The following lists and describes characters of significance who appear in the fictional
anime series '''
Samurai Champloo'''.
Cast
Main characters
Mugen
Mugen.
'Name:' Mugen
'Age:' 19
'Profession:'
Vagabond, and former
Pirate
'Weapon(s):' Double-edged
katana with two-prong hilt (in the videogame, ''Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked'', this sword is named "Typhoon Swell"),
Tanto (concealed in opposite end of
scabbard),
Claymore replaces main weapon at the end of the series.
'Fighting style(s):' mix of various styles incorporating rapid, irregular movements simmilar to capoeira he dubs "
Champuru Kendo"
'Quote:' "I don't give a rat's ass about going to hell. I guess it's because I feel like I'm already there."
'Appears in:' All episodes
'Final status:' Alive
Mugen (ç„¡é™) was born in a
penal colony on the
Ryukyu Islands (possibly in
Okinawa), which in the
Edo period was a separate kingdom with close ties to the
Satsuma domain of Japan. His name means ''without limitation'', as the components of it are the characters for "without" and "limitation." Incidentally, he writes his name using the
infinity symbol (∞), a pun on his name, 'Mugen,' which is a homophone of the Japanese word for 'eternity'. His Japanese is quite rough and "Yanki"; and he is illiterate until later in the show. The exact date of his birth is unknown, and much of his past is shrouded in mystery. Although it appears that he may be of Ainu origin, noting the style of his clothes, and in episode 17 Mugen notes that he has heard the same kind of music that was played by the fugutive features in the episode; someone clearly of Ainu origin noting his clothes and his home village in the "extreme north" (Hokkaido). As for his parents, Mugen states that he never knew who they were in
episode 20, "Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 1." The blue tattoos on his wrists and ankles indicate that he was once in
prison.
[1] The circumstances of his imprisonment are unclear at first, but it is later verified that he was to be executed for engaging in
piracy.
Rude, lewd, vulgar, and nihilistic, Mugen is somewhat of an
antihero. Some of his actions seem to represent an
amorality, indicating that he operates more on
instinct than anything else. Character designer Kazuto Nakazawa stated in an interview: "''When I was doing character design, the most difficult one was Mugen, as I expected. I'm pretty sure that as far as the director's image went, he probably was thinking of someone like a 'rapper who acts like a bad guy.' But the way Mugen acts is relatively based on his core conviction''."
[2] He and Jin fight from time to time, but there is an undercurrent of mutual understanding between the two. Despite periodic confrontations with Fuu he also seems to care for her, staging rescues of her on several occasions.
Highly unorthodox swordplay and a fighting style based on
breakdancing - dubbed "champuru kendo" and ostensibly developed by himself - taking bits and pieces from all forms of martial arts and making up the rest as he fights his opponents, make him a force to be reckoned with.
[3] An example of this being his battle with Shouryuu, as he was able to mimic and use the technique 'Hakkei' seemingly picked up in their first duel, turning the tide of the battle. His fighting style is probably best described by Kariya Kagetoki when they fight in
Episode 25: "''Interesting. You utilize erratic movements to prevent anyone from predicting them. But you fail to utilize your martial arts skills. By relying only on reflex and instinct, you inadvertently show the limitations of your skills to your opponent''." His limitations were further exploited in his fight with Denkibou while on a small boat, as his inabilitly to fight well in small areas were shown. This is further evident in that his moves become increasingly erratic and unique as his opponents are more powerful. He carries two blades, his principal weapon a unique sword with a curved blade and a hilt with two prongs sheathed across his back and the other a small tanto concealed at the end of his scabbard (only resorted to as a
trump card). His main weapon appears to be an amalgamation of the okinawan
sai and Japanese katana. Mugen also has a tendency to parry attacks with the steel base of his
geta. His clothing is anachronistic as well, reminiscent of baggy hip-hop fashions of today: his
gi functions more like a jacket and his
hakama is cut off at shorts-length, resembling loose-fitting Bermuda shorts. His black hair is unkept and similar to an
afro or
Spike Spiegel's, being one of a number of similarities he shares with Spike.
Mugen seems to be incapable of dying, or at the very least has a body that is more resistant to life-threatening injuries than the average person. When on the verge of death, he appears to cross into a mystical world in the
Ryūkyūan religion called Nirai Kanai—depicted in ''Samurai Champloo'' as an upside-down mirror world—overseen by the
Futuchi who are dressed in black-feathered robes and carry spears. With each visit to this world he is subsequently 'rejected.' He has been brought back to life in this manner on at least three occasions. It has been speculated that his survival is because he is being preserved for a greater purpose.
His
seiyū is
Kazuya Nakai. His dub actor in the U.S. version is
Steven Jay Blum, credited as Daniel Andrews to circumvent union regulations.
[4] However in the English version of game for PS2 He is played by
Liam O'Brien
Jin
Jin.
'Name:' Jin
'Age:' 20
'Profession:'
Ronin
'Weapon(s):'
Katana,
Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' Mujushin
Kenjutsu,
Jujutsu
'Quote:' "To serve your lord and do his bidding, is that honorable? Even if that lord is an unimportant piece of shit?"
'Appears in:' All episodes
'Final status:' Alive
Jin (ä») spent the vast majority of his life training in
kenjutsu dojos. Unlike Mugen, it is legal for him to carry a
daisho (two matching swords: a
katana and a
wakizashi), as he is of the
samurai class. His swords have a lightning and twin-eyed design on the
tsuba. He wears traditional hakama and gi in indigo blue patterned with a white diamond
kamon made up of four small white diamonds. His kamon closely resembles that of the great
Takeda Clan, leading to speculation that his family origins may be of nobility.
[5] He also sports a
Buddhist Rosary and a pair of anachronistic wire-rimmed glasses (which he does not actually need), the latter of which is probably the single most distinctive aspect of his appearance and the one everybody remembers.
When he was 18, he was to be assassinated in his sleep by his
sensei,
Mariya Enshirou, at
Kariya Kagetoki's insistence. Jin killed Mariya in self-defense, to his horror. He fled the
dojo, becoming a
ronin. His death is sought by many, including former classmates and not limited to fame-seekers. ''Mujushin'' was a real sword-fighting dojo, and Mariya Enshirou is known to have been the third master — although the circumstances of his death are unclear.
[The Sword of No Abiding Mind - Mujuushin Kenjutsu and Samurai Champloo] The
esoteric teachings of ''Mujushin'' become vitally important in the series finale. Jin is highly devoted to upholding
Bushido and is in fact named after ''jin'' (
benevolence), one of the seven samurai virtues.
[6]
Jin is usually taciturn and unusually collected. He is an extremely skilled swordsman, using swift, refined, orthodox moves of the ''Mujushin Kenjutsu'' discipline, making him the perfect
foil for Mugen. His sword-fighting abilities impress and are commented upon by several extremely skilled fighters, such as
Inuyaka,
Sara, Kariya Kagetoki, and even Mugen. In episode 25, Kariya himself admits that Jin is closer to his level than any opponent he has faced in years, but still the lesser, by a paper-thin margin (although Jin eventually defeats him). However, Jin need not rely solely on his sword. In one scene, he falls back on
Jujutsu techniques, disarming and incapacitating at least six armed samurai before getting his daisho back. Jin is shown in the opening sequence alongside images of fish, and he ends several battles by falling or jumping into water. His dedication to the sword is so intense that he seems to lack abilities in other areas like holding his liquor, playing the
shamisen, cooking
eel and
fishing. As a testament to his intelligence and unwillingness to readily trust others, he usually is the first to suspect when someone is not who they seem. He is also a formidable player when it comes to
board games, especially
shogi, and takes his time to think about his moves and doesn't fret to put his life on the line against his opponent
In the
last episode, he confesses to both Fuu and Kariya that he has spent his entire life with no devotion to anyone. He lived only for his sword and no master; saying that the
lords of that time have no sense of honor, only caring about self-preservation. But he seems to change during his travels with Fuu and Mugen, saying that they are his "first friends."
His
seiyū is Ginpei Sato. His dub actor in the U.S. version is
Kirk Thornton.
Fuu
Fuu.
'Name:' Fuu
'Age:' 15
'Profession:' Varies (usually a
waitress)
'Weapon(s):'
TantÅ
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "My mother and father...died when I was very little."
"I'm starving..."
"I'm looking for a Samurai who smells of Sunflowers."
'Appears in:' All episodes
'Final status:' Alive
Fuu (風) is the leading lady of the show, a fifteen-year-old girl of samurai lineage, but brought up in poverty. After a not-so-successful stint as a teahouse waitress, she saves Mugen and Jin from execution and recruit's them as her bodyguards to help her on a quest. She is searching for 'the Samurai who smells of Sunflowers', but never explains what a
sunflower smells like or what the man looks like. Mugen and Jin are often reminded of their life-debt to her when they wish to fight each other, much to their chagrin. Without her father around to support them, Fuu and her mother led a difficult life until her mother died of illness.
She is a surprisingly big eater (in one episode she entered an eating contest and was one of the last two remaining and would have likely won had she not accidentally given the sign that she gave up by squishing a bug), has a bright and trusting personality, and is strongly prone to accidents and trouble although she is quite practical. She often puts on a front of being more worldly and experienced than she actually is so as not to appear completely ingenuous in front of her
bodyguards. Fuu wears a deep pink kimono with a pattern of flowers and carries a matching
tantÅ (which she never uses, but has brandished once or twice). Attached to the tanto are three
netsuke: a skull (a Christian pendant from her father), a pair of dice (probably referencing her dice-rolling skills in "
Hellhounds for Hire") and a dog. A
flying squirrel by the name of "Mo-mo" (evidently short for "momonga," which means "flying squirrel" in Japanese) inhabits her clothing and frequently helps out when she's in trouble. Momo also means "Peach" in Japanese, and is a popular modern
pet name in Japan.
A running gag throughout the show is Fuu becoming impossibly huge after overeating, reverting to ordinary form after her stomach has digested everything. This occurs in
Episodes 6,
15 &
23.
'Implications:'
Throughout the series, Fuu has expressed slight feelings that somewhat suggest a possible interest for both Mugen and Jin, though the series often implies this as a sisterly bond between them, other than that her feelings toward the two has never been offically confirmed to be more than that extent.
Her voice actress in the Japanese version is
Ayako Kawasumi. She is voiced by
Kari Wahlgren in the U.S dub.
Mugen vs. Jin
A recurring theme within the Samurai Champloo series is that Mugen and Jin will have some sort of disagreement resulting in combat. Usually, this often stems from the bitter rivalry shared between the two swordsmen, both fostering a strong resent and bigotry towards one another. However, these bouts are always left unresolved, or interrupted by outside circumstances. In terms of skill, both swordsmen are likely on par or if not on equal standings, Mugen’s champuru kendo matching Jin’s Kenjutsu style. Although, despite the animosity between them, there are times when they have shared truce, more often for the common cause of assisting Fuu or aiding each other in battle. In concept, though both men are diametric in more ways than one, they do share similarities in some aspects, though they hardly ever admit to this, both being self-centered men who act in accordance to their own criteria. In the final episode of series, both men having defeated their arch-nemeses and fulfilling their promise made to Fuu, face off in one last battle to settle the rivalry between them. Although badly battered from their prior battles, they both engage each other rupturing their own swords in an admirable gesture, presumably indicating that they have finally settled their differences and now acknowledge full respect for each other's perspectives, recognizing the other as an equal. In the end, though their long anticipated duel is never fully brought into motion being left somewhat settled, both men in general seemed to have resolved their own ulterior motives, supposedly finding closure to their own past remnants. Although it remains uncertain to how the outcome of their duel might have resulted had it actually escalated, the series does highly advocate that it likely would have ended in a draw, both men being compatibly equals.
Supporting characters
Shibui Matsunosuke
'Name:' Shibui Matsunosuke
'Age:' 50s, ''most likely''
'Profession:'
Magistrate
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "Money! I'll pay you!"
'Appears in:'
Episode 1
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Jin)
Corrupt magistrate who has no qualms about extorting the townsfolk he governs. Evokes the irritation of Jin, who cuts down his bodyguards, the Yagyu Three, to express his dissatisfaction. The last straw arrives when Shibui incarcerates and sentences Jin (along with Mugen) to death for the murder of his son (which Mugen had plenty to do with and Jin nothing). Upon escaping, Jin recites a
Buddhist proverb on mercy being granted only once and executes him just as he intended to execute Jin.
Shibui's pipe reappears when Fuu needs a light, and the pipe is given to her by the man whom Shibui was going to execute. We can assume the man picked it up after it fell from Shibui's gaping mouth in response to Jin's actions.
Shibui Tomonoshin
'Name:' Shibui Tomonoshin
'Age:' Early 20s
'Profession:' Idle
'Weapon(s):' Katana
'Fighting style(s):' Unknown
'Quote:' "…I'm untouchable."
'Appears in:'
Episode 1
'Final status:' Deceased (perishes in teahouse fire started by Ryujiro)
Shibui Sr.'s son, who carries much of the same traits as his father. As with Mugen, everything about his appearance is
anachronistic, from his
bleached
blond hair to his ear and brow
piercings to his
jumpsuit. He banks on his father's position to throw his weight around and is first seen in the teahouse Fuu works in, accompanied by a
posse. Mugen puts him in his place, after being offered one hundred
dumplings by Fuu to do so, mutilating his men and subsequently breaking his fingers one by one until Jin shows up. Technically, he is killed by Ryujiro, who sets fire to the teahouse in a blind rage, but his father blames it on both Mugen and Jin, and summarily decides to have them
beheaded. (Ryujiro gets away scot-free initially, though his madness and vengefulness lead to his death later.)
Ryujiro Sasaki
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'Name:' Sasaki Ryujiro
'Age:' ''probably'' Mid 30s
'Profession:' (Former)
Yojimbo
'Weapon(s):' Katana
'Fighting style(s):' Either
Kenjutsu or
Kendo
'Quote:' "We should go on a killing spree."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 1 &
2
'Final status:' Deceased (strangled to death by Oniwakamaru)
Mentally unbalanced subordinate to Shibui Matsunosuke, the corrupt magistrate of an oppressed town, who assigns him to protect his brat of a son, Tomonoshin. Ryujiro's arm is chopped off by Mugen after the altercation in the teahouse, driving him over the edge. He has a ruthless sadism which predates the loss of his arm, claiming to have lost his humanity a long time ago and having no problem with killing and torturing his opponents. He burns the teahouse down in retaliation, inadvertently putting Fuu out of work and Jin and Mugen in prison. While Shibui Sr. (and his son) perish, Ryujiro survives and returns later to exact revenge on Mugen. He is strangled to death by 'Oniwakamaru' for threatening Fuu's life.
Yagyu Three
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'Name:' Yagyu Three
'Age:' 30s to 40s
'Profession:' Yojimbo
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu; possibly Yagyu Shinkage-Ryu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "Of course it's honorable."
'Appears in:'
Episode 1
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Jin)
Three
asparagus-robed samurai, possibly related to legendary samurai
Yagyu Jubei, or students of his family's dojo, who serve as Shibui Matsunosuke's personal bodyguards. According to a local who advises Jin not to challenge their skill, they are master swordsmen from
Edo. Jin questions their
ethics in front of the townsfolk, regardless, arousing their ire. All three are sliced dead in a blink when they attempt to rush him.
The Sunflower Samurai
'Name:' Kasumi Seizou
'Age:' Late 40s
'Profession:'
Rebel, Ronin
'Weapon(s):' ''most likely'' Katana & Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "Fuu, I have no right to ask forgiveness. I don't deserve it. But you should know not a single day has passed when I have not thought of you and your mother. I'm sorry."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 16,
19,
25 -
26
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Kariya Kagetoki)
The Sunflower Samurai is Kasumi Seizou, a Christian samurai who played a leading role in the
Shimabara rebellion. His death is sought by the Shogunate as a result of this betrayal.
The objective of the trio's quest, it is revealed later on in the series that he is actually Fuu's father. He left Fuu and her mother to save them from anti-Christian persecution (he was a major proponent of Christianity, considered
heretical at the time). Fuu, however, thinks that his abandoning the family was unforgivable. Her only memory of him is a departing figure shifting through a field of sunflowers.
He was relentlessly pursued by the Shogunate, but succeeded in evading them. When Fuu began to search for him the Shogunate had her followed. She led them right to him, sick and dying in a
hut on
Ikitsuki Island. Kariya Kagetoki arrives just after Fuu's tearful reconciliation with her father and kills him right in front of her.
Oniwakamaru
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'Name:' Oniwakamaru (nicknamed "Oniwaka" in English dub)
'Age:' Unspecified
'Profession:'
Pariah
'Weapon(s):' double-bladed
Bisento
'Fighting style(s):'
BÅjutsu
'Quote:' "You weren't afraid of me. I'm not alone."
'Appears in:'
Episode 2
'Final status:' Deceased (skewered by Mugen)
Childlike,
ogreish killing machine sprung from prison and recruited by Ryujiro to bring Mugen to his knees. Uses a weapon similar to Tessai's from
Ninja Scroll (and resembles him, interestingly). He has been feared and ostracized all his life due to his size and deformities, until he is shown kindness by Fuu. He strangles Ryujiro to death after Ryujiro threatens her life. Following that, he and a severely
poisoned Mugen duke it out. Fuu screams for them to stop. Oniwaka does, Mugen doesn't. Oniwaka dies with Fuu at his side.
It is never specified how Oniwaka obtained his weapon and who taught him to wield it with such skill, or whether he taught himself, given his status as a pariah. Additionally, "Oniwaka" was the
moniker of
Saito Musashibo Benkei, an actual person but better remembered as a legendary figure in
Japanese folklore of great strength and stature.
Watanabe has admitted that Oniwaka, while similar to the cinematic
Frankenstein's monster, is actually a reference to zombies. The entire episode in fact was a reference to the samurai zombie genre.
Hotaru
'Name:' Hotaru
'Age:' Mid 20s
'Profession:'
Assassin
'Weapon(s):' poisoned
Lipstick
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "Nights are like the lives of human beings...all too brief. So let's enjoy ourselves."
'Appears in:'
Episode 2
'Final status:' Alive
Russet-haired beauty who the trio encounter while traversing a forest in
Episode 2. She has full lips and
burgundy lipstick. Mugen fixes her broken sandal strap and she entices him to a nearby shack. They make out, but before going further Mugen pulls away, realizing he has been poisoned. Hotaru informs him that his drink and her lipstick both contain a
toxin called "one Night's Mushroom", which will kill him slowly but surely by morning. She reveals that she is working for Ryujiro and he has the
antidote (as well as Fuu). With time running short, Mugen spares her life and rushes off. This is the last we see of her.
Her name means
firefly in
Japanese, which coincides with the constant theme of fireflies throughout the
episode.
Inuyaka
'Name:' Inuyaka
'Age:' ''likely'' Over 50
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' Ninjutsu
'Quote:' "Do you know why fireflies glow?"
'Appears in:'
Episode 2
'Final status:' Alive
Skilled elderly samurai hired by Ryujiro to assassinate Jin. He pretends to be a spineless "samurai by title only" when he is first seen. He uses barely subtle innuendo in his "fireflies" speech while he and Jin are in a
hot spring, seemingly to manipulate Jin into a vulnerable position and facilitate the assassination. As Jin begins to leave, Inuyaka quickly lies about knowing the whereabouts of the Sunflower Samurai in order to lure Jin deep inside the woods, where the two do battle. Inuyaka comments upon Jin's skills, saying that if they were in a dojo he might be able to defeat Inuyaka. The dialogue seems to indicate that Inuyaka is aware Jin killed Mariya Enshirou.
[7] Jin comes very close to defeat when Inuyaka senses Ryujiro's death and withdraws, saying there is no point in killing Jin if his employer cannot pay him. He remarks that he expects to cross paths with Jin again, though to our knowledge they never do.
Nagatomi Rikiei
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'Name:' Nagatomi Rikiei
'Age:' Late 20s to Early 30s
'Profession:'
Yakuza Boss
'Weapon(s):' Tanto
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:': "I Like Being A Thug."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Ishimatsu)
Leader of the Nagatomi yakuza, ruthless and ambitious. He enlists Mugen as his partner after the former impresses him by sitting at his men's table, eating their food and beating them up. Keeps a
chinstrap and sports
Ray-Bans, a distinguishing part of his appearance. Killed by his personal yojimbo 'Ishimatsu' for his wicked ways after Ishimatsu decides enough is enough.
Daigorou
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'Name:' Daigorou
'Age:' 60s
'Profession:'
Carpenter
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:'
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Alive
Daigorou is the catalyst for the events that unfurl in
Episodes 3 &
4. After a dramatic loss at one of Rikiei's gambling establishments, he is pressured to give up either the deed to his business or his daughter, Osuzu, in order to cover his debt. He pleads with 'Kawara Heitarou' for help, suggesting that Rikiei's establishments practice dishonesty. Kawara refuses, citing a lack of evidence. Daigorou has no choice but to give up his store, but Ishimatsu takes Osuzu as well after Sousuke tries to intervene.
Osuzu
'Name:' Osuzu
'Age:' 16 to 20s
'Profession:' Tutor
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:'
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Alive
Daigorou's demure daughter; she is quite something to look at. Before she is forcibly procured by Ishimatsu, as an excuse to make up for Sousuke's insolence, she was the latter's tutor. She is put to work with in one of Rikiei's
brothels, where she meets Fuu (who is also being forced into prostitution because of bad fortune) and they become friends. Both are emancipated after Rikiei's demise.
Kawara Sousuke
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'Name:' Kawara Sousuke
'Age:' 12
'Profession:' Student
'Weapon(s):' Katana
'Fighting style(s):' No formal training
'Quote:'
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Alive
Heitarou's pubescent son, heir to the Kawara Clan's leadership. He is hasty and impetuous, not a surprise for his age and the shame his father has to endure. He has strong feelings for Osuzu, and intervenes when Ishimatsu comes to collect her father's business deed, succeeding only in getting her taken away, too. Joins forces with Jin to rescue her but fail as Mugen is guarding the brothel. The night after he goes to see Osuzu again and blows a gasket when a customer puts his hands on her. The man is a Nagatomi, but Sousuke does not know that when he draws his sword and stabs him to death. Heitarou commits seppuku on his account. Rikiei mocks Heitarou, while Sousuke defends him. Upon the Nagatomi Clan's defeat, he assumes his father's position.
Kawara Heitarou
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'Name:' Kawara Heitarou
'Age:' 40s to 50s
'Profession:' Yakuza Boss
'Weapon(s):' Tanto
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:' "I atone for that life with my own."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Deceased (
seppuku)
Known as "The Merciful" despite being a yakuza head, he is poised, level-headed and traditional, running the yakuza to take a form of foster care for its young men who would otherwise be criminals. It is because of this, the unscrupulous Rikiei easily moves in and seizes control of the town. He dotes on Sousuke, his only son. After losing a dice duel to Rikiei (who may have cheated) and in an act that moves almost everyone, he sacrifices his life to ensure the future of the Kawara Clan.
Ishimatsu
'Name:' Ishimatsu
'Age:' ''roughly'' Mid 30s
'Profession:' Yojimbo
'Weapon(s):' Katana,
Manriki
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "'My eyes are finally open."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 3 &
4
'Final status:' Deceased (killed honorably by Mugen)
Ishimatsu is
yojimbo to an influential
yakuza boss, Rikiei. His considerable height, dark skin and a string of large Buddhist beads he wears around his neck are distinctive features. Rikiei offers Mugen a partnership after Mugen impresses him with his fighting skills. This does not sit well with Ishimatsu, and he and Mugen do not get along; barely past introductions they are attacking each other. Their duel is cut short by Rikiei, who wants to get down to business. Eventually, disillusioned by Kawara Heitarou's sacrifice, Ishimatsu cuts down Rikiei, and finishes his duel with Mugen. He suffers an honorable defeat.
His manriki can be seen as a wild card, in the same light as Mugen's tanto.
Detective Manzou (a.k.a. "The Saw")
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'Name:' Nokogiri "The Saw" Manzou
'Age:' 40s
'Profession:' Police Detective
'Weapon(s):'
Jitte
'Fighting style(s):'
Juttejutsu
'Quote:' "For Pete's sake!"
'Appears in:'
Episodes 5,
12 &
23
'Final status:' Alive
A recurring character, Manzou is a
lampoon of
Hanzo Itami. Aside from the main trio, Momotaro and Ichiemon the announcer, he is probably the only other character shown in multiple episodes (discounting flashbacks and multiple-part episodes). His persistence and enthusiasm are not without humorous results. As he is a law enforcer, he carries a jitte with him wherever he goes and is apparently able to use it to perform
calisthenics. In all three episodes in which he appears, he plays the narrator for part or all of the story. Oddly enough, his narration transcends time, as he has narrated about future events which he could not feasibly be alive long enough to know about, like
Vincent Van Gogh, and the
Zen movement in the
'60s. It also seems to be no accident that his seiyu
UnshÅ Ishizuka is the same as that of Jet Black, as the two characters share much in common, especially considering that
Shinichiro Watanabe directed both series.
Hishikawa Moronobu
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'Name:' Hishikawa Moronobu
'Age:' 20s
'Profession:'
Ukiyo-e Artist
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' None
'Quote:' "You are my #1 FAN!"
'Appears in:'
Episode 5
'Final status:' Alive
A handsome, effeminate
ukiyo-e artist who charms young, attractive women into letting him draw ukiyo-e portraits of them, and then allowing his yakuza employers to kidnap the girls and sell them as European sex slaves, using the ukiyo-e painting as the advertisement. He does the same to Fuu; however, as she actually had appreciated his art, he feels guilty and failingly tries to free her. Moronobu also seems to be the object of unrequited attraction by the yakuza leader's wife, which aids his survival when the yakuza discover what he did. He later tells Mugen everything, who proceeds, along with Detective Manzou, to successfully rescue her and expose the slave trade. In the end he tries to stowaway for Europe with a nude painting of Fuu with sunflowers, inspired by his number one fan, (on account of how she spared the time needed to glance at his work), Fuu. Although she never finds out if he makes it to Europe, Manzou informs us that Moronobu was captured shortly after and returned to Japan but his painting made its way to Holland, where it would inspire
Vincent Van Gogh centuries later.
Hishikawa Moronobu is based on an actual historical figure.
"Jouji" (a.k.a. Isaac Kitching)
'Name:' Isaac Kitching
'Age:' probably early to mid 30s
'Profession:'
Governor General of the
Dutch East India Company
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi (part of disguise), Goveners Dispentsation (
Diplomatic Immunity)
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "I like men better."
'Appears in:'
Episode 6
'Final status:' Alive
The Redheaded Dutch Stranger of
Episode 6's namesake. A quixotic
homosexual, he left his homeland for Japan, assuming it to have more open attitudes towards homosexuality according to his interpretation of Bushido and possibly the real-life tradition of
shudo. Drags Jin and Mugen along with him to view a
kabuki play after he wins their swords from them in an
eating contest (Fuu has no choice but to tag along). Also the Governor General of the Dutch East India Company, he has information for Fuu relating to her skull netsuke.
Oshaberi Ichiemon (a.k.a. "Ichiemon the Announcer")
'Name:' Oshaberi Ichiemon
'Age:' Unknown
'Profession:'
Announcer
'Weapon(s):' N/A
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "And of course I, Ichiemon, Edo's number one gossip, will be your announcer."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 6 &
23
'Final status:' Alive
Ichiemon serves mostly in the role of comic relief, providing amusing commentary during the eating contest in
episode 6 and the baseball game in
espisode 23. His name "Oshaberi" literally translates to "honorable talker" and is meant to imply that he is a gossip.
[8] He wears a strange hat that appears to be a
newspaper folded up like
origami.
Shinsuke
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'Name:' Shinsuke
'Age:' ''about'' Fuu's age
'Profession:'
Pickpocket
'Weapon(s):' Tanto
'Fighting style(s):' None
'Quote:' "The only people who say money isn't everything are the people who have it."
'Appears in:'
Episode 7
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by policemen)
A well-meaning but naive young man who tries to pay for his sick mother's medicine by
pickpocketing. He picks Fuu's pocket, and later steals a packet of opium from a drug-dealer and attempts to have a connection sell it for him. Unfortunately the friend gives his name to the drug dealers after a torturous interrogation. Fuu tracks down Shinsuke at the same time the drug dealers catch up with him, rousing the attention of the police, and leaving him with no alternative but to take Fuu hostage in a nearby house. Fuu helps him escape the building because his situation with his mother reminds Fuu of her own situation with hers. Shinsuke tries to escape, but is killed shortly after, leaving behind his mother, who although not being told, had already suspected the activities he was involved in, and is sure that he met his tragic end.
His character and predicament are similar to Roco Bonnaro from Session 8 of ''
Cowboy Bebop'', the most highly regarded anime
Shinichiro Watanabe helmed.
Sakonshougen Nagamitsu
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'Name:' Sakonshougen Nagamitsu
'Age:' 30s
'Profession:' Samurai (''presumably'')
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "'I'm going to be ''big''."
'Appears in:'
Episode 8
'Final status:' Alive
Sakonshougen Nagamitsu's goal in life is to become a great samurai warrior by defeating Mariya Enshirou's killer, who happens to be Jin. On his quest, he is accompanied by two "flunkies", the anachronistic,
beatboxing Shinpachi and an "apprentice", Ogura Bunta. He goes on and on about his greatness, but falters when he actually comes face-to-face with Jin or anyone who could be considered competition for that matter. Once he finally confronts Jin, Ogura steps in for him instead, revealing that he doesn't particularly care for Nagamitsu and that he has a greater goal to achieve. Somewhat similar in mannerism and appearance to Dan Hibiki of ''Street Fighter'' infamy.
Ogura Bunta
'Name:' Ogura Bunta
'Age:' 20s
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Katana
'Fighting style(s):' Mujushin Kenjutsu
'Quote:' "Prepare yourself, murderer!"
'Appears in:'
Episode 8
'Final status:' Deceased (
suicide, ''probably''
seppuku)
Nagamitsu's apparent flunky, he is really a former student of the deceased Mariya Enshirou. He meets Nagamitsu outside of
Osaka Castle whom he associating himself with and endures only because two heads are better than one (Nagamitsu, too, appears obsessed with hunting Jin down). He is defeated effortlessly by Jin, who spares his life. According to Yukimaru, he committed suicide, unable to live with the disgrace.
Budoukiba
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'Name:' Budoukiba (''possibly'' Osen)
'Age:' late 20s to Early 30s
'Profession:'
Barfly,
Pickpocket
'Weapon(s):' N/A
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "Two handsome men like you shouldn't be drinking alone."
'Appears in:'
Episode 8
'Final status:' Alive
Pretty barfly who regularly flaunts her ample
cleavage. Her husband calls her Osen, which may be her real name or a pet name. She lures Jin and Mugen (who still hasn't learned not to trust attractive women with lipstick and low necklines) to a foreign bar on the pretext of enjoying the
wine there. Manages to get Jin
inebriated, but is not as lucky with Mugen, who is quite the
well when it comes to food and drink. Not to be daunted, she successfully drugs him and steals their money. Appears again to drag Nagamitsu away from making a further fool of himself, and it is revealed that he is her husband. She adds insult to injury by robbing Mugen again before she departs.
Mariya Enshirou
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'Name:' Mariya Enshirou
'Age:' ''probably'' Late 40s
'Profession:' Kenjutsu Sensei
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' Mujushin Kenjutsu
'Quote:' "You've improved tremendously, Jin."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 8,
25 &
26
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Jin prior to the show's beginning)
The renowned "Slayer of a Thousand Men" and third master of the Muju. He has perished by the show's beginning, but features prominently in flashbacks. Both his character and the dojo were actual historical entities, albeit relatively obscure.
According to ''Samurai Champloo'', he intended to turn the dojo into an academy for training assassins, under pressure from
Kensei Kariya Kagetoki, but received passionate opposition from his finest pupil and heir, Jin.
In
Episode 25, Jin remembers a flashback of a conversation with Mariya about turning the Dojo into an assassins academy. Jin said if it becomes that, then Mujushin Kenjutsu would no longer be a martial art. Change was the only way to survive in this day and age, Mariya lamented. In Kariya Kagetoki's view, if Jin would not see change, he would have to be erased from the picture. Jin would have to be killed in his sleep. However, Jin killed his attacker in the dead of the night, discovering to his horror that it was Mariya. Proudly before passing away, Mariya remarked, "You've improved tremendously, Jin."
Given the identical kamon on their kimonos, Jin and Mariya were either relatives or Mariya adopted Jin.
Yamane
'Name:' Yamane
'Age:' 20s (present), 50s (future)
'Profession:' Checkpoint
Official
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:' "I remember that look in his eyes. He was like a stray dog that had long ago broken free of its leash."
'Appears in:'
Episode 9
'Final status:' Alive
A young government official in charge of guarding the
Hakone Checkpoint. Nicknamed "The Ogre," he changes little appearance-wise from his youth to his old age—bespectacled face, small stature. He appears as the
narrator of
Episode 9, reminiscing about his encounter with Mugen, Jin and Fuu (specifically Mugen) several decades ago. He has the ability to dislocate his left shoulder at will, which is especially useful in wiggling out of tight restraints.
Aohabu
'Name:' Aohabu
'Age:' Probably 40s
'Profession:' Leader of the Tengu Priests
'Weapon(s):'
'Fighting style(s):'
'Quote:'
'Appears in:'
Episode 9
'Final status:' Alive (Stoned)
Leader of the
souhei warrior monks disguised as
tengu. He and his men are a group of warrior priests who were abandoned after the war and hope to gain revenge on the country by causing a revolution with their fields of
marijuana. He seems very no-nonsense and is quick to schedule Mugen's execution when he judges him as a Shogunate lap dog. He goes ballistic when Mugen and Yamane burn his fields of weed and is seen at the end of the episode high with the two of them.
Tajima Munetada
'Name:' Tajima Munetada
'Age:' 30s
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Reverse-Blade Katana
'Fighting style(s):' Fuu Sekisai Ryu
'Quote:' "Alright. I could use a little after-dinner exercise."
'Appears in:'
Episode 10
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Shouryuu)
A famous samurai of the Fuu Sekisai Ryu (literally, "Wind Strike") Dojo, he is introduced at the beginning of
Episode 10, chewing on a blade of grass, and doesn't stick around for very long. He is approached by Shouryuu by the riverside on his way home and challenged to a duel. Tajima remarks, confidently, that he "could use a little after-dinner exercise," and charges Shouryuu. Shouryuu parries his attack with a wave of ki channeled through his sword. At first, Tajima is puzzled as to why Shouryuu is no longer attacking. A moment later, he hemorrhages out the eyes, face clenching up, and topples into the river, dead.
Ukon (a.k.a. Shouryuu)
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'Name:' Shouryuu (formerly Ukon)
'Age:' 30s
'Profession:' Ronin
'Weapon(s):'
Dao
'Fighting style(s):'
Shaolin kung fu, Hakkei
'Quote:' "Once mastered, the
martial arts are a tool for killing."
'Appears in:'
Episode 10
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Mugen)
Like Jin, Ukon was born into the samurai
bloodline. He studied under Zuikou and became one of his most prized disciples. Ukon was sent on a voyage by the province's
daimyo, but his ship met with disaster and capsized. Somehow, he ended up washed ashore in
China. There, he encountered a 'mysterious martial art' known as Hakkei, and studied it vigorously under the tutelage of
Shaolin monks. He returned to Japan a different man under a different name, Shouryuu, and so different had he become that he had no qualms about killing a fellow student to demonstrate his newfound power. Zuikou expelled him, but Shouryuu had the last laugh. Shouryuu wandered the continent searching for a new master, but no one would have him, labeling him a heretic. He became embittered as he felt his greatness deserved acknowledgement. He began murdering renowned samurai for sport, at the same time hoping to find a worthy opponent. The 'street killer' myth was built around him. His latest victim would have been Mugen, who despite being far superior to most of Shouryuu's opponents and having trained intensively for the fight, had little chance of winning outright. Mugen defeats Shouryuu by pulling out a tanto at the end of his scabbard as a trump card, impaling Shouryuu to death with it.
Mugen's battle with Shouryuu characterizes the uniqueness of his free-for-all fighting style he calls “champuru kendoâ€, swiping bits and pieces from all forms of martial arts thrown at him, as he was seemingly able to mimic and use Shoryuu's
ki technique to his own advantage, likely picked up in their first duel. This battle marks the first time Mugen ever faced an opponent he was unsure of defeating as stated by Jin.
[9]
Next to Kariya Kagetoki and Sara, Shouryuu is easily one of the most powerful fighters in the ''Champloo'' universe. His stance and fighting style are markedly
Shaolin. His discipline, Hakkei, makes use of
ki. It is unknown if Shouryuu employs ki to strengthen his defenses, but he certainly uses it to greatly augment his offensive prowess. Already as quick as Mugen, if not quicker, he is able to project ki at a distance or even channel it through his sword. Furthermore, one blow from his palm is a fatal
death touch.
Momoi Seishirou (a.k.a. "The Human Dynamo")
Momoi (center), accompanied by lackeys
'Name:' Momoi Seishirou
'Age:' 30s to 40s
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "Don't hurt me, please! It was all a lie, I swear to you! The whole Human Dynamo thing, I made it all up!"
'Appears in:'
Episode 10
'Final status:' Alive
Mustached,
goateed, cowardly samurai who surrounds himself with flunkies, in addition to being a self-styled "Human Dynamo". Mistakes Mugen for the street killer after some miscommunication and stands back to watch as the flunkies defend him. Only, Mugen clobbers them all, leaving Momoi to fall to his knees and beg for his life. Mugen spares him, disgusted (also because it would be wise not to stir up any more fuss in broad daylight, what with the townsfolk being on the edge of their seats about the street killer).
Zuikou
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'Name:' Zuikou
'Age:' 40s to 50s
'Profession:' Monk
'Weapon(s):' Katana (given up after he converted to monkhood)
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified (''might be'' unique)
'Quote:' "That's a lively piece of firewood!"
'Appears in:'
Episodes 10 &
12
'Final status:' Alive
A muscle-bound monk who gives the trio room and board in his
temple in exchange for their menial services. He was once the master of the dojo that Shouryuu trained in and became a monk as penance for his failure to save his pupil's soul. Makes a second prominent appearance in the
Episode 12 flashbacks, ''possibly'' instructing Mugen on the art of
Hakkei (how he knows anything about its workings is quite inexplicable, though it wouldn't be a stretch to assume he researched it).
It would seem that his giving room and board to our trio was not merely for their labor. In "Disorder Diaries", he provided both Jin and Fuu with spiritual guidance. And Zuikou's predictive powers (evident by his telling them to fix the doors ''before'' Mugen actually broke them) could lead us to believe that he predicted that Mugen would help his quest to end Ukon's path of destruction.
Shino
'Name:' Shino (
working name: "Kohana")
'Age:' ''probably'' late-20s
'Profession:' Prostitute
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "An eel's like a good woman. If you try to hang onto them by brute force they'll only run away."
'Appears in:'
Episode 11
'Final status:' Alive
A benevolent woman who falls in love with Jin, and vice versa. With a little subtlety, he saves her from jumping off a bridge. They spend the rest of the night manning an eel stand, which its oblivious owner has left Jin in charge of. She divulges that she will be sold to a brothel come morning to pay for her husband's gambling debts (a predicament similar to Osuzu's in
Episodes 3 &
4). When they next meet, she has become a prostitute and has assumed the name Kohana. A bunch of samurai pound on Jin for 'window shopping'. Aware that they might blame Kohana if he retaliates, he takes the beating in silence. He borrows money from a stunned Mugen and Fuu in order to see her the following night. Their bond grows stronger, and he persuades her to escape. This is a meticulously hatched plan: he frees her from her contract and sends her off to a divorce shelter where she will stay for the next three years. After that, should he die or remain a penniless ronin, she will at least be free of her husband.
Mukuro
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'Name:' Mukuro
'Age:' Late 20s to Early 30s
'Profession:' Pirate
'Weapon(s):'
Revolver,
Kodachi
'Fighting style(s):' Gunslinger, Other unspecified skills
'Quote:' "You and I are two birds of the same feather."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 13,
14, &
25
'Final status:' Deceased (killed by Jin)
Wanted criminal, pirate captain, former cohort of Mugen. He carries a revolver tucked in his waistband. His clothing includes a sawtooth design, wristbands and ankle bandages, which Kohza and a younger Mugen both share in appearance. Like his sister, Kohza, he has a fairly
swarthy complexion. He double-crossed Mugen at least once before and does it again. After their 'reunion', he convinces Mugen to rob a government ship with him, the spoils being 60,000 gold ryo. He blows the ship up with Mugen on board and returns to shore, where he and his secret accomplice, a government official named Shiren, hoard the gold. Unfortunately, Kohza is none too fond of her brother (according to her, he killed their mother), and engineers the double-cross into a triple-cross. He and Jin end up dueling. He
fans two shots at Jin; however, Jin anticipates and evades them. Mukuro met his end when Jin sliced him across the chest, then stabs him from behind seconds after drawing his katana.
Mugen's relationship with Mukuro is analogous to Spike's relationship with Vicious in ''
Cowboy Bebop''.
Kohza
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'Name:' Kohza
'Age:' Around Fuu's age
'Profession:' Pirate
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' N/A
'Quote:' "It's not fair that they get to be beautiful. Not when everything is so ugly down here."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 13 &
14
'Final status:' Alive
Mukuro's perpetually gloomy younger sister. She has a fondness for Mugen that dates back to their days of piracy, though the feeling is not quite mutual. Kohza isn't so much in love with Mugen as she is attached to him. This stems from her chronic dependency—she simply can't bear to be alone, which explains why she has remained with Mukuro all this time, even though he clearly repulses her. She devises a scheme to get rid of Mukuro and leave with Mugen, but as Mugen rejects her advances, she replaces him with Shiren. She neglects to inform Mugen what Mukuro has in store for him. After the ship Mugen is on explodes, she manipulates Jin and Mukuro into fighting, which ends in Mukuro's death. As she is leaving with Shiren, Mugen, having survived the explosion, confronts them and cuts Shiren down with a series of lightning-quick slashes despite being rigorously weakened. Kohza begs him to kill her. He pays her no heed, sick of her antics and furious beyond words at her betrayal; he departs, leaving her to suffer alone.
It is disputable whether Kohza is Mukuro's actual sister, as, aside from their
skin tone, Fuu observes that they look nothing alike. Moreover, Kohza states that Mukuro "killed ''her'' mother";, not "''our''" mother.
There are hints that Mugen may have stronger feelings for her than he displays. For one, his unenthusiastic behavior towards her exemplifies what Watanabe states is the way Mugen would act towards a girl he actually has feelings for
[2] . Secondly, at the end of Mugen's near-death experience in
Misguided Miscreants Part 2, the last people he sees in his mind are Jin, Fuu and Kohza, the only people who ever cared for him, and possibly whom he ever cared for in return.
Shiren
'Name:' Shiren
'Age:' 20s, ''probably''
'Profession:' Shogunate Official
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "I signed on for the money."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 13 &
14
'Final status:' Deceased (chopped up by Mugen)
A
Shogunate official, infatuated with Kohza. He becomes Mukuro's collaborator in double-crossing Mugen and keeping the gold for themselves. It is unknown if he is aware of Kohza's betrayal of Mukuro, though if he did he would surely be in on it, as it would mean more money for him. He is slashed dead by Mugen at the end of everything. As he and Mukuro are the only two people who know where the gold is hidden, it is never recovered.
Otawa Hankichi
'Name:' Otawa Hankichi
'Age:' 20s
'Profession:'
Ninja
'Weapon(s):' ''probably''
Ninjaken,
Kunai &
Shuriken
'Fighting style(s):'
Ninjutsu
'Quote:' "Are you sure he's going to be okay? I feel bad just leaving him here."[Referring to Mugen]
'Appears in:'
Episode 15
'Final status:' Alive
A decent-looking young man, apart from the large mole on the left side of his face (which may be a subtle jab at his role as a
double agent). He is a Shogunate spy, trained in ninjutsu, though this does not save him from being captured and tortured by members of a counterfeiting ring. He sustains the interrogation, and manages not to blow Yatsuha's cover, though the crooks are not taking chances and decide to silence her regardless, based on their suspicions.
Otowa is played by the same seiyuu who did
Shikamaru from the popular anime
Naruto, both being ninjas and both being good at running away.
Yatsuha
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'Name:' Imano Yatsuha
'Age:' 20s
'Profession:' Ninja
'Weapon(s):'
Ninjaken, ''probably''
Kunai &
Shuriken
'Fighting style(s):' Ninjutsu
'Quote:' "Listen, how would you like to try something ''really'' amazing?"
'Appears in:'
Episode 15
'Final status:' Alive
Ostensibly a young
geisha employed in a brothel, she is actually a
kunoichi and Otawa's partner, working to expose the brothel's counterfeiting operation. Her pretty face and voluptuous body are valuable assets, which spur Jin and Mugen to compete over her through a desperate battle of rock-paper-scissors (the physical appearances of the other geisha are a motivating factor). She tries to escape after she realizes she's been found out, but Mugen (who won) isn't having any of it. She persuades him to fight alongside her, with promises of "something amazing." Together, they invade the brothel's basement and beat up hordes of Negoro ninja. She arrests Ginsa, leader of the counterfeiting operation and knocks Mugen unconscious after he tries to collect on her promise. The next morning, she confesses to Otawa that she is in love with Mugen and intends to marry him. Otawa has reservations about her taste in men.
Coincidentially she is played by
Noriko Hidaka, who plays Belle Mere in
One Piece, along with
Kazuya Nakai who plays
Roronoa Zoro .
Momochi Ginsa
'Name:' Momochi Ginsa
'Age:' 40s
'Profession:'
Counterfeiter
'Weapon(s):' Kodachi
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:' "Doubts are like bothersome flies. They must all be crushed. That is rule number one."
'Appears in:'
Episode 15
'Final status:' Deceased (impaled by Yatsuha)
The leader of the counterfeiting operation fronted by a brothel operating overhead that seeks to duplicate
koban. The operation is already well underway when Otawa, a government mole, almost exposes their illicit activities. He and his underlings are part of a clan of ninja discounted after the war, similar to the so-called
tengu in
Episode 9. He sends five of them to dispose of Jin, who is recuperating after having engaged in a session of strenuous activity with a gaggle of geisha, but they die by his sword, instead. Ginsa and Yatsuha's father have history. Ginsa, unable to accept that the rest of his men (over twenty of them) were beaten solely by her and Mugen, draws his blade and tears toward them. He is promptly knocked down by Mugen and impaled to the ground by Yatsuha.
Okuru
'Name:' Okuru
'Age:' Late 30s ''to'' Early 40s
'Profession:'
Fugitive
'Weapon(s):'
repeating crossbow,
Kodachi
'Fighting style(s):' Archery, Other unspecified skill
'Quote:' "Death leaves no beautiful corpses."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 16 &
17
'Final status:' Uncertain
An
Ainu warrior whose village was struck by an
epidemic and torched by the
Matsumae Han. Overcome with rage, he killed the official who authorized the burning. He was arrested and incarcerated, but escaped before he could be executed. His weapon is unique, a modified
crossbow, called a Cho-Ko-Nu, that can repeatedly fire bolts. He mistakes Mugen as part of the Matsumae Han (who, ironically, later mistake Mugen for Okuru) and attacks him. He withdraws after he realizes the error. Later, he saves Fuu after she plunges off a
crag. Upon encountering Mugen again, they do battle, and Mugen remarks that he has the "eyes of a dead man, like a severed head that doesn't know it's been cut off." Their fight is interrupted by agents of the Matsumae Han, led by 'Tobata'. Okuru is riddled by flaming arrows, but miraculously remains standing. Jin and Mugen slaughter the rest of the Matsumae Han agents, while Okuru wrenches an arrow out of his gut and stabs Tobata dead with it. Engulfed in flames, he leaps off a cliff into the sea below. Mugen believes that Okuru is still alive.
Okuru's predicament of not being sure whether he is alive or dead due to life-changing events that occurred in his past bears similarities with that of ''Cowboy Bebop'' character Spike Spiegel.
Yukimaru
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'Name:' Yukimaru
'Age: 20' (near in age to Jin)
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' Mujushin Kenjutsu
'Quote:' "You must understand, I'm not like those others at the dojo. There's no point in avenging our master."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 16 &
17
'Final status:' Deceased (run through by Jin)
Like Ogura, Yukimaru was a student of Mariya Enshirou's before Jin killed him. Yukimaru contends that, unlike Ogura, he wants to take Jin's life not to avenge Enshirou but to make a name for himself. Unwilling to fight him, Jin takes a dive off the edge of a
waterfall. Yukimaru is persistent and hunts him down once more. They clash katana, and Jin gives him one last chance to turn back. Yukimaru charges on. Jin runs him through. On his dying breath, shedding a tear, Yukimaru whispers that he only "wanted to be like you." Jin and Fuu bury him, and pray before his grave. When Fuu asks Jin about who he was, Jin replies Yukimaru "was like a little brother".
The
Triforce-esque crest on Yukimaru's kimono is identical to the
kamon of the
HÅjÅ clan (which is incidentally where the inspiration for the Triforce came from).
[10]. Though the Takeda and Hojo clan were neighboring clans that often fought, they both did battle against
Tokugawa and
Nobunaga.
[11] If Jin and Yukimaru are of the Takeda and Hojo clan, this might explain their more familiar relationship with each other.
Tobata
'Name:' Tobata
'Age:' Early 30s
'Profession:' Samurai
'Weapon(s):' Katana, Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' ''probably'' Kenjutsu ''or'' Kendo
'Quote:' "You monster, I'll make you pay for what you've done!"
'Appears in:'
Episodes 16 &
17
'Final status:' Deceased (stabbed by Okuru)
Commands the band of Matsumae Han officials sent to pursue Okuru. Clearly enjoys what he is doing, as evidenced by the smirk on his face when he (thinks he) finally has Okuru cornered. His allegiance is to his daimyo and cannot be swerved, as he declares that he "has his orders," even after hearing that his superiors' motives might be less than honorable. Is stunned that Okuru is still on his feet after having been riddled by flaming arrows. He rushes forward with his katana drawn, intending to put an end to the
enemy of the state. A dispassionate Okuru wrenches an arrow out his body and stabs Tobata to death with it.
Bundai
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'Name:' Bundai
'Age:' Probably 30s
'Profession:' Priest scholar
'Weapon(s):' (Uses fists) None
'Fighting style(s):' Brawling
'Quote:' "Listen here, words have a soul! If you don't know the letters that convey it, you'll miss out."
'Appears in:'
Episode 18
'Final status:' Alive
A priest-scholar of an apparently abandoned temple. He meets the trio in a restaurant where, in an inebriated state, he disciplines Mugen for his illiteracy. He later kidnaps Mugen and puts him through a humorously hardcore bootcamp-like course in reading. During the tagging of
Hiroshima Castle, he is infuriated at the Niwa brothers' improper grammar in their graffiti and kidnaps them at the end to teach them the same way he did with Mugen.
Niwa Juunosuke
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'Name:' Niwa Juunosuke
'Age:' Probably 40s
'Profession:' Kenjutsu sensei
'Weapon(s):' Katana and Wakizashi
'Fighting style(s):' Probably Mujushin Kenjutsu
'Quote:' "If something should happen to me, please take care of my sons."
'Appears in:'
Episode 18
'Final status:' Deceased (suicide)
A master of the
Gojuu dojo in
Mihara and former
sensei to Jin. His dojo was so envied by other masters that he was ordered by the
daimyo to take down his dojo's signboard (an immense sign of disrespect), or cut off his own arm. Rather than allow this to happen, he committed suicide, so his sons could inherit the dojo. Jin learns all of this from a monk upon visiting the abandoned dojo. The Niwas apparently held Jin in high regard not just as a student, but as family, evident from Juunosuke asking Jin to look after his sons in case anything happens to him, as well as his sons' brotherly respect for Jin. His sons' decision to desecrate Hiroshima Castle was partially to avenge him.
Niwa Kazunosuke & Tatsunoshin
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'Names:' Niwa Kazunosuke
:: Niwa Tatsunoshin
'Age:' Probably slightly older than Fuu
'Profession:' Graffiti Tagging Gang Leaders
'Weapon(s):'
Bokken with protruding nails,
Balisong, Paintbrush
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:' "The world's a big place. There's always someone better."
'Appears in:'
Episode 18
'Final status:' Alive
Two identical twins and sons of Juunosuke Niwa. Appearance wise, their clothing is very
hip-hop oriented, while still having Buddha bracelets like Jin's. The twins style also are similar, but contrasting, with one being blonde with nose-ring and earrings, the other black-haired with a black headband. They are heads of the local graffiti gang and are extremely competitive with each other. They deeply respect Jin like an older brother, to whom they reveal that they have given up the sword in exchange for the paintbrush and currently express themselves by "tagging" graffiti in different places. Following a suggestion by Fuu to settle their constant competing, they go on a tagging contest, culminating in the tagging of
Hiroshima Castle, but are foiled when the newly literate Mugen beats them to it. This prompts them to finally accept that neither of them is better than the other, while also being recruited by Uohori of Andouya (''Champloo's'' version of
Andy Warhol) to shake up the fashion of
Ura Edo and become the inspiration of scribbling. However, this is not before they are taken away by Bundai for some difficult training in grammar.
Yuri
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'Name:' Yuri
'Age:' probably slightly older than Fuu
'Profession:' Underground Christian
'Weapon(s):' None
'Fighting style(s):' None
'Quote:' "May God protect you."
'Appears in:'
Episode 19
'Final status:' Alive
A young, determined Christian girl who is the daughter of a gunsmith who hid on Ikitsuki Island with Fuu's father, Kasumi Seizou. They fled when the village was raided and burned, and never saw Kasumi after that. She is pursued and captured by the imposter Francisco Xavier III, who killed her father to prevent him from exposing his gunrunning plot. Francisco attempts to force her to marry him, until Fuu, Mugen and Jin help her escape and expose Xavier. She fires past him possibly by mistake or by divine grace, and after Xavier's death, prays for God to protect the trio on their journey. Yuri is notable for providing the first actual information about Kasumi Seizou and his whereabouts.
Francisco de Xavier III
'Name:' Francisco de Xavier III (false name)
'Age:' 30s to 40s
'Profession:'
Gunrunner
'Weapon(s):'
primitive Rocket Launcher
'Fighting style(s):' Unspecified
'Quote:' "To stand against me is to stand against God."
'Appears in:'
Episode 19
'Final status:' Deceased (accidental suicide)
Not his real name by any means. He claims to be the grandson of the first
Francisco de Xavier, an evangelist who introduced
Jesus to Japan. He deceives an underground Christian village into producing firearms for him to make money. His crown is shaved in the fashion of a Western
monk, and he is highly
amblyopic. He is the only person in the show with access to a rocket launcher, and dies when he tries to kill the Christians and it backfires on him and explodes.
Sara
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'Name:' Sara
'Age:' Mid 20s
'Profession:'
Shamisen Player, Shogunate Assassin
'Weapon(s):'
Kama-Yari (disguised as
walking staff)
'Fighting style(s):'
Sojutsu
'Quote:' "I just want you to live, Mugen."
'Appears in:'
Episodes 20 &
21
'Final status:' Deceased (allowed Mugen to kill her)
A beautiful, blind musician who the trio encounters near the end of their journey. The quartet travel together for a while, and she reveals she has an illegitimate son that was sequestered from her, allegedly due to her blindness. She requests for one of the men to accompany her to reclaim her son. Knowing that Mugen likes Sara, Fuu reluctantly offers Jin, expecting him to reject the offer. But Jin accepts. Sara is in reality a Shogunate assassin, set to expunge both Mugen and Jin. She unfolds the blades on her walking staff and wounds Jin in a matter of moments. Out of desperation, Jin cuts the ropes holding up the bridge they are on and they both go plunging into the river below. Jin recuperates, while Mugen and Fuu locate an unconscious Sara washed up on the bank. Mugen finds Sara's staff by the river and becomes suspicious of her motives. Most likely, he discovers the blades on it and deduces what happened to Jin. When she has recovered, he confronts her about it, quietly, subtly, uncharacteristically. Sara and Mugen fight by the river, and Mugen is utterly defeated. Fuu begs Sara not to kill him, and she relents, partially for Fuu, and partially because she relates to Mugen, as neither of them, in her opinion, have ever been loved. A Shogunate contact disguised as a
pinwheel merchant urges Sara to finish the job, especially if she wants to see her son again. One of his many pinwheels stop, abruptly, and it hints that her son is
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