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FUNi's #1 is Samurai Champloo; More Up Their Sleeves?

Maybe I'm just in denial, but I think FUNi's not done with us just yet.

Samurai Champloo
Samurai Champloo
Don't get me wrong, Samurai Champloo-- the final(?) FUNimation New Show A-Go-Go --is an awesome series, and I'm happy to see it'll continue to be distributed in the US by FUNimation after the loss of Geneon.


But out of the ten new show announcements FUNi made, only two are actually shows that have never seen distribution in the US before. And those hints that clearly made us think there were a couple of other big-name titles in the works (*cough cough soul eater and evangelion cough cough*).


So, what happened? Did they plan to announce them all but hit a snag in negotiations that forced them to wait? Or is this all a big tease and they'll have some major announcement on January 1 or something along those lines? Or did they just want to tease us with those big names? I dunno, but from what I know about FUNi, I'm not giving up yet.


...But back to Champloo, which as I said is still pretty darn cool:

Mugen is a fierce animal-like warrior with a unique Bboying (break-dance) inspired fighting style. Jin has a more traditional style but don’t think of this as a weakness because his skills are amazing. The two contrasting samurai warriors are far from friends, yet their separate paths seem to cross anyways. Mugen is wandering aimlessly through the city when he stumbles upon a teahouse where he meets Jin and Fuu (A ditzy waitress, but don‘t think she doesn‘t have anything hidden up her sleeves). Fuu convinces them both to come with her in search of a mysterious samurai that smells like sunflowers and their journey begins. This modernized hip-hop tale breaks the barriers of the common, historical, samurai anime.


If you haven't caught this one on DVD or Adult Swim, you now have no excuse not to, since FUNi's going to distribute it once again.

Nikoon Dec. 31, 2008 at 8:11 a.m.
It's a good series, and I'll likely pick up the new box eventually, but this list wasn't what I was hoping for. FUNi picking up even more Geneon titles isn't too surprising, so I would have liked more new titles.

Maybe this is just everything under the tree, and we forgot to empty the stocking.
MorpheusDreamweaveron Dec. 31, 2008 at 8:56 a.m.
Does anybody else think that it's a bit of a waste to re-license shows that Geneon actually finished?
nweaselon Dec. 31, 2008 at 9:20 a.m.

WARNING! There's more! I've been following Anime Vice on RSS since it started, but finally signed up now 'cause I needed to inform ya! ;D

The following is a quote from Funimation's Twitter page:

"New Show A-Go-Go doesn't end at 12a tonight. Our last announce. is not the last of 2008. We said New Anime for the New Year and we meant it!"

That was posted 20 hours ago from now, so Samurai Champloo was announced now. But, is there more?? Keep your eyes open! :D

Source: http://twitter.com/funimation

Onion Dec. 31, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.
yes samurai champloo!!
Kuroon Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:02 a.m.
This is a great title. I am sure there will be more announcements, or atleast one.

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