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In the opening sequence of _Samurai Champloo_ , when Mugen and Jin are shown,
the background is composed of pictures of roosters and aquatic animals,
respectively.

Mugen has roosters for background:

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Pg2GU.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Pg2GU.jpg)

Jin has fishes and octopus in his background picture:

[![enter image description
here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Fz4Qh.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Fz4Qh.jpg)

What is the symbolism behind such background depiction?


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2016-03-23T08:47:40.663
30767
2018-02-11T15:21:54.950
2020-06-17T09:17:53.303
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question
samurai-champloo
What's the symbolism behind the backgrounds shown in the opening sequence?


Roosters are a traditional symbol of Shintoism, associated with the sun
goddess Amaterasu. Shinto is a philosophy indigenous to Japan, and therefore
thematically related to loyalty & nationality, like Mugen.

Jin's main fish is colored like a koi, the Japanese word for "carp". Koi are
obviously symbols of Japanese culture, associated with love & friendship.
Aquatic life is from the ocean, the realm of the storm god Susanoo,
Amaterasu's sibling & counterpart.

Check out the story of Amaterasu & Susanoo, as it has obvious parallels to
Mugen & Jin's relationship. Interestingly enough, they have a third sibling,
Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon, who acted as a foil, kind of like Fuu. And
Tsukuyomi's falling out with Amaterasu resulted from a conflict with the
goddess of food... "Her stomach is like a cosmos unto itself!"


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2016-07-21T19:08:21.097
34377
2016-07-21T19:08:21.097
26297
30767
answer


Definitely their fight styles, Mugen is more energetic and wild, Jin flows
with the water like a fish, Mugen learn some flow in the series when he fights
the samurai killer


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2018-02-11T15:21:54.950
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2018-02-11T15:21:54.950
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answer