Review of Samurai Champloo

--Story: 9-- The story of a girl searching for "A samurai who smells of sunflowers" sounds terribly simple. Which is fair, that's what it is. But considering what the series aims to give, it's quite suitable. So instead I've based the 'story' on the average rating I'd give each episodes story line. Samurai Champloo often has a different plot/story for each episode, the story spanning over 2 episodes max. Though this may not be suitable for someone interested in a story intense anime, it allows the creators to fill it with much action, humour, and entertainment. Even with the somewhat cliche stories used, they were donein such a way that I was completely drawn in each time

--Art: 10--
I absolutely loved the art and animation. The character designs were unique (while still making them fit in with the era). I personally found the art style one of the best I've seen. As were the designs, it was unique, and expressive, but still very much anime. The animation as well was brilliant, the fight scenes were smoothly animated, and the simpler scenes were done just as well. Easily a 10.

--Sound: 9--
I'm not a big fan of hip hop, so my opinion here may be a little bias, or I'd have thought so. Even with a strange music choice, it seems to blend in with the mood of the series perfectly. It just depends if you like it.

--Character: 9--
At first glance the characters seem overused, and basic. Fuu, a young cheerful girl who often gets herself kidnapped. Jin, a very traditional and silent samurai. And Mugen, Jin's completer opposite, a self taught fighter who acts before he thinks and seems to have no concern for those around him (unless it's a beautiful woman). And in a way, I suppose that's exactly what they are. But they're perfectly suited for the mood the series wishes, and succeeds to portray. Not only that, but I felt all three characters did have their own little quirks which separate them from the typical characters they seem to mimic.

--Enjoyment: 10--
I was especially fond of the mixture of moods through Samurai Champloo, some episodes are quite melancholy, tragic even. Usually the longer stories. While others are, to simply put it, strange. The humour in the series meant it could be enjoyed in more than one way.

--Overall: 9--
At first glance Samurai Champloo seems full of cliche's, with a pretty basic setup. But this series isn't about intense story or character development, it's about action and entertainment. And on that level, I feel it succeeded, or even surpassed what I had hoped for.