The Shinsengumi stop trying to be tragic and just start being themselves. These are samurai who care more about what's for dinner than dying honorably, and watching them bicker over chores while casually mentioning they could all be dead tomorrow creates a specific kind of comedy that only works when you know the actual history. It's the spinoff that admits the source material was exhausting, and decides to have fun instead.

Chiruran 1/2 is an official spinoff of Chiruran Shinsengumi Requiem, with Hashimoto Eiji on the manga and Umemura Shinya on the story. It sets aside the bloody struggle in chaotic Kyoto and shows the Shinsengumi swordsmen off duty in their relaxed day-to-day lives. The short episodes mix action with comedy, and the warriors stay tough and intense while also coming across as cute. If you want samurai action but don't want to commit to a heavy historical narrative, this is your shortcut to a different kind of fun.