Samurai Champloo Volume 3 (UMD-Movie, 2005)

This is a gritty hip-hop cultured hack and slash with some heart. The creator of Cowboy Bebop, Shinichiro Watanabe brings his characters to life with this colorful adventure. This volume kicks off with our adventures in need of passports to get across the border. How they get them is all the fun and nothing is what it seems. If you have seen any of the previous volumes, at this point you are already hooked. For those considering starting the series, episode 12 is a flashback episode where people just joining the adventure can catch up. I do not recommend this, however, since it's not 100% everything that happens and you lose a bit of context. If you are just starting out, Watch episode 12 first, then go back to 9, 10, 11, then skip ahead to Volume 4. Either that or go find the box set and watch the whole series or find Volumes 1 and 2.

PROS - More adventure, more sword fighting, more hip-hop goodness. Plus a bonus flashback episode for those who can't get volumes 1 and 2.

CONS - If you are up to speed, episode 12 is repetitive, otherwise this whole series is off the chain.