Samurai Champloo: Volume 1
Mugen's a buck wild warrior - violent, thoughtless and womanizing. Jin is a vagrant ronin - mysterious, traditional, well-mannered and very strong as well. These two fiercely independent warriors can't be any more different from one another, yet their paths cross when Fuu, a ditzy waitress, saves them from being executed when they are arrested after a violent swordfight. Fuu convinces the two vagrant young men to help her find a mysterious samurai "who smells of sunflowers." And their journey begins. This is a story about love, friendship and courage . . . NOT!
Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Animatrix) designed by Kazuto Nakazawa (Kill Bill Vol. 1) and Mahrio Maeda (Last Exle, Blue Submarine No. 6) and powered by da' fresh sounds from Tsutchie, Fat Jon, Nujabes and Force Of Nature, Samurai Champloo is off da' hook animation!
Episodes:
1. Tempestuous Temperaments
2. Redeye Reprisal
3. Hellhounds for Hire Part 1
4. Hellhounds for Hire Part 2
Member Reviews
Excellent Start To a Classic Series - Mookie
I was sent the disks out of order so I watched this after 5 other disks. In that light I have to say this was one of the strongest disks of the series. The team of three was just forming and we as viewers were just getting to know them. There was also a nice effect of adding heavier outlines on the animated characters that helped add pop to the already top notch animation.
The stories were well done and the antagonism between Mugen and Jin is priceless. The biggest weakness of the series - trying to bring modern elements into the story (graphetti, baseball, Elvis) - is nowhere to be found in this first disk. All you get are solid stories with amazing fight scenes.Bad marketing, good series.. - Aenimus
It's a good thing I took a chance on this series otherwise I'd have missed the most fun since Cowboy Bebop. It was Watanabe's name that led me to gamble on this first disc and I've had a great time watching. Gamble because I'd been completely turned of by the title, marketing and premise: urban samurai with 'tude(sacrilege) and a blaring rap soundtrack(just not my thing, least what passes for rap today).
Champloo is a horrible name, the proper term was Chanpuru, and should have been kept or at least translated as Mix. Samurai Mix would've worked well both with the hip hop theme and because of the genre mix.
That said, the marketed hip hop meets samurai mix is actually, and thankfully, quite minimal. Honestly, I haven't seen much of an urban theme at all. Other than the fairly throwaway graffiti episode (useless other then Mugen's storyline and a reference to Jins past) there really isn't one to speak of.
Like Bebop the series is fast paced, non-linear(stand alone episodes) and character development is slow and limited. That said, it doesn't matter, grins. Crisp animation, excellent fight scenes and a good dose of humour make up for its flaws and its simply a pleasure to watch. Wild fun, as only Watanabe can deliver.I loved this series so much I bought it. - Logos
I love this series. It is by some of the same guys who made cowboy bebop so what do you expect? Lots of action, style and a good story. The hip hop theme might turn some off but I think that it was fitting to the serious and comedic style to the series. I mean seriously aren't you getting a little sick with all the Jpod they put in series. At least some of them are trying techno or hard rock or Rap. I mean Naruto with some of it's guitar rifts can get a little annoying but it gets you into the action. Same thing here the music just fits. Anyway if you aren't in stiches after watching some of these episodes there is no hope for you.
Member Reviews
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Excellent Start To a Classic Series - Mookie
I was sent the disks out of order so I watched this after 5 other disks. In that light I have to say this was one of the strongest disks of the series. The team of three was just forming and we as viewers were just getting to know them. There was also a nice ...Bad marketing, good series.. - Aenimus
It's a good thing I took a chance on this series otherwise I'd have missed the most fun since Cowboy Bebop. It was Watanabe's name that led me to gamble on this first disc and I've had a great time watching. Gamble because I'd been completely turned of by ...I loved this series so much I bought it. - Logos
I love this series. It is by some of the same guys who made cowboy bebop so what do you expect? Lots of action, style and a good story. The hip hop theme might turn some off but I think that it was fitting to the serious and comedic style to the series. ...