Samurai Chmaploo is a 2005 anime created by Shinchiro Watanabe, and voiced by Steve Blum, Kari Wahlgren, and Kirk Thornton. It follows ronin wandering around in the Tokugawa period of Japan, and borrows many elements from classic Kurosawa samurai films. This show also shares many similarities with Shinchiro Watanabe’s other famous show, Cowboy Bebop, which it is often compared to.
Samurai Champloo follows Mugen and Jin, two master swordsmen who must escort a girl named Fuu to find her missing father. Along the way however there are many events that happen to the three characters, such as preventing an American incursion, robbing a shogunate ship in a plot reminiscent of the movie Goyokin, or even evading blind assassins sent to kill them. Since this show takes place in the edo period, it often uses historical facts and events to its advantage by having the three characters interact with them. This makes this show feel very unique.
Another incredibly unique thing about this show is the strange hip-hop elements within it. Champloo translates roughly to remix, and as such the soundtrack uses a lot of hip-hop tracks, and some characters even beatbox within the show. Granted, that isn’t terribly realistic, but the contras between using hip-hop in one episode and a Japanese folk song on a shamisen on another is really interesting, and it sets this show apart from any other.
The sword combat in this show, while not terribly realistic, is nonetheless extremely satisfying and entertaining. The two main characters have wildly different ways of fighting, with Mugen having a wild, animalistic style, while Jin has a more realistic, grounded, traditional way of fighting. The contrast between these two, both when fighting and when engaging in dialogue is really quite funny, as one is incredibly crass and rude, while the other reserved and polite. It leads to some very funny scenarios, and the show uses it to great effect.
One thing that needs to be mentioned about Samurai Champloo however, is that it really hasn’t aged well. Despite being only about 15 years old, there are some ideologies within the show that are frowned on nowadays. Mugen says some very sexist comments throughout the show that nowadays a main character would never say, and the cliche “damsel in distress” plot line is used a little too often with Fuu. That doesn’t mean the show is blatantly sexist, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re planning on watching it.
Despite that, Samurai Champloo is still probably one of my favorite shows. It’s hilarious to watch, it’s got great combat, and at times it even tackles some pretty tough themes like the passing of time, and letting go of loved ones. It’s absolutely worth a watch, and it’s very understandable that it’s considered to be one of the best anime ever made.