Tomorrow studios taps original samurai champloo creator for live-action adaptation

Tomorrow Studios is bringing the 2004 anime series Samurai Champloo to life in live-action, with original creator Shinichirō Watanabe on board to guide the project. The studio, which also produced the Netflix adaptations of Cowboy Bebop and One Piece, confirmed Watanabe's involvement after a dinner meeting in Japan.

Samurai champloo blends swordplay with hip-hop

Combining historical action with modern beats, Samurai Champloo originally aired for 26 episodes in 2004-2005. Watanabe, known for his work on Cowboy Bebop, directed the series, which paired sword fights with hip-hop music.

Tomorrow Studios adapted Cowboy Bebop for Netflix in 2021, but the series was canceled after one season. Its One Piece adaptation, however, has fared better, with the second season premiering on Netflix this week.

Becky Clements, producer and president of Tomorrow Studios, told Variety that the studio has received