Reception of the series has been positive, with praise focusing on its animation and music. Director Shinichirō Watanabe began planning for the series in 1999, creating the characters and premise during his work on Cowboy Bebop The Movie and The Animatrix.
See also: Music of Samurai Champloo, List of Samurai Champloo episodes, Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked, Nujabes, Shinichirō Watanabe, and Force of Nature (duo).