Let's break it down. Mugen's a reckless sword-slinger with a style that's more b-boy than Shaolin.
He's got a nasty streak that makes people want to stick a knife in his throat. Then there's Jin, a
deadbeat ronin who speaks softly but carries a big blade. He runs game old-school style, but he can
make your blood spray with the quickness. When these roughnecks bring the ruckus, it ain't good for
anybody, especially them. Enter Fuu, the ditzy waitress who springs her new friends from a deadly jam.
All she wants in return is help solving a riddle from her past. She and the boys are tracking the
scent, but there's 99 ways to die between them and the sunflower samurai.
(Source: Funimation)
>"I have no desire to kill you. In fact, you're not worth killing. Killing you, would only tarnish my blade." - Jin Time and time again I've iterated that there's no such thing as "perfect". Perfection is impossible to have, because it's whole ideology is completely subjective. What's perfect in one thing is not necessarily going to have a unanimous agreement between people simply because their opinion on a particular thing's perfection is like I said subjective. Nevertheless we always see things get close to it. Coal mines were overtaken by steam, which in turn was overtaken by all the renewable energy. It's not perfect, it's what people think is close to perfect. Now out with the normie beginning, I'm here to talk about one such thing that has inched ever so closer to perfection. No prizes for guessing what I'm talking about. Yes. Samurai Champloo. Original review written February 12, 2018 on MAL. ~~~img720(https://images3.alphacoders.com/667/667142.jpg)~~~ Samurai Champloo is a journey. Or in this case you could say the journey is Samurai Champloo. It's not just Mugen, Fuu and Jin going off on a journey. It's us viewers as well. Traveling is all about meeting different people, visiting new places and making friends here and there. But people miss the important part about traveling. The feeling that remains in us while we do the journey and once we end it. Samurai Champloo in that sense has achieved a perfection here. It beautifully showed us how our emotions go about when we travel, albeit in Edo style. I haven't even stepped into the music category (which is the single quintessential reason I can keep this over anime greats like Gintama and the like). The way how events unfold and move forward is so natural and realistic it made me feel as if this isn't an anime. Many people regard anime as an escape from reality, which is definitely true, but there's the other side of the coin. Anime showing us reality in a different way. Samurai Champloo takes the latter route. Either there was an independent episode or there were arcs, both excellently flowed the plot to us and left us in awe of what's next. Some parts made you grit your teeth in suspense. Why? It's because Samurai Champloo knew how to handle the emotion. Not once did I feel as if I knew the outcome of a battle when our two sword fighters were engaged with a tough opponent, and for a media like anime, or action itself for that matter, it's applaudable. Even in the final arc, I was taken aback by who lived and who didn't. No spoilers so don't worry. I was never a fan of Historical anime, but much like Gintama, it was not only bearable but enjoyable. From the first episode to the last, much like it's music, Samurai Champloo beautifully showed us the story it had to tell with one-or-none plotholes and the like. ~~~img720(https://images3.alphacoders.com/733/73355.jpg)~~~ If you've seen my list and stats, I haven't watched many Manglobe anime, yet I consider myself their fan after Samurai Champloo. The art was breathtaking. I can find no other words to describe it. Maybe groovy I guess? The fight scenes were a huge highlight of the anime, and for great reason. Unlike most other studios, Manglobe knew how to incorporate suspense and awe-inspiring knitty gritty action scenes. And for both of the main samurais, Jin and Mugen, had their own unique fighting style and the animation proved that even further. The amount of detail as well dedicated to the backgrounds and the character design as well were beautifully done. Samurai Champloo arguably has the best soundtrack of all time. Why? It's because there was one composer who contributed a lot to the anime, Nujabes. Battlecry has become larger than the anime itself and although it doesn't get featured much on any "best anime OP" lists that certainly doesn't mean it's not amazing. If the anime was more popular I'm sure it would get the attention it deserved. The rest? The background music went slow at times and scary at times. It perfectly did it's job as background music, to create a feeling within us which the main activity can't do, ease in emotions in us. Take for example a scene where Mugen was about to walk over to someone in rage, the drum beat that played definitely raised my hair on end. Shiki no Uta had me dancing, snapping to the beat. I got so engrossed in the soundtrack overall that it took me just a few episodes to learn the lyrics by ear, something that NEVER happened to me before. It wasn't just Nujabes and Minmi doing all the brilliant work on the OP and ED respectively, but the others as well. Never have I ever seen inserted endings go on par with the actual endings, which are already so amazing no questions asked. Another thing, never have I ever turned up the volume when listening to an ED so much while watching an anime episode. If 11/10 existed, the music section and Nujabes himself for that matter, would have it given by me in a heartbeat. Pardon the pun. ~~~img720(https://images.alphacoders.com/555/555107.jpg)~~~ If you read my normie opening paragraph at the beginning, you might remember that I said nothing is perfect, even though the concept of perfection, much like right and wrong is subjective. Not being perfect doesn't necessarily mean something's bad too however. In terms of Samurai Champloo, the characters prove that point. The weakest part of the anime (if 8 is considered weak) are the characters. Mostly because of the villains. Let's start with our main characters. Fuu was very irritating throughout the anime, I found myself rolling over in irritation each time I heard "Himawari o-samurai-san" since it got repeated each and every time in almost every episode. I may sound like I'm exaggerating (which is true) but this was the one thing I got pissed at each time at the anime. Apart from that her performance in the final arc did a complete 180 of my view of her. The episodes leading up to the final arc as well highlighted an amazing new door to her personality in my eyes. Then we have Mugen. I can see why many viewers would love a character like Mugen especially since he's so badass and in many ways cooler than Jin, ahem, literally. Since most of the episodes revolved around Either Mugen or Jin (with the final arc being the sole exception as it was focused on Fuu, but you could say it was equally focused on all three as well, but as for those two, they) got one episode or an arc dedicated to them each and it kept rotating between them until the end. This was especially good since we weren't tired of following only one person on multiple continuous arcs. His backstory, much like the other two was not the most positive thing you'd hear for a guy that badass, the middle of the anime will explain further if you're interested, I'm not spoiling anything :P. From the first episode till the end, we saw 26 tantrums, but we got 52 epic fights and quotes, literally. Don't go counting up everything now :P ~~~img720(https://images8.alphacoders.com/582/582902.jpg)~~~ Jin. At first I was on Team Mugen but sooner rather than later I switched to Team Jin. Why? It's because Jin is the literal example of "cool". His backstory isn't lacking either. Rather, on a personal note I found Jin's backstory much more relevant to the plot and more badass than Mugen or Fuu's. Much like his demeanor, he silently crossed the ranks and became my favorite character in the anime. I don't know about most other people, but I loved Jin as a character because he was fleshed out as one himself. The arcs that focused on him focused in his past as well and I feel even though all three characters' pasts were equally explored, Jin's backstory was one that gave out more detail. And sadness too. Then why an 8? The villains. None of the villains had even half a proper motive for what they did. I expected Sara's arc to give out a well designed villain but unfortunately she too was poorly designed. So much for the drum beats and Mugen's rage. Once again, since there's no context no spoilers. Don't worry and carry on. Apart from that other villains themselves did no better. At best to contradict myself I can say the villains had half a motive but none had a full one. All of them felt cliched in on way or another and since this is the first time I used that word in this whole review that's saying something as well. Nonetheless, if not for Jin and Mugen's backstories and Fuu's final arc performance, even a 7 would be tough to achieve, let alone an 8. If the score and my words didn't directly show it to you, I'll make it direct, I'm a huge fan of Samurai Champloo. I came expecting something worth a 7-8 and instead got a show worthy of a 10. Faults are present yes, for that I'm willing to slice off 0.4 out of the score, but they're not worth anything more. Story? Excellent. Art? Breathtaking. Music? Listen to Shiki no Uta and let it do the talking. Characters? ..... Brilliantly designed main characters and bad villains I suppose. Nevertheless, to end this on a positive note (if all this positivity and small amount of fanboying weren't enough,) Samurai Champloo may appear to be just your everyday quiet Samurai anime with boring historical references and an even boring sound track, rest assured you will get the EXACT 180. You're gonna get the most hip (and hop) anime you'll ever see kono yarou! ~~~img850(https://images4.alphacoders.com/119/119298.jpg)~~~ P.S: Fuu was as she said the only main girl, so waifu corner is now Husbando corner for the second or third time ever I guess. Anyway to make it short. Jin best boy B) ...And those were glasses... >"Kiss my ass." - Mugen Joking :P. Even though that's a real quote said by Mugen here's another one as apologies XD >"If we were all the way up there, no one here'd look any bigger than a grain of sand." - Mugen _Fun fact: I at first planned to rate this a 9 while watching (which goes against my policy of not rating unairing anime until completion but then stopped and thought "Let's see where this goes". Here I am with a 10 on my hands XD_
__Mild Spoilers for Samurai Champloo__ youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq6EYcpWB_c) I hope I don’t come across as snobbish by beginning this review by saying I often [like](https://anilist.co/review/2947) to [go](https://anilist.co/review/2975) [off](https://anilist.co/review/3806) the beaten path when it comes to anime. It can be fun to watch anime or read manga that’s obscure,or the very least, ones that aren’t heavily recommended. Especially when reviewing, you feel unique and like a trailblazer. An obvious disadvantage to this is that if a lot of people haven’t seen something, it’s hard to know if it’s good or not. Your critically-acclaimed [Fullmetal Alchemist](https://anilist.co/anime/121/Fullmetal-Alchemist/) ([Brotherhood](https://anilist.co/anime/5114/Fullmetal-Alchemist-Brotherhood/))s, your [Evangelions](https://anilist.co/anime/30/Neon-Genesis-Evangelion/), and your [Cowboy Bebops](https://anilist.co/anime/1/Cowboy-Bebop/) all have won in the court of public opinion. _Samurai Champloo_ sees similar praise. What do I make of it? You can probably guess the answer - everyone loves _Samurai Champloo,_ so why wouldn’t I? I cannot answer that question, because I’m here to advise you to believe the hype. It might feel like I’m excitedly explaining how I’ve discovered that the sky is blue, but what can I say, _Samurai Champloo is a blast_. If everything is as good as people say they are, I might have to stop trying to discover anime and instead stick to recommendations. Even when trying to judge _Samurai Champloo_ on its own merits, it will invariably be compared to _Cowboy Bebop_. For one, _Bebop_ is actually _Samurai Champloo_’s direct predecessor, being the previous show of creator Shinichiro Watanabe. Both shows involve genre blending, both are renowned for their soundtrack, and in the Englih dubs, both have main characters voiced by Steve Blum. _Cowboy Bebop_ seems to overshadow _Samurai Champloo._ While _Samurai Champloo_ is certainly well-acclaimed, it doesn’t seem to have as much of a presence as Cowboy Bebop - its still of the silhouettes of Mugen and Jin aren’t as iconic as Bebop’s mugshot lineup of its principal cast, Battlecry isn’t as played as TANK!!!, and when examples of masterpieces of anime are given, Samurai Champloo is curiously left out. Perhaps this is due to age, with both being equally as good, but _Bebop_ rising to fandom prominence due to the being released first? Is _Cowboy Bebop_ simply better? Maybe that’s the general consensus, but I found I enjoyed Samurai Champloo more. youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-tTmSY4m4M) _Samurai Champloo_, taking place in Edo-period ([1675 to be exact](http://www.spookhouse.net/angelynx/comics/anachronisms.html)) Japan, follows Fuu, a peppy, determined, fifteen-year-old, Jin, a stoic, no-nonsense warrior, and Mugen, a brash hothead who’s always looking for a way to relieve his boredom. Mugen and Jin meet in the tea parlor that Fuu works at and immediately come to blows, impressed at the other’s strength. Fuu helps the two warriors evade execution and after winning a coin flip, has them accompany her as her bodyguards in order to find a samurai shrouded in mystery. The only thing Fuu apparently knows about this samurai is that he “smells of sunflowers.” Samurai Champloo features absolutely gorgeous animation and art design that looks great both during slower scenes and the fluid fight scenes. As a fan of sword fighting, I really enjoyed the fast-paced stylistic fights of the series. Jin showcases your typical, reserved, master samurai fare while Mugen’s unique fighting style imploys breakdancing, making it a sight to behold. It’s impossible to discuss _Samurai Champloo_ without talking about its soundtrack, which is absolutely phenomenal. I actually listened to some of _Samurai Champloo’s_ soundtrack well before I watched the show. Shiki no Uta was one of the most-played songs on my iPod and iPhone without even knowing its context. Needless to say, I was giddy whenever music I recognized showed up. And naturally, I almost never skipped the OP or ED. Just as Cowboy Bebop’s_ soundtrack was centered around a particular genre not commonly used in anime, Samurai Champloo is based around a particular style as well - hiphop. This is obvious in the first seconds of Champloo’s cool intro as we’re treated to the bass of a downbeat and our eyes feast on the mellow visuals of the opening before the rapper comes in. “Sharp like an edge of a samurai sword” indeed. The soundtrack is composed in part by the late and great Nujabes and as such, the music is often similar to what you’d hear in a [lo-fi hiphop station](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHW1oY26kxQ). While the show also has its fair share of my energetic tracks, in general, the music reflects the cool, relaxed town of the show. For most of the show, things don’t get too dire, and no matter the situation, the gang will be absolutely cool doing it. img520(https://www.bellazon.com/main/uploads/monthly_2017_09/SC.jpg.1136966c653234c8974692b12dc147ab.jpg) [Arurian Dance](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdiof5) One thing that pleasantly surprised me about _Samurai Champloo_ is just how tender it is. Given that this is a comedic, episodic show centered around two swordsmen who couldn’t care less about others, it makes sense that I didn’t expect _Champloo_ to have a lot of moments where my heart was tugged. I suppose a good rule to follow when watching this show is to expect the unexpected. From a gay (who I’m happy to say isn’t characterized as a joke nor as a creep) Dutchman unable to live in Europe nor Japan due to two types of persecution to a young man who is tragically slain after he descends to thievery in order to pay for his mother’s medicne, to a mother being forced into assassination in order to protect her child, _Samurai Champloo_ proves its more than capable enough of stepping away from the comedy in order to say something. Fortunately, _Samurai Champloo_ only presents its viewers with the dire scenarios, not elaborating on how they’re “supposed” to feel, thus keeping the show from dipping into hamfisted territory. Heightening these scenes is the beautiful soundtrack, relaxing, but so chill that it begins to feel somber; with context, these songs can become downright bittersweet - beautiful in the instrumentation, and heart wrenching in the contexts they’re presented in. I could go on and on about the show’s music. The comedic moments are great, but without these more introspective portions, I’m not sure I’d have gotten the feeling _Samurai Champloo_ will stay with me. That isn’t to say that the show doesn’t have its lighthearted moments. _Samurai Champloo_ was always an absolute riot, and if it didn’t leave a smile on my face from how sweet it was, I was smiling from guffawing at how hilarious it can be. Whether its having the protagonists and antagonists get high as kites together as the animation conks out or seeing thuggish American navy pull out brass knuckles to win a baseball game, Samurai Champloo offered a lot of laughs. The show really struck a balance between seriousness and lightheartedness. youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Y1L_D83Ds) The show’s juxtaposition of a typical _chanbara_ setting and modern day concepts such as beatboxing and graffiti was extremely appealing to me. In part because it was comical and it part because it was intriguing. As always, the historical aspects were also very interesting. The story, similar to _Cowboy Bebop_ is told in a vignette style, always moving forward, but jumping to an unspecified point in the future for each episode (except in the case of two-parter episodes), showing a snippet of the main characters’ journey…. I felt the anime had a consistent tone throughout, something that I can’t really say about _Bebop_ as much as I love it. Bebop gets quite dark during its second half, making it feel a bit disjointed and making it hard to jump in anywhere for a rewatch. _Champloo_ on the other hand maintains its flow of sometimes-taking-itself-seriously, sometimes-just-being-goofy, while overall always being a bit light in terms of internal darkness. I was surprised that the ending ended up being as happy as it did, but I enjoyed it because it didn’t make the entire journey bittersweet in retrospect. youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqk1RwLwcXo) I have very few complaints about Champloo. Fuu could be a bit annoying and her getting kidnapped got old, but it helped that because the main characters often couldn’t care less about one another, the kidnappings often didn’t dominate the plot. I also wish we could have tracked the main characters’ development more - it seemed like it was pretty heavily backloaded towards the finale. But overall, my biggest complaint is that there weren’t more episodes. I truly did love seeing the gang’s journey and was always excited to see what situation they’d get into next. It feels a bit silly considering I finished the series in less than a month, but the group really did begin to feel like my friends. Some have criticized as the show as being all style, no substance, but maybe that’s what made me connect with the characters more and added to a light mood that fet easy to return to. Or maybe that’s just plain wrong due to the tender moments I loved so much. Or maybe there’s nothing wrong with a bit of style. Because, goddamn, is this show stylish. While it’s unfortunate that it took me so long to post this review after finishing the show, it helped me confirm that _Samurai Champloo_ will stick with me for a long time and it’s not just a case of recency bias. ~~~img200(https://i.imgur.com/vqVS3ha.png)~~~ youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsmpP--NX7E)
What's up everybody! Killua Morales is back with another anime review. Before this time of the pandemic, I've rarely had time to do anything due to my work schedule, but now that my job is put on hold, I'm now able to put more time into my book I'm writing and my blogs here. Now that I've notified you on this, let's hope into the world of hip hop with Samurai Champloo. Let's begin shall we: ~~~___Synopsis___~~~ A young woman named Fuu is working as a waitress in a tea shop when she is abused by a band of samurai. She is saved by a mysterious rogue named Mugen and a young ronin named Jin. Mugen attacks Jin after he proves to be a worthy opponent. The pair begin fighting one another and inadvertently cause the death of Shibui Tomonoshina, the magistrate's son. For this crime, they are to be executed. With help from Fuu, they are able to escape execution. In return, Fuu asks them to travel with her to find "the samurai who smells of sunflowers". ~~~___Story & Characters___~~~ Now when you read that synopsis, you'd think that the story is just going to be a simple journey. That's until you realize that Shinichiro Watanabe is in the director's chair, so the story is going to be much more enticing and immersive which sometimes makes the anime a bit episodic in a good way. Each episode has its own story giving you sympathetic characters and diabolical characters. There were times when I thought that this show was an anthology series due to the main three being sidelined because of side characters stealing the show. Either way, you can't help but love the journey they've partaken. What makes this series one of the best of its kind is that it doesn't always take itself seriously. There are times when you think that this is a satire of Japanese culture because it pokes fun of it at every second. One of the ways it pokes fun of Japanese culture is through the use of modernization. While it takes place during Edo period of Japan, it decides to add hip hop into the mix through its soundtrack and of course through its characters. From Mugen's fighting style acquiring a lot of break dancing to one using a henchman to beatbox while making an introduction, it gives you an insight on Japan during the Edo period where it shows what it was like during that time. It gives you a modern take on the tyranny during that time making it very original in its own right. Despite the fact that it doesn't take itself seriously most of the time, that doesn't mean that it's strictly an action comedy. There are a lot of serious moments in this anime that you sometimes forget that this a comedy as well. Nothing feels forced because of how natural and realistic it feels when you learn about each of the characters. It knows how to get an emotional out of you when it brings up some serious topics like betrayal and revenge. It's a simple plot, but it's the characters that bring out the complexity behind this anime showing you the many layers under this anime Speaking of the characters: ~~~_Mugen_~~~ ~~~img220(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xk7LPbtPBM8/maxresdefault.jpg)~~~ He's without a doubt the best character in the show, and it's not just because he was voiced by Steven Blum. His wild and rebellious personality is what makes him so loveable. He's the type of person that just like going with the flow of things. You see why he's the way he is through his backstory as you understand the pain of being betrayed. He's heavily aggressive and won't hesitate to fight anyone which fits his fighting style so well, aggressive and unorthodox. Despite his take no crap personality, he does have a sense of honor and loyalty showing that he's not a one-note character. ~~~_Jin_~~~ ~~~img220(https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/022/700/503/large/gautama-tjandra-foto-11-12-19-10-08-52.jpg?1576382413)~~~ Jin is my personal favorite of the main three. This Noble ronin is well-mannered, quiet and wise, but he's just like Mugen. He hates authority but doesn't just charge forward like Mugen does. His fighting style is just like his personality. Noble, patient and honorable. Due to this, he's basically the polar opposite of Mugen, but that's what makes him a standout character. These two are more alike than they want to admit, but Jin is the spitting image of Japanese tradition and a samurai's bushido. ~~~_Fuu_~~~ ~~~img220(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f4/40/e0/f440e06626cf09ebe94bed25aaa9257f.png)~~~ To be frank, Fuu isn't a bad character, but I wouldn't necessarily call her a good character either. She's actually pretty bland compared to Mugen and Jin, but she does have her standout moments. Despite her clumsiness and her cluelessness, she can be cunning at times and is straightforward as well but not as much as Mugen. Her most common trait is her stubbornness. It can be a little annoying at times, but it does show that she's not as immature as she comes off as at times. Once she sets her mind on something, she sees it to the end and won't let anything or anyone stop her. All in all, the story is simple and straightforward, but it's the journey that makes it one of the fulfilling and satisfying stories of the 2000s, and the characters are what make it more complex than you would expect from your typical story about samurai. ~~~___Animation & Sound___~~~ The art and animation by studio manglobe whom you all should know from their works including: ~~~Deadman Wonderland~~~ ~~~img220(https://occ-0-1723-92.1.nflxso.net/dnm/api/v6/E8vDc_W8CLv7-yMQu8KMEC7Rrr8/AAAABaaQiKILyns0DcEnU4rRRKk0lHBCmUZEoTRHVGPHJDOAMsZA9_8jxZ6JeBexXCTOlgf6ydj9KvZ3GO4mgihGRSRAWM54.jpg?r=30b)~~~ ~~~The World God Only Knows~~~ ~~~img220(https://images2.alphacoders.com/109/thumb-1920-109832.jpg)~~~ ~~~And Ergo Proxy~~~ ~~~img220(https://wallup.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/14/40358-Ergo_Proxy-Re-l_Mayer.jpg)~~~ Was breathtaking. The art style is very stylistic and sharp. The landscapes of Japan are beautiful showing the jaw-dropping backdrop of the country side of Japan. The art designers were not cutting any corners in this anime, and the background to this day is better than most anime released recently. Now that is a feat in of itself. There were a few scenes that were drawn in black and white making it look like a manga is literally being brought to life, and who can forget some of the scenes that looked like an acid trip. Then comes the character designs. There is a lot of variety in the designers showing that each character is different from the next. Of course the designs of the main three are the best. Their designs personify their personalities from Mugen's rough and rugged design to Jin's formal and studious design. Even Fuu's feminine and frilly design brings out her character. Of course the best part of the art and animation are the action scenes. This anime is one of the most violent anime I've seen (though not as violent as the torture pron Corpse Party or the Final Destination inspired Another). The way characters are decapitated or just having one of their limbs cut off. You can see the amount of detail put into it that it kind of makes you squeamish at times. There were about four or five times where I've nearly puked due to how gory this anime can be, but that's what makes the action scenes so realistic. All in all, you're in for beautiful artwork and animation. As amazing as the story, characters and animation are, the best part about the anime is the sound. The soundtrack especially is just beautiful. I knew that Shinichiro Watanabe had a fascination with hip hop, but to see him work together with not only a rapper from the US but also the late and great Nujabes. This really blew my mind. I actually started listening Nujabes's music not too long along, and I've come to enjoy all the music he's made during his time on Earth. After rewatching Samurai Champloo for this review, I was shocked to learn that he played a role in the soundtrack. The beautiful combination of traditional Japanese music with Hip Hop and Jazz really brings the scenes of each episode, and of course the best part of the soundtrack is the opening theme. ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq6EYcpWB_c)~~~ This in my honest opinion is Nujabes at his best. You hear the amount of dedication in this song from the instruments to Shing02's rap. You feel the tone of the song as it emphasizes what the life of samurai is like. This is how to do an English rap for an anime whole maintaining the style the anime outs out (I'm looking at you 4Kids One Piece). Even though the soundtrack was godly, the voice acting was no slouch either. The Japanese was serviceable at best, but it's the English dub that really makes the anime stand out. It was as if Shinichiro intended for the English dub to be better. Steven Blum's portrayal of Mugen is the standout as you see how he brings out Mugen's rash and aggressive personality. Kirk Thornton's portrayal of Jin was another standout showing the Noble ronin's personality. Of course Kari Walgreen's portrayal of Fuu was serviceable, but it was nothing compared to Steven and Kirk. All in all, the Animation and Sound were what truly made this anime stand out. ~~~___Final Verdict___~~~ What else can be said about Samurai Champloo that hasn't already been said enough. If you're into samurai themed anime, then this is definitely the anime for you as it gives you a nice twist on its formula as it adds hip hop to the mix. You have simple yet complex story with beautiful animation and Grammy worthy music. All in all, this is one of the best anime of the 21st Century so far. With that in mind, I can definitely say that Samurai Champloo is... ~~~___GODLY!!!___~~~
~~~img(https://images4.alphacoders.com/246/246474.jpg)~~~ Universal Vibes. There’s something authentic about _Samurai Champloo_ that vastly separates itself from other pieces of fiction, even upon rewatching. One could mention its immersive atmosphere of engulfment viewed from the protagonists similar to Mugen, Jin, and Fuu. Or that unforgettable sensation produced by esteemed hip-hop soundtracks in a historical premise. It could maybe be the lingering warmth that oozes a memorable experience. In other words, people tend to remember their favorite fiction by the tender “feeling” they obtained from it, the “vibe” felt by consuming it. ~~~_Samurai Champloo_ is straight vibes.~~~ A newborn journey has usually been depicted as a commodity meant to give the viewer satisfaction and closure at its completion. Although, the common fallacy and mistakes of adventure-driven stories lean towards the inconsistencies in narrative structure, followed by artificial punchlines, unnatural characters that have no originality and uniqueness. Furthermore, the results of these misinterpretations end in dull, unvaried writing. No punchlines. No gimmicks. Only pure vibrance. _Samurai Champloo_ doesn’t follow the rules of traditional storytelling through its composition of chronological, formative events mashed together wherein each episode carries distinctive value. Following the journey of 3 complete opposites banding together to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers, each story aims to entertain, amuse, and leave an efficacious message by the end of it. Some days, the trio could be participating in gambling sessions, eating contests, chugging G-Fuel, or simply experiencing unexpected, unforgettable encounters with different individuals. _Samurai Champloo_ faithfully leans toward a character-driven narrative without forcing self-righteous ideals. It’s wholesome, chill, poignant, comedic, unique, and entertaining. Each episode radiates a sense of profoundness, leading to probably one of the most engaging experiences I’ve viewed in quite a while. It doesn’t rely on carbon-copied gimmicks and writing. Most of all, the dialogue feels ideally simplified, whilst being palpable. With compelling characters like Mugen, Jin, and Fuu and an atmosphere like no other, _Samurai Champloo’s_ reputation is fully cemented as a classic. However, Shinichirō Watanabe's directing is also a core foundation of this tale, being able to think outside the box while emanating the ideal atmosphere, while successfully pacing Champloo's episodic storytelling. I highly advise that you pay attention to the use of multiple, various soundtracks in each episode, the experience only adds to the enjoyment and entertainment value. Hip-Hop and Lofi culture was highly influenced by the goat Nujabes, who was responsible for most of the tracks used, along with Fat John. If you haven’t listened to any of Nujabes’ songs, I highly advise you to, as it's great for stress-relief, relaxation, study sessions, or maybe if you just want to vibe out to something. ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGrm4l62Wc)~~~ ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGfguhnvECc)~~~ In addition, the soundtracks oozes such a chill, vibrant atmosphere within the premise, and most iconically, is the main reason why this piece of fiction is both unique and affecting. Why? _Samurai Champloo_ utilizes its historical premise of traditional Edo-era Japan and blends it with a modernized, present-day soundtrack, which is an unconventional combination that signifies originality and diversity. In addition, it emphasizes on the thematic focus of Champloo, the characters themselves, and most importantly, its method of presenting the production's general aura. ~~~img(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/27/d8/ae/27d8ae1bbdf3e1d438067ce79b531c82.jpg)~~~ Viewing Mugen from an initial perspective, his clothing seemed rather modernized. Furthermore, he's a stubborn individual who lives by no laws and rules. His fighting style is rather unique, bombastic, and explosive, unlike Jin, who traditionally fights with calculated swings and slashes, birthed by the influence of training under his master, Enshiro Mariya. Throughout _Samurai Champloo_, Mugen and Jin have stumbled across many burdensome predicaments, kindled by their inescapable pasts, influenced by past crimes, instances of self-isolation, and involvement with others. Both are nuanced in similar ways, yet they are distinct from each other. Depicted as complete opposites, Mugen and Jin serves as the backbone of _Samurai Champloo._ As individuals, Mugen and Jin have gone through some of the most believable character development I’ve seen. In their character arcs, both have faced their pasts head-on, mainly due to accumulating acceptance towards the journey they’ve embarked on together, caused by Fuu’s intentions. Mugen and Jin contrast each other, yet they both learn to value one another. _Samurai Champloo_ rewards the viewer through accompanying their experiences, inside of a narrative that ignites progression, while at the same time, bestows them with a difficulty to eventually overcome. The amount of effort put into choreographing the action was a sight to behold. Studio Manglobe's animation, being made in 2005, was well-produced for its time frame. The merging of fluid, yet pompous movement of swords swinging, and the use of unique soundtracks makes _Samurai Champloo_ in a caliber of its own. Jin’s sword style is highlighted by sharp, fast, and precise movements, quietly phrasing his chill, calm personality. Mugen’s reckless style is formatted as an endless combination of modernized break-dance movements along with loud, aggressive swings. In general, The choreography reflects many character identities, and is the exclamation point in thrilling action sequences. ~~~img(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/95/8e/77/958e77bbf11d3aa3ccec7e0753e56bb9.gif)~~~ Shown as a traditional waitress, Fuu isn’t your typical damsel in distress fated to be saved by the male lead. With the goal of finding the sunflower samurai, which is one of the core themes of Champloo, Fuu may be vexing and bothersome at times, but she is believably equipped with resolve, which is a great addition to _Samurai Champloo’s_ thematics. Furthermore, Fuu is what makes the trio of herself, Mugen, and Jin function in the way the author intended the process to be. As a victim of an isolated past, She is more or less ready to go through thick and thin, along with the companionship of her bodyguards. Fuu isn’t inherently my favorite character like most others, but she is bound to be appreciated, notably through her methodical writing direction towards the last half of Champloo, involving the theme to avoid dwelling on what you can't change. _Samurai Champloo’s_ core themes lie within discovering purpose. It communicates the message that life has no narrative, no plot, which notions toward the reason why the show intentionally pushes the plot away for 20+ episodes. At the start, we're given the vain attempt of finding the samurai that smells of sunflowers, despite sunflowers having no smell. Now, it's essentially a wild-goose chase that by the end of it, unconditionally means nothing, a foolish unattainability the show presents it as. Mugen and Jin believe that finding stronger enemies to kill is their purpose in life, albeit after their experiences, _Samurai Champloo_ showcases that companionship vastly outweighs living for the sake of violence and more influential, past dilemmas. This odyssey explores the dichotomy of solitude and isolation. Being alone breeds rich togetherness. Discovering purpose never lies within following the orthodox path to success that is “meant for you", as it doesn't exist. It’s about finding the right people who'll instead voyage with you throughout the joys and difficulties. The destination can never rival nor compare to the journey that created those unforgettable memories you made during companionship. Ultimately, what matters is having the right people who'll change you for the better and who'll be by your side through thick and thin.
Samurai Champloo is the first anime that really changed my perspective on life. The phrase ''It's about the journey not the destination'' never really struck a chord with me when I kept hearing it. After watching this anime, I now understand the importance of the journey and living life in the present and being content with where you are now rather than letting yourself be happy at the destination. Firstly, Samurai Champloos opening is amazing. I personally do not like watching anime openings because I find them quite obnoxious or I just don't like the music taste. I could not skip a Champloo opening even if I wanted to. The openings music really struck me and I listen to it non stop, Nujabes did an excellent job and despite his tragic death, it's great to to see his amazing work immortalized into an amazing show. This goes for the entire soundtrack as well. The music sets the tone for the entire show really well, setting a very relaxed feeling to the viewer as if they are a part of this journey. Overall the music is spectacular and really sets the mood for the show extremely well. One of the best parts about the show for me was the fighting scenes, they are not like your traditional anime fight scenes where the fights pause every 10 seconds to show what the character is thinking and going into intense thought. Instead, the scenes are fluid with no interruptions, just fighting. The fighting is very well made and really puts you on the edge of your seat especially if the strong duo are facing a formidable opponent. Overall the fight scenes are one of the best I've seen in any anime and felt very fluid and organic. The characters are superb. All 3 characters are essentially complete opposites from each other whilst Fuu is the glue that holds the group together. From the first episode, one can get a clue that Jin and Mugen are not the best individuals in the world, but the most important part is both feel very much human. Jin, Mugen, and Fuu have their obvious flaws and have their own way of solving issues. Their interactions are very personable and the characters are very easy to relate to, especially Mugen for my case. It is a breath of fresh air to have main characters who aren't the perfect person or characters with a known purpose. It was nice to have characters were very flawed personalities and no clear goal in life, as that is something a lot of us can relate to thus making the show much more fun to watch. My only real critique about the show was that some episodes felt boring, at some points I just wanted the story to accelerate and get to something serious or plot advancing so I could see more action or emotion in the show, but nevertheless, the episodes that seemingly have nothing to do with the main plot does its job of entertaining the audience regardless. Finally I will touch on the overall message and impact the anime has had on me. Samurai Champloo has helped me appreciate life at the present, to treat it like a journey just like Mugen, Jin, and Fuu have, and enjoy it while it lasts. If you have had trouble finding some sort of meaning to life or trouble enjoying your present self, I highly recommend watching this anime as a method to help you. Overall this show is amazing and deserves the 10/10 rating more than any other anime on my list. It is also fantastic for beginners to anime, it is not overwhelming with it's music, characters, or art style. Champloo is overall a very relaxing anime that is virtually timeless. Highly recommend.
TEXTE SANS SPOILER Il y a 2 ans, je découvrais l'anime dont on m'avait vanté des qualités incroyables. MIEUX ENCORE, que c'était à coup sur l'anime du siècle. J'enchaînais alors les épisodes jusqu'au 13ème... pour m'arrêter et ne jamais reprendre. L'histoire m'ennuyais, je me demandais quand est ce qu'on allait enfin le rencontrer, ce fameux samourai à l'odeur de tournesol ! À ce moment de ma vie, je n'étais pas prêt. Pas prêt pour appréhender correctement la fresque onirique et anachronique qu'est Samouraï Champloo, pas prêt pour apprécier, au delà de l'histoire, l'ambiance et les références culturels que Watanabe avait installés avec une minutie d'orfèvre. À l'instant même, je viens de finir le 26ème épisode, concluant la quête de Fuu, jeune fille à la recherche d'un samourai à l'odeur de tournesol, qui pourrait bien se trouver à Nagazaki. Accompagnée de ses 2 gardes du corps improvisés que sont Mugen, une tête brûlée pervers et criminel en fuite permanente, et Jin, droit et imperturbable, en fuite aires tué son maître. À l'instant même donc, je disais adieu à ce trio improbable qui terminais son périple à travers un Japon imaginaire, niché quelque part dans une époque Edo où l'ère des samouraïs est en déclin, et où la culture hip hop des 90's imprègne chaque personnes. Dans ce melting pot que nous a concocté Watanabe (Créateur de Cowboy Be-bop notamment) on retrouve les ingrédients chers de son succès : mélanger et opposer 2 cultures. Ici, ce sont donc des éléments clés de la culture hip hop américaine : les graffitis, le breakdance, le DJing, intégrés comme éléments cohérents de cet univers. Mais la force de ce melting pot passe aussi par la composition d'une B.O faite par Force Of Nature, Fat Jones, Sing2 et Nujabes. Une B.O aux petits oignons allant puiser dans des samples funky, groovy et lofi par moments, accompagnant chaque instant de l'épopée de nos comparses. On ne se lassera donc jamais d'écouter l'incroyable opening composé par Fat Jones et Nujabes, que ce soit pour apprécier les visuels comme pour la musique. Et que dire de l'ending absolument dantesque, laissant transparaître la profonde mélancolie qui habite Fuu ? La musique est donc un pivot central dans la construction scénaristique de l'œuvre, car en plus d'être présente de manière extra diégetique, elle est canon dans le lore et fait partie du quotidien musical de ce Japon onirique. Au détour de musique traditionnelles, on retrouve notamment un épisode ou notre trio se voit informés de l'existence d'un grand guerrier par 3 rappeurs équipés de faux radiocassettes en bois ! Du génie, vous dis je. Au delà de faire frémir l'historien puriste qui sommeille en chacun de nous en mélangeant l'arrivée des Anglais, la persécution des chrétiens et l'arrivée de certaines technologies, Watanabe nous emmènera au gré de chaque épisode explorer un pan de cette culture en rivalisant toujours plus d'ingéniosité pour nous faire plaisir. Cela passera par des combats chorégraphiés avec brio, dans une animation fluide et élastique ou chaque mouvement transpire pourtant la lourdeur et la gravité, apposant une intensité forte aux duels. Au fur et à mesure des épisodes, notre trio rencontrera une galerie de personnages tous pour improbables les uns que les autres : Du chrétien Xavier III à l'accent à mourir de rire, en passant par un duo de graffeur pour enchaîner sur des Anglais arrivés au Japon un peu trop tôt, on aura aussi droit à des êtres torturés et solitaires amenant une dimension tragique sur l'ensemble de l'œuvre: Une goze, chanteuse itinérante aveugle, une femme brisée vendue en esclave par son mari... Cette véritable Odyssée nous dépeint, sans le vouloir et malgré la foule d'anachronismes, de véritables tranches de vie qu'on jurerait authentique par la force qu'elles peuvent dégager. Au détour de Van Gogh ou de Andy Warol, certains personnages simples dans leur traitement, vous feront sûrement lâcher une larme. La puissance et l'impact de cette œuvre passent aussi par nos personnages centraux ! On retrouve donc: - Mugen, véritable torturé n'ayant jamais connu l'affection de l'autre, véritable handicapé des sentiments, son sabre parlera toujours mieux que lui. - Jin, rejeté par son école, voué à un exil dans fin, la rédemption se trouve peut être quelque part.. - Fuu, personnage haut en couleurs et joviale, mais pourtant triste et mélancolique dans son for intérieur. Et ce superbe trio devra pourtant nous abandonner, après 26 épisodes intenses en émotions... J'oublie sûrement une quantité effroyable d'éléments et certains épisodes mériteraient une analyse à eux seuls,mais sachez que visionner Samouraï Champloo, c'est poser un regard sur une œuvre incroyable et inoubliable. Et si par hasard vous n'accrochez pas, ne vous inquiétez pas: ça viendra.
Saying this as someone who doesn’t have nearly enough experience with his work, Watanabe has always been a mixed bag for me. Both in the sense that I’ve never really known what tone he would go for, nor the approach his visual and narrative presentation would take, which makes them a very compelling figure in the anime scene. ‘Samurai Champloo’, being his first directorial work after ‘Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ on Heavens Door’ and having a very similar perspective to the genre series, takes place in the Edo-era of Japanese history and blends a samurai story with the hip-hop culture of early 2000s Japan. Following the aggressive and anarchic Mugen; and the stoic and collected Jin, who after a bet is forced to help the bright and ditzy yet irritable Fuu, find “the samurai who smells of sunflowers”, which sounds about as cryptic as it is. *Vague spoilers ahead* And not too dissimilar to Cowboy Bebop, the vibe of the series is its highlight for a large segment of the series, and the low-key yet dominant opening to the series certainly sets this tone well. Its usage of lofi hip hop is a big contributor to this, yet never feels like a superficial take on the genre, tackling themes relevant to its history that I certainly appreciated. This combined with its more rebellious cast (more or less) differentiates itself from both of the genres it takes clear inspiration from, which is a quality of Watanabe for sure. Although having its climactic moments, the presentation of the series complements its low-key feel. Although mystical and excessive at times, the action scenes are grounded through a very natural choreography and foundation. The storyboarding from Sayo Yamamoto, Watanabe himself, and all of the other countless artists working on the project excel in both the dramatic action scenes of the series, yet I would say almost more so for the personal drama that occurs between the characters. And although this drama was often not especially compelling to me, it certainly elevated it. This leads us unfortunately to my main issue of the series which could be described with Fuu’s character. Although set up as a fairly agentive character, she spends a lot of time crying after Mugen and Jin, falling into romantic subplots and being abducted by the antagonist of the week, nor does she being 15 help the matter. Not to insinuate that she has to be a master of martial arts to earn a major role in the series, but the repetition she introduces gets old after a few episodes. This issue is also accentuated by how untraditionally written the other two lead characters are, especially Mugen who should have no emotional nor logistic reason to risk his life for a girl he barely knows. The characters’ relationship starts off too intimate to really believe in, and although this issue fades as the series comes to a point where their relationship should be naturally personal, I can’t overlook it. And considering this, I think the last third of the series does a surprisingly good job of avoiding these issues. The personal arcs the characters go through feel better structured and fit better later in the series, the “elegy of entrapment” being a highlight of the series personally. And although I didn’t feel as emotionally resonant to the finale of the series as others might’ve been, I really appreciate how, especially Mugen, is developed through these episodes in a manner I didn’t expect. Samurai Champloo may have its repetitive issues but excels in direction, which is to be expected __Strong 7/10__
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# ~~~__Review of Samurai Champloo__~~~
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~~~__●This review will be free of spoilers__~~~~~~~~~~~~__~~~~~~__~~~
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# ~~~__Synopsis__~~~
__The story has three main protagonists, being them:
.Fuu - A young girl of fifteen years old who seeks to find ''The sunflower-scented samurai'', that
lives on the other side of Japan and this is all that's known about him.__
__.Mugen - A rude prowler with mysterious past.__
__.Jin - A reserved ronin, the opposite of Mugen.__
__Their path crosses and after a stupid lost wager Mugen and Jin should follow Fuu's journey.__
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# ~~~__Introduction__~~~
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__Samurai Champloo is an original anime of 2004 with a total of 26 episodes, animated by the Manglobe
Studio and directed for the reputed Shinichirou Watanabe.__
__The anime is a reinvention of Japan Edo Period, adding past and contemporary elements as a
reference, examples are the implementation of graffiti and hip hop in their episodes. All this unusual
mixture works very well, including the name Champloo means ''to mix'', which makes perfect sense about
what the work wants to transmit. Narrative charged with originality.__
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# ~~~__Production__~~~
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__The production of the show is excellent, extremely functional for the style. Watanabe's direction
works well and just like Bebop (which unites Blues with Sci-fi) here the ''coolest style'' and Hip hop
generates something innovative, certainly the responsible cast had complete freedom to remake the
story in your own way.__
__The series exerts a true show of technical execution in the choreographies of fights, impeccable
action composition, impressive animation for the time when it was released. In general the identity
that the production gave to the work is spectacular.__
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# ~~~__Characters__~~~
__The work itself doesn't insist on presenting a great cast, even following an episodic rhythm.
Disregarding the three protagonists, other characters don't have so much prominence, i even think that
some could be better used along the way. However, Mugen, Jin and Fuu are well-written and charismatic
characters, both follow their stereotypes how they subvert them in the most varied moments. It's a
very balanced group that manages to make up for the lack of other outstanding or indeed detachable
characters.__
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# ~~~__Soundtrack__~~~
__As already mentioned before Champloo mixes the genre Hip hop with samurais, this unique soundtrack
made plays a fundamental role in the segments, leaving a more dynamic rhythm at all times. The anime's
OST are composed by Japanese Hip Hop artists, the opening in particular is interpreted by one of these
bands, which leaves an exceptional atmosphere.__
>__''Some days, some nights
Some live, some die
In the way of the samurai
Some fight, some bleed
Sun up to sun down
The sons of a battlecry''__
~~~youtube(https://youtu.be/Eq6EYcpWB_c)~~~
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# ~~~__Negative Points (of my vision)__~~~
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__It's evident that the work has remarkable qualities, but some frequent factors bother me a little.
The constant episodic rhythm chosen may start to disrupt certain stories because they aren't
interesting as others already told, certain conflict resolutions leave something to be desired, they
have more abrupt endings than they should, there are more loose / uncommitted episodes that seem
collective delusions, i also missed real challenges for the protagonists along the way. I think it
would be just a few points that didn't work very well, although that doesn't take away from the work
itself.__
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# ~~~__Conclusion__~~~
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~~~ __It's true
to say that Samurai Champloo is categorized as ''a journey in stages''. It has mostly positive points,
but some negatives as well, I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a series full of
extravagance in all the extension and to see the samurais period with different eyes. I don't consider
it perfect, only that the qualities stand out in the face of failures, it can be considered something
a lot of entertaining to accompany.__
>__''Freedom cannot be forced into existence, nor can it be won through painful struggle. Freedom
cannot be bought or sold. It has nothing to do with one’s social status; one’s profession is of no
consequence. In order for you to accept yourself as you are and live with your soul at peace, you must
simply teach yourself to let it be, only then will you discover freedom.”__
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__Disclaimer:__ Hello! This is user sawakazes back with another review! If you're interested, feel free to take a look at my [A Lull in the Sea review](https://anilist.co/review/11602) as well, as I will be structuring this review in a similar fashion. With that being said, let me get right into talking about the wonder that is __Samurai Champloo__. --- img(https://static0.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/samurai-champloo.jpg) __Synopsis:__ Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, the same person who directed the critically acclaimed series _Cowboy Bebop_, Samurai Champloo takes place in the Edo era of Japan following the escapades of three protagonists: Fuu, a free-spirited teenage girl searching for "the samurai who smells of sunflowers"; Mugen, a brash and rogue vagabond; and Jin, a stoic ronin samurai. Through events that happen in the first episode that I don't wish to spoil for people intending to watch, Mugen and Jin accompany Fuu on her journey to find this mysterious samurai. --- __Story:__ The story for the most part is focused on the three's journey to look for the samurai who smells of sunflowers. However anyone who has watched a Watanabe-directed show knows there's elements of episodic filler as well, and this show is no exception. Do I have a problem with it? In this case, not really. I actually think most of Samurai Champloo's filler episodes are extremely well done, with a couple of exceptions that I found a little bit boring. Some brought out more depth to one of the main characters, and others managed to make me care about a side character who only appears in literally one episode. Spoiler tag ahead as I talk about one of my favorite episodes. ~!There's one episode where Jin meets a woman who's forced to work at a brothel to cover her scummy husband's gambling debts. The feeling of intimacy between Jin and this woman had me feeling tense because HOLY CRAP.. I can't even properly articulate how I felt. A sense of longing? Hopelessness? Who knows? Not me.!~ img(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/72/fc/36/72fc36051d2c9c1edd711dba55f41098.jpg) __Characters:__ Mugen, Jin and Fuu's overall group dynamic has become one of my favorite in all of anime upon completing this. I don't wanna spoil much, but watching this group evolve from people who were just traveling together to becoming friends is so subtle and so well done, it had me tearing up a little just thinking about it. With such differing personalities (Fuu's stubborness, Mugen's rashness, and Jin's stoicism), they really balance each other out. ~~And not to compare to Cowboy Bebop, but I found this cast to have much a more interesting dynamic than Spike, Faye, Jet and Ed. Still love them though!~~ Anyway as for the individual characters, Mugen is definitely my favorite, as I found him the most entertaining to watch and his character development the best given his very not-so-good past. Jin would come in second place, however I find his backstory to be the most interesting (also not-so-good though). I have some minor complaints with Fuu, I found her a tad annoying at times but not so much to make me dislike her character, as she means well in all of her actions (plus, she's the glue that holds the three of them together). Her portrayal in the final arc of the show is FANTASTIC though, and she was great there. ~!Her getting kidnapped in like 3/4 of the episodes got old sometimes though lol!~ __Animation:__ The animation in this series is great, particularly the fighting scenes (because what else would you expect me to talk about first?). Every fighting scene is different, nothing seems rehashed, giving each fight its own sense of vibe. Some are fast, quick-paced, particularly Mugen's fights. Some are slower, and more calculated, particularly Jin's fights. It was something I really enjoyed watching throughout the show to see the difference in stakes of each fight. The more chill moments are also nice, such the moments where the group is sitting by a campfire or scarffng down food at a restaurant. __Music:__ It would be absolutely ludicrous of me to not mention the OST of this anime. First of all, I NEVER skipped the opening once, I would have Battlecry playing in the background as I waited for each episode to start. Nujabes (RIP) is such a talented producer, and it's great to see his work living on through here. Shing02's rap is great as well, perfectly blending with the sound and vibe the anime is meant to give off. As for the endings, I only skipped it every now and then because I really just wanted to continue the story. Certain episodes would have a different ending theme that wasn't Shiki no Uta, and those ones I would sit through. The music used throughout the anime perfectly captures the mood of the scenes whether they are somber or comedic. Somehow, hiphop music blends perfectly with a show taking place in a historical Japanese setting, and I have zero complaints about it. __Conclusion:__ This anime honestly left me feeling empty, but satisfied, and it will stick with me for a long time. It really highlights the feel of "enjoying the journey" before you eventually reach your destination, and that's how I felt when I finished it. The action scenes are tense, the somber moments are subtle and heart tugging, and the music heightens the overall experience.Just like Cowboy Bebop, this is an absolute must-watch, and quite honestly, I think enjoyed this one more than its predecessor, so take that information and do what you will.
__Please note: this review uses the scoring and rating system from MAL, and was copied over from there.__ In watching this series, i had honestly forgot it shared the director from Cowboy Bebop, though it was a little like always on the tip of my tongue as Mugen's dubbed VA is also Spike, and so I had to tell myself it was different from Bebop, and it was. To me, someone who is heavily engrossed in Bushido and Samurai themselves while not being able to act upon those innate desires to study the way of the sword, and be one with myself, I can say I was deeply moved by every episode of the anime. From the beginning first watching an episode or two when it aired on Adult Swim I was completely smitten. The music, art style, the way the characters moved and spoke, and the gravity of every single scene just had me hooked! Though I couldn't watch it all back then, I finally made the good decision to take a few days and watch it. **STORY -- 9/10** The take on an "alternate universe Edo period" was very well done, and the main characters played off and against each other so well, I found myself rooting for a different one every episode! The narration by a side character who eventually appeared was a nice touch as well so opening scenes weren't so quiet, it gave life to the amount of time after the opening where they had to set the mood/tone for the episode. And though all of the episodes were meant to follow a singular timeline of the series, I feel the creators did SO well in making each one like it's own individual story that we could get into and feel sad when they ended. **ART -- 10/10** The fight scenes were beautiful, and what drove the story for a while, soon turned into "What are we doing?" which was fine for when that was introduced. How Mugen and Jin were introduced was great, your typical "I'm a Samurai" but with the creators own twist with the era and personality of each character. Backgrounds and blurred swings during fights were amazing to see as they took nothing away from the context of the narrative or the characters, but in fact capitalized on silence and tones of color to capture moments and invoke emotion to the point where I'd pause and just look at certain frames/scenes. **SOUND -- 10/10** The soundtrack was spectacular, and it makes me want to listen to it over and over. The Opening is such a banger and it's one of those that you just shouldn't skip, it's a crime. The somber music in a way was mt favorite out of everything as the tones of the art and backgrounds in the scenes, as well as still shots of the characters just popped so much more and held my attention. How it had a hip-hop flare to the seemingly soft style of music was a joy as well, and it fit with the era of Japan the show worked with. I don't know much about the music artist whose work was used in Champloo but they seem like a gem. **CHARACTERS -- 9/10** The array of characters in this was so diverse with the good, the bad, and the clearly intentionally ugly. Mugen, Jin, and Fuu were three unlikely people who just happened to make a big impact in each other's lives and journeyed together. Stubborn and erratic Mugen, stoic and reserved Jin, and the bubbly, and determined Fuu. They clashed in the first few episodes and then soon got to be there for each other, though they knew barely anything about the others. The side characters are very colorful for the "different" period of Japan the show creates. From the villains, to the characters that mean well, to the main characters' past friends and allies. The special agent character who narrated the show was amusing, and some of the interactions with side characters toward and with the main characters was quite humbling and real in the period of Japan. **ENJOYMENT -- 10/10** I very much enjoyed the show in its entirety, and would watch it three, maybe five more times. Every time I watched an episode I felt so engaged with what was going on and I felt if I blinked I'd miss something amazing. Never have I enjoyed an anime as much as this, Samurai 7 is also up there as a special one too because I have a passion for Samurai anime. **OVERALL -- 10/10** It was a great anime to watch and it's a series I'll definitely get to own.
__1. Introdução:__ Nesta review eu irei abordar alguns tópicos referentes ao anime em questão. Todos os tópicos a serem abordados foram elaborados conforme a minha experiência e pontos que achei bons de serem colocados. __2. Enredo:__ "Personagem X procura seu pai que o abandonou quando criança, com isso ele parte para uma jornada junto a dois outros personagens em busca do seu pai." Aparentemente simples, mas funcional e divertido. Uma jornada cheia de ação, comédia e drama. Apesar da "sinopse" simples e genérica que eu citei no inicio, a obra consegue fazer com que isso funcione de uma forma que eu nunca tinha visto. Por ser episódico, contém diversas pequenas histórias que vai trabalhando, tanto os personagens principais, quanto alguns personagens secundários. Eu não me dou muito bem com animes que adotam o estilo episódico, a maioria das pequenas histórias de diferentes animes são medianas chegando a ser fracas / ruins, poucos se salvam. Mas Samurai Champloo consegue apresentar boas histórias em seus episódios, diferindo de muitos que adotam esse estilo. __3. Personagens:__ Personagens extremamente carismáticos e divertidos. De início eles aparentam ser apresentados e introduzidos de forma rápida e nem parece que são personagens principais, mas isso vai mudando conforme a história vai seguindo por meio de suas interações e a mostra do passado de cada um deles. __4. Produção / Animação:__ Como é de se esperar de um anime com a direção do lendário Shinchirou Watanabe, Samurai Champloo é um show de uma excelente animação. Como uma boa obra que contenha luta de usuários de espada, a produção conseguiu lidar e entregar fantásticas lutas de encher os olhos daqueles que amam um bom conflito entre espadas, como eu. __4.1. Trilha Sonora:__ Toda a escolha da música e efeitos sonoro foi muito bem feito. Uma mistura de Beatbox com uma temática envolvendo samurais e tempos antigos do Japão é algo meio estranho, mas ele se saiu muito bem. __5. Pontos positivos e pontos negativos:__ __5.1. Pontos positivos:__ - Personagens carismáticos e divertidos; - Animação excelente em todos os 27 episódios; - Boas pequenas histórias; - Temática muito bem executada; - Trilha sonora boa e marcante; - Ótimos momentos cômicos. __5.2. Pontos negativos:__ - Se estende um pouco demais do que deveria; - Apesar de conter em sua maioria boas pequenas histórias, ainda há péssimas delas; - Final forçado; - Se focou muito nas histórias pequenas que eram apresentadas e deixou pouco tempo para trabalhar melhor os personagens principais; - Zumbis?? - Alienígenas????? Sério? __6. Conclusão: __ Apesar do objetivo principal ser um tanto quanto simples, consegue executar relativamente bem a jornada até lá. Animação excelente, deu gosto de ver. Personagens extremamente carismáticos, fez com que eu me apegasse a eles. Como eu já falei, é episódico, mas tem em sua maioria boas pequenas histórias. O final foi forçado e me desagradou bastante. No geral ele é um excelente e divertido anime com um estilo único.
__Warning: I wrote this at midnight while emotional, so this is a mess.__ I don't think a written review can do justice to how much I love this show. The main flaw I can think of is the ending, which is by no means bad, I think it is a superb send-off, but doesn't feel as truly impactful as it should be (however my pretentious ass will argue that that is the point), mainly due to the antagonist just being no different from the levels of great as the episode to episode characters. Apart from that slight blemish, everything else about this show is close to perfect. The show oozes personality and style which, while admittedly dated, is extraordinarily enjoyable and adds a lot to the vibe the show is going for, that of a journey with friends. The soundtrack is spectacular, really helping fights seem more like dances (much like what Mugen's fighting style is based off) and gives a feeling like going on a long car journey with friends while blasting the radio and enjoying each other's company. I can't think of a show which encapsulates the feeling of 'it's about the journey, not the destination' more than this. I was moved to tears on many occasions with the episodes stories, and by the fact most stories are self-contained it allows a lot of interesting events and characters to appear. The animation is consistently very good and stylish, however it reaches another level during some climatic events (especially in the latter half of the show) which almost transform into realistic and gritty which make a lot of scenes absolutely outstanding. The main cast was wonderfully diverse, and it is captivating watching the relationship between these people naturally grow with a realism I have seen no other anime do. For the sake of relative brevity, I will stop gushing here, however I would like to go on a little rant about the ending, so... __!!!THE REST OF THIS CONTAINS HEAVY SPOILERS FOR THE ENDING!!!__ Jesus. Basically, take all the positive things I said, and you will find it here. While I did say the ending villains were not anything amazing, they did the job in setting up a great send off. Jin's sword fight on the docks was very well done, especially with him loosing, however that is weakened when it is found out he survived. Mugen's gruelling fight in the wrecked building was one of the most impactful events I have ever seen, the sheer grittiness of the fight perfectly countered the more honourable fight of Jin. Fuu meeting the samurai was sad and short, which while I can see how that would seem anticlimactic for some, I thought it was very fitting. After all the fighting has finished and a broken Mugen and Jin lay on the beach before lunging at each other to fulfil the promise they made which is then cut short by the breaking of the swords upon each other. Again, I could see how that could come across as anticlimactic as it is over so quick, but I thought it was fitting. To explain why I think these things that for some are flaws, for me are positives, I must become a bit of a snob and try and explain my point. So, sorry for the next part of this review. I think these things are deliberately set up to invoke a feeling of brevity, especially the scene with Fuu and her father. Samurai Champloo is a show about the journey three people of very different backgrounds take together. The ending was not the point. We as the audience spent hours with the group and felt like we were travelling with them. We felt the emotions of the other character's past and the struggles they face. The ending is supposed to feel like an abrupt stop to our travels. It was never about that, It was about the journey it took to get there. This for me is solidified by the final scene. It is notable that none of the main three die, they all walk away from each other after their journey, a reminder that this absolute rollercoaster of emotions was just based on a coin flip and a sense of duty from being a samurai. This was just a chapter in their lives, and seeing this group separate after spending so much time with them invokes a feeling almost like a breakup. I didn't want the journey to end. I wanted to spend more time walking around with them and continue being friends, but it has to end at some point. I feel Mugen really made this apparent with his final line of the show, ''what did we even go on this trip for?'' Which I think hit way harder on me than it should have. While Cowboy Bebop focuses on the past of the characters, Samurai Champloo focuses on the future, moving forward with your trauma and getting closure. Which is why watching the gang separate to progress to their future was much more impactful than a hypothetical ending which involved death. Samurai Champloo is my favourite show for giving such a vivid sense of a journey with friends and moving on, which came at a point in my life where I really needed that kind of story. I absolutely adore this show.
Vibes are a major part of _Samurai Champloo_, but why? Why are vibes so important? You see, vibes are what make something special, you don't see vibes, you don't hear them, you feel them. The embarrassment you feel when you trip in public, the absolute shame you experienced when you pissed yourself in bed that one time and went to your mom's room to deliver the calamitous news, that feeling you get when you eat dinner while watching your favorite YouTuber, what makes these moments stick out and what makes them memorable is how you felt when you were experiencing them, the vibes. Some movies are memorable not because of the story, but because of the overall atmosphere; the cinematography, the music, and the sound design are all things that have a significant impact on the atmosphere and/or vibes of said movies. _Samurai Champloo_ combines an awesome atmosphere with a super fun story and strong characters, something many anime fail to do, this made it one of the most unforgettable anime I've ever watched. __ _~~~Summary~~~___ _Samurai Champloo_ follows a trio of polar opposites, Fuu is a waitress who encounters two Samurai: Jin, and Mugen; Jin keeps to himself, and has a very strict and conventional fighting style, while Mugen is incredibly vulgar and has an unconventional and chaotic fighting style. After some sick-ass fights, an arson attack, and a coin flip, the three set out to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers, who Fuu is determined to find. ___~~~Story~~~___ Each episode of _Samurai Champloo_ shows you a day in the life of the trio, and although these episodes aren't connected in any way, this show still manages to pull you in and keep you watching episode after episode, one day they could be on shrooms and fighting zombies and the other day they could be doing fuck all, this show presents itself in a way where no matter what the main characters are doing, it's going to be entertaining, the well-choreographed fights, the emotional scenes, the comedy, these are all elements that will keep you wanting to watch more. Although the lack of continuity between episodes can be a bit off-putting when first starting the show, the more you watch, the more you become attached to the main trio and their journey. ___~~~Characters and Chemistry~~~___ Even though the main trio is all very different from each other, they have some impeccable chemistry, the conversations between them feel super natural and it's fun to just watch them talk to each other. Mugen is unorthodox, vulgar, and super fucking cool, he breakdances while fighting and genuinely does not give a shit about anything most of the time. Jin is stoic, calm, and collected, he has a very conventional fighting style, and although I just made him sound very uninteresting, he is an absolute badass and a blast to watch. Most people dismiss Fuu as being annoying or generic, but she is actually the driving force behind the action almost one hundred percent of the time, she brings Mugen and Jin together, pushes the story forward, and teaches Mugen and Jin to open up. ___~~~Art~~~___ The fights are well-choreographed with some extremely fluid animation, they're fast-paced and the characters don't stop to monologue every ten seconds which makes the fights all the more exciting. The character design is also very well done, each character has a unique look to them that tells you a lot about their personalities. ___~~~Music~~~___ The soundtrack is one of the main reasons I enjoyed this anime so much. _Samurai Champloo_ includes tracks composed by the legends Nujabes and Fat Jon, the hip-hop and lofi tracks combined with the beautiful art and animation are just *chef's kiss*. There are over 90 tracks in this soundtrack that are all absolute vibes and I would absolutely recommend going through the soundtrack and listening to them. ___~~~Final Thoughts~~~___ I give it 100 dumplings.
>Samurai Champloo" is perhaps one of the best shows in the animé genre that I've ever seen. It is the masterpiece born from the artistic mind of Shinichirô Watanabe (famous for his work in "Cowboy Beepbop"), Kazuto Nakazawa, and Mahiro Maeda. Img400(https://i.imgur.com/RKhqagC.jpg) ~~~Set in Japan's Samurai Era (1200's-1800's), this show tells the tale of three people: Jin, Mugen, and Fuu. Jin is a ronin (wandering samurai). Calm, cool, and skilled in the art of the sword. Mugen is hot-tempered and has a short temper, the exact opposite of Jin. When these two warriors are nearly executed, they are saved by a tea shop waitress named Fuu. In return for her help, the two warriors promise to help her find "the samurai with the smell of sunflowers." The two agree with Fuu, and they go on this journey, beginning an exciting adventure as well as long and fateful friendship.~~~ Img400(https://i.imgur.com/hN43gu1.gif) ~~~"Samurai Camploo" is one of the best animations taking place in Japan of olden times, not to mention among the best in its genre. The animation is gorgeous. The lightning and shading is mesmerizing. Also, the painted backgrounds are lush and draws the viewer in. Watanabe really shows his skill as an animator in this one. The animation is one of the best features in this show. It has one of the best stylizations in anime. The atmosphere rocks.~~~ Img400(https://i.imgur.com/3AFBJNq.jpg) ~~~The story lines, too, are great. Set in feudal Japan, this show does a great job of showing the life and times of ronin samurai at that time. From the the peasants, to the prostitutes, to the gangsters, to just about everyone, this show has a graphic depiction of Japan during its Samurai Era, when the warrior was the dominant force in everyone's lives. The show even goes to show what type of clothes they wore, what houses they lived in, and what food they all -- all accurately. Only the Japanese know how to portray their history graphically.~~~ Img400(https://i.imgur.com/kyvkz3N.gif) ~~~Speaking of graphic, this show in realistic in terms of real. It includes some profanity (although minor) and goes deep into the underground world of the brothels. In Japan, animation is for everyone, not just kids, and this show in very mature. Its story lines are very complicated. Its issues are deep and meaningful. At times, some episodes are dark, even showing death scenes and bloodshed, but this is exactly what makes this show cool.~~~ Img400(https://i.imgur.com/79eRB2Y.gif) ~~~Now, the soundtrack. "Samurai Champloo" features a hip hop and RnB soundtrack and incorporates some traditional songs. What makes "Champloo" so unique in anime is that it combines the modern with the olden, and this is why the show is cool. The hip hop beats in this period piece are nice to listen to and blends in with the Fuedal Japan setting. The word "Champloo" means mix, and this anime mixes the modern with the olden, from Jin having glasses, to the language of the characters; the people here (in the English version) speak in modern American slang and vernacular. And rather than downplaying the ancient feel of this show, this show still retains its olden times aspects.~~~ ~~~"Samurai Champloo" is a must-see for all fans of this genre and anime in general.~~~ Img400(https://i.imgur.com/tD9buho.gif)
__WARNING: FULL SPOILERS FOR _SAMURAI CHAMPLOO___ Mugen was born on an island where only exiled criminals lived, a place so horrible there is no distinction between it and hell, at least in Mugen's mind. The idea of communitarianism plays a large role in his identity. He is a product of his hellish birth environment. A complete lack of training, combined with a very large amount of innate talent, leads to his fighting style - and more importantly his personality. Mugen breakdances his enemies to death, leaps and twirls interwoven with his deadly strikes. This of course reflects his wild personality - unrestrained, feral. Left on that island to fend for himself since young, his survival instincts have been honed to the point that it is the only thing he lives for and lives by. He finds fighting and violence the only things in his life which give him purpose. Jin may seem like the exact opposite of Mugen, but deep down they are the same - they only find purpose in fighting and violence. His parents died early, and so martial arts was the only thing which raised him. Once again, communitarianism is important to his identity. His whole life was spent training just to get stronger, just to protect himself, a belief further compounded by his master's betrayal. If I can't fight for even my master, then who do I fight for? And so, he becomes cold and clinical, easily finishing off his enemies with quick, efficient strikes. Fuu, at the end of the day, is really also looking for fighting and violence. Yet, unlike the other two, it is not her only purpose in life, or at least the only purpose she knows she wants. Her final extrinsic goal may be to give her pops one good ol' swing on the noggin, but what she really wants is to confront him, confront him about why he left. Of course, communitarianism again. Unfortunately, Fuu cannot muster the courage to go on this journey. It's dangerous, she tries to justify for herself, but what she's really scared of is finally gaining that genuine purpose in her life. If you have a purpose, you have a responsibility, and responsibility is scary. These 3 aimless souls come together to find this sunflower samurai, but what they're really finding is their purpose. "The journey is more important than the destination." Their destination, their final goal, may be to find that sunflower dude and for Fuu to beat him to shit, but what will be infinitely more valuable to them is the purpose that their journey will give. But what's the one thing stopping them from gaining this purpose? Their past. And they all confront and overcome their past in brilliant and unique ways. Mugen's obvious one is in the Misguided Miscreants episodes. There, he comes face to face directly with a relic of his past, Mukuro, the one who tricked him first. He faces him head on, and despite falling into another trap, he ends up victorious. He saves himself through sheer will and determination to survive, but this time not to continue fighting, but to protect his only two friends. His final decision to move on comes in the form of killing Koza's implied lover. She doesn't really love him though, and like she already said, she can't survive alone, so she needs to rely on him to survive. But Mugen rejects this. He now knows, surviving and fighting is not life's only objective. To find your purpose, you need to take responsibility for your own life, and so Mugen gets rid of the crutch preventing Koza from finding her purpose. Mugen decides to begin living for himself, and for his only two friends. Jin's comes more subtly, over time. He fights multiple former students, and all of them die to him, whether directly or indirectly. But the first step towards his realisation that his life doesn't have to be controlled by senseless violence is in Gamblers and Gallantry (E11). There, he experiences love for probably the first time, and chooses to let her go for the better, helping someone else find purpose. As the series progresses, he slowly starts encountering more reminders of his past, before finally culminating in the last two episodes. There, he faces the Hands of God, the man directly responsible for the events causing him to kill his master. At first, he fights to avenge his master, avenge his death of the past, but he is still bound by the past and so cannot win. But the second time, he realises that it is the present he should be fighting for - his only two friends. Thus, he sacrifices himself, and his finding of his purpose is rewarded with victory and miraculous survival. Fuu fails to complete her goal, she fails to beat dad up. However, her journey has built up to her realisation at this moment - simply by striving to meet her father, she has overcome her past and gained purpose. Through her journey, she gained her only two friends, yet she has remained dependent on them the whole way. The three of them may have found the same purpose, but after their journey together ends, Fuu has the most work to do. She must become independent, and thus she splits up with them to live her life herself, find her purpose herself. By the end, the trio have found their own purpose, and begin their lives anew. But this does not mean their journeys are over. Their main purpose in their journey was to protect one another, and now, as they walk away from one another, they must find a new one. For the 3rd time, they split up at a crossroads, a crossroads of life. They each go on their separate ways, to find new purpose, to continue living. Life has no final destination. We can only continue going on our endless journey, in hopes of finding new purpose and finding new friends. Maybe one day they'll meet again, and go on even more crazy adventures, but for now they must contend with their lack of one another and gain a new purpose. Even though I usually only look at themes for my analyses, I really have to make an exception for _Champloo_ to highlight its brilliance from a technical standpoint. Obviously, the most prominent thing about it is its hip-hop soundtrack. It's groovy and atmospheric, most of the time perfectly blending in with the situation. Most of the soundtrack is very minimalistic, choosing to immerse you in the action instead of overwhelming your senses. So many times I didn't even notice the tracks playing at first, but on rewind I really noticed their impact on the atmosphere. Yet, when it chooses to be more in your face, it hits hard. The best example I can think of is at the end of Misguided Miscreants Part 2 (E14). Mugen, stumbling and staggering from the traitorous explosion, completely obliterates that poor dude, all while a grandiose, percussion-like beat is playing. I've already talked about this moment thematically, but goddamn the choice of music really underscores the importance and pure fucking badassery of this scene. It hits like a truck. Then there's the art and animation. The character designs of the main trio are brilliant. Mugen's red coat thingy (idk) show his fiery personality (obviously), while the simple shirt, shorts, sling bag and sandals show a taste in clothing for practicality, reflecting his pragmatic and basic instincts. His hair is always messy and unkempt, showing his rowdiness (obviously), and the way he sits and stands is with an invariable lack of manners. Jin's design is the exact opposite of Mugen's, to (obviously) reflect their also opposite personalities. His haori is blue to show his colder and more withdrawn personality (obviously), and the rest of his clothing is very traditional like a regular samurai, showing his greater level of discipline and respect towards Japan. Fuu's clothing is a very simple kimono, but the important thing here is the "heirloom" she carries from her father. A Christian pendant in the form of a skull - representing the life-threatening danger of being a Christian in that era of Japan, as well as foreshadowing for her father's fate -, a pair of dice - representing how fate was a major part of her journey -, and a dog - representing her endless loyalty to and friendship with Mugen and Jin. And of course, the animation is fucking awesome. The action sequences are more quality over quantity. Most are over in a flash, but they are flashes of pure badassery, a wild flurry of swords clashing and men dashing. Backgrounds are drawn very nicely too. On a whole, the _Champloo's_ is a series that is greater than the sum of its parts, but some episodes are truly noteworthy. Baseball Blues (E23) is when comedy as we know it peaked. Gamblers and Gallantry (E11) is not only a moving tale of love and the mistreatment of women, but also a truly humanising episode for Jin. The Misguided Miscreants episodes (E13 and E14), which I have already mentioned multiple times, is so unbelievably good in its characterisation of Mugen that I have to praise it again. Beatbox Bandits (E9), Lethal Lunacy (E10), and especially Bogus Booty (E15) were probably the most entertaining ones for me. They were exhilarating from start to finish, giving us some real stakes, as well as some of the best action sequences and comedy in the whole series to boot. Overall, _Samurai Champloo_ is about breaking free from your past and finding your purpose in life by fully embracing your continuous journey in the continuous present. I knew it was gonna be funny, I knew it was gonna be fun, I knew it was gonna be badass, but I did not expect _Champloo_ to have this level of thematic richness. So rare is it that a work of art can be this simultaneously profound and entertaining on such great levels.
I thought it was good. That's all. The most 7/10 anime I've watched all year tbh. Idk, I feel in this day and age, _not_ thinking something was an 11/10, "you HAVE to watch this before you die, man!" once-in-a-lifetime experience...can come off as a blow to the heart of someone who did find it as such. Simply liking it isn't enough-you have to BLEED for it. I hope this doesn't come off as me being bitter. To reiterate: I liked it. I think it's good. I'm glad I watched it. Would recommend. If anything, I'd've liked it more if it wasn't hyped up that much. As for the actual show: the trio of Fuu, Mugen, & Jin easily carry it. While I didn't think the chemistry between them was as strong as say, the Bebop crew, as the episodes wound down, it eased into it easier. By the time the finale comes around, you can't imagine them apart. Jin is easily my favorite, and I especially loved how his backstory panned out by the finale. "Gamblers and Gallantry" is a standout for him, his relationship with Shino, and is probably my favorite episode. I'm realizing more that I have a thing for the quiet, stoic types. Fuu is lovable, though that's to be expected. And Mugen was honestly my least favorite. Came off a bit too rough for my taste. He still delivers some funny lines, and gets his moments of introspection, but I would usually wonder what Fuu and Jin were up to instead. While following a loose narrative of a quest for a Sunflower Samurai, which culminates in the 3-part finale, SC devotes itself to following these three colorful characters around, and seeing what they get themselves into. From the memorable baseball episode, facing off against a beatboxer, two graffiti twins, Mugen getting schooled hard in reading (the teacher in that episode is a riot), zombies, an evil religious nut, and so on...the result is a funny, distinct buddy trip where the trio bonds, and ends off on [SPOILERS] a solidly executed note involving Fuu getting the closure she needed. And our three new friends going off on their separate ways, with the hopes that they'll see each other again. Yet the credits leave it open-ended enough to where even if they never do, the trek was fulfilling all the same. But again, what keeps this from being some masterpiece I see everyone hailing it as was the dreaded overhype. Throughout most of it I'm basically thinking "this is pretty good!.....but that's it?" It hits all the checkmarks of what passes for something good (likable & memorable characters, good visuals, distinct and complimentary music (in this case, hip-hop, which is worked in effortlessly), well-executed emotional moments that fit appropriately, etc.), but never had that special/extra kick or spice that puts it over the top. Samurai Champloo simply wasn't surprising enough for me to consider it some untouchable masterwork. It's basically a fun, 20+ episode romp involving swords, hip-hop, and good chemistry between our main trio. It simply never reached those highs that say, Cowboy Bebop did. I feel this is an easy "first anime" recommendation. To really help ease in any up-and-coming weebs out there. Or who knows, maybe you're a seasoned vet and haven't gotten around to watching it. It's Watanabe, so what excuse do you have? It would've been great if I loved it, but alas, the hype got in the way. Sorry.
~~~img410(https://imgs.search.brave.com/4ak2FiGDvZTOu2uh5eqKzZ8jx21nuBym_2oXZ1P3ziM/rs:fit:860:0:0/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly93YWxs/cGFwZXJjYXZlLmNv/bS93cC9nQmNFQ0pw/LmpwZw)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~ >“Only hope can give rise to the emotion we call despair. But it is nearly impossible for a man to try to live without hope, so I guess that leaves Man no choice but to walk around with despair as his companion.” - Kagetoki Kariya ~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~The ultimate example of “It’s about the journey, not the destination”. After recently re-watching the show, I was moved to pen a series retrospective/review. I realized Shinichirô Watanabe's sequel to Cowboy Bebop is one of the most subversive animes ever created as I watched Jin, Mugen, and Fuu wander around 19th-century Japan engaging in ridiculous adventures. Taking an established genre, dressing it up in anachronism, but consistently tackling topics that the medium frequently avoids.~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNplZrRSjeI)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~Before a character utters the phrase "I was born in the wrong era," it takes 25 episodes. Champloo is essentially saying that the noble samurai era of Japan was a terrible time to be a common person, thank you very much. It's a contentious show that tried the patience of some viewers, turned off others after a few episodes, and irritated those who were accustomed to seeing a plot advance characters throughout 26 episodes. Even the characters in Champloo don't advance the story. The story's main draw is how the three dissimilar characters wind up travelling together through Japan during the Edo period. Three characters are hunting a samurai who smells of sunflowers in Samurai Champloo, which is also not about them. In a later episode of the show, two street gangs engage in a graffiti war across the city, which, while amusing, doesn't help the three characters' journey in any way. As a result, if you visit any forum thread, you'll find a ton of complaints about it. The episode's theme, however, is the same as the one that permeates the entire series: people from a bygone era rebelling against authority and social norms like how people in the 21st century do it: through counterculture. ~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~img510(https://mrwallpaper.com/images/hd/samurai-champloo-mugen-with-roosters-coa7sewoimueb0nn.jpg)~~~ ~~~img470(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7b/5d/43/7b5d43d1394600d08038ce9b1faa3445.jpg)~~~ ~~~img430(https://i.redd.it/puymi9z1b5j61.jpg)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~This show has a new meaning in my eyes. The Tokugawa era of Japan and our way of life are incompatible, as the story illustrates. All the things we take for granted today were once rare luxuries. It's been so long since I watched it, but as I do, I realize how the story illustrates this. This is a fact that should be obvious to anyone who has even a passing familiarity with Japanese history, but the show still drives the point home with sharp contrasts. In every episode, a contemporary aspect of life is highlighted, such as a kind of freedom (creative, sexual, geographical, etc.) that characters in the 19th century yearned for despite the obstacles. It takes place in a time characterized by a strict hierarchy, social rules, and order. Suffocating to the point where it upsets the downtrodden populace. Yet a population that we shouldn't regard as unwelcome outsiders. Since they were just like us, the show begs us to feel sympathy for them. Some of them shared our modern spirit, and as a result, they ultimately struggled to survive in such a society. A ronin, a wanderer, and an orphan are our heroes. fighting the rules of their time with a modern spirit.~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq6EYcpWB_c)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~One of my favourite aspects of this show is how the three characters harbour animosity toward one another for the majority of the 26 episodes, but that animosity gradually manifests itself. At first, they try to split apart and flee from one another, but circumstances conspire to bring them back together. At this crucial juncture, they actively decide to stick together and reluctantly admit that they share the same fiery rebellious soul. Characters who naturally stick together from the beginning are infinitely less satisfying than those who don't. The idea that travelling with strangers can make you feel like family is another theme in Champloo. Champloo is better known for its scenes that juxtapose modern eccentricities, such as beatboxers who perform to amusing and surreal effects, and scene changes that resemble a DJ fiddling with their deck. As opposed to other samurai-era anime that focus more on traditional "fight evil" plots (or even movies, for that matter), each episode tries to cover a variety of topics, such as the yakuza's propensity for coexisting with samurai, the tragedy of women forced into prostitution to pay off their husbands' debts, human trafficking in the art world, the existence of homosexuality, persecution of Christians and Ainu, and graffiti gangs with too There is even a hilarious baseball game between participants of an American expedition that took place a few years before Commodore Perry's. ~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~One of the greatest soundtracks ever was created for Champloo by the tragically deceased musician Nujabes, whose life was tragically cut short in 2010. The soundtrack is a combination of traditional beats with Japanese influence. Floating ephemeral sounds constantly evoke a feeling of melancholy, or "mono no aware," the fleeting transience of things. Instrumental hip-hop may give you a preconceived notion of what to expect.~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4HWvsGs0rY)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~The show's appeal is based on "style over substance," but that does Champloo a great disservice. The show doesn't just use all the contemporary eccentricities in a historical setting to stand out visually. The purpose of the show is to entertain the notion and the hope that open-minded individuals were fighting for originality, individuality, and fundamental human rights even in Edo-era Japan. Although the majority of them didn't live very long, they didn't go down without a fight. Banzai!~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png) ~~~img310(https://imgs.search.brave.com/dgVakXFpThLk_YAgxw1nv2COPsefToqApMvUPKDcRfQ/rs:fit:860:0:0/g:ce/aHR0cHM6Ly9pLnBp/bmltZy5jb20vb3Jp/Z2luYWxzLzM1Lzll/Lzg0LzM1OWU4NDlk/ZWQ5NDVmMDE3NTVh/N2E5YzRjZjM0NmU3/LmpwZw)~~~ img820(https://i.postimg.cc/cLvmPqRC/unnamed-1.png)
~~~img220(https://i.imgur.com/j31hDYm.png) Samurai Champloo is a one of a kind anime, in my opinion, it’s one of the best. I was not one of the many who first experienced this as it aired outside of Japan in 2005 on Toonami. In fact, I was barely four years old and the only anime I had experience with at that point were Pokemon and Kiki’s Delivery Service on VHS, but I digress. Upon getting more into the medium in my mid to late teens, I kept hearing the name Samurai Champloo. I always thought, “what a peculiar name.” and with such a name it always stuck with me. Sooner or later it’d creep up on my watchlist and I found myself embarking on a journey that left such an impact on me that it’d change the trajectory of my life. I get it, that sounds overdramatic, over the top, and over the cringe to most people. But that is honestly the impact this anime had on me when I needed it most. So exactly ‘why’ and ‘how’ did this piece of art change the direction I headed towards in my life? Before getting into the ‘why’s and the ‘how’s, you need to know the ‘what’. As in, what is Samurai Champloo? The story is about a girl named Fuu, who strikes a deal with two swordsmen to be her bodyguards on her quest for, “the samurai who smells of sunflowers” after saving them from being executed for standing up to the corrupt prefect of that town. The first episode alone had me hooked by displaying tasteful anachronism with hip-hop culture meshing with traditional Japan. And it unapologetically demonstrates it throughout. For example, Fuu’s cry for help spontaneously gets chopped and screwed in the middle of an episode for no reason other than style. It also creatively conveys the changing times in Edo Japan, both literally and figuratively. Illustrating that the older generation may find it difficult to move on, while the new blood thrives in breaking the laws of tradition. The show excels meshing two themes that otherwise clash against each other. Proving the point that there’s room for both old and new ideals to not only coexist, but to be able to find a common ground. img220(https://i.imgur.com/fMuFV7a.gif) This is perfectly illustrated through its main cast. Mugen is a rude and vulgar yet exceptional swordsman who mixes in breakdancing with his fighting style. Jin, is a stoic samurai who vehemently clings onto their ideals in a post-samurai world. Then there’s Fuu, who is the glue who keeps the cast firmly bonded whether they like it or not, and usually at her expense. She’s a bit of an entitled princess, but manages to have the most common sense of the bunch. Though that’s not saying much. Even beyond them, this show is filled with a rainbow of personalities that come and go. Only adding to this world’s righteously inventive style. There’ll be characters that you feel immense pity for, characters whose existence will leave you perplexed, and characters you love to hate. Not to mention, the voice acting is perfect. The side cast is also nicely used to translate the various themes. It uses its characters and their dilemmas as a progressive statement, advocating for the acceptance and tolerance of minority groups. And I must say that I didn’t pick up on this until after my second watch. The show executes this message with ease and not coming off as forced or ham-fisted like a good amount of western media does today with a similar message, but I digress. The point is, this show manages to convey its themes on social issues remarkably. If you aren’t sold on this show from its sick style, or cast of characters, then allow me to sell you on this show’s visual department. Holy matrimony, the artstyle, animation, backgrounds, and visual effects are an aesthetically delightful experience that has never left me since watching this show. The show has swift, smooth, and flashy animation especially in its fighting choreography. The characters are often lanky or have exaggerated features. They possess a somewhat thick black outline that enhances their distinct physical attributes. This show is able to use color to highlight a particular emotion, timeframe, or vibe the show evokes like no other show has before. Be it a profusely hot day beside a beach having a yellow-tinged hue, a jungle during a storm drenched in cobalt blue, or a duel where we only see profusely black silhouettes in front of a glowing neon background. Couple the colors with the various settings and backgrounds that I can admire for hours with their vast detail and soothing picture-like aesthetic and my eyes are feasting. img220(https://i.imgur.com/jzdcwmh.gif) I’ve saved my favorite part of this anime for last, the soundtrack. Yes, I love every aortic aspect of this show, but it’s the soundtrack that elevates this piece of art to another level. For every anime, the soundtrack is a companion piece for it, meant to aurally enhance the viewing experience. However Samurai Champloo is a rare case where the show is a companion for the soundtrack. For starters, the composers are Fat Jon, Force of Nature, Nujabes, and Shinji "Tsutchie" Tsuchida. The music is beyond eclectic, as each artist brings out their best work and distinct style to give this show a sense of atmosphere unique to Samurai Champloo and Samurai Champloo alone. Enjoy the soundtrack as it takes you across the Sahara desert, an auditorium full of 1000 drums ripping, and songs that are as much bedtime hymns as they are dance floor rippers. It’s almost impossible to label the soundtrack under a single genre, as doing so would be a huge disservice. Samurai Champloo is a one of a kind anime, in my opinion, it’s one of the best. In all aspects, the eclectic soundtrack, the theme of following your own path and rising back up anytime life tries to knock you down, creative anachronism, and the characters that feel genuine. It's perfect and I implore anyone reading this to join these three in search of the Samurai who smells of sunflowers, to find their own life's destiny img220(https://i.imgur.com/haVoaCw.gif)~~~
Warning: This review contains spoilers for _Samurai Champloo_ and minor spoilers for _Cowboy Bebop_. _Samurai Champloo_ is the first show I've watched where I have felt this level of compulsion to write a review. As such, this is my first review on AniList ever. From the beginning to the end, every episode explores something new. It is truly profound in every frame of animation and every line spoken. I have nothing but high praise for this show. However, since there's so much to talk about, I'm only going to focus on three things that really stuck out to me while watching. It's been a little bit since I watched it now, so forgive me if this review is a little bit vague at times (I had wanted to write this sooner but I was really busy for weeks). So without further ado, let me begin my review by talking about _Cowboy Bebop_.
____This review contains spoilers. Don't end up searching them unlike the samurai who smells of
sunflowers, you know..____
Imagine if you put Cowboy Bebop, and took it way back to Edo-era Japan, then start to add elements
that weren't there in that time period, but make sure for one ride of an anime. This results in
Samurai Champloo, and that means it's time for a quest to review this anime.
# ____THE STORY: 10/10 ____
Mugen meets up with Jin and Fuu one day inside a teahouse, but then decide to part together in order
to find the Sunflower Samurai. Along the way, they fight like true samurai's throughout their quest,
and sometimes get sidetracked to do another deed or two.
This anime shows the many quests of the 3 samurai and it shows, ranging from playing baseball to
meeting up with a blind girl to even encountering rapping bandits. And this show has many two-part
episodes, but let me say "Elegy of Entrapment" will always be the best two-partner around this anime,
with the Way of Water being introduced to Jin, plus the awing ending too.
