Samurai Champloo (2004)
Anime series · 26 episodes · Manglobe · directed by Shinichirou Watanabe
ActionAdventureComedy
From studio Manglobe and director Shinichirou Watanabe, Samurai Champloo is an action-adventure comedy. It follows a brash samurai, a stoic ronin, and a determined waitress as they travel Edo-era Japan. Their quest is to find a mysterious "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
Samurai Champloo screencaps & stills
Reference frames from Samurai Champloo.
Samurai Champloo in motion
Short loops for study, each cut to a single shot.
The story
The narrative centers on three distinct individuals: Mugen, a volatile and unconventional swordsman; Jin, a reserved but deadly ronin; and Fuu, a spirited waitress. After a chaotic encounter, Fuu saves Mugen and Jin from execution, demanding their assistance in return. Her sole condition is that they accompany her across Japan to locate a specific individual: a "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
Their journey is fraught with peril and unexpected challenges. Mugen and Jin, despite their clashing personalities and fighting styles, are bound by their agreement to Fuu. As they traverse the countryside, they encounter numerous adversaries and navigate various dangers, from rival samurai to assassins. The search for the sunflower samurai is the primary driver of the plot, with the constant threat of violence and the unknown nature of their destination creating a persistent sense of urgency and risk for the trio.
Credits & cast
- Studio
- Manglobe
- Director
- Shinichirou Watanabe
- Voice
- Kazuya Nakai as Mugen
- Voice
- Ginpei Satou as Jin
- Voice
- Ayako Kawasumi as Fuu Kasumi
Where to watch Samurai Champloo
Streaming services that list it. Availability changes by country.
Samurai Champloo colour palette
The main colours across the whole series, by share of the picture.
Colour script
The dominant colour of each sampled frame, from the first minute to the last.
Where Samurai Champloo happens
japanesetraditionalwoodennightbuildingforestrockysunset
Samurai Champloo background art
Frames with no characters in them: the places, as painted.
More from Manglobe
More by Shinichirou Watanabe
Anime like Samurai Champloo
Recommended by fans who watched Samurai Champloo, most votes first.
- 1
122 fan votes · Shared: Action
- 2
34 fan votes · Shared: Action · Adventure · Samurai
- 3
15 fan votes · Shared: Action · Adventure
- 4
15 fan votes · Shared: Action · Adventure · Historical
- 5
14 fan votes · Shared: Action · Adventure · Historical
- 6
12 fan votes · Shared: Action · Adventure · Historical
- 7
10 fan votes · Shared: Action · Comedy · Historical
- 8
9 fan votes · Shared: Action · Comedy · Historical
Looks like it
Matched frame to frame, on style and colour.
Similar stories
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Questions about Samurai Champloo
Who made Samurai Champloo?
Samurai Champloo (2004) was animated by Manglobe and directed by Shinichirou Watanabe.
Where can I watch Samurai Champloo?
Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll list Samurai Champloo. Availability changes by country.
What anime are like Samurai Champloo?
Fans most often recommend Cowboy Bebop, Afro Samurai, Michiko & Hatchin, Katanagatari. In look: Ergo Proxy, Deadman Wonderland, Peacemaker Kurogane: Friend.
See more of Samurai Champloo
Every reference frame and clip, searchable by what is in the shot — a character, a place, a light.
Frames and loops from Samurai Champloo (2004) © Manglobe, shown at reduced size as reference for study and commentary. Rights questions: copyright@framethrower.ai.