Fuu Kasumi, a clumsy young waitress, spends her days working peacefully at a small teahouse. That all changes when she accidentally spills a drink on a customer. A group of samurai begins harassing her, and she desperately calls on another samurai in the shop, Mugen, who swiftly defeats them with his wild fighting style, which incorporates movements reminiscent of breakdancing. Unfortunately, Mugen then picks a fight with the unwilling ronin Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional sword-fighting technique, and Jin proves to be a formidable opponent. The problem is, they destroy the entire shop and accidentally kill the local magistrate's son in the process.
For their crime, the two samurai are captured and set to be executed. However, Fuu rescues them and hires the duo as her bodyguards. Though she has no place to return to, the former waitress wishes to find a certain samurai who smells of sunflowers and enlists the help of the now-exonerated pair. Despite initially disapproving, the two eventually agree to assist the girl on her quest. Thus, the three embark on an adventure to find this mysterious warrior—that is, if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from killing each other.
Set in an alternate Edo Period of Japan, Samurai Champloo follows the journey of these three eccentric individuals in an epic quest full of action, comedy, and dynamic sword fighting, all set to the beat of a unique hip-hop-infused soundtrack.