Samurai Champloo

Synopsis:

Fuu is a simple girl with a simple life working day in and day out at a local tea house earning her way through life like any other person. However, she does get the occasional disruptive customer and when a band of ruffians enters her shop Fuu tries to keep her composure but starts to quickly lose it when the gang of brutes won't stop harassing her. However, when Fuu goes to take an order from a lone man, named Mugen, sitting in the corner he makes her an offer to take care of the group of hooligans bothering her in exchange for free food. Initially... she declines saying she can handle them but because of a little clumsiness on Fuu's part, the annoying customer who happens to be the son of the local magistrate threatens to remove one of Fuu's fingers in exchange for poor service. In a fit of panic, Fuu yells out she'll give the mystery man one hundred dumplings in exchange for saving her. Mugen then springs into action and quickly disposes of the troublesome group but also manages to inadvertently cross swords with another lone samurai in the shop named Jin who seem to be equally matched in fighting skill. This, of course, raises Mugen's excitement to the point that the two end up destroying the tea shop in the process of fighting one another in a stale-mate. Fuu, both outraged and intrigued by the turn of events that took place plus being out of a job now forces Mugen and Jin to take responsibility for their actions and accompany her on a journey she has never has had the courage to begin... until now. With the lucky toss of a coin, Mugen and Jin regrettably agree to join Fuu on her search to find "the samurai that smells like sunflowers".


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 26


Review:

In a bizarre effort to combine modern urban street references and styling with and ancient Japanese Edo period (look it up) set pieces that makes for one unique presentation that, oddly enough, seem to flow quite well together. Samurai Champloo wants to tell a tale of Japan's ancient history while not boring the viewing audience and at the same time capture the attention of a younger generation. It does this by fueling action sequences with hip-hop music and fighting styles that are reminiscent of both more modern breakdancing and age old samurai techniques. This is what makes Samurai Champloo interesting in the fact that you're being taught somewhat of a history lesson at the same time you're watching some great action sequences while following our small band of misfits trekking across ancient Japan. While this is going on the show slowly but surely dips into Mugen, Jin, and Fuu's past giving you just little bit of background story on how they got where they are and why they act they way they do. From Mugen's gruff devil may care attack first and ask questions later attitude to Jin's calm and cautious approach to any situation all actually plays a huge and interesting part in the overall story. And while the total buildup to the finale keeps you hanging on from episode to episode when the overall truth reveals itself you are more than likely going to feel somewhat let down as when it's all said and done the main scope of the plot comes across as... lame.

The animation is solid and the action is tight and it even has a couple of episode dedicated to do nothing more than make you laugh, Samurai Champloo's method of combining a little modern day urban styling with Japan's ancient history is truly unique in it's own way. It's just too bad that main climax to it all is kind of a let down, Samurai Champloo definitely deserves attention but it will quickly wear off once the final closing credits have rolled.

Samurai Champloo (opening)

Recommendation: |Above Average|