Gintoki Sakata, born to unknown parents, scavenged battlefields as an orphaned child, surviving harsh conditions that earned him the nickname "Corpse Eating Demon" from fearful villagers. His life changed when Yoshida Shouyou took him in, providing shelter and education at Shoka Sonjuku. There, Gintoki formed deep bonds with fellow students Katsura Kotarou and Takasugi Shinsuke while training in swordsmanship and academics.
The Kansei Purge shattered this stability when authorities arrested Shouyou and burned the school. Before capture, Shouyou extracted Gintoki’s promise to protect their classmates, driving Gintoki, Katsura, and Takasugi to join the Joui War against the Amanto invaders. Gintoki’s silver hair, white combat attire, and lethal skill earned him the title "Shiroyasha" (White Yaksha). His capture alongside his friends forced him to execute Shouyou to spare their lives—an act fulfilling his vow but fracturing his bond with Takasugi.
Post-war wandering led Gintoki to substitute himself for a girl named Asaemon’s execution. Imprisoned but freed by executioner Ikeda Yaemon, who recognized his integrity, Gintoki collapsed from starvation and injuries at a gravesite. After consuming food offerings left by Otose for her late husband, he pledged to protect her in her husband’s place. He became a tenant above her bar, Snack Otose, and established the freelance "Yorozuya" business. An initial partnership with Kanemaru, Ikesawa, and Furuhashi dissolved due to internal conflicts, leaving Gintoki to operate solo.
His solitary work shifted when he aided Shimura Shinpachi during an Amanto harassment incident. Gintoki later helped Shinpachi rescue his sister Tae from debt collectors, prompting Shinpachi to join Yorozuya as an apprentice. Soon after, they encountered Kagura, a Yato clan member fleeing gang exploitation. After assisting her escape, Kagura forcibly joined the agency. The trio, later including Kagura’s giant pet dog Sadaharu, formed a found family operating from Otose’s building, often struggling to pay rent.
Gintoki displays a dual nature: outwardly lazy, perpetually late on rent, indulging in sweets, gambling, and reading Weekly Shonen Jump. He exhibits comedic cowardice, particularly toward ghosts, and engages in childish antics. Beneath this lies a traumatized samurai with unwavering principles, shaped by past failures like Shouyou’s death. He prioritizes protecting his found family and personal ideals over nationalism or bushido, explicitly stating his war participation aimed solely at safeguarding friends.
As a swordsman, Gintoki ranks among Edo’s Four Heavenly Kings, wielding the bokuto "Lake Toya"—a Hoshikudaki (Star Destroyer) purchased via TV shopping, capable of deflecting energy blades and shattering solid objects. His pragmatic style blends raw power with tactical cunning, employing tricks or psychological manipulation to win. He avoids real katanas except in dire situations, minimizing bloodshed due to war trauma.
Gintoki appears consistently across all Gintama media—anime seasons, films, and OVAs—defending Edo and loved ones against threats like the Harusame pirates, Benizakura conspiracy, and immortal Utsuro. He also features in the spin-off "3-Z Ginpachi-Sensei" as high school teacher Ginpachi Sakata, overseeing alternate versions of main characters. This portrayal retains his demeanor but does not influence his primary narrative development.