Review of Samurai Champloo

Phew, where do I even begin with this masterpiece... I encourage you to read this review in its entirety because I will break down why EXACTLY this show deserves an overall 10. Samurai Champloo is a show that will come as a new flavor or facet to the infinite world of anime and the norms embedded within it. If you're new to the world of anime, this show's implications and place in the anime universe may not be as well-received but that doesn't mean that certainly doesn't mean that you won't appreciate the poetic and artistic justice that this show does to anime, in general. ------------------------------CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT(9)-----------------------------
As of the first episode, almost as swift as a slap in the face, you are introduced to the interesting and perplexing characters of Mugen, Jin, and Fuu. Mugen is a brash, immature, vulgar, laid-back, avant-garde man who originates from an island where criminals are dropped off and left to live by themselves. This causes him to develop his initial character personality when you meet him. This violent environment caused him to teach himself swordsmanship. Jin is calm, collected, and possesses a quiet, stoic demeanor which stems from his rigorous training as a swordsman in his former kenjutsu dojo. The polar opposite to these two personalities is the cheerful, upbeat, kind, caring Fuu, a young teenage girl who lives with her uncle and aunt working for their teashop due to her father missing and her mother deceased.

These three characters are seemingly complete opposites of each other which would normally prompt conflicting ideas, arguments, and fights. These do happen, no doubt about it, but their journey together as Fuu's unofficial bodyguards in her search for the samurai who smells like sunflowers brings them together in a way that can only be accomplished through the brilliant and creative mind of Shinichiro Watanabe, writer of the series and Cowboy Bebop.

These three often get so caught up in their arguments that they often split up and leave, going their path and swearing to never join back again but this only leads in them coincidentally seeing each other again and fighting a common enemy and continuing on their journey together, regardless of each individual's reluctance.

Throughout the series, we see how each person's actions and situations cause the other two to grow and develop their character into something they couldn't even imagine themselves being at the beginning of the series. Watanabe develops each character's personalities and changes them in a way that reflects the camaraderie and the journey they took together as a piece of each person's heart that will never be replaced.

----------------------------------ART/SOUND (9.5)-----------------------------------

One of the main factors that deviate this anime from a lot that you will watch is its artistic presence. Samurai Champloo's scruffy, old-style animation gives viewers a retro vibe from the whole anime. This is extremely similar to the feeling that people get when watching GIFs on YoutTube of "slowed-reverb" songs. The heavy uses of colors like crimson, cherry-blossom pink, and caramel/hazel tones of the sun are significant in expressing the historic colors of feudal-Japan, known as the "Land of the Rising Sun." The presence of the sunrise and sunset in each episode shows the significance of new beginnings and the end of journeys that are inevitable for anything in life and the colors that enhance this are heavily present throughout the show.

Nujabes was the main producer of the OST for Samurai Champloo. He, unfortunately, passed away in a tragic car crash but his iconic application of anime/hip-hop beats will live on as markers of breaking traditional norms in anime, such as Samurai Champloo did. Mugen's sword-fighting style relies on using his environment and performs a lot of breakdancing tactics that don't follow traditional kenjutsu or other sword-fighting styles that are widely taught. Nujabes uses this throughout the series by implementing hip-hop beats in the fight scenes. Not just in fight scenes but throughout the entire show, the iconic hip-hop styles used in conjunction with authentic Japanese-style music gives an entirely new facet to how sound can bring a new perspective on an anime. Watanabe most likely used this tactic before during Cowboy Bebop with jazz. To put it simply, IT JUST FITS.

------------------------------STORY AND ENJOYMENT (10)-----------------------------

"Champloo" or also called "Champuru" is an Okinawa term that is best described as "mixed-up" or "mashed-together." While most people might perceive this only for the amazing mix of retro-Japanese-style animation with modern hip-hop beats, it goes further than that and can be applied to the story and characters. The "mix-up" can also refer to the three polar-opposite personalities of our three protagonists and how their destinies are seemingly intertwined and journey together. Throughout their journey to find the samurai who smells of sunflowers, they find themselves in many different scenarios and problems each episode, ending in them only barely making it out with their lives. The personal motives and personalities of each character change throughout the show as they each understand a grander scheme of life: the journey.

The reason I enjoyed this anime so much was the ending, which I obviously won't spoil. However, my review wouldn't be nearly complete if I didn't address the overarching message and theme of this show that makes the ending so amazing. Every journey has a start and an end, just like life. Life starts with your birth and the actions you'll make, places you'll go, people that you'll meet, and the emotions you'll feel are all part of your journey. But where, or more importantly what, does the journey lead to?

Watanabe's intention with the whole premise of Samurai Champloo and its ending is that whatever story you watch entails a journey that is bound to end. But the destination, no matter if it's good or bad, is hardly the central focus of this show, contrary to many popular anime. The journey is what matters most. The stories we witness, how each character learns more about each other and life, the emotions that the audience feels; we should take all of this into account and reminisce on it because it's the journey that really matters. This is the message that was the last arrow that struck me in the feels and made me absolutely love this show.

"Don't cry because it's over... smile because it happened"
- Dr. Seuss