Samurai Champloo 1



Modern urban style meets Samurai Anime, and we get Samurai Champloo as a result. A show Cartoon Network really needs to get on Adult Swim...

The first episode seems paint by numbers for a Samurai anime/drama as we have the evil prefect lord, the two samurai fighting each other, and the girl without parents searching for another samurai. Yet it feels fresh and unique from the style of the animation and fighting, which has a very modern and urban feel to it. It has elements of Cowboy Bebop, but then it also has a unique twist on them as well. Add in the fact that the characters are very likeable and you've got a good opening episode that hooks you into the series, is action packed, and is also unlike any other Samurai anime you've seen.

The music is a mixed bag, as I really liked the background and fight music. But I found the opening and ending to be bleah (Then again, I'm not a hip-hop fan so take that with the needed grain of salt). But the animation is top-notch, and gives you a good vibe about the show...