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The Hidden Meaning of Samurai Champloo




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omnistry



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 1019
PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:57 pm Reply with quote
Please note that I've only watched the first four episodes and currently listening to the OST before making judgements. Like I care. So shut up and listen! Laughing

After watching this anime, I've found that Samurai Champloo is secretly a representation of, get this, the Wu Tang Clan.

Think about it: the Wu Tang Clan has been deeply influenced by Asian cinema, which explains some of their names; and they also sample traditional Japanese/Chinese beats. In this show, the characters all fight to the beat of hip-hop underground music. It's representation of the love of fighting, money, "whores" (as they are called in the 3rd & 4th), and its use of urban slang can be found on any Wu Tang Clan or RZA/GZA CD.

I know that there's a lot more to the show; but this is something that I found about it that intrigues me. It sounds silly, but really watch and listen next time you watch Champloo.

Any thoughts?
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Advent_Nebula



Joined: 04 Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Location: Colorado
PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:18 pm Reply with quote
Shure that is what Wantanabe wanted. Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes Rolling Eyes
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Tony K.
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
Posts: 11446
Location: Frisco, TX
PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:07 pm Reply with quote
Uh.. I don't think Watanabe-san had any particular purpose or praise for Wu Tang Clan. I mean, he might not even know who they are.

It's true that in recent years hip-hop and martial arts have been associated (at least through a few Jet Li movies I've seen). Although, I don't think the real motive of the show was to necessarily pay tribute to or represent how the two elements go together, but since it seems to be a good combination, why not try it out?

I've seen all of the series, and for the most part the show is more of a comedy rather than a martial arts cutfest. In my opinion, all the music, slang, and modern day references are in there just to be cool or parody the Sengoku Jidai and make the whole thing more entertaining to the viewers since there hasn't really been anything done to this degree before.

Oh well, nonetheless, I still think it's an Excellent series Anime smile.
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one3rd



Joined: 28 Jul 2003
Posts: 1818
Location: アメリカ
PostPosted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:47 pm Reply with quote
It was well known before SC even aired that it was going to be very hip-hop influenced much like Cowboy Bebop was jazz influenced. I think you'll have to do more to specifically link SC to the Wu Tang Clan.
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philg



Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 193
PostPosted: Wed Apr 13, 2005 6:00 am Reply with quote
I'm sure Watanabe wanted to make it as open to interpretation as possible (as talented filmmakers do), so you should read it any way you want. And I am quite sure he was aware of the gangsta beat it had in it and I'm sure it was intentional that it represented something like there is today... just to make it more generic and intersting to watch in it's timelessness etc... Well done I say for reading into it so early in a way that nobody else had.
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