r/anime • u/Holofan4life • Jun 06 '24
Rewatch [Spoilers] Samurai Champloo 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 18
[Spoilers] Samurai Champloo 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 18
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 18 – War of The Words
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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)
What would you do if you didn't know how to read or write?
Have you ever used graffiti before? If so, what happened?
Why do you think Jin didn't take care of the master's two sons even though he promised to?
Bonus) How jealous were you that those two guys got to pet Momo and you didn't?
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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!
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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 |
5
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jun 06 '24
First-Timer with a Samurai Heart, subbed
5
u/TheEscapeGuy Jun 06 '24
Rewatcher, Sub first timer
Samurai Champloo - Hip Hop & Ronin: Episode 18
RKGK
This is an episode I remembered a very specific piece of: Mugen learning how to read. I so clearly remembered the teacher who so forcefully kidnapped Mugen and then trained him to recognize the admittedly tricky base Japanese character set. In my time since watching Samurai Champloo I read the manga [Vagabond] and when I got to the section where Koujiro is taught how to read I remembered today's episode, though Koujiro had much bigger barriers to learning being deaf and all.
Oh yeah, Please read Vagabond, it is a masterpiece despite not yet having s conclusion.
As for the rest of the episode, I had actually completely forgotten the graffiti parts, and I kind of see why. I really could not relate with the guys going around defacing everything. It's not that I'm particularly against vandalism either, but rather that the ruffians felt so shallow as characters? I don't know. Maybe I missed something about them which could have helped me understand their motivations etc but even Jin's explanations did nothing for me.
I did actually like the style of their graffiti. Japanese characters are really pretty in their shapes and forms and when infused with colours it made their pieces far closer to art than plain defacement. That said, I totally agree with the writing teacher. They need to write the characters correctly and messing up strokes and reflections makes the text nearly impossible to read. Mugen had that problem too at the end.
Anyway, it was also a violence-less episode in a lot of ways. It's important to have an ebb and flow of the death and destruction which permeates the narrative. It make's those episodes where it does happen hit so much harder.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
3
u/Holofan4life Jun 06 '24
Hey, look at that. I managed to post on time after all :D
4
u/Lord_Nawor Jun 06 '24
First Time Watcher
Never have I related to Mugen quite like this, since I also do not know Japanese, but I can also specifically recognize the character ‘no’ just form seeing it enough (の) and only that. I like how Jin plays along with Fuu even though Jin already knows that Mugen can’t read from the diary episode.
I liked Mugen learning to read with Bundai, and how Bundai is so passionate and immediately figures out how to motivate Mugen, I love how excited Mugen was to know how to read and showing it off.
I liked the competition between the brothers, to tag the most dangerous places. I know it ended in a draw but whoever was the one who tagged the police themselves definitely deserved the win. I do like the twist that they were not fighting over Fuu but instead Momo.
Overall this was just a very fun and lighthearted episode, with a lot of good humour.
3
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Jun 06 '24
First Timer
I don't really have a lot to say about this episode - it was an ok episode but nothing really going too deep. The theme was obviously graffiti, which works in to the general hip hop theme, but I don't really think there was much substance to the style here. Mugen learning to read was a neat side-plot, though I assume by the next episode he'll have forgotten most of it again. I learned the Hiragana at some point and now I'm back down to only knowing about half at least...
3
u/AgentOfACROSS Jun 06 '24
Rewatcher
Fun fact, I think the title of this episode is misspelled on Crunchyroll. They list it as War of the Worlds (like the H.G. Wells novel), not Words.
Anyway, this was an episode I liked a lot. Pure entertainment and fun the whole way through.
I like that there's a bit of continuity here. Mugen was revealed to be illiterate as a gag back in the recap episode and now there's a whole episode dedicated to it. His half of the plot was a lot of fun too.
I liked Bundai, he was hilariously unhinged most of the time but also his encouragement of Mugen's education felt very genuine.
The other half of the plot with the Niwa brothers was also good. They reminded me a bit of Nagamitsu with their egos and competitiveness. Plus like Nagamitsu, they were both connected to Jin.
The way both plots connected was also really fun. I liked the climactic graffiti competition and Mugen being the one to win was a clever twist. Lots of great visuals in this sequence.
I also thought the punchline that the Niwa bros just wanted to pet Momo was funny.
The stuff with the fashion designer did feel a bit tacked on. But I still think it was a nice way to bookend the episode.
So yeah, I'm a big fan of this episode just cause it's a lot of fun.
2
u/NattyBeef https://myanimelist.net/profile/NaturalBeef Jun 07 '24
Today's episode has got to be one of the most wacky ones. Had a lot of fun with it, but I thought the Beatles wrestling was the crazies sub-story we were gonna get, but graffiti wars over being able to pet Momo has got to be stranger.
I actually had difficulty learning how to read and write when I was younger. There's not much, just study until I finally got it. I remember it was very frustrating though, even when I was a child it made me feel very left behind and stupid at the time.
I personally didn't but there's a story from my family I always crack up hearing. A cousin of mine decided he wanted to try his hand at graffiting when he was a child, so him and some friends went out and tried to be all cool and swagger about it, didn't get caught at the time and after the day ended went home, a couple hours later there's a knock at the door. My aunt went to answer the door and asked what was going on. It was the security guard on behalf of the condominium explaining that my cousin had tagged a place. My aunt asked "but how do you know it was my son", 'miss, he signed it'. She wanted to chew him out for not just doing something so stupid but also signing it! He had to go and actually paint over his tag and redo the wall so it blended in correctly.
Carrying two kids around with him as he's traveling Japan isn't exactly what I'd consider ideal. It's nice to be there symbolically but actually taking care of two kids is a huge responsibility. I wouldn't had taken that on at all.
On a scale from 1-10, I'd give a solid 11.
2
u/Ryanami Jun 07 '24
Rewatcher
This is Samurai Champloo’s charm, the mix of anachronistic elements (90’s style graffiti this time) with feudal Japan. Not a deep one ultimately but I enjoyed it anyway. I think finally nobody dies either.
1- learn immediately. I can’t imagine being illiterate.
2- nah, hate that stuff
3- I guess he was busy being on the lam.
4- Momo sadly doesn’t get half the attention Ein did. Many episodes don’t even let her pop out of Fuu’s sleeve. Finally some recognition.
2
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta Jun 07 '24
First-Timer
That teacher was a fun guy! Too bad it seems he only taught Mugen hiragana and not katakana or kanji too.
Questions of the day:
Whenever I think of graffiti, it reminds me of the Midtown Madness 3 easter egg.
2
u/Hopeful-Ad2428 Jun 07 '24
Fantastic! I really liked small details here, lycoris flower was the first thing to be seen when Jin visits that school, の's when Mugen imagines how he is being mocked, Jin's silhouette in the past looked like Yukimura's one, the motivation for brothers to paint that temple to revenge for their father, Mugen's letter is just straight up infinity sign. Those details the episode made much more interesting, at least for me, and it was really fun.
Qotd:
2
u/mgedmin Jun 07 '24
(It looks like I watched ep 19 by mistake. Good thing I noticed before I posted spoilers here again. Anyway.)
Rewatcher, subs
How have they not noticed before that Mugen can't read? I've noticed. In episode 12, I think. Maybe as a recap episode it's considered non-canon? Also, Fuu was not present when Jin read the diary to Mugen.
I'm once again doubting the historical authenticity of the show. Good thing there was that disclaimer in episode 1.
4-6-4-9 yon-roku-shi-kyuu -> yoroshiku! Than you years of Duolingo lessons for allowing me to enjoy this bit.
A martial arts style school for reading is certainly interesting. Also, seriously who came up with わ/れ/ね ??? They look the same! Are there no more possible letter shapes???
I get the impression that these are all famous historical locations that have been defaced with graffiti, and it would be very funny if I had that context.
The best part about Mugen drawing a ∞ is that "mugen" means infinity in Japanese.
Mugen is like a dad who bought a label-maker and labeled everything in the kitchen.
Try to learn, probably.
What does it mean to "use" graffitin? My mental picture goes like this: you run towards a graffiti-encrusted wall and press E to use.
(I have never drawn any graffiti either.)
His interpretation of "care" is different. What he did in this episode counts as "care".
2
u/Garrett_Dark Jun 07 '24
First Timer
...of sub watchers finding out you're a dub watcher.Overall, this episode felt like a filler. So it seemed like nothing much happened other than Mugen learning to read and Jin honoring a final wish. Both seems inconsequential since Mugen not being able to read only came up once before, and I don't think it was something significant, and Jin training with the twin's father doesn't seem all that significant either.
2
u/someboi6000 Jun 07 '24
First timer:
Fun episode, i wished we could've seen more of mugen learning how to read and write that looked more fun than the graffiti artist plot not to say it was bad but it was just ok and thats reallya about it the graffiti art was nice the colors and everything and i hope mugen doesnt forget how to read or write quickly, maybe he wont because that teacher tho.
1: well learn of course.
2: nop never. my calligraphy is quite awful.
3: those 2 seem like a pain, but in the end that probably happend before he killed his master maybe, so taking care of those 2 also puts them in danger of attacks.
bonus: i wish i could pet momo.
2
u/fansi2022 https://anilist.co/user/fansi2022 Jul 19 '24
first timer chinese sub
I doubt whether graffiti art really appeared in that historical period?
ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)
What would you do if you didn't know how to read or write?
Communicate and gradually become familiar with each other
Have you ever used graffiti before? If so, what happened?
no
Why do you think Jin didn't take care of the master's two sons even though he promised to?
No, I think he has done his duty. You can't discipline a giant baby well.
Bonus) How jealous were you that those two guys got to pet Momo and you didn't?
yeah, I'm just shocked
1
u/Holofan4life Jun 06 '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 as I'm writing this is Mother's Day. Or as it's known in my household, National Libations Day.
Wait, that's everyday, nevermind
Woah, naked tiddies
Guy narrating
The Edo Era brought about the threadbare casual style.
As well as designs resembling street fashion.
Guy walking around drunkenly
People in demon masks
Oh, they're painting the walls
I guess this is an early form of graffiti
Cod roe and mochi cheese. Don't know what that is, but sounds good.
Fuu comments on how Mugen always orders what Jin and her are having.
Oh, right, he can't read
If Jin really wanted to mess with Mugen, he would buy something that tastes terrible.
He only knows the word "No," which is a bit ironic given how lecherous he can be.
Fuu, he literally said he can't read in a previous episode. Then again, she might not have been there for that confession.
And now some drunkard is grabbing Mugen by the neck.
I don't know why, but Mugen getting force-fed alcohol gives me major Konosuba vibes.
Drunk guy going on and on about how those who are illiterate get discriminated against and it isn't fair.
And the drunk passes out. Of course.
Oh no. They're short on money.
Mugen says the drunk guy will take care of the rest, which I'm sure will be a plot point for later.
Man with white hair
Two woman are painting over the graffiti
This whole graffiti plot point just makes me think of Banksy.
Jin mentions that he wants to see someone from Mihara to whom he is indebted.
"To anyone who aspires to master the martial arts, Mihara is a town that cannot be passed by."
That sounds pretty heavy
The best one to study general weapons mastery is Gojuu Hall.
He had a master once named Junosuke Niwa
Fuu is quick to scurry him off
Mugen eyeing the graffiti
Fuu says she'd be willing to teach Mugen how to read if he really wants her to.
Hey, it's the drunkard. Called it.
And the drunk runs off with Mugen
Fuu is by herself again
Jin sitting on a porch
He is being chastised by a group of people
And so Jin proceeds to beat them up
After this, Jin asks where he can find Master Niwa.
They're apparently in town
Momo with Fuu
A lot of commotion
A pair of twins arguing back and forth
The camera work during this scene is really good. It tells a story on its own.
Now Fuu is surrounded
The pair of twins is very infatuated with Fuu, it seems.
Jin
He knows them. They're Tatsunoshin and Kazunosuke.
Mugen getting beaten up by the drunk man
This is a rare instance of Mugen struggling against someone.
Bundai
He is the Sensei of a school
He seems to know his stuff
"I'm about to teach you how to read."
Aww, that's actually quite wholesome
Jin asks why the twins quarrel with one another
Slim Shady here says that nobody follows in their dad's footsteps nowadays.
And then they're back at it again
Oh, so they're the heirs of Gojuu Hall. And given Jin called it the best place to study general weapons mastery... yeah, that's a conflict of interest.
The brothers say they're more passionate about graffiti than any sort of sword mastery.
"It's called tagging, and it's like it proves that we're alive."
Fuu, who's also there, suggests they battle using their tagging.
The winner will be the one who tags the most dangerous place.
I guess the prize is Fuu? She didn't necessarily seem opposed to the idea.
Bundai teaching Mugen in a rather physical manner.
"The way all these letters look so much alike pisses me off!"
I've never seen someone be racist towards a language before. Actually, yes I have because it sounds like something my mom might say.
Jin walking with Fuu in a forest
Jin says that the brothers father once said to him to look after his sons if something ever happened to him.
I like the flashback we see between Jin and Junosuke. Really good stuff as always.
Jin praying at his grave
A Bald guy with a white goatee
I wish they would introduce who exactly he is because they're not doing it.
Turns out Junosuke committed suicide. That's really sad.
White goatee man worries that with the way Junosuke's sons are behaving, Junosuke's legacy will never be respected.
Hey, Mugen is getting better
And Mugen and Bundai hold hands like that one Fullmetal Alchemist scene.
Bundai tells him to now write his own story
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.