Samurai Champloo

    (Tokyopop, 2005-2006)
™ and © 2004 Masaru Gotsubo

Based on the popular anime series, this manga version expectedly recounts the raucous road trip of three stooges in feudal Japan. Fuu ditches her job as a waitress to unite with the hip-hop influenced street swordsman Mugen and the laconic but classically trained ronin Jin.

However, in this adaptation, she doesn’t rescue them from the executioner’s blade, but from their debt for destroying her restaurant. Still, all are wanted by the law, so she enlists both to help her find the “samurai who smells of sunflowers.” Both men must put their duel to the death on hold for the moment, as they enter and extricate themselves from a succession of silly, savage, and socially confusing scenarios.

The Champloo anime is a wonderful blend of impressive artistry and well-choreographed action with a touching mix of humor and pathos. However, this comics rendition is notably lacking in all three departments. It tries to hit the easy high and low notes but leaves little in between, save the feeling that one should fire up the DVD.

— Oliver Chin
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