Samurai Champloo

Original Plan: Manglobe
Directed by: Shinichiro Watanabe
Japanese Title: Samurai Champloo
Episodes: 26
Rating: 16 & Up
Release Studio: Geneon Animation
Release Year: 2005
Main Voice Actors*:

Mugen ~ Daniel Andrews
Jin ~ Kirk Thornton
Fuu ~ Kari Wahlgren

*The reason why there are only three characters listed above is because the trio are travelling and there are new characters per episode or two (due to two-parter episodes).

Mugen is an undisciplined warrior, wild and violent, also womanizing. Jin is a ronin, well-mannered and traditional. These two are so different you'd never imagine them travelling together. However, their paths cross when Fuu, a ditzy waitress, saves them from execution. Fuu made the two samurai promise her one favor. Now the three must travel to help Fuu find a "samurai who smells of sunflowers". Thus, their journey begins...

Since the trio are travelling, new characters pop up pretty much every episode which provides plenty of variety of characters. In addition, our main characters are so different from one another so conflict almost always occurs. There's always some sort of problem per episode so you'll never be bored. Whether it's the action or the humor, this anime is very fun and entertaining. The voices fit the characters except for one time but it's only a minor character and her voice isn't supposed to fit. The opening theme is very neat but I have to admit, I prefer the ending theme. (Note: if you watch the anime on Adult Swim, they speed up the credits so you don't hear the full ending theme.) Some of people I talked to compare this anime to Cowboy Bebop. The director in Cowboy Bebop also directs this show. Cowboy Bebop is the future with jazz music. Samurai Champloo is the feudal Japan era with rap music. Some may see some similarities, the voice actor for Mugen also does Spike. Anyway, this is an interesting anime chocked full of action and humor. Not high on romance, but you'll see occasionally Mugen hitting on a women and there's even a romantic episode with Jin. I suppose if you're a fan of Cowboy Bebop, you may also like this one.