I thought it was good. That's all. The most 7/10 anime I've watched all year tbh.

Idk, I feel in this day and age, not thinking something was an 11/10, "you HAVE to watch this before you die, man!" once-in-a-lifetime experience...can come off as a blow to the heart of someone who did find it as such. Simply liking it isn't enough-you have to BLEED for it.

I hope this doesn't come off as me being bitter. To reiterate: I liked it. I think it's good. I'm glad I watched it. Would recommend. If anything, I'd've liked it more if it wasn't hyped up that much.

As for the actual show: the trio of Fuu, Mugen, & Jin easily carry it. While I didn't think the chemistry between them was as strong as say, the Bebop crew, as the episodes wound down, it eased into it easier. By the time the finale comes around, you can't imagine them apart. Jin is easily my favorite, and I especially loved how his backstory panned out by the finale. "Gamblers and Gallantry" is a standout for him, his relationship with Shino, and is probably my favorite episode. I'm realizing more that I have a thing for the quiet, stoic types. Fuu is lovable, though that's to be expected. And Mugen was honestly my least favorite. Came off a bit too rough for my taste. He still delivers some funny lines, and gets his moments of introspection, but I would usually wonder what Fuu and Jin were up to instead.

While following a loose narrative of a quest for a Sunflower Samurai, which culminates in the 3-part finale, SC devotes itself to following these three colorful characters around, and seeing what they get themselves into. From the memorable baseball episode, facing off against a beatboxer, two graffiti twins, Mugen getting schooled hard in reading (the teacher in that episode is a riot), zombies, an evil religious nut, and so on...the result is a funny, distinct buddy trip where the trio bonds, and ends off on [SPOILERS] a solidly executed note involving Fuu getting the closure she needed. And our three new friends going off on their separate ways, with the hopes that they'll see each other again. Yet the credits leave it open-ended enough to where even if they never do, the trek was fulfilling all the same.

But again, what keeps this from being some masterpiece I see everyone hailing it as was the dreaded overhype. Throughout most of it I'm basically thinking "this is pretty good!.....but that's it?" It hits all the checkmarks of what passes for something good (likable & memorable characters, good visuals, distinct and complimentary music (in this case, hip-hop, which is worked in effortlessly), well-executed emotional moments that fit appropriately, etc.), but never had that special/extra kick or spice that puts it over the top. Samurai Champloo simply wasn't surprising enough for me to consider it some untouchable masterwork. It's basically a fun, 20+ episode romp involving swords, hip-hop, and good chemistry between our main trio. It simply never reached those highs that say, Cowboy Bebop did.

I feel this is an easy "first anime" recommendation. To really help ease in any up-and-coming weebs out there. Or who knows, maybe you're a seasoned vet and haven't gotten around to watching it. It's Watanabe, so what excuse do you have?

It would've been great if I loved it, but alas, the hype got in the way. Sorry.