"Samurai Champloo" is a critically acclaimed 2004-2005 anime series that follows the journey of Mugen, Jin, and Fuu as they try to reach “the samurai who smells of sunflowers” in Edo-era Japan. Along the way, they face formidable foes and discover their internal challenges and talents. Its popularity with critics is mostly due to the intriguing blend of genres and themes. IGN ranked the show #26 on its list of "100 Anime You Should Watch Before You Die."
Here are some reasons why you should watch "Samurai Champloo."
1. It has a great soundtrack.
The "Samurai Champloo" OST is divided into two discs, one called “Departure” and one called “Impression.” Japanese hip-hop genius Nujabes and American producer Fat Jon provide a soothing and impressive nod to hip-hop while establishing the influence of hip-hop on the characters, story line, and style. The opening song, “Battlecry,” by Nujabes and Shing02 is one of the best introductions to any show. This is one of the greatest and most popular anime soundtracks, even to this day.
2. It has excellent characterization.
"Samurai Champloo" develops its characters beautifully and shows the challenges that occur when you have three completely different people traveling on a journey together.
Mugen is a ridiculously talented and easily angered 19-year-old swordsman. Not one for thinking things through, this former pirate often picks fights with others for trivial reasons. Born in a penal colony, he has a strong yearning for freedom and frequently scuffles with the Japanese authorities. His unconventional fighting style incorporates hip hop influences, including kicking opponents while spinning on his head. Regardless of his flaws, he demonstrates that he is someone who often fights to protect the weak.
Jin is a level-headed, quiet, and also ridiculously talented 20-year-old ronin (samurai without a master or lord). After killing the master of his dojo out of self-defense, he is on the run form his fellow dojo members who are pursuing him for revenge. He and Mugen are polar opposites and they often anger each other, which leads to their plan to eventually fight to the death. They each remind each other that, “I will be the one to slay you,” throughout the series.
Fuu is an eccentric 15-year-old girl who failed as a tea house waitress. She saves Mugen and Jin from execution by the authorities and, in return, they become her bodyguards as she journeys to find “the samurai who smells of sunflowers.”
3. It blends Edo-era Japan with hip-hop culture.
The series gives a huge nod to hip-hop music and its culture. These are consistent themes throughout, even beyond the background music. Mugen’s fighting style incorporates break dancing, breaks in the show feature record-scratching, and townspeople rap and beat-box with wooden sticks and swords.
4. It’s well balanced.
"Samurai Champloo" has a great mix of many different themes, which keeps the viewer from becoming overwhelmed or bored with any particular one. Yes, there is a healthy amount of fighting, but the fight scenes are so clean and aesthetically pleasing that they never get old. There are romance and relationship themes, mostly in the form of Mugen’s crude–albeit humorous–failed attempts at womanizing. Last but not least, the scenery and artwork of the show is great. All in all, the blend of influences allows for all kinds of people to find enjoyment.
5. It has strong anti-authoritarian themes.
The series depicts countless abuses from the imperial regional governments that include terrorizing the townspeople, rejecting foreign people, stealing people’s money, ruining their businesses, making deals with the local Yakuza gangs, and being frustratingly hard-headed bullies in general. Mugen, Jin, and Fuu all perform actions that reject the authority of the local governments and have no issues with enacting violence against these tyrannical government figures when they threaten their lives.
