Review of Samurai Champloo

Samurai Champloo is weird, but it works. I wouldn't label it as a must-see show; I would say that it was innovative for its time. I watched parts of it when I was younger and then rewatched it again as an adult. However, I do look back at this series fondly. - Story. Although there is a main goal introduced in episode one, the show was like a slice of life until everything hit the fan in the last six episodes. Let's just say that the plot takes an unexpected twist on a social/philosophical concept that was not previously foreshadowed. It was jarring to me.- Characters. Besides their overall personalities of stoic, free-spirited, and sassy, the show doesn't dive in too much on character development. Nonetheless, there are episodes that add dimension to them. The most charming element about the trio's dynamic is how they evolve from strangers with nothing in common to trustworthy friends.

- Art. I'm a sucker for distinct character designs with some urban feudal fashion. The actual lineart itself is okay, but not my usual cup of tea. Although the opening is super stylized, the color palette of the show is on the muted or drab side.

- Animation. Good for its time. The no-nonsense fight scenes stand out.

- Music. This soundtrack introduced me and many others to the world of lo fi and chillhop before we even understood what it was. The OST does most of the emotive legwork during scenes.

- Sound design. Meets the bare minimum of sound effects.

- Writing. I watched this in English (my preference for some of Watanabe's works), so I can't comment on the Japanese dialogue. The lines in the dub were fine; people uttered sentences like normal people.

- Emotional impact. While I wasn't a fan of the story relating to the main goal, I was distinctly left with the feeling of wistfulness at the end.