Most people come into Samurai Champloo thinking it's going to be another Cowboy Bebop-esquire anime. But while it has many similar elements, the story line, character direction and over-all feel of the show are completely different from that of Shinichiro Watanabe's masterpiece.
Samurai Champloo, despite its few serious tones, is fairly light-hearted and very comical. We follow Mugen, Jin and Fuu from Edo to Nagasaki, encountering several prominent figures not only from the Feudal Era of Japan, but also popular Japanese television (Episode 8, for instance). Unlike Cowboy Bebop, the show centers around the three main characters rather equally, and the episodes do not dwell so much on their individual histories so much as their progress.
Perhaps the most stunning element of the series is their sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle incorporation of hip hop culture into the music and themes of each episode. From Mugen's break-dancing style of fighting to beat-boxing heralds to old-school tagging, it's not only comical but engaging to see something so culturally diverse blend seamlessly (and very, very humorously) with the Edo Period.
All in all, the series is very enjoyable, kind of a joyride or breath of fresh air in its uniqueness and ingenuity. The characters are fun and energetic, the music...well, don't even get me started on the music, and the animation, like its cousin, is flawless. Highly recommended on this end. Nine out of ten.
Samurai Champloo, despite its few serious tones, is fairly light-hearted and very comical. We follow Mugen, Jin and Fuu from Edo to Nagasaki, encountering several prominent figures not only from the Feudal Era of Japan, but also popular Japanese television (Episode 8, for instance). Unlike Cowboy Bebop, the show centers around the three main characters rather equally, and the episodes do not dwell so much on their individual histories so much as their progress.
Perhaps the most stunning element of the series is their sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle incorporation of hip hop culture into the music and themes of each episode. From Mugen's break-dancing style of fighting to beat-boxing heralds to old-school tagging, it's not only comical but engaging to see something so culturally diverse blend seamlessly (and very, very humorously) with the Edo Period.
All in all, the series is very enjoyable, kind of a joyride or breath of fresh air in its uniqueness and ingenuity. The characters are fun and energetic, the music...well, don't even get me started on the music, and the animation, like its cousin, is flawless. Highly recommended on this end. Nine out of ten.