I guess Fuu is the main character of the show. After all, she's the only one to see any true character development so far. Mugen and Jin are just along for the ride.

Of course, that's a bit interesting in itself. What do Mugen and Jin have to gain from accompanying Fuu on her journey? Obviously, they care enough to protect her every time she finds trouble - which is often. But why?

Cowboy Bebop traveled a similar path, with a group of characters that, despite being linked only by circumstance, couldn't leave each other alone. They were responsible to each other, yet rarely owned up to it. I see the same in Samurai Champloo.

Well, now this makes perfect sense. Evolution of the human stomach, indeed.

This seemed like an awfully weak episode, though. Granted, it sent the overall story in a new direction, but standing on its own, it went absolutely nowhere. I was at least hoping for a nice battle scene in the theater at the end, but it never happened.

Fuu. This episode if full of Fuu. Fundamentally, Fuu is all you need for a fulfilling episode. Once you realize what all the fuss is about Fuu, you'll realize how focusing on any other character is futile. Frankly, if an episode passed with the fetching Fuu nowhere to be found, I'd be fuming.

That's the Fuu Factor.

Momo's right. Fuu is hot.

What, I'm supposed to write more? What more do you need to know? It's simple, really: Fuu = hot. And that's all she wrote. Or I wrote. Or something.

Hmm...

This show has the strangest sense of humor, but I love it. And the animation is pretty. Pretty animation is good.

Kind of mundane compared to the first episode, but still good. Outside of the music, style took a back seat to storytelling - which is fine - but, it definitely lacked some of the "punch" of the first episode.

I wonder how the story will develop. Will it be little more than our trio's adventures as they search for the samurai that "smells of sunflowers", or will there be a deeper story that'll evolve over time? Will it be like Cowboy Bebop, advancing the story only as necessary to drive character development?

I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Style, meet substance.

OK, perhaps it's a little too early to say whether the story will have any substance or not, but the potential is definitely there. And as far as style is concerned, it be drippin'.

High points include the stellar animation, wicked action sequences, cool character designs, solid voice work (I'm a huge Kawasumi Ayako fan, so it's nice to see her get such a cool role), good music, and a unique OP/ED. Yes, I actually like the OP, although it took a few listens to grow on me. I fell in love with the ED the very first time, however.

Even though the series is already licensed, I think I'll continue watching for now.