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Japanese manga comics based on samurai, or samurai-like characters have become extremely popular over the years. Perhaps the most well known title in the West is Kazuo Koike's Lone Wolf and Cub, where the father and son team must fight for survival. Not surprisingly, there were numerous films made on Ogami and his baby-cart of death, 6 in all. Another notable manga title is Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal, which is now enjoying its Western resurrection through Dark Horse Comics.
Perhaps the greatest chambara influence can be seen in the Japanese Animated film (anime). Animation in itself is perfectly suited for the action genre. The versatile medium allows the vivid depiction of many historical and fictional adventures. As a fresh and expressive medium, anime as a whole is conductive to freer stylistic expression, leaving behind the physical limitations of flesh-and-blood actors, physical sets, and "normal" filmmaking techniques. Although not directly related, the chambara flavor is present in the action sub-genres of anime. Elegiac epics such as Rurouni Kenshin, and Mononoke-hime; the sword-and-sorcery of Yoroiden Samurai Troopers, Ushio and Tora, and Inuyasha; the apocalyptic universes of Bubblegum Crises, Guyver, and Neon Genesis Evangelion; even comedies such as Ranma 1/2 and Jubei-chan partake of the style and "realism" that defines the chambara genre. Focus is placed solely on the development of the main character, who is more often than not is alienated or isolated by his/her actions, nature, or beliefs. For this Ronin figure, combat is the only way towards redemption and peace.
Even clearly non-samurai action anime can be considered part of the chambara tradition. Since the Warrior is the central image of both classical and contemporary Martial Arts narratives, the sword as an icon loses its dominant presence. When looking at anime such as Street Fighter one can see how the image of the Warior has evolved. The traditional concepts of personal honor and public "face" are altered to suit a more democratic society. Loyalty to the lord is an outdated concept, usually replaced with patriotism and nationalism. In the sense that traditional samurai -- lord relationship no longer exists, the Warrior figure is almost always a Ronin. Just as in Kurosawa's Yojimbo, the Ronin figure is dedicated mostly to himself and his personal ideals. Although the sarcasm evident in Kurosawa's and Kobayashi's films is rarely seen anymore save in apocalyptic narratives, humor is often used to criticize or light an otherwise serious or controversial situation.
An interesting example of a modern-day Ronin figure is the legendary Ryu from the Street Fighter universe. Concerned primarily with the betterment of himself as a fighter, Ryu tirelessly travels the world in search of the strongest opponent. Ryu's commitment, discipline, and sense of honor are what define him as a classic warrior. Howeve, Ryu's samurai spirit is expressed solely through the metaphysical manifestation of his inner energy, the hadou. In the case of most of the "fighter" anime, the fighting spirit's conduit becomes the fist, and not the sword. It is this energy that defines the Warrior. Just as the classical samurai is internally torn between the ideologies of bushido and Buddhism, so too does Ryu wage a never-ending internal struggle. In Ryu's case, it is a constant inner battle between his spirit and his hadou energy, which became tainted with the darker influences of Shotokan karate. Through this, personal conflict is internalized almost completely, the Warrior's ultimate enemy being himself.
Who can also forget Son Goku of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball (Z, GT) universe? The shows, especially the super-popular Dragon Ball Z series, are clearly chambara. The feel is punctuated not only by the clearly delineated character archetypes, by the drawn out battle scenes smacking of the American Western. What is unique about this classic anime is that the Warrior spirit is defined not only through fighting prowess, but also by the Warrior's heart. Son Goku and Son Gohan are perhaps the most gentle-hearted warriors in anime existence.
While the sword is considered to be the soul of the samurai, anime characters such as Ryu and Son Goku present a somewhat deconstructionist alternative to the traditional warrior. The samurai's dependence on the blade is eliminated along with the symbol itself, echoing the fading of the samurai class in the later Tokugawa Period. It is through the dedication to the Martial Arts that we see the principles and philosophies of Bushido resurface animated Japanese narratives. Whether it be Son Goku's never-ending battle to protect the universe from intergalactic scum, or Ryu's never-ending battle to rid himself of the Dark Hadou, it is clear that for the modern warrior, life is meaningless without the moment of the fight.
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