- Characters: 3
- Story: 1.5
- Enjoyment: 2
- Art: .5
- Animation: 1
Overall Score: 8/10
Personal Score: 9.5/10
Samurai Champloo. How can I even properly describe this series? I recently finished watching this for the 2nd time and was reminded why it’s one of my all-time favorites. Maybe it’s because it’s 3 am here, but I found myself in tears, laughing like an idiot as the ending credits came on the screen. The ending was bittersweet. I didn’t want it to end, but knew it had to.
The story is about a young girl named Fuu who is in search of a “samurai who smells of sunflowers”. With the help of fate, she meets two samurai who turn her world upside down and the three embark on an adventure they never dreamed of. The first samurai, Mugen, is an “act first, think never” kind of guy. While the second, Jin, is the quiet, mysterious, stoic one.
Though I’ve never really cared for characters like Fuu, I absolutely LOVED her. In fact, she’s one of my favorite female anime characters. She’s quirky, loves food, and is able to see the best in absolutely anyone she meets. And for being only 15, she’s surprisingly strong-willed and can be very mature at times; often being the mediator between Mugen and Jin’s spontaneous fights.
The characters are most DEFINITELY the strong point of this anime. The way they interact with one another is done perfectly. They play off well with one another, bringing out the best and the worst. The only flaw I can pick out lies with Mugen. He’s strong. Definitely. But some of the attacks he withstands are a bit much. He survives everything, no matter how badly injured he is. (But, personally, even this I don’t mind, just because he’s Mugen.)
While the topic of Samurai Champloo’s story line can be controversial, I did my best to give it a score it deserved. It sometimes throws you off how easily the mood can change at the drop of a hat from comical, to tugging on your heartstrings, to action-packed. (Though I personally thought it was done very well with this series and made Samurai Champloo even more unique). One episode they’re saving prostitutes, the next they’re fighting zombies, and then they’re playing baseball. I found this creative and kept it from ever getting dull. Every episode was a different adventure, always something to look forward to. And the comedy! Oh the comedy! It seems the anime industry’s sad excuse for getting a laugh out of its audience is just to throw in a panty shot or a boob grab. You know, shallow stuff.
But with Samurai Champloo, I had to actually PAUSE the video at times because I was laughing so hard! I mean, if you don’t bust a gut when watching episode 23, you need to get a sense of humor.
Oh, and I’m not going to spoil anything, but I loved the ending. It was satisfying no matter how bittersweet. I felt like I was there with them at the last scene, that’s how connected to the story and characters I was.
The art is the only downside to this anime. Up close, the characters are drawn beautifully. The opening is a treat and I hardly ever skipped it. However, when the camera zooms out, the characters look…well…like this.
Regardless, we all know Samurai Champloo is famous for the action anyways.
The fight scenes are masterpieces. Everything is animated, it’s stylish, it’s great. Even the way characters MOVE is different. If you saw a generic silhouette of a figure, couldn’t tell if it were man or woman, yet it moved with a lazy flow, almost like it was dancing, you could tell it was Mugen. If the figure was more stiff yet elegant, you would tell it was Jin.
The animation is a high point of this anime. The fights are like nothing I’ve seen. Samurai Champloo definitely has its own style. It wasn’t just “hya! I will cut you with my sword!” It was an actual fight. Like something you see out of a Jackie Chan film. Only better.
Now let’s talk music.
First off, I have Nujabes on my Ipod. I couldn’t get ENOUGH of the soundtrack. From the opening to the ending and everything in between. Every time I heard that familiar beat going on in the back, I couldn’t help but bob my head along. There are only a couple of times I’ve actually paid attention to an anime’s soundtrack. Samurai Champloo takes the cake with this one.
So to sum it up:
Pros: There’s a mix of pretty much everything. There are scenes that make you cry tears of joy and sadness. There’s hilarious dialogue, PLENTY of action, and well written, lovable, memorable characters. The soundtrack is a favorite, and there’s hardly ever a dull moment. Though there are some suggestive scenes occasionally, it’s overall a pretty clean series.
Cons: The story line is flexible and changes moods often. (Though depending on personal preferences, this can be considered a pro). The characters look very distorted when the camera zooms out, it’s definitely noticeable. Some of the themes can be somewhat mature (There are some suggestive scenes/dialogue).
Worth watching? Abso-freakin’-lutely!! If not for the story, then for the action. If not for the action, then for the characters. Samurai Champloo is a personal favorite of mine because I was able to connect with the story and the characters so much. Especially the characters. It’s not that they’re exactly relatable, but that you can’t help but grow fond of them as you follow them on their adventure. You’ll root for Mugen and Jin. You’ll sympathize with Fuu. You’ll laugh at their hilarious predicaments and reactions. Sorry if you think I’m praising the heck out of this anime, but I just love it that much. Samurai Champloo is more of an experience than anything else.
If you haven’t seen it, you are missing out.
!!!!!SPOILER!!!!!
Oh, and all you people complaining about the ending and how bad it was, come on. I mean really. Remember how many times they’d try to get away from each other only to be thrown back together once again? You really don’t think they’ll ever meet again? They weren’t saying farewell. They were saying “see you later”. Of course they’re going to meet again some day. 🙂
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