What's up everybody! Killua Morales is back with another anime review. Before this time of the pandemic, I've rarely had time to do anything due to my work schedule, but now that my job is put on hold, I'm now able to put more time into my book I'm writing and my blogs here. Now that I've notified you on this, let's hope into the world of hip hop with Samurai Champloo. Let's begin shall we:

A young woman named Fuu is working as a waitress in a tea shop when she is abused by a band of samurai. She is saved by a mysterious rogue named Mugen and a young ronin named Jin. Mugen attacks Jin after he proves to be a worthy opponent. The pair begin fighting one another and inadvertently cause the death of Shibui Tomonoshina, the magistrate's son. For this crime, they are to be executed. With help from Fuu, they are able to escape execution. In return, Fuu asks them to travel with her to find "the samurai who smells of sunflowers".

Now when you read that synopsis, you'd think that the story is just going to be a simple journey. That's until you realize that Shinichiro Watanabe is in the director's chair, so the story is going to be much more enticing and immersive which sometimes makes the anime a bit episodic in a good way. Each episode has its own story giving you sympathetic characters and diabolical characters. There were times when I thought that this show was an anthology series due to the main three being sidelined because of side characters stealing the show. Either way, you can't help but love the journey they've partaken.

What makes this series one of the best of its kind is that it doesn't always take itself seriously. There are times when you think that this is a satire of Japanese culture because it pokes fun of it at every second. One of the ways it pokes fun of Japanese culture is through the use of modernization. While it takes place during Edo period of Japan, it decides to add hip hop into the mix through its soundtrack and of course through its characters. From Mugen's fighting style acquiring a lot of break dancing to one using a henchman to beatbox while making an introduction, it gives you an insight on Japan during the Edo period where it shows what it was like during that time. It gives you a modern take on the tyranny during that time making it very original in its own right.

Despite the fact that it doesn't take itself seriously most of the time, that doesn't mean that it's strictly an action comedy. There are a lot of serious moments in this anime that you sometimes forget that this a comedy as well. Nothing feels forced because of how natural and realistic it feels when you learn about each of the characters. It knows how to get an emotional out of you when it brings up some serious topics like betrayal and revenge. It's a simple plot, but it's the characters that bring out the complexity behind this anime showing you the many layers under this anime

Speaking of the characters:

He's without a doubt the best character in the show, and it's not just because he was voiced by Steven Blum. His wild and rebellious personality is what makes him so loveable. He's the type of person that just like going with the flow of things. You see why he's the way he is through his backstory as you understand the pain of being betrayed. He's heavily aggressive and won't hesitate to fight anyone which fits his fighting style so well, aggressive and unorthodox. Despite his take no crap personality, he does have a sense of honor and loyalty showing that he's not a one-note character.

Jin is my personal favorite of the main three. This Noble ronin is well-mannered, quiet and wise, but he's just like Mugen. He hates authority but doesn't just charge forward like Mugen does. His fighting style is just like his personality. Noble, patient and honorable. Due to this, he's basically the polar opposite of Mugen, but that's what makes him a standout character. These two are more alike than they want to admit, but Jin is the spitting image of Japanese tradition and a samurai's bushido.

To be frank, Fuu isn't a bad character, but I wouldn't necessarily call her a good character either. She's actually pretty bland compared to Mugen and Jin, but she does have her standout moments. Despite her clumsiness and her cluelessness, she can be cunning at times and is straightforward as well but not as much as Mugen. Her most common trait is her stubbornness. It can be a little annoying at times, but it does show that she's not as immature as she comes off as at times. Once she sets her mind on something, she sees it to the end and won't let anything or anyone stop her.

All in all, the story is simple and straightforward, but it's the journey that makes it one of the fulfilling and satisfying stories of the 2000s, and the characters are what make it more complex than you would expect from your typical story about samurai.

The art and animation by studio manglobe whom you all should know from their works including:

Was breathtaking. The art style is very stylistic and sharp. The landscapes of Japan are beautiful showing the jaw-dropping backdrop of the country side of Japan. The art designers were not cutting any corners in this anime, and the background to this day is better than most anime released recently. Now that is a feat in of itself. There were a few scenes that were drawn in black and white making it look like a manga is literally being brought to life, and who can forget some of the scenes that looked like an acid trip.

Then comes the character designs. There is a lot of variety in the designers showing that each character is different from the next. Of course the designs of the main three are the best. Their designs personify their personalities from Mugen's rough and rugged design to Jin's formal and studious design. Even Fuu's feminine and frilly design brings out her character.

Of course the best part of the art and animation are the action scenes. This anime is one of the most violent anime I've seen (though not as violent as the torture pron Corpse Party or the Final Destination inspired Another). The way characters are decapitated or just having one of their limbs cut off. You can see the amount of detail put into it that it kind of makes you squeamish at times. There were about four or five times where I've nearly puked due to how gory this anime can be, but that's what makes the action scenes so realistic.

All in all, you're in for beautiful artwork and animation.

As amazing as the story, characters and animation are, the best part about the anime is the sound. The soundtrack especially is just beautiful. I knew that Shinichiro Watanabe had a fascination with hip hop, but to see him work together with not only a rapper from the US but also the late and great Nujabes. This really blew my mind. I actually started listening Nujabes's music not too long along, and I've come to enjoy all the music he's made during his time on Earth. After rewatching Samurai Champloo for this review, I was shocked to learn that he played a role in the soundtrack. The beautiful combination of traditional Japanese music with Hip Hop and Jazz really brings the scenes of each episode, and of course the best part of the soundtrack is the opening theme.

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This in my honest opinion is Nujabes at his best. You hear the amount of dedication in this song from the instruments to Shing02's rap. You feel the tone of the song as it emphasizes what the life of samurai is like. This is how to do an English rap for an anime whole maintaining the style the anime outs out (I'm looking at you 4Kids One Piece).

Even though the soundtrack was godly, the voice acting was no slouch either. The Japanese was serviceable at best, but it's the English dub that really makes the anime stand out. It was as if Shinichiro intended for the English dub to be better. Steven Blum's portrayal of Mugen is the standout as you see how he brings out Mugen's rash and aggressive personality. Kirk Thornton's portrayal of Jin was another standout showing the Noble ronin's personality. Of course Kari Walgreen's portrayal of Fuu was serviceable, but it was nothing compared to Steven and Kirk.

All in all, the Animation and Sound were what truly made this anime stand out.

What else can be said about Samurai Champloo that hasn't already been said enough. If you're into samurai themed anime, then this is definitely the anime for you as it gives you a nice twist on its formula as it adds hip hop to the mix. You have simple yet complex story with beautiful animation and Grammy worthy music. All in all, this is one of the best anime of the 21st Century so far.

With that in mind, I can definitely say that Samurai Champloo is...