There is some truth to this, as well as Space Dandy is in the same universe. An episode of Space Dandy a garbage dumpster planet so do speak, and the Fridge the Spike jettisoned out of Bebop Ship (Toys In The Attic) is on that planet
I fucking love Samurai Champloo, it's my favorite anime of all time, I don't care if it can't measure up to Bebop (what anime can really?) its fun, the characters are a joy and despite being a hodge podge of various pop culture minutiae and Japanese culture and history it just makes the world more interesting.
Agree It's still a good anime even if it's not bebop It's well directed Got strong characters Good plot So it's not his greatest work It's like saying starry night doesn't compare to Van Gogh sunflowers Or kill bill isn't pulp fiction Sage is saying I believe You cannot condemn a work because of what comes before or after You can compare the two if One influence the other But an artist work changes with time and can vary like night and day
+TheSlayFer Ch. T. I liked Champloo but not as much as bebop though. I thought the best episodes were the baseball and brothel ones as well as the ending. I didn't really respond as much to the characters or the whole style of the show as i did to bebop, but then again i never was a hip hop fan. I liked Mugen, but found Jin and the girl (i forget her name) just okay. Still a great show, but not one i really find myself coming back to.
Holy shit, Samurai Champloo is over 10 years old now! Feels like it wasn't that long ago that I was watching it in high school. Now you're starting to make me feel old, Bennett.
Ah yes. . . Samurai Champloo and even more, gotta love the music that the late, great artist Nujabes did. Shame that I got into his stuff around the last few months before he left this world.
+MetalPcAngel Are you watching Champloo now on adult swim Toonami? It's on tonight at 1:30 AM, right after Hunter X Hunter, and next week there;'s a Champloo marathon starting at ep 15.
colleen Sadly, I don't watch Toonami, not after late 2001'sh? Not that I hate it or anything. I am just those people who just moved away from TV and sticks with the net more though. Speaking of which - do check on "toonami aftermath " if you really want too~
yeah, me too . was ago surprised when I heard about his death. that said, there are many artists that are very much like nujabes and are actually of the SA and wavelengths.
I love how distracted from the goal they become. They have no way to find the Sunflower Samurai. No Facebook, GPS, anything. They just have to wander around with just whatever little information they recently acquired. It made the journey feel more genuine to me, and even further highlighted the growth of their bond - and highlighted Mugen and Jin’s honor as men. Despite just randomly roaming around with just a vague description to go on, they still stuck with Fuu. I don’t know if any of it was intentional, but it worked out. At least it did for me.
I think this is just an example of how Watanabe likes to structure the shows he's involved with. They generally aren't plot heavy. He tells character arcs in an interesting setting rather than focusing on an overall narrative. You see this in Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and even in Space Dandy (he was supervisor director for it, and his influence is obvious). I think the only really story driven series Watanabe worked on was Terror in Resonance, but even that focused more on character interaction.
I'm sooo late to this review, but I MUST make mention that the incredible soundtrack for Champloo was composed by the late dj Nujabes, the master of the lo-fi atmospheric japanese hip hop style that's still popular today. RIP Nujabes, and I wish I could see this show again for the first time.
Champloo, I thought Champloo meant making up as you go along because the anime is based on life purpose, because Fuu is searching for the sunflower samurai, which is a metaphor for life purpose how can you find something that doesn’t even have a scent. Which the anime teaches how can you find your purpose, which is why at the end of episode 26 the soundtrack by “Fat Jon your purpose”
I'm glad I finished Samurai Champloo in time for this video. I finished Champloo about 2 days ago and I will say I like it better than Cowboy Bebop. What made Samurai Champloo interesting was its themes. In particular it's driving theme of obsession. It's everywhere and we get too see it in a lot of ways. My favorite episode was sort of the recap actually. It helped me get a better idea of how I SHOULD watch the show as opposed how I was. Granted Cowboy Bebop is on my rewatch list now that I own it so maybe my opinion will change in a few weeks.
I like it better too, maybe because its a bit less dark, still, but its way more fun while their pasts catch up to them. And they move actually on. And personally funnier. Maybe its taste, but i like it way more.
Answer: Somebody who wants to watch those amazing Toonami promos and bumpers, and relive the Toonami experience. ...... I'm watching Samurai Champloo for the first time on Toonami. I just wish that Anime Abandon didn't cover the last six episodes.
Nice review. I agree with most of your points. I feel as a series it's a little too long. The latter half feels a little padded. Still the ending was still really good. If I'm crying, the storytelling is working. Also kudos to the show for waiting 10-15 episodes before throwing ninjas into the mix, and pretty much only for a few episodes. It could have been so easy to overload the series it with them.
Internet....I have a confession. I love anime, so does my wife....I don't know how I just happened along one of Sage's Anime Abandon episodes and the first thing I thought was "Man who is this guy giving this episode such a hard time".....Then I kept watching it. Now I am a huge fan of Sage, I think his reviews are fair yet honest and have come to love/trust the Anime Abandon series. Thank you sage for the work you put in, I hope this series never goes away.
Keiko Nobumoto didn't have much of an involvement with Champloo, she wrote the screenplay to Bebop and 9 episodes, with Champloo she just wrote 1 episode. Which may of been due to her working on Wolf's rain at the time.
Evangelion is pretentious because of how it shoves Sigmund Freud in your face and rambles on about psychology. Wolf's Rain has a complex plot, but it is not shoved in your face nor does it rely on name dropping a Hedgehog's dilemma. It involves a lot of deep themes, but it is all sublime. It is really one of the best Anime ever made.
Well pretentious means you think you are clever then you actually are, Anno is an Otaku who picked up a book on psychology and decided it was a topic he wanted in his show. Keiko from not just this, but also Bebop and Tokyo Godfathers(Macross Plus I've heard great things about as well but never seen) comes across as very clever and talented. I meant to say subliminal not sublime my bad. Darcias role in the end is destroying paradise, or at least his eye does, and the world starts over.I never got the impression that the show didn't know what it wanted to do or be, it is probably most of that. And it eases it into the characters, plot and environment, without the charterers having to debate it in exposition. I think it will be forever be one of those shows with a big split in opinions, between those who love it and those who don't. Though usually I'm on the other side as with Ergo Proxy and Evangelion.
I'm really suprised by how little mention the soundtrack got. I mean, maybe you wouldnt have the same appreciation for it if you're not into rap, but as someone who is, the entire anime could just be 30 minutes of that music and a black screen and I'd still rank it #1
Yea. He's not into hip hop so he completely missed the undercurrent of the show. The hip hop elements of the rapping, the graffiti episode, Mugen breakdancing as well as the mixing between segments and "meanwhiles" all added to the overall feel of the show. He's missing the point.
This is one of those anime that I've been meaning to watch for years, but I've somehow or other never gotten to it. Thanks for reminding me about this one Sage.
One thing I always give Champloo over Bebop (as a big fan of both) is that Bebop never made me cry, but Champloo still gets tears from me after watching most of the series at least 4 times. And I'm a grown ass man.
It may have it's problems, like plot armor for one, but it's still one of my favorites thanks to Mugen and the animation. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to start animating as well.
+TheDinoKitteh Personally, I'm waiting for 2018 when I can finally start pestering him about Sekirei. I know he's seen it, because I distinctly remember him putting a shot from the show in one of his opening diatribes about the variety of female protagonists in anime. Speaking of, anyone remember which review that was? I can't seem to find it.
I find it interesting that you did not talk about the fight choreography, and how it was only against the series finale opponent that you ever so the heroes block with their swords..that is something that, while I did not notice my first time watching the series, when it was pointed out, I did notice.
I've never had a chance to watch Champloo, but I remember going to a sushi restaurant that had it playing on a couple of TV screens hanged over the counter. Kind of an interesting thing to see, especially since my country doesn't have an anime fanbase nearly as big as United States or other Western countries.
I only just recently watched _Samurai Champloo_ for the first time, was bummed when I finished because it meant it was over. Hadn't had that happen in quite some time, it caught me by surprise. Think I picked the right time to watch it. Oh boy, _FLCL_. Been waiting for this for quite some time.
+Kumori Garasu Well, you're in luck! They're playing it on adult swim Toonami tonight at 1:30 AM, right after Hunter X Hunter. I think we're on episode 21 or 22 now. But next week they're having a Champloo marathon starting at midnight from ep 15 on!
For me I prefer Champloo over Bebop. Bebop is good and is always good to put on when other shows don't sound good, but Champloo just exudes style. It's episodes like the one in the weed field that cement it for me, going into a masaaki yuuasa esque trippy style. Edit: after searching on IMDb it is masaaki yuuasa. That man's style is so recognizable I love it.
I know everyone adores Cowboy Bebop, but it just never clicked with me. I watched the first half dozen episodes, put it down, and never went back. Now I can barely remember any two scenes from those episodes. Samurai Champloo, on the other hand, I remember very fondly and have gone back and watched it again a couple times from front to end. Same thing with Outlaw Star. They both were popularly overshadowed by Bebop....but for the life of me I could never see why. I like both far more.
Samurai Champloo is probably the only anime that's watchable for me. Tons of style, great music, well animated action and some great visuals during some moments.
you have gained a new subscriber!!! Samurai Champloo has always been my number one favorite anime, but most anime lovers I have met fail to see this! It'll never compare to Bebop (my #2) but it's just beautiful all in its own way!!!
I always love Samurai Champloo Also, please mention after the so-so years, they are actually making a sequel to FLCL. Though I can see making anything after a masterpiece kind of spiel you gave us would lead to that.
That's one thing I liked about Champloo. When it went off the rails it did so with Phoenix wings and Unicorn farts. In other words in a style all it's own 👍👍
that was awesome man. samurai champloo is one of my favorites. you even focused a bit on my favorite episode, where they find the counterfeit gold. goddamn that was some great storytelling. also, sick-ass ninja bit at the beginning and Mugen absolutely kicks all of the ass in that episode. beautiful art, powerful, sad story, that episode was great. loved this review man. good job.
I will never forget watching the dub for the first time. That food contest / Dutch gay man episode, I was just chuckling to myself that that was the portrayal of the Dutch (I'm Dutch myself) but then the squad drops in and the guys says "Maar Opperhoofd, de Shogun..." bla bla bla. And I remember pausing the video, rewinding and playing the line again, because it came right the F out of nowhere
Even though people compare the two shows, beat by beat, the shows are incredibly similar. Champloo is awesome, and I think not calling it a classic is a mistake.
I noticed the Samurai Champloo video the moment I came onto youtube today. Turned to my right to see the enormous Samurai Champloo wall scroll. This viewing was inevitable
Ah, the golden age of Adult Swim. And he's gonna review FLCL too? Hoo boy that show caught me offguard completely the first time I watched it, especially the soundtrack. I hopped in on the "firestarter" episode towards the end and I was like "WTF is this and where can I see more?".
Samurai Champloo AND Fooly Cooly?Holy crap, this is a good month!Also:Some days, some nightsSome live, some die in the way of the samuraiSome fight, some bleedSun up, sun down the sons of a battle cry
Unpopular opinion time. I actually like Samurai Champloo more than Cowboy Beebob. I know why people love Beebob so much, but for some reason I failed to see what made everyone go crazy for it. I like it, but I don't love it. I love Champloo for all the reasons Bennett has said: it's weird, it goes off the rails, it gives the finger to historical accuracy and points out its own flaws and I love it for that!
I was sort of hoping FMA as the last adult swim show for this year. However, that show's been reviewed to death, so I can see why you probably want to avoid it. That said, should be interesting to hear what he thinks of the supposed Flcl sequel thats coming out next year.
Thank you for reviewing Samurai Champloo. This series is easily in my top ten anime series of all time. It's no Cowboy Bebop, but it's still a awesome series all the same that everybody should see once. I own the Pioneer/Geneon release and the soundtracks as well. Rest in peace to Jun Seba aka Nujabes, the man responsible for the majority of the music and the theme to Samurai Champloo.
Hiya Bennett, been watching since Mad Bull, a new upload always brightens my day. I usually watch on Channel Awesome, before that on TGWTG, and I was surprised at the comparatively low youtube view count. I know this is common sense, and I never thought for a moment you were doing this for the views or the acclaim, but don't EVER let that discourage you. You are a talented, funny man, and I, along with the rest of us, will be watching until you hang up the hat. Keep 'em coming Bennett, maybe I'll find you at a con someday ^^.
samurai champloo does focus on the search, the reason for the episodic nature is because the story isnt about the destination, its about the journey, and the main plot for bebop wasn't just spike, it was about how all the characters dealt with their past, mainly spike, jet, and faye
From what I've read about the way Watanabe works, he lets the directors and writers do pretty much what they want within reason with an episode, including animation style. It is more extreme in Space Dandy where some episodes have a completely different design to the standard look.
17:53 Lady, you haven't SEEN trouble yet! Give it about a century, then piss us off, THEN see what we do! Somehow, the overarching structure of the show was SO loose, few moments from it stand out in my mind: playing baseball with the visiting American sailors, Fuu becoming a geisha, and her finally confronting the Sunflower samurai (who I think was her dad).
Both Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo had some insanely good action scenes. Especially in Cowboy Bebop when they would shift perspective suddenly to get an interesting angle. I am starting to notice a music theme on both. It seems out of time period music is a thing in both shows. For Cowboy Bebop, it is big band and jazz in the distant future. There is even lore about how that happened. For Samurai Champloo, it is rap and beat-box from the future.
That baseball episode did one of the coolest things I've seen in a story. It killed many of the recurrent characters in the series, thus cutting any questions about their stories after the show was over. Even the dog was killed off when they gave it a chance to bat! Hilarious!
Very good review. Balancing Champloo's strengths and weaknesses in the cool shade of Bebop's shadow ... Now that I've gotten that out of the way... OMG! OMG! OMG! FURIKURI! FURIKURA!! FURIKURI! FURIKURA!!!
Cowboy Bebop could get away with having an episodic formula because there wasn't an overarching story and it was mostly about the lives of several bounty hunters. By contrast Samurai Champloo had an overarching plot that all the characters were involved in, so it was weird when they didn't do anything regarding this plot.
@@lampad4549 The problem is that this goal took a backseat to everything else they did. Barely a minute of each episode was devoted to the actual plot, so you ignore almost the entire series and not miss anything plot related. Even Pokemon had a better plot as Ash was either traveling to a gym or battling in a gym so he could become a Pokemon master.
@@uanime1 and if you watched Cowboy Bebop you should know that people don't watch for the story. You watch samurai champloo for the characters, music , animation and really just the atmosphere above everything. If you don't enjoy it then it's your loss, I think it's rare to see a show that can be so good without a good storyline. Cowboy Bebop's story didn't interest me if I was going just off story I would have stopped watching it pretty quick. Same thing with samurai champloo.
@@kevinbaconwasntinfootloose1742 "if you watched Cowboy Bebop you should know that people don't watch for the story." What is your point? Cowboy Bebop didn't try to have an overarching narrative, unlike Samurai Champloo. "You watch samurai champloo for the characters, music , animation and really just the atmosphere above everything." You confused yourself with everyone. "I think it's rare to see a show that can be so good without a good storyline." The problem was it was mean to have a storyline. The storyline is literally why these characters are working together.
It's nice to see you have been bringing back alot and I mean ALOT of good memories from the annals of both anime and [Adult Swim] history. You bring alot of good points from many shows that I have seen come and go (and sometimes visits a brief moment and disappears in the bowels of time again). I thank you for that Sage. It's a great reason why I follow you and learn alot of interesting opinions and perspectives of your choosings. Looking forward to another classic from the Toonami/[Adult Swim] era. FLCL!
Bennet...I swear I fall more and more in love with you! :) Hey, speaking of FLCL, did you know that they're gonna make two brand new seasons of it next year?
I watched this after finishing Bebop, I was not disappointed at all. It had many parallels to Bebop, a defining musical style, episodic yet peppered with plot, hell Mugen and Spike are both voiced by Steve Blum in English. Funnily enough, I watched Space Dandy before either of these series. Watanabe is a fantastic director and I've enjoyed everything he's made. Still need to see that newest show though...
Watched the first four episodes on a DVD which I traded in and finished the series on Netflix. I think it's a pretty good series and has a satisfying ending.
I find it funny that some anime fans like to talk about Watanabe's works and how good they are yet I never see people ever talk about Kids on the Slope. Think it should be talked about more considering it's place in his directing career. 8 years after Champloo he directly something completely different from Bebop and Champloo then 2 years after Kids on the Slope goes into Space Dandy and Terror in Resonance.
I always felt this show had a very underrated dub. I wouldn't consider the anime one of my favourites, but it is very entertaining and the best I've seen from Manglobe.
The episode with the son thief always reminds me of the bebop ep with the guy who dies with flowers in his hand with the blind sister...the baseball episode reminds me of the boondocks dodgeball episode
If you're interested on the history. You mentioned the Americans and the baseball episode those reference Matthew Perry (1853) but here's the glitch: the dutch guy is from the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie a trading company which went bankrupt in 1799 Another glitch is the whole painting stuff which given the name seems to take place around 1872 when japonism was in full swing in Europe. The show most likely takes place after the Shimabara rebellion (1637-1638) and since the dutch mentions he's from Nagasaki we know it's after 1641 when they were signed to Dejima Since Fuu doesn't seem to be aware of christians overall the story could be located (if you have to) between 1647 (given Fuu's age) and 1799 though by the looks of the christians (if that can be trusted) I would say between 1647 and 1680. In short a fun mess and I love that show!!!
I can't wait for Sage to start explaining the weird stuff in FLCL but that might make the video two hours long. I'll just have to be satisfied with Cinema's Snob's cameo when Crystal Pepsi is mentioned.
Holy shit why is the English title NOT Samurai Remix!? It's perfect! I also count this one among my top faves. Oh Wolf's Rain, definitely looking forward to that. I like it so much, I'm compelled and engaged every time I watch it... yet I know it's flawed as all get out. And oh FLCL
I mentioned it in the last review but it should be brought up here. When the show aired on Adult Swim the swears were censored not with the usual tactics (replaced word, muted, or beeping noise) but with a record scratching noise. That fit in perfectly with the show's style, but it's rare to see curse censoring actually having some thought in that sense. I grew up with episodic shows, being an American and all--although I also enjoy the serialized format thanks to Filmation and Matinee At The Bijou, so an episodic show doesn't bother me at all. Also, Fuu is an anime crush and I'm not taking that back. Of course, she's way too young for me, but if she were old enough and a real person I might be interested.
I like to think That Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo exist in the same universe and Spike is a descendent of Mugen's
me too (even though i'm only half way done with Samurai champloo)
He's Fuu and Mugen's descendant xD
I can buy into this theory.
Watanabe said that they both take place in the same universe just in different time periods
There is some truth to this, as well as Space Dandy is in the same universe. An episode of Space Dandy a garbage dumpster planet so do speak, and the Fridge the Spike jettisoned out of Bebop Ship (Toys In The Attic) is on that planet
R.I.P. Nujabes, what a great artist.
I fucking love Samurai Champloo, it's my favorite anime of all time, I don't care if it can't measure up to Bebop (what anime can really?) its fun, the characters are a joy and despite being a hodge podge of various pop culture minutiae and Japanese culture and history it just makes the world more interesting.
I watched both too and Champloo comes out on top for me too
Agree
It's still a good anime even if it's not bebop
It's well directed
Got strong characters
Good plot
So it's not his greatest work
It's like saying starry night doesn't compare to Van Gogh sunflowers
Or kill bill isn't pulp fiction
Sage is saying I believe You cannot condemn a work because of what comes before or after
You can compare the two if One influence the other
But an artist work changes with time and can vary like night and day
+TheSlayFer Ch. T.
I liked Champloo but not as much as bebop though. I thought the best episodes were the baseball and brothel ones as well as the ending. I didn't really respond as much to the characters or the whole style of the show as i did to bebop, but then again i never was a hip hop fan. I liked Mugen, but found Jin and the girl (i forget her name) just okay. Still a great show, but not one i really find myself coming back to.
Can't we just focus on Champloo
I know I keep getting told that Bebop is this pinnicle of anime, but Champloo will always be my favourite of the two.
The episode where they all got high is probably my fave Champloo episode. It's downright hilarious.
+Ivan Santiago Only Mugen got high.
colleen The bandits he was fighting got high too.
+colleen lol, everybody got high in that episode except Fuu and Jin and that guy wearing eye-glasses.
It was the first episode I saw
Holy shit, Samurai Champloo is over 10 years old now! Feels like it wasn't that long ago that I was watching it in high school.
Now you're starting to make me feel old, Bennett.
Ah yes. . . Samurai Champloo and even more, gotta love the music that the late, great artist Nujabes did. Shame that I got into his stuff around the last few months before he left this world.
+MetalPcAngel Are you watching Champloo now on adult swim Toonami? It's on tonight at 1:30 AM, right after Hunter X Hunter, and next week there;'s a Champloo marathon starting at ep 15.
colleen
Sadly, I don't watch Toonami, not after late 2001'sh? Not that I hate it or anything. I am just those people who just moved away from TV and sticks with the net more though. Speaking of which - do check on "toonami aftermath " if you really want too~
yeah, me too . was ago surprised when I heard about his death. that said, there are many artists that are very much like nujabes and are actually of the SA and wavelengths.
I love how distracted from the goal they become. They have no way to find the Sunflower Samurai. No Facebook, GPS, anything. They just have to wander around with just whatever little information they recently acquired. It made the journey feel more genuine to me, and even further highlighted the growth of their bond - and highlighted Mugen and Jin’s honor as men. Despite just randomly roaming around with just a vague description to go on, they still stuck with Fuu.
I don’t know if any of it was intentional, but it worked out. At least it did for me.
True. Loved the show
One of the best memories with my ex wife. As she w asnt bug on anime, I was and we both enjoyed this
I think it is, they were aimless so i guess they just went along
I think this is just an example of how Watanabe likes to structure the shows he's involved with. They generally aren't plot heavy. He tells character arcs in an interesting setting rather than focusing on an overall narrative. You see this in Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, and even in Space Dandy (he was supervisor director for it, and his influence is obvious). I think the only really story driven series Watanabe worked on was Terror in Resonance, but even that focused more on character interaction.
I'm sooo late to this review, but I MUST make mention that the incredible soundtrack for Champloo was composed by the late dj Nujabes, the master of the lo-fi atmospheric japanese hip hop style that's still popular today. RIP Nujabes, and I wish I could see this show again for the first time.
Rip nijabes
Oh boy! FLCL review. Who's ready for an acid trip?!
+Daitomodachi You know it, baby
the greatest acid trip ever dude.
When is he gonna do excel saga is my question ?
+Daitomodachi Please, acid trips make more sense and I'm betting are less fun when it's over.
I get it, because anything creative or abstract can ONLY be the result of drugs!
Champloo, I thought Champloo meant making up as you go along because the anime is based on life purpose, because Fuu is searching for the sunflower samurai, which is a metaphor for life purpose how can you find something that doesn’t even have a scent.
Which the anime teaches how can you find your purpose, which is why at the end of episode 26 the soundtrack by “Fat Jon your purpose”
Pretty sure too , its finding purpose and moving on, while the plot related all deal with their past.
SO WE'RE FINALLY HERE
I see you in every video
Misaka! Do a railgun!
You're like that PressFartToContinue guy, except you appear on anime videos, instead of flash animations.
PERFORMING FOR YOU
MrRayan123 IF YOU KNOW THE WORDS, YOU CAN JOIN IN TOO!
I'm glad I finished Samurai Champloo in time for this video. I finished Champloo about 2 days ago and I will say I like it better than Cowboy Bebop.
What made Samurai Champloo interesting was its themes. In particular it's driving theme of obsession. It's everywhere and we get too see it in a lot of ways. My favorite episode was sort of the recap actually. It helped me get a better idea of how I SHOULD watch the show as opposed how I was.
Granted Cowboy Bebop is on my rewatch list now that I own it so maybe my opinion will change in a few weeks.
Did your opinion change ?
I like it better too, maybe because its a bit less dark, still, but its way more fun while their pasts catch up to them. And they move actually on.
And personally funnier.
Maybe its taste, but i like it way more.
Who else is currently rewatching this on the new Toonami?
yep
+Morgil ; second time is a charm.
+Morgil MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! Are you gonna watch the marathon next week?
Yea, bruh!!
Answer: Somebody who wants to watch those amazing Toonami promos and bumpers, and relive the Toonami experience.
......
I'm watching Samurai Champloo for the first time on Toonami. I just wish that Anime Abandon didn't cover the last six episodes.
Champloo is a classic. I can only wish that berserk got adapted like this.
Nice review. I agree with most of your points. I feel as a series it's a little too long. The latter half feels a little padded.
Still the ending was still really good. If I'm crying, the storytelling is working.
Also kudos to the show for waiting 10-15 episodes before throwing ninjas into the mix, and pretty much only for a few episodes. It could have been so easy to overload the series it with them.
+Sam Weth Yeah, I was getting afraid too that ninjas were gonna overrun the show.
I don't know, man. I cried at the end of the Robocop remake, and not because I liked it.
Internet....I have a confession. I love anime, so does my wife....I don't know how I just happened along one of Sage's Anime Abandon episodes and the first thing I thought was "Man who is this guy giving this episode such a hard time".....Then I kept watching it. Now I am a huge fan of Sage, I think his reviews are fair yet honest and have come to love/trust the Anime Abandon series. Thank you sage for the work you put in, I hope this series never goes away.
Keiko Nobumoto didn't have much of an involvement with Champloo, she wrote the screenplay to Bebop and 9 episodes, with Champloo she just wrote 1 episode. Which may of been due to her working on Wolf's rain at the time.
+CornishCreamtea07 Which was brought in the review.
Yes but I posted that before he went into that, I think the term is jumping the gun.
Evangelion is pretentious because of how it shoves Sigmund Freud in your face and rambles on about psychology. Wolf's Rain has a complex plot, but it is not shoved in your face nor does it rely on name dropping a Hedgehog's dilemma. It involves a lot of deep themes, but it is all sublime. It is really one of the best Anime ever made.
Well pretentious means you think you are clever then you actually are, Anno is an Otaku who picked up a book on psychology and decided it was a topic he wanted in his show. Keiko from not just this, but also Bebop and Tokyo Godfathers(Macross Plus I've heard great things about as well but never seen) comes across as very clever and talented. I meant to say subliminal not sublime my bad.
Darcias role in the end is destroying paradise, or at least his eye does, and the world starts over.I never got the impression that the show didn't know what it wanted to do or be, it is probably most of that. And it eases it into the characters, plot and environment, without the charterers having to debate it in exposition.
I think it will be forever be one of those shows with a big split in opinions, between those who love it and those who don't. Though usually I'm on the other side as with Ergo Proxy and Evangelion.
As for Samurai Champloo, while I do think that it is a very good show, and very rewatchable. I wouldn't say it is a masterpiece.
I'm really suprised by how little mention the soundtrack got. I mean, maybe you wouldnt have the same appreciation for it if you're not into rap, but as someone who is, the entire anime could just be 30 minutes of that music and a black screen and I'd still rank it #1
+TheNobod3 I'm waiting to see if he mentions the music FLCL because that'll confirm that he's not a hip hop fan.
+MJ C seems like he's one of those people that refuses to check out music outside of their "genre", so I doubt it.
Yea. He's not into hip hop so he completely missed the undercurrent of the show. The hip hop elements of the rapping, the graffiti episode, Mugen breakdancing as well as the mixing between segments and "meanwhiles" all added to the overall feel of the show. He's missing the point.
This is one of those anime that I've been meaning to watch for years, but I've somehow or other never gotten to it. Thanks for reminding me about this one Sage.
One thing I always give Champloo over Bebop (as a big fan of both) is that Bebop never made me cry, but Champloo still gets tears from me after watching most of the series at least 4 times. And I'm a grown ass man.
"Space Dandy" is made by some of the same people, I believe, and focuses heavily on humor... another great show!
Hell yes. I love this anime too. As a fan of hip hop, this was a welcome addition. Now I can't wait for FLCL.
It may have it's problems, like plot armor for one, but it's still one of my favorites thanks to Mugen and the animation. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to start animating as well.
So...when do you think he'll do an episode on Space Dandy?
+TheDinoKitteh a w hat
+TheDinoKitteh so 2025 it will be :D
***** I'm giving Sage an extra year to be safe ;)
+TheDinoKitteh
Personally, I'm waiting for 2018 when I can finally start pestering him about Sekirei. I know he's seen it, because I distinctly remember him putting a shot from the show in one of his opening diatribes about the variety of female protagonists in anime.
Speaking of, anyone remember which review that was? I can't seem to find it.
+D180223 z He only does Anime that've been out for a period of time. Look on his site it should have an FAQ on that.
Yet another show that my mom and I watched, and she enjoyed.
I find it interesting that you did not talk about the fight choreography, and how it was only against the series finale opponent that you ever so the heroes block with their swords..that is something that, while I did not notice my first time watching the series, when it was pointed out, I did notice.
I've never had a chance to watch Champloo, but I remember going to a sushi restaurant that had it playing on a couple of TV screens hanged over the counter. Kind of an interesting thing to see, especially since my country doesn't have an anime fanbase nearly as big as United States or other Western countries.
WHERE U LIVE BOI
+Sir Gus the Mighty *Gurl
In Poland. Can't remember the name of the restaurant, unfortunately.
sofija1996 THANKS MATE
+sofija1996 The restaurant is somewhere in Poznan, I remember it too!
***** It'd be kinda odd, but hey, people do stranger things.
Samurai Champloo was on cartoon network close to the same time hype for Afro Samurai was getting big on Spike TV.
I only just recently watched _Samurai Champloo_ for the first time, was bummed when I finished because it meant it was over. Hadn't had that happen in quite some time, it caught me by surprise. Think I picked the right time to watch it.
Oh boy, _FLCL_. Been waiting for this for quite some time.
+Kumori Garasu Well, you're in luck! They're playing it on adult swim Toonami tonight at 1:30 AM, right after Hunter X Hunter. I think we're on episode 21 or 22 now. But next week they're having a Champloo marathon starting at midnight from ep 15 on!
+colleen I don't have cable, but it's good to know it made a return to Toonami.
For me I prefer Champloo over Bebop. Bebop is good and is always good to put on when other shows don't sound good, but Champloo just exudes style. It's episodes like the one in the weed field that cement it for me, going into a masaaki yuuasa esque trippy style.
Edit: after searching on IMDb it is masaaki yuuasa. That man's style is so recognizable I love it.
I know everyone adores Cowboy Bebop, but it just never clicked with me. I watched the first half dozen episodes, put it down, and never went back. Now I can barely remember any two scenes from those episodes. Samurai Champloo, on the other hand, I remember very fondly and have gone back and watched it again a couple times from front to end. Same thing with Outlaw Star. They both were popularly overshadowed by Bebop....but for the life of me I could never see why. I like both far more.
Same here.
I love the hip hop in the show... adds so much to the charm
Samurai Champloo is probably the only anime that's watchable for me. Tons of style, great music, well animated action and some great visuals during some moments.
you have gained a new subscriber!!! Samurai Champloo has always been my number one favorite anime, but most anime lovers I have met fail to see this! It'll never compare to Bebop (my #2) but it's just beautiful all in its own way!!!
I always love Samurai Champloo
Also, please mention after the so-so years, they are actually making a sequel to FLCL.
Though I can see making anything after a masterpiece kind of spiel you gave us would lead to that.
I absolutely adore Samurai Champloo. So glad you decided to talk about it
That's one thing I liked about Champloo. When it went off the rails it did so with Phoenix wings and Unicorn farts. In other words in a style all it's own 👍👍
that was awesome man. samurai champloo is one of my favorites. you even focused a bit on my favorite episode, where they find the counterfeit gold. goddamn that was some great storytelling. also, sick-ass ninja bit at the beginning and Mugen absolutely kicks all of the ass in that episode. beautiful art, powerful, sad story, that episode was great. loved this review man. good job.
+JayRizzleOhDizzle Are you watching it on adult swim Toonami? It's on tonight at 1:30 AM! And they're having a marathon next week!
I will never forget watching the dub for the first time. That food contest / Dutch gay man episode, I was just chuckling to myself that that was the portrayal of the Dutch (I'm Dutch myself) but then the squad drops in and the guys says "Maar Opperhoofd, de Shogun..." bla bla bla. And I remember pausing the video, rewinding and playing the line again, because it came right the F out of nowhere
Even though people compare the two shows, beat by beat, the shows are incredibly similar. Champloo is awesome, and I think not calling it a classic is a mistake.
I noticed the Samurai Champloo video the moment I came onto youtube today. Turned to my right to see the enormous Samurai Champloo wall scroll.
This viewing was inevitable
Ah, the golden age of Adult Swim. And he's gonna review FLCL too? Hoo boy that show caught me offguard completely the first time I watched it, especially the soundtrack. I hopped in on the "firestarter" episode towards the end and I was like "WTF is this and where can I see more?".
Dude! Years later that soundtrack still kicks!
As much as I like Champloo, my favorite part was when Sage heald up the FLCL box.
Mmmmmm samurai stir-fry.
Samurai Champloo AND Fooly Cooly?Holy crap, this is a good month!Also:Some days, some nightsSome live, some die in the way of the samuraiSome fight, some bleedSun up, sun down the sons of a battle cry
there isnt a bad episode of cowboy bebop either, just like champloo
...And Outlaw Star is my favorite amine and it irritates me that it gets over looked by its cousin.
Unpopular opinion time. I actually like Samurai Champloo more than Cowboy Beebob. I know why people love Beebob so much, but for some reason I failed to see what made everyone go crazy for it. I like it, but I don't love it. I love Champloo for all the reasons Bennett has said: it's weird, it goes off the rails, it gives the finger to historical accuracy and points out its own flaws and I love it for that!
I love Samurai Champloo. If anyone is curious and hasn't seen it, I think it is still on Netflix.
+Dusty Ladroga It's also on adult swim Toonami tonight at 1:30 AM! They're also having a Champloo marathon next week starting at ep 15.
+Dusty Ladroga Netflix removed it last month or earlier this month but it is still on Hulu. (with the dub too)
I was sort of hoping FMA as the last adult swim show for this year. However, that show's been reviewed to death, so I can see why you probably want to avoid it.
That said, should be interesting to hear what he thinks of the supposed Flcl sequel thats coming out next year.
12:17 It's Lelouch's voice actor!
Thank you for reviewing Samurai Champloo. This series is easily in my top ten anime series of all time. It's no Cowboy Bebop, but it's still a awesome series all the same that everybody should see once. I own the Pioneer/Geneon release and the soundtracks as well. Rest in peace to Jun Seba aka Nujabes, the man responsible for the majority of the music and the theme to Samurai Champloo.
Hiya Bennett, been watching since Mad Bull, a new upload always brightens my day. I usually watch on Channel Awesome, before that on TGWTG, and I was surprised at the comparatively low youtube view count. I know this is common sense, and I never thought for a moment you were doing this for the views or the acclaim, but don't EVER let that discourage you. You are a talented, funny man, and I, along with the rest of us, will be watching until you hang up the hat. Keep 'em coming Bennett, maybe I'll find you at a con someday ^^.
samurai champloo does focus on the search, the reason for the episodic nature is because the story isnt about the destination, its about the journey, and the main plot for bebop wasn't just spike, it was about how all the characters dealt with their past, mainly spike, jet, and faye
I loved the Cannabis and Wasabi episodes. Especially the other one. It was so blizzare and otherworldly.
Literally thinking about how badly I wanted you to do a FLCL episode right before you showed the DVD case. So excited!! It's my favorite anime.
From what I've read about the way Watanabe works, he lets the directors and writers do pretty much what they want within reason with an episode, including animation style. It is more extreme in Space Dandy where some episodes have a completely different design to the standard look.
Samurai Champloo was great, and I loved every minute of it.
That Trump joke was glorious.
This anime got me into Nujabes and I love Nujabes. One of the most amazing artists/DJs/people out there.
Steve Blume as Mugen confused me because of how much the character already reminds of spike.
+Phos9 Mugen ain't ANYTHING like Spike! For one thing Spike was always respectful toward woman and I can;'t picture him willingly entering a brothel.
+colleen he looked like spike
+Phos9 True, but he doesn;t act like him.
+colleen he acted enough like him
Not really, I can't picture Spike voluntarily entering a brothel, or treating woman are horribly as Mugen does.
17:53 Lady, you haven't SEEN trouble yet! Give it about a century, then piss us off, THEN see what we do!
Somehow, the overarching structure of the show was SO loose, few moments from it stand out in my mind: playing baseball with the visiting American sailors, Fuu becoming a geisha, and her finally confronting the Sunflower samurai (who I think was her dad).
Bennett, you love Champloo for all the same reasons I love it. Thanks for this.
Can't wait for your review of FLCL.
The anachronism is what appealed to me the most in this series. And it certainly brings more weight to the "Samurai Remix" line you dropped early on.
Both Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo had some insanely good action scenes. Especially in Cowboy Bebop when they would shift perspective suddenly to get an interesting angle.
I am starting to notice a music theme on both. It seems out of time period music is a thing in both shows. For Cowboy Bebop, it is big band and jazz in the distant future. There is even lore about how that happened. For Samurai Champloo, it is rap and beat-box from the future.
That baseball episode did one of the coolest things I've seen in a story. It killed many of the recurrent characters in the series, thus cutting any questions about their stories after the show was over. Even the dog was killed off when they gave it a chance to bat! Hilarious!
will we ever get great teacher onizuka review
Very good review. Balancing Champloo's strengths and weaknesses in the cool shade of Bebop's shadow ...
Now that I've gotten that out of the way...
OMG! OMG! OMG! FURIKURI! FURIKURA!! FURIKURI! FURIKURA!!!
Now I'm pumped up for that Wolf's Rain review
Cowboy Bebop could get away with having an episodic formula because there wasn't an overarching story and it was mostly about the lives of several bounty hunters. By contrast Samurai Champloo had an overarching plot that all the characters were involved in, so it was weird when they didn't do anything regarding this plot.
Well every episode was about them heading towards the samurai without flowers.
@@lampad4549
The problem is that this goal took a backseat to everything else they did. Barely a minute of each episode was devoted to the actual plot, so you ignore almost the entire series and not miss anything plot related.
Even Pokemon had a better plot as Ash was either traveling to a gym or battling in a gym so he could become a Pokemon master.
@@uanime1 and if you watched Cowboy Bebop you should know that people don't watch for the story. You watch samurai champloo for the characters, music , animation and really just the atmosphere above everything. If you don't enjoy it then it's your loss, I think it's rare to see a show that can be so good without a good storyline. Cowboy Bebop's story didn't interest me if I was going just off story I would have stopped watching it pretty quick. Same thing with samurai champloo.
@@kevinbaconwasntinfootloose1742
"if you watched Cowboy Bebop you should know that people don't watch for the story."
What is your point? Cowboy Bebop didn't try to have an overarching narrative, unlike Samurai Champloo.
"You watch samurai champloo for the characters, music , animation and really just the atmosphere above everything."
You confused yourself with everyone.
"I think it's rare to see a show that can be so good without a good storyline."
The problem was it was mean to have a storyline. The storyline is literally why these characters are working together.
My favorite episode of this show is War of Words, it's just that fun episode I can watch several times over. Also WOOHOO FLCL
YES KING
i was waiting for this
It's nice to see you have been bringing back alot and I mean ALOT of good memories from the annals of both anime and [Adult Swim] history. You bring alot of good points from many shows that I have seen come and go (and sometimes visits a brief moment and disappears in the bowels of time again). I thank you for that Sage. It's a great reason why I follow you and learn alot of interesting opinions and perspectives of your choosings. Looking forward to another classic from the Toonami/[Adult Swim] era. FLCL!
Champloo's ost was one of the best parts of the show.
Always a good review Bennett. Learning stuff about my favorite anime and some I've never seen before.
Don't forget: most catchy opening song ever.
And Furi kuri? Seriously? Furi kuri? Fuli kuli? Fulikuly? Fury kury? FULRYKURLY? FLCL...
Can't wait for the next one. FLCL is, in my opinion, one of Gainax's best animes.
I imagine the "difficulties" he was talking about on Wolf's Rain is its lack of levity. The soundtrack is the tits, tho.
Bennet...I swear I fall more and more in love with you! :) Hey, speaking of FLCL, did you know that they're gonna make two brand new seasons of it next year?
I like how it was mentioned champloo originates from okinawan but doesn't mention mugen is from Okinawa
I watched this after finishing Bebop, I was not disappointed at all. It had many parallels to Bebop, a defining musical style, episodic yet peppered with plot, hell Mugen and Spike are both voiced by Steve Blum in English.
Funnily enough, I watched Space Dandy before either of these series. Watanabe is a fantastic director and I've enjoyed everything he's made. Still need to see that newest show though...
I know this is my sister's favorite Watanabe work while I have not see it...
The one anime series I actually watched.
WTH Champloo is one of the most funny and cool animes i have seen and the styl fits it perfectly.
Watched the first four episodes on a DVD which I traded in and finished the series on Netflix. I think it's a pretty good series and has a satisfying ending.
W
Samurai Champloo GOAT
I find it funny that some anime fans like to talk about Watanabe's works and how good they are yet I never see people ever talk about Kids on the Slope. Think it should be talked about more considering it's place in his directing career. 8 years after Champloo he directly something completely different from Bebop and Champloo then 2 years after Kids on the Slope goes into Space Dandy and Terror in Resonance.
Humm...still waiting for the continuation of your Bubblegum series. And perhaps a Ranma 1/2 review.
+Stanley Teriaca I think is first review was taken down, he might not be continuing do to copy right reasons.
And the funny thing is that Fuu's voice actress went on to voice Artoria Pendragon both English and Japanese
I always felt this show had a very underrated dub. I wouldn't consider the anime one of my favourites, but it is very entertaining and the best I've seen from Manglobe.
my god, that reference. the excitement hit me as soon as "nothing can happen" was said.
The episode with the son thief always reminds me of the bebop ep with the guy who dies with flowers in his hand with the blind sister...the baseball episode reminds me of the boondocks dodgeball episode
Thank you so much for the Edo Trump joke! That was my favorite part.
If you're interested on the history.
You mentioned the Americans and the baseball episode those reference Matthew Perry (1853)
but here's the glitch: the dutch guy is from the VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie
a trading company which went bankrupt in 1799
Another glitch is the whole painting stuff which given the name seems to take place around 1872 when japonism was in full swing in Europe.
The show most likely takes place after the Shimabara rebellion (1637-1638)
and since the dutch mentions he's from Nagasaki we know it's after 1641 when they were signed to Dejima
Since Fuu doesn't seem to be aware of christians overall the story could be located (if you have to) between 1647 (given Fuu's age) and 1799 though by the looks of the christians (if that can be trusted) I would say between 1647 and 1680.
In short a fun mess and I love that show!!!
Outlaw Star was lowkey fire.
I can't wait for Sage to start explaining the weird stuff in FLCL but that might make the video two hours long. I'll just have to be satisfied with Cinema's Snob's cameo when Crystal Pepsi is mentioned.
Holy shit why is the English title NOT Samurai Remix!? It's perfect! I also count this one among my top faves.
Oh Wolf's Rain, definitely looking forward to that. I like it so much, I'm compelled and engaged every time I watch it... yet I know it's flawed as all get out.
And oh FLCL
I mentioned it in the last review but it should be brought up here. When the show aired on Adult Swim the swears were censored not with the usual tactics (replaced word, muted, or beeping noise) but with a record scratching noise. That fit in perfectly with the show's style, but it's rare to see curse censoring actually having some thought in that sense.
I grew up with episodic shows, being an American and all--although I also enjoy the serialized format thanks to Filmation and Matinee At The Bijou, so an episodic show doesn't bother me at all. Also, Fuu is an anime crush and I'm not taking that back. Of course, she's way too young for me, but if she were old enough and a real person I might be interested.