Episode 22 Discussion: "The Cosmic Collisions"

Tonight is another new episode of SamCha, except, well, this one is strange to say the least. It's just a one-shot episode, so don't let it ruin the rest of the series for you, since the last four after this are awesome. I actually kind like this episode, despite the fact that it makes no sense and appears to be a take-off on something I don't know about. See what you think. Enjoy.

Wow...

I saw this on the Friday Night Fix, because yeah.

Weird.
As.
Hell.

It reminds me of some Japanese Horror movie I saw in 10th grade. I forgot the title, but I'll look into it, since they were pretty much alike.

wait wa? I'm not sure I quite understand

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...the best part's at the very end in the credits.

It does seem based on maybe a Japanese legend or maybe a more recent book or film, although I've never been able to find out what exactly.

quote:

Originally posted by Shredder Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...the best part's at the very end in the credits.

It reminded me of Thriller.

quote:

Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt quote: Originally posted by Shredder Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...the best part's at the very end in the credits. It reminded me of Thriller.

I just meant I liked it in the randomness of its placement in the credits, especially the first time I saw this episode...not for any, um, Michael Jackson connection.

Oh, and welcome, Vash.

quote:

Originally posted by Shredder quote: Originally posted by Cerpin Taxt quote: Originally posted by Shredder Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...the best part's at the very end in the credits. It reminded me of Thriller. I just meant I liked it in the randomness of its placement in the credits, especially the first time I saw this episode...not for any, um, Michael Jackson connection.

Meh. Maybe.

It was still really cool and random, though.

Err...you know what, forget I said anything about it...


(Although I still don't think there's a connection).

quote:

Originally posted by Shredder Err...you know what, forget I said anything about it... (Although I still don't think there's a connection).

I never said there was. I just said it reminded me of it.

The end seems like the end of a 60's horror movie more than anything.

hey i didn't know there was anything at the end of the credits. *runs to watch*

Teh snaps! The credits were trippy!

The episode didn't really fit into the series, though the allusion to the A-Bomb was a little unsettling.

quote:

Originally posted by Jstar136 The episode didn't really fit into the series, though the allusion to the A-Bomb was a little unsettling.

I'm glad you noticed that, Jstar. I immediately noticed the episode had a few WWII & pop culture connotations.

Fuu and the samurais spend the show walking to Nagasaki. The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in 1945, forcing Japan's surrender to the Allies.

The corpse miners obediantly follow the orders of the alleged heir of Japan. Perhaps this is a reflection on WWII era Japan's loyalty to the emperor. Most of the miners and the heir are heavily westernized (This is only the third episode of Samurai Champloo that I've seen, so I don't know if westernized characters are the norm) so are they a sign of what's coming in Japan's future?

I think Fuu was right when she first thought Jin and Mugen ate mushrooms. This episode was just a bad trip. Especially as the heir is in mod attire.

Anyone else recognize Lone Wolf and Cub watching the mushroom cloud?

quote:

Originally posted by Shredder Oh, and welcome, Vash.

Thanks. The whole episode was a bit unnverving. It had no relevance and what was up with the whole zombie thing? Did they all like die in the end

quote:

WWII & pop culture connotations.

"OMFG! teh shock value!" I noticed that too. but what surprised me the most was I was actually able to watch an episode of SC.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Peabody quote: Originally posted by Jstar136 The episode didn't really fit into the series, though the allusion to the A-Bomb was a little unsettling. I'm glad you noticed that, Jstar. I immediately noticed the episode had a few WWII & pop culture connotations. Fuu and the samurais spend the show walking to Nagasaki. The second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in 1945, forcing Japan's surrender to the Allies. The corpse miners obediantly follow the orders of the alleged heir of Japan. Perhaps this is a reflection on WWII era Japan's loyalty to the emperor. Most of the miners and the heir are heavily westernized (This is only the third episode of Samurai Champloo that I've seen, so I don't know if westernized characters are the norm) so are they a sign of what's coming in Japan's future? I think Fuu was right when she first thought Jin and Mugen ate mushrooms. This episode was just a bad trip. Especially as the heir is in mod attire. Anyone else recognize Lone Wolf and Cub watching the mushroom cloud?

I agree with most of what you said, except for the westernization part.

From my experience watching this show, they make westernization much more blaringly obvious than this episode like in Unholy Union and that other one with the Dutch trading guy.

The wasabi part was also strange. Isn't it true that some of those herbs actually do have health benefits? (Resurrection doesn't count)

EDIT: Just another thought, but the time spent digging could reflect Japan's isolation for (Insert Number Here)

i've never been a big fan of zombies, but these were ok i guess.

Whoo! Zombie episode! *pumps fists up in air*

The following link will take you to a fan page that has extensively analyized this episode. Apparently, as we all realize, it's allegorical and is mainly a feast of in-jokes for its original Japanese audience. Still, I never would have guessed it had to do with the SNES game, Earthbound:

http://www.spookhouse.net/angelynx/comic...episode-22.html

Still, that was one spooky episode--epecially the ending credits. It did remind me of Thriller at times. Baseball Blues is supposed to be the next episode, but Adult Swim doesn't have it listed--hopefully they don't make a schedule error. Overall, Champloo's been on an upswing in pretty good-to-great episodes. And as we near the end, knowing Shinichiro Watanabe (sp?), it'll get suddenly very serious and incredibly awesome ala Bebop's final episodes.