Samurai Champloo Episode 1 English Subtitles 1/3

“Tempestuous Temperaments”
“Storm and Stress / Shippū Dotō” (疾風怒涛)

After the title credits, there is a short introduction before the first episode, stating, “This work of fiction is not an accurate historical portrayal. Like we care, just shut up and enjoy the show.”

A colorful sunset stretches across the screen as an execution is prepared in the town below. We are suddenly introduced to two unfortunate characters addressed as Vagabond Mugen and Ronin Jin, who are knelt in front of the local Magistrate to be beheaded. An interested crowd has gathered and is chattering in curiosity. Sentenced to death, Mugen and Jin see their respective blades descend upon their necks.

Rewind one day earlier.

We are introduced to Fuu, who is working as a waitress in a tea house. The son of the local magistrate and his posse have chosen to relax in the tea house for the day, as well as disturb the other customers and heckle Fuu.

A few blocks away is the magistrate himself, standing in the way of a construction project, as he hasn’t received a pay off. Despite being given money, he throws it back at the poor worker and orders the three Yagyu swordsmen guarding him to kill the man. As the Yagyu prepare to kill him, Jin steps forward out of the crowd, blocking their way. He then asks them if following the orders of their lord is honorable, “even if [he] is a worthless piece of shit.” Provoked, the Yagyu attack, and are quickly cut down. Jin then leaves, picking up three coins off the ground as payment.

Back at the tea house, Mugen has offered to take care of the men who are causing trouble for fifty dumplings. Though Fuu initially refuses, after she stands to lose a finger, she raises the reward to one-hundred dumplings. Mugen jumps into action, slicing off Ryujiro’s arm, as well as killing several other guards. The magistrate’s son laughs at Mugen, telling him that this is not the way things are done here. But Mugen couldn’t care less, deciding to break all the fingers on the son’s hand until he receives a challenge. After breaking four fingers, Jin enters the tea house and catches Mugen’s attention. As they fight, the crazed Ryujiro sets the tea house on fire.

After the blaze that killed his son, the magistrate has decided to make Mugen and Jin pay for his death, putting them in a department store of torture before being beheaded the next day. Meanwhile, Fuu investigates the ashes of what was once the tea house. She has made up her mind to travel and find the Sunflower Samurai. But first she will need some assistance.

Making her way past the guards, Fuu tries to break Mugen and Jin from their cell, but fails to do anything but break the key. The next day, she manages to get ahold of some fireworks, hoping to cause a distraction during the execution.

Meanwhile, time is running out. We now know more about the two men and the circumstances behind their execution, but is Fuu too late? The blades of the executioners are already being swung down, but Mugen ducks out of the way, kicking the sword from the executioner’s hands. Cutting himself free, Jin kills his executioner and frees Mugen. Postponing their fight, the two proceed to fight their way out of the courtyard, killing the corrupt magistrate in the process.

Fuu, armed with fireworks, lights the fuses and creates a dazzling distraction, allowing Mugen and Jin to slip out into the crowd. On the outskirts of town, Mugen and Jin prepare to fight to the death, but Fuu stops them before they can draw. Holding out a coin, Fuu asks that it all be decided by a coin toss. Heads, they fight; Tails, they postpone until she has found the Sunflower Samurai. In the end, Fuu wins the decision, starting the adventure.