WhileSamurai Champloois one of the series that professional anime critics and reviewers consistently tag as one of the best anime series ever, it’s never gotten the kudos and acknowledgments its sister seriesCowboy Bebophas been able to achieve. However, with its 20th anniversary quickly approaching, there’s no time like the present to explain whySamurai Champloois a series that should be at the top of any anime fan’s bucket list.
From the visionary director Shinichiro Watanabe, creator ofCowboy Bebop,Samurai Champloofollows the adventures of two misfit samurai, Mugen and Jin, and a feisty teenager named Fuu. Together the trio forms an improbable friendship during feudal Japan’s Edo period. Fuu, driven by a childhood memory of a kind man she once met, sets them on a quest to find the mysterious samurai “who smells like sunflowers”. The result stillranks among the best samurai anime ever.
Along the way, the trio runs into a revolving cast of characters, villains and predicaments that force the trio to operate out of their comfort zones and ultimately mature into solid, stable, and serious warriors and people. Outside individual developments, the journey also chronicles how the three former strangers bond and become the best of friends. Though it might be overshadowed,Samurai Champloois just as much a masterpiece asBebopis.
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Samurai Champloo’s Greatness Is Lost In Its Sibling’s Shadow
Samuari Champloo suffers from unfair comparisons to Cowboy Bebop
Debuting six years afterCowboy Bebop, it’s easy to think that the vibe and passion for anime spawned by the groundbreakingCowboy Bebopseries would guarantee tremendous fan interest and support for Watanabe’s follow-on work. Surprisingly, however, outside fans of period pieces, martial arts action, and samurai dramas,Samurai Champloodoesn’t have the same grip on pop-culture thatCowboy Bebopgenerated.
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One popular fan theory arguesCowboy Bebop’s greater popularity is due to its broadcasting plan. It aired on Western television stations earlier thanSamurai Champlooand had a much longer broadcast run on the stations it aired on. As a result, it was able to cement itself into the anime pop culture that remains unshakable. Given that Watanabe is behind both series,Samurai Champloocan’t help but be measured against the iconicCowboy Bebop, making it difficult to judge the show independently.
Watanabe has confirmed thatChamploois technically a prequel toBebop.
Another fan theory argues thatCowboy Bebop’s jazz-infused soundtrack has a broader appeal thanSamurai Champloo’s hip-hop-heavy sound. Whatever the reasons, it certainly had nothing to do with the quality of the production. In the five years between series,Watanabe refined and incorporated all the iconic elements that madeCowboy Bebopsuch a cult classic.
Samurai Champloo Is A Hero’s Journey With An Awesome Twist
Fans and critics often point out that, similar toCowboy Bebop,the music inSamurai Champloois a distinguishing factorthat sets it apart from other anime. It’s no understatement to say thatmusic plays a crucial role inSamurai Champloo, enhancing the narrative’s impact. The integration of music into the story provides a visceral feel that adds to the viewing enjoyment. The music not only helps set the mood but often helps guide a viewer’s understanding of the scene.
Even more interesting than the music, however, is the story. On its surface, it is presented as a basic action journey. Mugen, Jin, and Fuu’s journey to find a mysterious traveler. However, Watanabe wraps that basic storyline in a rich layer of subplots and side quests that add depth and complexity to the story. As the creators discuss in Dark Horse Comics' companion book to the series - entitledSamurai Champloo Roman Album, the real journey is the characters' quest for self-discovery, which is as crucial as the adventure itself.
For instance, rather than the heroes having an experienced mentor provide support and advice along the way, Mugen, Jin, and Fuu look to and rely on each other. As a result, most of the conflicts and barriers that the heroes must overcome on the journey are generated by the trio themselves. This means that conflict brews even when no external enemies exist. Conversely, it also means their maturation into more organic, personal, and heartfelt. It’s a great twist to a common storytelling device that more series would do well to explore.
Fortunately, with this year being the series’ 20th anniversary, there is no shortage of ways to watchSamurai Champlooin its entirety – which is only 26 episodes. It’s a small price to pay to enjoy one of the greatest anime series ever made.Cowboy Bebopis great, butSamurai Champloodeserves just as much credit for its complex characters and fascinating use of music.
Source:Samurai Champloo Roman Album
Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo is an anime series created by Shinichirō Watanabe. Set in an alternate Edo-era Japan, it follows the journey of Mugen, a brash and fiercely independent swordsman, and Jin, a calm and skilled ronin, as they accompany a young waitress named Fuu on her mission to find a mysterious samurai who smells of sunflowers. The series is noted for its unique blend of historical elements and modern hip-hop culture.
