Mugen

the sons of a battlecry

Let's be honest: the relationship shared by Jin and Mugen is not at all uncommon in the anime world. It's more-than mainstream to have two polar-opposite male leads who are constantly at each other's throats, yet are friends deep down inside. Naturally, though, Samurai Champloo manages to wing it in a way that's not only unique, but pretty damn comical.

At heart, Jin and Mugen are very much the same. They're both poor wanderers relying on their smarts and swords to get by; they pretty much do whatever they want when they want -- with skills of their caliber, people don't have a chance to get in their way. Perceptive Fuu makes note of this -- even though Jin and Mugen appear as different as different can be, they're still the same crazy guys who can't stop fighting god dammit.

The basis of Jin and Mugen's relationship lies in their desire to fight each other. Never before had either man faced an opponent he could not cut -- much less kill. Their diametric fighting styles cancel each other out with Jin's smooth, practiced strokes and Mugen's bizarre, improvised movements. More than anything they want to continue their duel, and in the beginning it is this sole thought that keeps them traveling with Fuu. When it's all over and they no longer have to honor their promise, they can finish their fight. Expectedly, that doesn't stop them from bordering on fighting, nor does it stop fate from placing them on opposing sides time and time again.

As time passes, things change in extremely subtle fashions -- on the outside, Jin and Mugen still hate each other, but a measure of trust now exists between the two men. They come to each other's aid and collaborate to protect Fuu. They don't openly respect each other at all, but they know they have to stay alive for Fuu, who becomes a person of central importance to both of them.

What's interesting is how the meaning of "I'm going to be the one that kills you" changes significantly over the course of the series. In the beginning, it's taken in the literal sense. However, near the middle and end, the fierce phrase transforms in meaning: it becomes an order to not die -- to live. As Jin entrusts Fuu's life to Mugen, Mugen shouts, "You better not die! We'll settle our battle later!". And Jin smiles, reassured, as he watches his comrade take off.

Ultimately, the two men get their duel, yet under unforeseen circumstances -- both of them are heavily wounded, barely alive. As they charge at each other for the last time, their blades break in the first parry. "We're pathetic" murmurs Mugen. "Yeah" agrees Jin. And they collapse at each other's feet.

By that time, neither of them wanted to fight or kill each other. They knew they were friends, and they were aware of how killing each other would only hurt the onlooking Fuu. There was no intensity in that final strike; it seemed, more or less, that it was done just to satisfy their original pledge -- their promise to duel each other. As they lay recovering, Mugen told Jin that "for some reason", he didn't feel like killing him. And Jin, in turn, acknowledged him and Fuu as his friends. At the very end, they were finally able to recognize each other as comrades.