What a great ride of emotions it has been watching Samurai Champloo. Yes, it’s an anime for those of you who didn’t know. It’s a great anime to put it simply. It’s set in its own version of Edo period Japan. The anime is a mix of action, adventure and comedy. It tells the story of Fuu(the woman in the picture) who with the help of her two bodyguards sets out on a search for a samurai who smells of sunflowers.
Samurai Champloo was directed and authored by Shinichiro Watanabe, the man who is responsible for bringing us Cowboy Bebop. So my expectations were quite high for this anime. Not only did the anime meet my expectations, it also easily beat them. The story is well written, and the action sequences are drawn very well. But best of all is the music. While not everybody is going to be a fan of predominantly hip-hop soundtrack, especially in a show that is set in the age of samurai, I think it worked out quite well in the end.
The three main characters each have their own backgrounds, and dark secrets, which are unravelled slowly as the anime progresses. Even though it’s definitely an adult anime, it doesn’t come short of comedy, there were virtually no episode where I didn’t laugh(yes, there are some really serious episodes, with drama that matches, and even beats, that of Battlestar Galactica).
My favourite comedy bit has got to be the human beatboxes, it’s weird at first when you see them, but then it’s really funny, oh yeah and the graffiti artists were quite good too. There are 26 episodes, so you can probably watch it all in one day. Highly recommended for anyone who likes anime, or samurai action.
7 replies to “Samurai Champloo”
A Stranger said on April 3rd, 2007 at 13:36
You have fell to the dark side of anime’s mwhahahahaha.
Try and guess who this is :P
crazybjörn said on April 3rd, 2007 at 18:46
I’m thinking, Kev. And if that’s true then know this, I was watching anime already while you were still in diapers :P
Kev said on November 16th, 2009 at 02:31
I know this is old, but it’s relevant to this. I finished watching this anime a few weeks ago, and I found it really good. It’s even prompted me to start watching Cowboy Bebop which I’m six episodes into and enjoying.
rihards said on November 16th, 2009 at 15:20
Mmm yeah, both Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop are great animes. You might also want to check out the following post for more animes to watch: http://www.rihardsonline.com/news/2009/11/anime-recommendations/
Kev said on November 17th, 2009 at 18:13
Yeah, I saw that post, not seen a lot of the animes on it but Outlaw Star was one I watched ages ago and I loved it. But it was English dubbed so I may go back and watch the original Japanese version with subs.
rihards said on November 18th, 2009 at 11:04
I’m sure you’d love Ghost in the Shell and Black Lagoon. Maybe even Ergo Proxy, but that’s very philosophical.
Kev said on November 30th, 2009 at 06:12
If I find time I’ll be sure to check em out. “but that’s very philosophical” What are you trying to say Rick? :P I watched Evangelion and understood it and that’s just meant to be one epic mind fuck, lol.