s game over for me!

PAGE7
Frame1
Gintoki: It’s only your sleigh that’s broken, can’t you still do your job?
Santa Claus: No way! A sleigh, reindeer and red jacket, these are my three sacred symbols! I don’t want to spoil my image! I want to become a legend!

Frame2
Gintoki: So you call this thing a reindeer? Isn’t he just some kind of monster?
Reindeer: WHAT!?

Frame3, Gintoki
Well, I’m still not very clear about what you do, but if you’re having such a hard time, how about I give you a hand?

Frame4, Gintoki
- Me, I specialize in this.
- Call me Yorozuya, I take on any assignment that shows up at my door.
-If you pay me, I’m at your service.

Frame5
Reindeer: Huh!? You can do anything?
Santa Claus: How about you get me a sleigh right now huh!?

Frame6, Gintoki
No sweat.

Frame7, Santa Claus
What’s he got up his sleeve?

PAGE8
Frame2
- Here ya go...
- Hop on!

Frame4
Santa Claus: Hop onto what! You bastard, can’t you see there’s a man living in there!!
Gintoki: Ah? You can see him? That man is Mr. Cardbox. He’s a “kami” that only those who are pure hearted can see.
Reindeer: Then how come you can see him too! You’re being ridiculous!

TN: Kami= A deity that dwells within objects in the Shinto faith.

Frame5
Santa Claus: Besides, what we wanted was a sleigh! Isn’t this a cart …?
Mr Cardbox: This is not a cart! This is “MY HOME”!!
Reindeer: Ah, sorry.

Frame6
Gintoki: Details, details stop fussing over details. A sleigh or a cart? Aren’t they both used to carry people?

Mr CardBox: This is not a freaking cart! This is “MY HOME”!!

Gintoki: Ah, excuse me.
- What’s your priority? Isn’t it to bring dreams to children? Let’s get back to basics here.
- Didn’t you two once possess a pair of sparkling eyes?

Santa Claus: What the heck do you know about my past!!

PAGE9
Frame1
Gintoki: Forget about your image, it’s your belly that’s the problem.
Small text: C’mon, lookit...
Santa Claus: It’s not a problem. I need this to create that feeling. I’m the forerunner of fat actors.
Gintoki: The only feeling you will get from the children are disappointed sighs of “Ah, just like dad.”

Frame2, Gintoki
-Red color tends to expand and it’ll make your belly seem flabbier.
- Anyway, the reason you want to take it off is...
- to hang on something with a trendier color .

Frame3 Santa Claus:
-No, I don’t want to! Wait…didn’t I tell you that I need those three sacred symbols! I told you no!
- Wait wait…If I take it off I’d just be an ordinary uncle…AHH!!

Frame7, Santa Claus
- I think that something…
-Is just not right.

PAGE10
Frame1, Gintoki
- What gave you that idea? It suits you! You look trendy and a lot slimmer.
- Black is supposed give a cool and calm effect, but how come everyone is rushing anxiously around shouting “lock your door and windows!” Why is that?

Santa Claus: Don’t you think that I look like a thief from any angle!

Frame2
Gintoki: How can that be? You know it’s the pimp daddy look that’s in fashion right now.
-You know, like a “bad boy”, with one foot on the “black path”, it’s the era of the P.diddy.

Santa Claus: You call this “bad boy”? You call this one foot on “black path”? My whole body is covered in pitch black! I look like a criminal from head to toe!!

TN: “Black path” in Japan refers to criminal underworld.

Frame3, Santa Claus
-Hey, that’s my jacket, how can you just wear it without asking me!
- Hey hey, I’m serious. Give it back! Please!
Mr Cardbox: The theme this winter is DEFINITELY RED!
Santa Claus: What’s so definite about that! What’s definite is that if you wear that your books are still in the RED you poor fuck! I said give it back now~~!!

- Frame4, Gintoki
Anyway, let’s start with this neighbourhood. A lot of poor people live here, we’ve got to help them.

Frame5
Santa Claus: This is a sticky situation. If people here spot us, one phone call is all it takes.
- THEY’LL CALL THE COPS!
Reindeer: Why do I feel so nervous, even though I’m not doing anything bad?

Frame6, Gintoki
- Hey.
- Which kid do we start with?

PAGE11
Frame1, Santa Claus
- Well, children who lack humility and ask for things like an XBOX are disqualified.
- I only give toys like a kendama and the like to kids who understand how hard adults work to make a living.

TN: Kendama is a traditional Japanese toy often seen in samurai manga because it requires great dexterity and can also double as a weapon. It consists of a spiked hammer (ken) carved from wood with a ball (tama) connected to it by a string. The object is to toss up the ball and continue hitting it with both sides of the hammer, the hilt and the spike.

Gintoki: Are you two really qualified to dispense dreams?

Frame2, Gintoki
Where can we find such frugal kids in this affluent day and age?

Frame3, Gintoki
- Ah!
- There is one, Yuri-chan.

Text:
WHAT I WANT:
KENDAMA

Frame4, Gintoki
-How rare, in this day and age…
Text
WHAT I WANT:
KENDAMA AND MY ONCE GENTLE MOMMY.

Frame6
Reindeer: …Ahem… Mommy…that’s not possible for us
Gintoki: Yuri-chan's mommy, did she pass away?
Santa Claus: Stop! Don’t say anymore, this topic is too deep…
Gintoki: Hmph…making two wishes at once is against the rules. This kid is disqualified!

Frame7
Santa Claus: And the rest of them? Related to Kendama?
Gintoki: Why do you keep asking about the Kendama?
(bottom right)Santa Claus: Well, I expected there to be a fad for Kendama so I’ve brought more of them. Although this time I’ve miscalculated. But last year I predicted the popularity of the Korean Wave.
(bottom left)Gintoki: And what presents can you give for the Korean Wave?


Frame8, Gintoki
- Ah,
- Look, look! What do you know? There really is a fad for Kendama
PAGE12
Frame1
Text: WHAT I WANT:
KENDAMA AND A PAIR OF WINGS THAT CAN FLY ME INTO THE FUTURE.

Frame2
- Gintoki: … yeah right, so would I!

Frame3
Santa Claus: Okay, let’s go to the next one… related to Kendama.
Gintoki: Haven’t you gone on enough about Kendama this, Kendama that?
Santa Claus: You talk too much you know! To be honest all I have brought this year are Kendamas! Except for Kendamas. I’ve got nothing else to give at all!
Gintoki: That means you are uncles who only dispense Kendamas.
Gintoki: Ah, look! Its Kendama! With no words behind!!

Frame4
Text: WHAT I WANT: KENDAMA
Frame5
Gintoki: Yes!

Frame6
Text: KENDAMA
AH THAT SUMMER WE ALL PASSED TOGETHER…THAT CAN NEVER RETURN

Frame7
Gintoki: DAMMIT WHY DID YOU EVEN MENTION THE KENDAMA!!
Santa Claus: HEY EXACTLY HOW OLD ARE THESE GUYS!?

PAGE13
Frame1
S+R+G:!!
Santa Claus: Che! Our voices were too loud!
Gintoki: The way you shout now isn’t quiet either!

Frame2
Santa Claus: Quick hide…
Reindeer: Hey…that’s her!

Frame4
Reindeer: Yuri-chan
Reindeer: The little girl who wrote "Kendama and my once gentle mommy”
That's her!

Frame5
Gintoki: Uh-oh, she’s waiting for you!
Gintoki: She’s been looking forward to Christmas Day for you to grant her wish, oh dear.

Frame6
Gintoki: She even wrote Kendama and her dead mom side by side. I think she must really want it!
Gintoki: It’s probably got some kind of some sentimental value
Gintoki: We can’t grant her wish for her mother, but as for the Kendama...

Frame7
Gintoki: …Go!

Frame 9
Santa Claus + Reindeer: Yuri-chan !!

PAGE14
Frame1
Little Girl: GYAAAHHHH!!
-Mommy! There are thieves!!!!

Frame4
Santa+Reindeer: WHAT THE --------!?

Frame5
Santa +Reindeer: Wait, just a second, Mommy!?
- Mommy, could you…?

Frame6
S+R: Please change back into my once gentle mommy!!-


PAGE15
Frame3
Santa Claus:…Ahhh, the sun’s about to rise, Ben.
Santa Claus: … we haven’t granted the wish of a single child, and the goddam sun is rising, Ben.
Santa Claus: This year…is our WORST ever.

Frame4
Santa Claus: We’re running out of time, Ben. But we definitely can’t return like this…
Santa Claus: The least we can do now is find a kid who wants something we can get from the supermarket and grant her wish.
Santa Claus: At least this year we can grant one wish and return home with the memory of her smiling face.

Frame5
Santa Claus: Yorozuya, we’re counting on you!
Gintoki: I already said that in this affluent day and age where would there be such a small…

Frame6
Text: What I want: Meat manju
Gintoki: Ah

PAGE16
Frame3
Gintoki: Sorry but we have to…shhh
Santa Claus: I know, I know, no problem
-What a bargain to find a kid who is happy as long as there’s food. She’s helping me to save money. Ho ho ho ho.

Frame4
Gintoki: Eh? She’s not in here?
Santa Claus: I can finally act like a Santa Claus. Oh ho ho
Reindeer: If only you can see yourself now, you look exactly like a thief.

Frame5
Santa Claus: Oh my oh my, she fell asleep beside the heater, hehehehe.
Reindeer: What’s the matter with you two? You’ll freak her out!
Small text, Gintoki: Ah ha ha, that’s her
Small text, Santa Claus: Ho ha ha

Frame6
Gintoki: A bubble’s coming out. A bubble’s coming out.

Frame7
Reindeer: Do you have to be so secretive, you two?

PAGE17
Frame1
Santa Claus: Wait wait, watch this...!

Frame2
Santa Claus: Puuu!
Frame3
Santa Claus: TEE HEE HEE
-
Frame4
Kagura: What did you do, you bastard!

Frame6
Kagura: Where’s my meat manju?
Santa: OH GOD!!

Frame7
Gintoki: She’s sleepwalking, sleepwalking!
Gintoki: This is bad, hide now…

PAGE18
Frame2
Santa Claus: WAHAHAHAHHH!
Gintoki: Let go of me!
(bottom): Let go! You bastard!

Frame3
-AHAHAHAHAHHHH!

PAGE19
Frame2, Kagura
-Oh……I actually passed out over here.
-!

Frame4, Kagura
-These are MEAT MANJUS-----!
-Gin-san really did buy them for me!

Frame6
-YUMMY!


Thank you Teqq and Trickless for your great suggestions!! :D

The 103th Reading will be my last chapter, after that I will take a break.

I hope to see Gintama continue to be translated :D
It is being scanlated now, PM Mangasearcher for your translation to be scanlated as well. :)