Story; 9. It's episodical. And it's on and off, although only three or four episodes got on my nerves. The individual stories were all very cool, and enhanced by the insane and creative cast. The artistry here, you will find, is so off the hook. This series is really in a leauge of it's own even among the other Manglobe works, because the artistic flare here is much, much more over the top. In a very good way. The stories all had next feels about them, from gangland to drama, and even a very stylistic zombie episode. As expected, the philosophical value is present but also welcome in it's subtle presentation. It took a sure backseat to the fun, which I was very okay with.
Art; 10. This is the second best part of Samurai Champloo. This is the most unique, artistic anime I've ever seen. It's great, the urban theme is prevelant in large part to the lanky, streamlined drawings that moved so strangley between fluently and erraticly; it's the coolest thing you'll ever see. Colorful, creative goons abound; this series boasts a carnival of cool characters, from a Brooklyn accented baseball ninja to a double agent geisha; and i'll never forget the marijuana farming battle monks. The main cast is great too, but they wouldn't have been as great without such great side roles. Jin is my personal favorite.
Sound; 10. Anime music sucks, and there's no argument against this. It's bad; Samurai Champloo's soundtrack is something I listen to all the time. I would love this soundtrack without the show. It's a work between Nujabes, FORCE OF NATURE, and Fat Joe, as well as cameos by many rappers and MC's like Shing02; suffice to say, if you are a hip-hop and turntablism head like I am you will love this soundtrack so much. The mixing is great, the OP and ED are both awesome. Every track is a crazy soundscape, and art aside the soundtrack mixes classic japanese folk with hip hop seamlessly in a way it's a sin not to hear. Phenomenal, easily the best anime soundtrack ever.
Character; 9. Jin is a silent, reserved badass. Mugen is off the walls, with a unique combat style rooted in fairly creative breakdancing, and Fuu is the classic helpless teenage samurai girl. They are all also a satirical representation of samurai action cliches, and they are presented in this way flawlessly. I'll save details, but these three are really great characters individually and together.
Enjoyment/Overall; 9. This show is artistically unchained, musically perfect, and paced quite well. The characters are inventive beyond compare, and that journey feeling is really exclusive to this studio. I felt it more in Ergo Proxy, but this (especially with it's killer final scene) had a really really soothing, down to earth reality about it that you should experience just as much. Champloo is a great show, especially when your old enough to care. Don't pass it up.
