Samurai Champloo is a great anime with beautifully animated fight scenes, an involving story, and great characters. That's not to say it's for the faint of heart. Fight scenes do get quite brutal(for example, a mans fingers are broken one by one). I didn't notice much degradation of women. There's one episode in which the characters go too a brothel, and another where a character is forced to join a brothel, but no sex is seen at any point in the series. Frankly, I'm utterly stunned that commonsensemedia would give this brilliant show a 2/5.
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Samurai Champloo
(Rated TV-14, Science fiction , Starring Steven Jay Blum, Kari Wahlgren, Kirk Thornton, Where to watch: Cartoon Network, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sex, alcohol, swearing, fights = anime for adults.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Samurai Champloo
Parents need to know that the three central characters in this mature anime series (which is set during Japan's Edo period) deal with plenty of sex, alcohol, and violent, bloody fights. The main character is a 15-year-old girl who is fearful of physical and sexual abuse, is seen taking baths (nothing crucial is revealed), and always has to keep one step ahead of her two male Samurai bodyguards. One of them frequently refers to her as "bitch." The series is geared toward older viewers who can appreciate its production values and the characteristics that set it apart from other shows in the genre.
Read our full review by Pam Gelman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the series' high levels of violence, sex, and alcohol. Do these elements enhance or distract from the main plot and messages? Families can also discuss how the three very different main characters work together (albeit sometimes grudgingly) as a team. Despite her fear, how is Fuu portrayed as a strong female character? What does she have in common with other female anime characters? What sets her apart? Parents can also talk to kids about the Edo period of Japanese history. What characterizes it? Why does it make a colorful backdrop for an anime series?
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Our Members Say
See all 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in IllinoisI rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itA brilliant anime for mature teens.
- Lives in NevadaI rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
A unique blend of hip hop, jazz, r&b, and the edo period.
Samurai Champloo is one of my personal favorite animes. It's brilliant, mature, and built for adults. While being both historical and stylish, director Shinichiro Watanabe is able to create a daring feat and yet another masterpiece.
- Lives in MissouriI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
TH? is wrong with you haterz?
I L samurai champloo its fun its easy its american but still japanese. everybody knows it even if you dont wanna except it. the pot thing is american as baseball my little brother watches it with me all of the time i mean common. the thing is some parents cant control what thier kids do. so its not the animators at fault. its not hentai. so stfu! the redlight district thing was awesum the hip hop in the middle was perfect. the grafiti the moves of mugen so real so much better than im used to. if you dont like it well you wont like alot of anime. its not my fault you guys cant control your kids. my brother is 10 and he watches samruai champloo but hes not slashin people. in fact hes interested in the edo era. if he could be that interested in history just imagen.
- Lives in MassachusettsI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
REALLY good anime show (but not for anybody under 11)
this, along with cowboy bebop,(another show done by the same guy) is the only anime show i like. along with each episodes story, it deals with how the charaters get along. Yes, there is A LOT of violece and swearing, but there are worse shows out there. also, what was that bit about women being put down? i dont really see any of that. in fact, there are a few strong women in this. yes, there is a bit of sexual stuff, like the guys going to a prostatute house, but it still deals with relationships.
- Lives in NevadaI rate this title off for age 17 and give it
This show is extremely graphic and should only be viewed by adults.
My only issue was the rating. It's a great show for adults, just not for kids. P.S.- Your rating is wrong. If you check http://www.imdb.com, it will tell you that Samurai Champloo is actually rated TV-MA. THe edited version is TV-14, however the version that you speak of is actually the TV-MA version. So, you need to update it.
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