The Connection Between Samurai Champloo and The Boondocks

 

Left: Samurai Champloo | Right: The Boondocks

Recently, I started watching this anime called Samurai Champloo. It was produced by the creator that did Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanabe. The animation of this anime was amazing and definitely has a 90s anime inspired art style and has modern hair styles and colors for the characters while still keeping their wardrobe traditional to the Japanese Edo period. the story follows tea waitress Fuu, outlaw swordsman Mugen, and ronin Jin. After Fuu saves Mugen and Jin from being executed, she forces them to journey with her to find this swordsman who smells like sunflowers. Even though they keep trying to escape or fight with each other, fate always seems to bring them alive and together. From the beginning, I noticed similarities in the fighting styles, video cuts, and animation style to an African-American show that I watch called The Boondocks. The show follows two brothers, Huey and Riley, and their grandfather, Robert, as they navigate life in their predominantly white and suburban neighborhood after moving from Chicago. The protagonist, Huey, and the enemies that he encounters simulate to anime fighting styles and there are many episodes that reference Asian culture. The video below shows the connection using the Samurai Champloo intro song and the intro and episode video clips from The Boondocks and Samurai Champloo.