Tyson Hunsaker Samurai Champloo proves director Shinichiro Watanabe to be a fantastic anime creator and will be remembered as some of his best work. It's an easy series to watch (seeing as it's only 26 episodes) and is a must-watch for anyone that's a fan of great storytelling through Japanese animation.The series focuses on three characters: Fuu, Mugen, and Jin as they travel across Japan in search of samurai who smells of sunflowers. Each episode, for the most part, is a story in and of itself about a little piece of their journey. The word "Champloo" is an Okinawa-based word for "stir-fry" and my does it fit! The series is a wonderful "stir-fry" mixture of samurai/characters with great depth and style of its own.What makes Samurai Champloo a great series isn't just the variety of characters and stylistic story-telling. It's the compelling nature of the plots and the pure enjoyment a die-hard anime fan will have when watching these colorful characters interact and clash with each other. Each episode never fails to leave room for boredom and although some episodes don't dive deep into character's back stories/connect directly to the main story arc, it's unceasingly fascinating and enjoyable. The series also manages to not only successfully mix up a variety of characters, but also a variety of genres so beautifully and seamlessly. One moment the viewer could be on the edge of their seat with a thrilling action sequence, the next they could be laughing aloud to a joke a character told. The stories blend action, adventure, comedy, and drama beautifully while giving some seasonings of horror, fantasy, and maybe noir. While the show is fantastic it does have some arguable flaws that not everyone might agree on. For instance, from episode one, the viewer jumps right into the fun and action without knowing too much about our three main characters. Waiting for back story in future episodes, fans might be slightly let down by that promise being fulfilled. Adequate back story is indeed present but maybe not as much as some might be hungry for. Some episodes also feel out of place and could potentially not be necessary for the overall story arc. As state before however, these episodes are still always entertaining and very fun to rematch. Flaws one could see in this show might cause it to not arrive at the number one spot of every anime fan's favorites list but the series is still incredibly cool and worth watching (and probably owning) for any fan. It's never dull and it's a great series that comes highly recommended. Some of the best 650 minutes you'll eat up by watching this wonderfully animated series.

A_Different_Drummer First some disclaimers. I came to anime late in life, not completely understanding the power of this art form in the right hands. I have since compensated for this untoward behaviour by watching about 50 of the genre, both full length and series, sequentially, in a very short period of time. Like, days. I am currently not sure what year it is, or what country I am living in, but I know for a fact that anime is no less an art form than the stuff you stand in line for at the museums. Second disclaimer, after watching this series, I made a beeline for Cowboy Beebop -- oops sorry for the pun -- but could not get past the first in the series. (This may or may not lend credibility to the other IMDb reviewers who maintain the two series are as different as they are similar?) Disclaimers aside, this is a wonderful treat, fun, action-packed, great music, fascinating themes, and a lot hidden irony (and other treats) buried deep in the dialog for those with very sharp ears. The characters, who form a brilliant ensemble cast, are as good anything in mainstream media. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE English AUDIO. The hip-hop sub-theme is fun, never too distracting. Highly recommended. FOOTNOTES: After watching a highly concentrated mix of Japanese and American anime, my conclusion is that the Japanese product is better crafted to an entirely higher order of magnitude. My favorite so far is APPLESEED, which, no coincidence, had, I believe, the strongest story line and script to support the wonderful animation. My criticism of Japanese anime generally is that the stories tend to be considerably weaker than the animation, leaving the viewer with an "A/V high" that last for a few hours, and then you forget why you liked the product in the first place. (oops) American product is better written, period. I consider the LAST AIRBENDER series, and the feature OVER THE HEDGE, to be two of the best productions ever done in America, regardless of genre.

hellraiser7 What really made me love "Cowboy Bebop" was how it was able to mix genre, culture, style, and music that seemed almost like an unlikely mix but turned out to hit the right notes. It's done the second time around but directed this time toward the samurai genre and hip hop music, which on a side note I'm not a fan of either one but this show is one of the exceptions I make. And this is also another of my personal favorite anime TV shows.Unlike "Cowboy Bebop" this show actually does have a plot but isn't entirely concerned about it since it's really more of a motivation device. This is a show where style over tops substance.It's just great seeing an alternate version on ancient Japan which is a blend of both old and current customs making it all the more interesting and humorous. The hip hop soundtrack is awesome it really blends in well with the action and what currently happens as the show progresses. But of course as usual it's the characters and what they do that really drive it, their colorful and three dimensional enough for us to actually care about them.Mugen whom looks like he could be an ancestor of Spike Spegel is basically reckless, irresponsible, arrogant, tough, rough, not altogether bright, a rebel without a cause and has a bit of an inflated ego complex where he at times he brags he's killed lots of people though I highly doubt it is really everything he builds it up to be. Deep down though his heart is in the right place, he is capable of doing what is right whether he wants to or not. He sort of represents a more modern western school of action since his style of fighting is sort of your conventional swordplay mixed with break dancing.Jin who looks like actor Christian Bale is sort of the passive aggressive type. A man of very few words, he really doesn't say much in the show sometimes and when he does talk it's a very soft even voice. He's a silent rebel, doesn't bend to anyone and does the right thing when needed. He's represents the old school type of action since his style is based on the martial art Bushido, his moves are more precise but always quick as lighting.Fuu is naive in a good or bad way, worst of all seems to be a magnet for trouble even though she's not looking for it. She of course is sort of the mediator for the two, but whenever she turns her back both of them tend to duke it out. She's very sweet, feminine, smart'clever making her at times one step ahead as well as helpful or unhelpful for the two.The dynamic between all of them is sort of like any buddy buddy/buddy cop film, a road trip movie, or heck even a noir film since all three of them have hidden motives that we see as the show progresses. It's just fun and funny seeing the interplay between them all, despite their disagreements and grief they give one another subconsciously they are all close friends. Indeed it does show since despite the time both Jim and Mugen fight they never land one blow on one another as well as get untimely interrupted (may'be that's fate's way of telling them something). Both always work together to rescue Fuu whenever she's in trouble even though they didn't have to. All three of them seem to hold more conversations then the other people they talk to, but most of all they can trust one another the most. These characters really don't have anyone else in their lives which is why they mix; most of the people in their past or even present either have used them or betrayed them in some way.Dance to this Samurai Beat.Rating: 4 stars

saymonja-148-363330 This is one of those animes that has me telling myself, "damn! Did I really already watch all of the best series?? Is there nothing else like__________?". I hope I'm wrong, but if you're looking for something that scratches your anime itches, here you are. Action? Traveling/Adventure? Samurai? Character development? Great 90's era hip-hop/R&B soundtrack? Comedy? Beat-boxing? Social satire, lamenting the bygone era of open sexuality in Edo-period Japan (think Ancient Greece), due to contact with the bizarre puritanical morals of Westerners? Check all of those off your anime list. Assuming your "anime requirements" list is like mine, which is wicked awesome. And watch it. It is becoming clear to me that the old adage, "they don't make 'em like they used to" is becoming sadly true of anime in the 21st century. The more I watch, the more that I realize how badly most series often suffer from formulae. In my own mind, I'd proclaimed anime to be the "Anti-Hollywood", where engaging plots were developed, engaging characters were developed, unique ideas were possible. It was everything American TV wasn't interested in being anymore. Samurai Champloo is one of the few series that still fit my idealized depiction of anime.