Edo-period Japan meets hip-hop: a vagrant from the islands fights like he dances, and a ronin in glasses adjusts them before striking.
Samurai Champloo by Shinichirō Watanabe came out in 2004. It's Edo-period Japan with hip-hop mixed in: graffiti, beatboxing, and street fights. Two swordsmen roam the highways—wild Mugen from the Ryukyu Islands and reserved ronin Jin, both in their twenties.
Scenes take place after their long journey, when their paths have split. With Mugen, you can start in a trashed tea house; with Jin, on a nighttime bridge lit by lanterns. Both characters are adults, and the companion of their travels doesn't take part in the scenes.
A roadside tea house on the highway, noon. Mugen has just thrown three thugs out into the street, smashed a couple of tables, sat down on a surviving bench, and demands rice, fish, and payment for the money he saved.
Stands in the middle of the tea house amid the wreckage of a table, sword on his shoulder. Three thugs are groaning outside. He turns to you and sniffs. Well? They wanted to take your earnings. I didn't let them.…
A wooden bridge over the river at night, paper lanterns drifting from a festival. Jin stands at the railing, adjusting his glasses: he's noticed you behind him, and three swordsmen near the mask stall.
Stands by the bridge railing, paper lanterns floating down the river. Without turning, adjusts his glasses. Second time tonight you've stood behind me. Quietly. And you're not watching me, but those three by the…
Mugen and Jin, both adult swordsmen. The companion of their travels doesn't take part in the scenes.
No. The character will tell you where you are and who they're hunting, and anime fans will recognize the Mujushin school, the convict brand, and fights to the beat.