Jun 19 2005
If you haven't tuned in to Cartoon Network lately, you're missing some major anime.Currently showing are some excellent animes such as S-Cry-Ed, Fooly Cooly and Rave Master. And let's not forget Inuyasha or our beloved Vash in Trigun. But perhaps most exciting are the new animes that debuted this weekend. Interested? Me too. Let's start with Samurai Champloo.
I know, I know.. Samurai Who? From Geneon Entertainment, Samurai Champloo is the story of two warriors: Mugen, mean and cold-hearted, and Jin, mysterious yet polite. These two have only one thing in common: their execution! After being arrested for a bloody swordfight, the two are saved by Fuu, a spacey waitress who convinces the two swordsmen to help her find yet another samurai - one who "smells of flowers".
Is it good? Well, decide for yourself. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Animatrix) and designed by Kill Bill Vol. 1 genius Kazuto Nakazawa, Samurai Champloo is an odd, exciting, action-packed anime just waiting to donate a breath of fresh air to your normal TV schedule. Or, as Geneon describes it, think of a Bing Crosby and Bob Hope road movie set in medieval Japan and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Now that's my kind of anime :)
The second exciting newcomer is Paranoia Agent, another Geneon Entertainment production. Paranoia Agent kicks off with the story of Tsukiko Sagi, creator of the popular mascot character, Maromi. Unfortunately, Tsukiko's brilliance seems to be tapped out and she struggles to create any subsequent characters to rival Maromi. Depressed and frustrated, Tsukiko wishes for a life-changing miracle and her wish is granted. When she is attacked by a mysterious boy with a golden bat and inline skates, she suddenly becomes the focus of a media frenzy. Who is the boy? Is he real?
Directed by Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress), this wild anime features animation by none other than Madhouse (Gungrave, Trigun) and promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Both Paranoia Agent and Samurai Champloo debuted on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Saturday, June 18th. To catch upcoming episodes, visit Adult Swim's website for a full schedule.
