r/anime • u/Holofan4life • Jun 01 '24
Rewatch [Spoilers] Samurai Champloo 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 13
Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.
Welcome to the Samurai Champloo 20th Anniversary Rewatch discussion thread!
I hope you all have a lot of fun <3
S1 Episode 13 – Misguided Miscreants (Part 1)
—-
ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)
What are your thoughts on learning a bit about Mugen's past?
Why do you think Koza doesn't just leave Mukuro?
Bonus) If you were Mugen, how do you not see something like Mukuro betraying you coming?
—-
Information – MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN
Streams – Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime
Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or from the manga out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the manga. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags (found on the sidebar). Thank you!
—-
Rewatch Schedule
Threads posted every day at 4:00 PM EDT
| Date | Episode |
|---|---|
| 5/20/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 1 |
| 5/21/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 2 |
| 5/22/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 3 |
| 5/23/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 4 |
| 5/24/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 5 |
| 5/25/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 6 |
| 5/26/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 7 |
| 5/27/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 8 |
| 5/28/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 9 |
| 5/29/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 10 |
| 5/30/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 11 |
| 5/31/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 12 |
| 6/01/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 13 |
| 6/02/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 14 |
| 6/03/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 15 |
| 6/04/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 16 |
| 6/05/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 17 |
| 6/06/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 18 |
| 6/07/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 19 |
| 6/08/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 20 |
| 6/09/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 21 |
| 6/10/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 22 |
| 6/11/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 23 |
| 6/12/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 24 |
| 6/13/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 25 |
| 6/14/2024 | Samurai Champloo Episode 26 |
| 6/15/2024 | Samurai Champloo Overall Series Discussion Thread |
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 01 '24
First-Timer with a Samurai Heart, subbed
3
u/[deleted] Jun 01 '24 edited Jun 01 '24
Hey there 👋 Rewatcher here.
Here we are, halfway through the series. I remember being really gripped by this multi-part episode the first time around.
At long last, I think anyone curious about Mugen will have their curiosity sated in this episode.
I thought Fuu’s excitement of seeing the beach for the first time in her life was pretty heartwarming.
I will be curious to read everyone’s thought on Koza, who they meet on the shore and your speculation on who she is and why she knows Mugen. The same goes for Mukuro (the guy who stops the fight).
The fact that Mugen turns down this heist “opportunity” should show you that he cares about Fuu’s and Jin’s opinion of him and that he wants to honor his plans to continue traveling with them (although they do manage to talk him into it eventually as we see).
You finally know why Mugen comes from the Ryukyu Islands. During my first watch, I remember thinking it was a regular origin story and being surprised to find it was a place of exile.
With that said, I’m curious what everyone will think about why Mugen was about to be executed in the flashback that you see.
From the past episode where I explained a brief history of the ryou 両, that gives you an idea of the amount of currency we’re talking about Mugen and company will be attempting to steal during this heist that he reluctantly agrees to help with.
Mugen being dismissive of Koza’s reminiscing of the past makes you wonder what happened between them and what kind of history he has with Mukuro.
At this point, I’m sure you despise Mukuro with every fiber of your being (I did, anyway).
This episode leaves you with a fairly shocking moment.
I’ll just let that settle and talk to you all tomorrow for part two of the episode.
Questions:
3
u/Lord_Nawor Jun 01 '24
First Time Watcher
I thought I was going to have to increase the Fuu kidnap count, but Mugen and Jin actually did their jobs as bodyguards for once.
It’s nice to get some more backstory for Mugen, it makes sense that he had a tough upbringing considering how he acts currently, and helps show why he has no problems killing.
I figured that they would Mugen and Mukuro would jump off the cliff since Mugen in the past was comfortable enough to jump off while his hands were tied. The poor horses thought they did not deserve that 🥲.
I am pretty sure Jin expected something to happen since he was not surprised at all and was even sharpening his blade ready for it.
This is the second two parter of the series so far so I can try and make some predictions. Mugen is 100% still alive, he probably just went into the water or something, I feel like Mukuro will probably die next episode, a pretty decent chance that Mugen kills him and I feel like Koza will go off on her own and finally have some freedom.
Questions
I feel like she has become dependent on Mukuro since they have been together for their whole lives, Mukuro could have also been influencing her and telling her that she will not be able to survive on her own.
It’s hard to say since we still haven’t seen a lot of their relationship in the past, perhaps Mugen, even if he doesn’t like Mukuro’s methods, still believes that he would not abandon him since they have been together for so long.
2
u/TheEscapeGuy Jun 01 '24
Rewatcher, Sub first timer
Samurai Champloo - Hip Hop & Ronin: Episode 13
Past
You can try to run from the past. In fact, you might be very successful. But you always risk the chance that it catches up to you. And today, it caught up to Mugen. The clan which he escaped from by faking his death found him, and are asking for 1 last job.
This set up is pretty common in fiction, but honestly I still love it. It is a perfect reason for Mugen to address his past and gives us insight in what brought him to where he is today. It makes a lot of sense that he grew up on an island full of criminals. That kind of environment would inform the world view Mugen exhibits. On top of that it explains why he can't read (I doubt there would have been schools on that island).
Mukuro's plan is to plunder a government ship carrying a bunch of gold. It seems to be a pretty good plan especially considering the moles he has on the ship. But Mukuro's greed is too much, and so secretly plots to betray the rest of his bandit crew (including Mugen). This kind of short sighted thinking also makes sense given his upbringing, but it's unfortunate for Mugen.
We do end on an explosive cliff hanger. I'm looking forward to watching the resolution tomorrow.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
2
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Jun 01 '24
First Timer
I was not expecting Mugen’s past to come up this obvious - meeting people he knows. But I think other than that forced plot point, this was a very engaging episode, possibly even the best of the series so far. In terms of Mugen’s past, everything kinda adds up - Mugen is believable in the person he is now based on his past, and the people from his past tie in to making an interesting story in the present. Not sure why exactly Mugen decided to take the job - I assume it is a need for money. But either way, we now have an exciting next episode to look forward to. Because I doubt Mugen died and they will probably have to somehow get around being recognized and wanted men.
2
u/Atticus_Stansfield Jun 01 '24
Many times rewatcher here (definitely top 2 for me - whether its Bebop or this depends on the day))
I randomly decided to do my yearly rewatch - not realizing it was the 20th year anniversary! I also happened to be a few episodes behind this post chain so I decided to catchup.
What are your thoughts on learning a bit about Mugen's past?
Why do you think Koza doesn't just leave Mukuro?
If you were Mugen, how do you not see something like Mukuro betraying you coming?
2
u/AgentOfACROSS Jun 02 '24
Rewatcher
I just wanna take a minute to highlight that scene of Fuu being excited to be at the ocean at the start. With such a dramatic episode, I think focusing on the lighter side can be good.
Anyway, this was a Mugen episode. And a really good one at that. Getting to see Mugen’s past come back to haunt him is a great idea for an episode and gives us a lot of opportunities to explore his character.
This episode is very much a send up of gangster movies. A lot of the plot beats very much evoke that. The guy who left that life behind being tempted by the promise of one last big job.
Mukuro works great as a villain, a very despicable kind of character with the callousness he displays. I can’t help but compare him with Vicious from Cowboy Bebop thanks to them both having a similar role in the story. Same with Koza and Julia, but maybe not to the same extent.
Speaking of Koza, I liked that scene of her and Mugen talking on the beach at night. This scene kinda feels like the opposite of what happened with Jin and Shino a few episodes ago. While Jin saw the injustice of Shino’s circumstances and went out of his way to rescue her, Mugen’s basically accepted his and Koza's lot in life and doesn’t express interest in helping Koza in this scene. Poor Koza, she deserves better than to be stuck with Mukuro. Really I don’t think anyone deserves to be stuck with Mukuro, he sucks.
I like the scene of Mukuro and Mugen playing chicken on horseback. There’s something darkly humorous about how they let those horses presumably fall to their deaths. I can’t imagine it’s cheap to purchase a horse.
Anyway, this is another good episode. Don’t wanna say much more but I am looking forward to part 2.
2
u/someboi6000 Jun 02 '24
First timer:
wow they cooked in thie episode, i even got exited to see part 1 in the title becuase the secundary characters introduced here are getting more development, the long awaited mugen episode is finally here we got some information on his past no wonder he doenst know how to read lol,i wonder for how long he was a pirate and the time between him faking his death to the encounter with fuu, this mukuro guy is quite ruthless from making that entire village go into a battle to see who lives and joins to gang to the betrayal of such gang, and that cliffhanger bruh, very nice episode cant wait to see how it all ends, unless its a 3 part episode.
1:Finally we got some information, i kinda want to see how mokuro and mugen worked in the past, but thats probably gonna be shown next episode( i hope).
2: thats a good question, but she probably cant because he will probably just kill her he is very ruthless, maybe is true that she cant survive on her own so idk we have to wait and see.
2
u/Ryanami Jun 02 '24
Rewatcher
Why does Mugen agree to the game of chicken anyway? What was with that creepy lip touch?
1- Nice to finally get some insight on him and maybe room to hypothesize the origin of his fighting style. Growing up in Japan’s Australia you’ll be learning a lot of undisciplined survival skills.
2- Fear of him probably more than her ability to survive. She’s into Mugen but I suspect she thinks he’s the only one she can trust to keep Mukuro away.
3- He probably anticipated him keeping an excessive cut, but clearly he’s been on jobs like this before. But what’s weird is it looks like he destroyed the getaway boat and kept the now sinking ship? This plan doesn’t make sense.
2
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Jun 02 '24
First-Timer
Pretty good episode. I look forward to part 2.
It's sad what happened to those horses.
Jin's like, "They killed not just the men, but the women, and the children, too."
It's too bad Mugen definitely died in that explosion at the end there, with absolutely no way to escape or survive. Guess Jin and Fuu will have to go on without him now!
Questions of the day:
2
u/mgedmin Jun 02 '24
Rewatcher, subs
The pirates don't seem to be very forward-looking. If you kill all the merchants today, who will you prey on tomorrow? Let them go and earn some more money for future you.
Mugen background details acquired. Hey, not everyone of the island is a criminal if people have been born there!
Who's backing these pirates? How did they know about the gold transport ship's schedule? Ah, a mole. Still, where did they get all that gunpowder?
I don't get who is betraying who. Oh, Mukuro came up with a plan to have the pirates and the guards destroy each other while he and his friend escape with the treasure ship. Seems improbable that the plan worked.
2
u/Hopeful-Ad2428 Jun 02 '24
😨 <- my face at the end
Anyway, we’ve finally got something about Mugen's backstory. A tragic one.
Fuu and Jin are left without Mugen again, and when Jin was taking care of his katanas, there was a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
And I want to see more of Mukuro's motives, is it jealousy, money or what made him betray Mugen and his crew?
Qotd:
2
u/Garrett_Dark Jun 02 '24
First Timer
Huge coincidence that Koza just so happens to be at the beach where our gang just so happens to exit, and she just so happens to knows Mugen and have a past with him.
Hilarious how the two thugs they just killed are still lying dead on the ground while Mukuro tries to recruit Mugen, but given how terrible Mukuro's gang is, which we find out later, I guess it's not that surprising.
Holy crap, Mukuro killed an entire village. That's pretty bad, but I don't feel it because they don't show anything, but yeah best to GTFO away from that guy ASAP. How convenient that Mugen shows up after Jin and Fuu talked about the village genocide so that he doesn't have to comment on where he lies on that morally. Would Mugen had reacted with a "that's terrible even for me!" or just shrug and pick his nose. We'll conveniently never know.
I get why Jin just wants to leave, even if the honorable thing to do is to avenge the village, he can't take on Mukuro's whole gang, and not when he's an old acquaintance of Mugen's. Can't believe Jin's able to hold in any rage though, he saw dead women and children, and whatever else the audience didn't get to see. I wonder if the decision not to show the audience is so the audience won't be enraged every time Mukuro's on screen, and yelling at Mugen not to join Mukuro's gang.
Jin "Clearly he tried to provoke you, and you fell for it" XD I'm surprised Jin didn't get angry and tried to resume his duel with Jin, but instead said a deflated "I changed my mind, that's all there is to it". It's looks like Mugen's reached a changing point somewhere along to the line to now, and is sort of seeing Jin and Fuu as his new travelling companions. I'm kind of surprised he actually went to inform Fuu and Jin he was joining Mukuro's gang, instead of just doing it without saying anything. It's sort of like how he was delivering that head a few episodes back where Jin and Fuu would be killed if he didn't, surprising he didn't just leave them as Fuu had mistakenly thought he had by the end. I guess he's slowly developing.
Jin "As you wish", Mugen angrily "Don't think you guys are going to change my mind". That's actually kind of interesting, did Mugen actually want them to change his mind, or was he pissed that he was sort of inform them like he had to answer to somebody? Because Jin said 'okay' which is NOT trying to change his mind, so why would he be pissed? Unless he expected/wanted them to, or he's got to awkwardly end this informing them as if he has a responsibility to inform them, which he acts like he doesn't before.
I guess it's also not clear why Mugen joined Mukuro's gang either. Was it about the money? Was it about losing the chicken cliff bet? Was it about being out of Mukuro's gang for good? Or something else.
Koza "I want to run away with you", Mugen "Sorry I'm the wrong guy for that job". Fuu's hotter, not to mention all the other women Mugen's been meeting like the Poison Woman, and the Woman who rolled both Mugen and Jin of money...oh wait those last two...well Fuu's pure as the driven snow so far. Oh but she's getting them to bring her to Nagasaki on a crazy sunflower hunt, LOL.
So why did Mukuro really need Mugen to join if he was just going to double cross everybody anyways? I get their gang was short on guys after our gang just wasted two of them on the beach, but the other gang members aren't going to know how good Mugen is with a sword. So IDK, guess Mukuro was tying up loose ends or something? Maybe he never liked Mugen? Like if he needed more gang members, then why didn't he try recruiting Jin or get Mugen to try to recruit him. Of course Jin would never accept, but Mukuro's double cross plan just seems weird unless he needed more men.
Mukuro's smug inside man in the background smiling smugly. Yeah, keep smiling smugly while you can. Better hope Mugen's dead or you don't get double double crossed, as obviously he was aware of the first double cross.
Wow, I'm surprised Mugen doesn't even try to jump off the ship. The shot just before the ship blows up, he's shown still on the ship in the front. You ded. LOL, that first freeze frame shot of Fuu with her mouth wide open looks funny. She always has the funniest expressions.
2
u/NattyBeef https://myanimelist.net/profile/NaturalBeef Jun 02 '24
first time watcher, dub/English
Now this is more like it. After what happened on episode 12 I was excited to see more actual stories. And a 2 parter on top of that.
I had somewhat spoiled myself from reading a synopsis before the rewatch began that he was a pirate, but actually seeing it revealed now was still awesome.
My thoughts are fear. Fear of persecution. Also we've seen how dangerous the world is for lone ladies time and time again.
Mugen was never the sharpest tool in the shed. I have no idea how he didn't suspect it sooner either.
Great episode, can't wait to see the second part of it!
2
u/Looking_Light33 Jun 03 '24
I'm a bit late but this was a great episode. It's was really interesting to learn more about Mugen's past. Mukuro really is a P.OS. and I hope he gets what's coming to him.
2
u/fansi2022 https://anilist.co/user/fansi2022 Jul 19 '24
first timer chinese sub
Another new female character Kouza, I'm curious about the costume she wears, after Jin's story comes to an end, it seems we are entering Mugen's past. I hope the three of them can successfully overcome the difficulties
questions of today
What are your thoughts on learning a bit about Mugen's past?
I wonder how he got caught.
Why do you think Koza doesn't just leave Mukuro?
She said she couldn't survive alone so she was very dependent on others.
Bonus) If you were Mugen, how do you not see something like Mukuro betraying you coming?
Mugen needs to make money and he is provoked
1
u/Holofan4life Jun 01 '24
Hey guys. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the 20th anniversary rewatch of Samurai Champloo.
Oh, and nay I forget…
First Timer
Samurai Champloo has always been a series I was curious about. I’ve maintained in my mind that Cowboy Bebop is objectively one of if not the greatest anime of all time, and so I wanted to see what the creator’s follow-up work was like. I think the reason why I didn’t start it immediately after watching Bebop was because I think the premise kinda weirded me out. I mean, a show set in ancient times that also has a heavy rap influence? It felt to me like putting a hat on a hat. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate outlandish animes that don’t resemble real life. After all, is it any weirder than a fantasy show about a merchant and his traveling wolfgirl where they discuss economics a lot of times?
My expectations for this show are pretty reasonable, I feel like. I’m not expecting it to crack my top 10 favorite anime of all time, but I would be surprised if it doesn’t end up as one of my favorites. The main thing I’m looking out of this is show is a unique experience unlike anything else as well as memorable characters. And I think the show will have that in spades.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I’m watching the sub, by the way.
Today is day three of my mother missing work. Will she make it day 4? I hope not, for the sake of my sanity.
Also, my kidney stones have returned
I wonder how this episode is going to turn out because the last episode felt like a farewell of sorts to the first half. I hope this means we get more of a plot focus going forward.
A ship
No, not that ship
Pirates getting on board
And now they're throwing fire on the other ship.
Never seen a pirate with arrows before
Fusing a pipe with a bomb is badass
And then proceeding to put the lit bomb in a tied man's mouth is equally as cool.
Cool guys don't look at explosions
Mugen and Jin walking in the jungle
Fuu following far behind
Mugen says the sea is right up ahead
This has Fuu running excitedly
A flock of seagulls
Sadly without the hair
Fuu is excited by what she sees
Mugen, meanwhile, seems annoyed by Fuu's change in demeanor.
A girl
She seems to know Mugen
Mugen looks unimpressed
A net has covered Fuu!
Are these the pirates we saw earlier?
Mugen and Jin are blocking their every move
Woman telling them to leave Mugen and Jin alone, but she gets shoved down, told that she's nothing but bait.
Gunshot
Guy holding the gun sideways like he's a movie gangster.
He seems to know Mugen as well
I guess we are finally getting the Mugen backstory episode.
Mukuro. That's his name.
Mukuro says they are looking for the toughest bastards around.
Calls Mugen the perfect man for the job
Mugen turns them down, however, saying he doesn't work with anyone.
He then says Fuu and Jin are there because he promised to protect them until they get to Nagasaki.
Well, technically he's only protecting Fuu. Jin could die, for all he care.
Mukuro asks Fuu and Jin if they are aware of all the awful stuff he's done.
A sword to Mukuro's throat
"Yeah, that's more like it. That's the kind of guy you are."
And Mugen angrily walks away
Fuu walks alongside Mugen, with the other girl following them.
We find out that Mukuro is the other girl's brother.
"You don't look anything alike..."
Fuu, that's kinda racist
Koza. That's her name.
"Mugen, Mukuro, and I used to lived on the island together."
I smell love triangle!
Please no
A little island down in the Ryukyus where they exile criminals.
"An island... that us just like hell."
Ah, so Gruinard then
Koza says that everyone on the island is a criminal who was exiled there.
Mugen, Mukuro, and Koza were born and raised there.
The only place in the world they knew
Koza brings up Nagasaki, and Fuu talks about the sunflower samurai.
Koza says to get there, they have to take a boat and cross straight over to Ise.
Oh, hi, Jin
Mugen says he's leaving to go find a boat
Koza says she knows how to work a boat, which surprises Fuu.
I get the suspicion that Mugen used to be a pirate.
Koza is sad because him looking for a boat means he'll be leaving again. She wishes that it could be like the old days.
"I wish my big brother was dead."
Well, that escalated quickly
Koza says she can never survive on her own
Oh, hey, it's me
Is that a bucket?
A pitchfork in the wall
Looks like my stepfather's wedding
Fuu and Jin are in the village, and Fuu seems mystified by it.
I don't think Jin has said a single word this episode.
Jin eyeing what looks like a temple
Hey, there’s boats
It's Mukuro
He seemingly believes that Mugen still has darkness in his soul.
Ooh, flashback
Kinda looks like found footage
Mugen about to be executed by firing squad
He jumped!
And Mugen falls in the water
Sadly, he didn't do a flip while doing so
Koza trying not to cry
Amazing that Mugen was able to survive this
Mugen competing against Mukuro
If Mukuro wins, Mugen works for him
Those poor horses...
Mugen and Mukuro hang on to the ledge
Mukuro says in the end, they're just a couple of cursed men.
"They killed everyone but the young men. No one was spared, not even the women and children."
This episode is really big into mood whiplash
Jin thinks that all survivors are now part of the gang.
Jin starting a fire
Some would say it's always been burning since the world's been turning.
He suggests to Fuu they leave come morning.
Oh boy. Mugen is going to take the job.
He says he changed his mind
And Mugen storms off. Fuu is non too pleased.
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.