I love Samurai Champloo. Recently, with some of the time I've had off
I've been re-watching some old anime favorites; Wolf's Rain and Samurai
Champloo. Before I begin, I'd like to post the Youtube link for you to
see this episode for yourself. Perhaps, if you have the time, then you
can come back for the commentary.
This
episode is all about Jin. The brief story about how this samurai, both
highly skilled but just as clueless, stumbles upon Hamatatsu's local
treasure, Shino Kohana. On a day with heavy rains, they meet cordially
on top of the town bridge, with Jin sensing her ulterior motive for
being there. But fate would have it that this would not be the last
time they stumble upon each other.
Shino Kohana certainly
married the wrong man, with his debt forcing her into a prostitute's
brothel for the rest of her life. The day that she met Jin was her last
day as a "free" woman. Always and forever bound by her "role", her
societal expectation, her marriage to an abusive man, or even the law
(that no woman may divorce her husband), she's never been truly free.
Fast
forwarding to her life in the brothel, she's forced to satisfy the
desires of other men, always and forever "laughing" when her sorrows
become too much. Such is the reality of many women, ne? But it is here
that Jin comes in as the hero.
Up until this point, no one but
Mugen has any chance again Jin. Undoubtedly, the audience will wonder
why he doesn't just storm the establishment and kill all the
perpetrators and run away with the prize woman. But here is where I
really think some treasure is hidden underneath the superbly created
animation; he doesn't treat Shino like a prize to be won. He first buys
her time (literally) to get to know her as well as her situation. As a
character in the story, his knowledge (as well as ours) is limited.
Only after spending time with her does he resolve to free her.
Then
comes my favorite part. Fuu, one of Jin's companions, inquires of his
true motivation. "Why are you doing this? It's not like I don't
understand your pity but..."
"It's not pity" is only reply necessary, and he's off to save the princess.
Whoot.
Go Jin. =D Then he does what heroes do. He helps her escape and shows
her the sanctuary "across the river". He provides the boat, pushes her
off and kills the bad guys to buy her time. It goes to show one thing.
The reality of a man's desire to be The Man is transcendent of time,
space, language and culture. The desire of a man is universal. And I
just love how Jin showed his manly spirit in this episode- a true
manhood devoid of chauvinism or condescending pity; a man who knew what
it would take to save the woman, and pulled through.
Comments (2)
Woot on that, dude. Back when I watched the show, this was one of my favorite episodes.
I LOVE Samurai Champloo. One of the best animes I've seen.
I like Mugen's voice in English better though, makes him soundmore conniving. =3