Review of Samurai Champloo

Watanabe directs yet another great work with Samurai Champloo. Every aspect from this show, from the opening, the soundtrack, the characters, the setting, and the animation is done to perfection. (fav anime soundtrack) The chemistry between the main trio is very flexible, ranging from light moments of comical brevity to serious discussions. The main story takes a back seat, as most episodes are self contained adventures; however, they are creative, entertaining, and will enthrall the viewer. This show's identity is the idea of the journey mattering more than the destination. All of this praise may make it seem as if the show has no faults. Thatdepends, even more than is ordinarily the case when reviewing anime, on one's perspective. The bulk of the series is about the journey, rather than the destination, but at times this can make it feel like mostly filler. Many early episodes do little to advance the plot, apart from bringing our travelers slightly closer to their geographical destination, and consequently the show tends to lack a hook or sense of suspense until the end. This is not say to say it's uninteresting, so long as you enjoy the characters and the ride. As a fan of the series, I view Samurai Champloo as simply a fantastic watch, even if the story isn't permeated with deeper meaning or the viewer isn't constantly bombarded with plot. But if you're only looking for a compelling story, you might be better off skipping to the end. In any case, this is not a show to pass up.

10/10