Hakone is infamous as a checkpoint that is difficult to get past, and when the trio tries to sneak in with some badly forged passports, they are quickly captured and scheduled for execution. The only way they can earn a reprieve is if Mugen can deliver a severed head and return by sunset. Too bad the way is fraught with dangerous militant monks dressed up as demons. The monks plan on using some kind of drug that will get everyone high and bring about revolution. Mugen falls into their trap, but is lucky to be rescued by a lowly official from the checkpoint. Apparently they had Mugen tailed to make sure he didn’t run away. To create a diversion, the official sets fire to the fields, with super trippy results. For just one night, there was some serious partying going down in Japan.
Samurai Champloo continues to be stuck in a vaguely entertaining, but plotless rut. Sure it was interesting watching Mugen get high with monks and dash around with Tengu, but what did any of it have to do with the sunflower samurai? Aren’t they supposed to be getting hints about Fuu’s little keychain of death? The only tidbit thrown out to the viewers is that Jin had his passport taken away in the past. I was also disappointed by how easily everyone was captured. What happened to being super swordsman? Where was Momo-chan? You would think that Jin and Mugen could easily have defeated all the guards, but I guess when you’re hungry and unaware, bad things happen.
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This post was written by...
Kabitzin – who has written 1937 posts on Sea Slugs! Anime Blog.
One of the founders of Sea Slugs, I handle most of the blog admin tasks while wearing my I AM BOSS shirt. I like my action series well choreographed, and my romance series extra trashy. I also have a soft spot for puns.
