Anime Samurai Champloo [from the creator of Cowboy Bebop]

[Dagger]

I rarely download raws (seeing how as I know almost no Japanese). Yet I've been anticipating Samuari Champloo for so many months that I couldn't resist watching episode 1 as soon as possible, even without being able to understand the dialogue. Anyway, since this show is bound to be insanely popular, I'm sure someone will sub it pretty soon.

Shinichiro Watanabe has become one of my personal gods, heh. I worked my way through Cowboy Bebop once or twice, and I appreciated it for what it is--a high-quality anime that I enjoy watching but just don't love. Samurai Champloo, on the other hand, seems to be right up my alley.

The first episode alone contains one of the best anime swordfights that I have [i]ever[/i] come across. It's better than those seen in the last arc of Peacemaker, better than Kenshin's first duel with Saitou, possibly even better than all of the amazing battles that motivated me to buy the Samurai X OVAs. I can't even find the words to express my esctacy.

Visually and aurally, Samurai Champloo is (as expected) very, very cool. The scene transitions are particularly innovative, and the show's animation just about reeks of style. This series is to hip-hop as Cowboy Bebop is to jazz--it owes much of its unique atmosphere to its daring soundtrack. I used the word "daring" because most people simply wouldn't think of combining a historical action-drama with... well, hip-hop, which is one of the most modern genres of music in existence.

I loved how [spoiler]the second-to-last frame said "The End," and was followed shortly by "Psyche! To be continued."[/spoiler] That amused me quite a bit. ^_^

~Dagger~

[Xander Harris]

This sounds like fun... I always like the weird combinations of music and story this guy puts together... any idea when it will be available in English in the U.S. for those of us with slow connection speeds and no desire to watch something entirely in Japenese? ;)

[Adora]

Oh yes. I'm just drooling over this one. I've heard about the music; is it done by Kanno as well?

To say the least, Jin looks totally badass. :D And Muugen just looks quite crazy-cool.

[Hittokiri Zero]

This is one superb looking anime from the raw video clip I saw this series is already *looking* better than Cowboy Bebop. While i'm a diehard Kenshin fan so won't stretch things by saying that Samurai Champloo is a better series (I don't think I can make that judgement until i've seen atleast 6-7 episodes) the fight scenes are a welcome change from the various other sword fight scenes in other animes. Unlike the fight scenes in Rurouni Kenshin Samurai Champloo takes a welcome chanage and instead of trying to hang on to some threads of realism during it's fight scenes Samurai Champloo busts out a totally artistic and unreal swordfight experience that will leave you asking for more. That one clip I saw has already convinced me to definatly download/buy/watch this anime =).

Samurai Champloo has already been licensed though I believe, so I wonder which "Rouge" fansub groups are going to pick it up :rolleyes:.

[Dagger]

[quote name='Hittokiri Zero']...Samurai Champloo busts out a totally artistic and unreal swordfight experience that will leave you asking for more.[/quote]

I particularly appreciated the fact that a lot of Mugen's techniques look like breakdancing moves. Little touches like that really add to the show's cutting-edge, quasi-urban vibe.


[quote]Samurai Champloo has already been licensed though I believe, so I wonder which "Rouge" fansub groups are going to pick it up :rolleyes:.[/QUOTE]

Apparently Bakafish is the first. I've never heard of them before in my life, but this is no time to be choosy. Until some other groups start subbing it (as I'm positive they will), I think I'll just take what I can get. Ideally, though, I'd love to see what Anime-Kraze or Anime-Station would be capable of doing with this series.

~Dagger~

[VP-Master]

Just saw the first ep of Champloo subbed (the internet never ceases to amaze me) and this series definetely looks promising. While its hard to tell at this point whether Champloo will be better than Bebop or other anime in the samurai genre, this first ep has got me really interested in what's coming up. The animation style looks quite different from some of the other current anime series but it gives the bebop feel i've come to know and love. Also looking forward to see which direction the hip hop/turntable style will come into play later on.
One thing was interesting to note was [spoiler] one of the major ending scenes of the ep was shown in the very beginning to add a little suspense and then the rest of the ep afterwards starts building up to that final scene shown in the beginning. [/spoiler] I don't know how much sense that made but I wonder if all the eps of Champloo will follow this pattern. I found it amusing in the beginning of the ep where it starts to give a disclaimer: [spoiler] This story is fictional. There are parts that are different from regular history but (next frame) Don't talk so much. Shut up and watch. [/spoiler] Got a good kick out of that.
Really can't wait to see some more Champloo.

I took a few screenshots of Ep 1 for people interested in the show. Enjoy.

[Guest transbluehawk]

I totally agree!!! Crazy people are cool, especially if they're done by the creators of Cowboy Bebop. Spike is so hot!!! I love him I love him I love him!!! And Sumarai Champloo looks really cool. I can't wait...I'll probably have to get the DVDs straight from Japan or something, as I can never find them in any of the stores here. SC is so narrow-minded. Oh well.
:tasty:

[NeoNabishen]

I love Cowboy Bebop so I think I’m going to love this one to. I can’t wait to see it. I wish I know Japanese. If this is anything like Cowboy Bebop I'm going to die a happy man, and from what you have said its better. CAN’T WAIT! I must see it.
it sounds like an absolute good, cherry fizzwizz. I neeeeeeed it.

I’m so overdramatic, but this is something to get overdramatic about. That’s it I’m moving to Japan. Ill talk to you all latter.

I don’t speak Japanese, but I don’t care. Anime homeland hear I come. :laugh:

[r2vq]

I loved the little Intro and Ending text scenes. They were both really funny.

The sword fighting style is not really what I like to watch when looking for Samurai fighting scenes, but for some reason I just LOVED the fight scenes in Samurai Champloo.

The animation was amazing, and the unique scene transitions in the first half were great, but I knew they would stop them half way through the episode. They just seemed like something you can't watch for too long. I wonder if they'll have them again.

The main characters are hillarious, and I love Mugen's fighting style. Dagger-dono, I noticed the [spoiler]break dancing style[/spoiler] in his fighting too. ^^

VP-Master, having the last scene of the story as the first scene of your Episode is not uncommon. Writers do that often to build suspense. I don't think they would do this again, but considering Champloo's style, you never know...

What particularly interested me was the scene RIGHT after the first scene. It was [spoiler]MODERN![/spoiler] I'm wondering why they put that in... Any ideas?

-ArV
Rating: 4.5/5 (Only 4.5 because it feels like they can't keep this up... if they keep up the quality, it'll be 5/5)

[stormy001_m1a2]

I dunno man, but I detested the rapping aspect of the anime.

It remains to be seen if this anime truly worth the hype, afterall, being watching anime since 1982 for me, I have seen a lot of good/bad animes in my lifetime. Cowboy Bebop is above average anime but I do wonder if Watanabe has smoking pot when he combine hip hop and chambara/samurai genre.

The animation of action sequences is smooth but the hip hop truly kills my liking for the anime.

[VP-Master]

[QUOTE=r2vq]

VP-Master, having the last scene of the story as the first scene of your Episode is not uncommon. Writers do that often to build suspense. I don't think they would do this again, but considering Champloo's style, you never know...

[/QUOTE]

Yea I've seen this type of thing done several times before in other movies/tv shows. I was just curious to see if this'll be the format of every ep or just for this one to add, like you said, suspense to the ep. We'll see what happens.

I'm also interested in seeing what other main characters might be added to Champloo. We got Jin, Mugen, and Fuu so far but I wonder if they might add some whacked out little kid like Ed and maybe some type of pet like Ein. Really added a lot of fun/humor to bebop so it'll be curious to see what they do with Champloo.

[Dagger]

[quote name='VP-Master'].....maybe some type of pet like Ein. Really added a lot of fun/humor to bebop so it'll be curious to see what they do with Champloo.[/quote]

*grins* Oh, Mr. Watanabe has already got that covered. If you initially missed the little flying squirrel, scroll ahead to 15:14 and you'll see a furry white object plastered across the Adidas-wearing guard's face. I believe that Fuu referred to him (her?) as Momo. ^_^

EDIT: Interesting scan, ne? In this image Jin looks rather like the "female" version of Susumu (who happens to be the coolest cross-dresser in any anime I've watched), but he's far less.... well, pretty.

~Dagger~

[VP-Master]

[QUOTE=Dagger IX1]*grins* Oh, Mr. Watanabe has already got that covered. If you initially missed the little flying squirrel, scroll ahead to 15:14 and you'll see a furry white object plastered across the Adidas-wearing guard's face. I believe that Fuu referred to him (her?) as Momo. ^_^
~Dagger~[/QUOTE]

Yea you got me there. Completely forgot about Momo after I finished watching the ep. I wonder what type of role he'll play in the rest of the series.

I've been hearing the Ep 2 of Samurai wasn't shown in Japan this week because some Volleyball Olympic Qualifier they were showing on Fuji TV went overtime and they wound up never showing Ep 2 afterwards. While I'm not completely sure if this is true or just some rumor, it is strange that raws of Ep 2 are still not available at this time. I'm hoping it's not true but if it is, I guess we have to wait for Ep 2 the next next week then. :(

[Zen]

[color=green][size=1]

I am an avid Cowboy Bebop fan, being number two on my top anime list. And Ruroini Kenshin takes 4th place, so this sounds like a great combination of the two. I have yet to see any scenes or anything from Champloo, but what I'm hearing here, it reallt attracts me. Especially the music. Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack turned me into a bit of a Jazz fan, and I'm already an avid hip hop fan, so this should just up the anti. And I'm all for weird fighting styles, because I'm also an avid fan of anything martial arts.

As I am hearing, this should be right up my alley, and I can't wait for the DVDs to come to America, which I'm sure they will. Maybe Adult Swim will pick Champloo up. Theres a good chance that'll happen, they have an eye for good anime, and their all Watanabe fans. The future looks good for this anime![/color][/size]

[Quicksilverus]

wow, this sounds very interesting. I've always loved Cowboy Bebop, and now that the creators are coming out with something new, that's enough to interest most of anyone who loved CB. I'm not sure about the hip-hip music being there, but who knows. I've never seen a clip, but once I am able to see some of this, I'll give my opinion.

UPDATE:
Okay, I was finally able to see the first episode and I'm speechless. Everything about it is awesome. The fluid animation, the style, the snappy dialouge, and even the rap I don't mind. Now I really want to see more of this. Can't wait!

[Hittokiri Zero]

I just watched episode 2 of Samurai Champloo and once again there was some really good stuff in this episode. While the episode did bring back memories of Rurouni Kenshin in regards to the big ugly "monster" character, who isn't really a monster but is just misunderstood *cough* *cough* Fuji *cough* Looking past that I can definatly say i'm going to like this series no matter what. Mugen's fighting style is just plain [i]pimp[/i] [spoiler] That fact that Mugen actually went through with killing Haku (Haku? Eh it was something like that...) in the end was also something I didn't quite expect, although I guess it shows you how Mugen, Fuu, and Jin really aren't a team and don't really have any respect for one another.[/spoiler] All and all this is just one of those series where even if the plot doesn't get anywhere the fight scenes will always keep you entertained. *Waits impatiently for episode three to be released*

On a side note I switched over to Anime-One for my Samurai Champloo subs >_>'

[I, Colossus]

I just finished the first episode, and I have to say that I am [i]really[/i] impressed. The first thing I noticed is the opening song. Now, I am not usually into hip-hop. But this was a really good song, it was relatively well written and set the mood for the show really well.

Next is the animation quality. Now I admit, I'm not up to date on all the latest anime and how the animation looks. As far as I know, this is some of the most visually stunning animation out there. Of course I'm still stuck on how nice s.CRY.ed looks, and from what I understand s.CRY.ed is insanely old among the anime-people. :sweat:

As a majority of you have said the fight scenes are really what take the cake. They're so stylistic and flowing. Mugen's moves remind me a lot of Spike's (Cowboy Bebop) moves. The actual moves aren't very alike. But the style, kind of free-flowing, relaxed style. Where as Jin is like Viscous, a very clean-cut, straight to the target style.

Anyway, this anime has so much potential. It could easily turn out to be one of the best out there. I'm eagerly anticipating episode 2.

[b]EDIT:[/b] Well. I just finished Episode 2. This is becoming one of my favorite anime very quickly. :P But I did find something weird. [spoiler]Why was Fuu-Chan being so nice to Oniwakamaru? He kidnapped her and planned to kill her friends. And from the first episode you'd really think she'd be more outspoken about that.[/spoiler] So, yeah, I found that to be kind of strange.

[b]EDIT #2:[/b] To Arralyn: Yeah, the as much as I liked the opening the hip-hop is going to take some getting used to. However I do like the little record-scratching DJ thing when they're switching scenes. Also, so far none of the music has been as The Real Folk Blues. ;)

[b]EDIT #3:[/b] Too many edits, meh. Anyway, as some of you know sites have been dropping Champloo left and right. It was relatively hard for me to find episode 3, so I suppose it'll get harder which each episode. Anyway, AnimeONE is who's subbing it, but unfortunately they're currently IRC-only. However, it's been brought to my attention in a chat that Anime Forever intends to keep on going through the series' entirety. So it seems that that's the place to be for Champloo-age.

[Guest Arralyn]

Well, I had seen a spoiler for the manga, but the anime looks awsome, too! I shall have to check it out.

@Dan: I know what you mean. When I first heard the end theme for Trigun, I thought "Wow, that's wierd." But I liked it. I hope that this is the same. I remember how much I loved "Real Folk Blues". I am really loking forward to itI :love:

[r2vq]

Ah, Samurai Champloo.

Very original...
I've been waiting patently for Episode 3. But it seems to be taking a while.

Dan, the animation for Samurai Champloo is as good as you think it is. The fight scenes as everyone repeats are really good. They are very Spike-esque in terms of style. The flowing movements are not surprisingly very dance-like, just as Spike's are. But the fighter I liked best was the other main Samurai... his name has lost footing at the moment...

Dan, I think how Fuu acted towards Oniwakamaru was not very surprising. [spoiler]He's a monster and she noticed the human side. She realised how misunderstood he really was. It was the other assailant(sp?) that she couldn't stand, with reason of course.[/spoiler]

-ArV

[I, Colossus]

r2vq: Yes. I know why, I guess. And it's pretty cliche for the female to start caring about her kidnapper. Just look at every episode of InuYasha. :p [spoiler]Yeah, she saw the human side of him. But the human side was just as bad, he [i]kidnapped[/i] in order to kill someone. It's not really that I find it weird anime-wise. Because it happens all the time, however I don't find it at all realistic. And human emotions is the [i]only[/i] thing I really care about when it comes to realism.[/spoiler]

Anyway, I've watched the first half of 3. Good stuff so far. I urge anyone who hasn't checked this anime out to go find it now.

[Dagger]

Mmm, episode 3 has some great action. I loved watching Jin [spoiler]pretend to be a woman[/spoiler]--that scene was just too funny for words. This series showcases the kind of anime comedy I love: sardonic and understated, with hilarious (but not over-exaggerated) facial expressions and plenty of dry one-liners.

It's interesting how the anime manages to reunite its main characters time and time again without making their meetings feel forced or the events that led to those meetings seem like artificial plot devices. The only thing which bothers me about Samurai Champloo is that certain parts of the episodes I've seen so far are [i]very[/i] Rurouni Kenshin-esque. As Hittokiri already mentioned, the second episode's storyline is a particularly strong example of this. I also instantly thought of Shishio when the yakuza leader in episode 3 said something about the strong existing to devour the weak.

Anyway, I can't wait to find out [spoiler]what happens when Jin and Mugen finally continue their on-again, off-again battle.[/spoiler] ^_^

~Dagger~

[Hittokiri Zero]

:/ Well i've been on a Samurai Champloo drought waiting for episode 3 from AnimeONE... Can anyone confirm for me whether or not AnimeONE has dropped the sub/whether they have gone only IRC now? From the subs I downloaded AnimeONE seemed to have the best (text was nice and big real easy on the eyes!) but if they're gone from Samurai Champloo I might end up reverting back to AnimeForever :rolleyes:.

[Okita]

This seems rather stupid, but after watching two episodes (repeatly) I've yet to find the connection for the anime to it's title, just what does champloo mean? and what role if any does this 'champloo' play in the series?

I'm sorry if the question seems either silly or an unknown but if anyone has an answer that isn't a spoiler for future episode, can you please tell me?

[Dagger]

I just saw Aoi-Anime's version of episode 4, and it provided a great conclusion to the two-episode yakuza arc. I was pleasantly surprised that [spoiler]Mugen decided to rescue Fuu, even if he did return too late. For someone with such a simple outlook on life, he's actually rather complicated and unpredictable. Jin, while practical, seems to be a touch more idealistic or at least merciful--I can't imagine Mugen putting up with a hot-headed young kid, and I think it's telling that they ended up on opposite sides.[/spoiler]

According to the official site, Fuu is only [i]fifteen[/i] years old, while Jin and Mugen are both around twenty (I may be remembering this incorrectly, but I do recall feeling shocked that she wasn't supposed to be at least seventeen or eighteen). Anyway, Fuu is just such a fantastic character; she's cute, resourceful and funny as hell. I'm now eagerly trying to track down episode 5.

Okita: Sorry, I have no idea. ^_^;;

~Dagger~

[Hittokiri Zero]

All you Champlooigans will be happy to know that I did a little research and found out some things about "Champloo".

While I can't say how accurate this translation is suupposedly "Champloo" is
an Okinawan word that means "to change/mix things up" it's usually used in reference to food but when you stop and think about it in the case of Samurai Champloo "Champloo" fits the series perfectly as it's a beautiful mix of hip-hop with samurais. From the music to the characters fighting styles everything is all champlooed up (yeah I probably didn't use Champloo right in that sentence but oh well ^_^).

Another interesting thing I found was that Mugen's fighting style is called "Champloo" (once again a fan translation from the official site so i'm not sure how accurate it is), so that would partly explain why his fighting style is all over the place and knows no boundaries.