Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: FUU KASUMI

Cassie Holguin

A bright eyed and smiling Fuu looks directly at the viewer.

Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.

DISCLAIMER: The following article contains spoilers for Samurai Champloo.

Fuu Kasami

Fast Facts:

Fuu looks at the viewer with a sad look on her face. A field of Sunflowers is behind her.
Photo courtesy of Funimation.

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Samurai Champlooit is only fitting that we celebrate one of the quirkiest leading ladies in anime, Fuu Kasumi (voiced by Ayako Kawasumi and Kari Wahlgren). Fuu initially works in an elderly couple’s tea shop in Edo Period Japan. After the tea shop burns down, we learn Fuu has no family and nowhere else to go. She only remembers a Samurai Who Smells of Sunflowers and makes it her mission to find him.

After a series of dramatic, exciting and sometimes hilarious turn of events she hires two mercenaries, Mugen (voiced by Kazuya Nakai and Steve Blum) and Jin (voiced by Ginpei Sato and Kirk Thornton), to be her bodyguards throughout her journey. The three become a sort of found family out of necessity and Fuu is the glue that holds them together.

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In the very first episode, Fuu saves Jin and Mugen from execution by smuggling bombs in her kimono and yes of course she makes them look like comically large bouncing breasts. The distraction she causes is enough for her new allies to escape which is proof that the young lady is definitely resourceful (and hilarious).

Fuu holds a bomb in each hand while fire surrounds her.
Photo courtesy of Funimation.

The trio go on many adventures together and many of them begin with Fuu being abducted. She often manages to find a way out of trouble and even save her ‘more capable’ companions. For example, she befriends a misunderstood giant who was hired to kill Mugen and this act of kindness ends up saving all of their lives.

Of course, I have to mention that she has the cutest sidekick ever, a flying squirrel named Momo who occasionally helps her get out of sticky situations. Lastly, our girl Fuu loves food and even placed second in an eating contest. Her stomach is always growling and she is constantly thinking of her next meal.

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“They say ‘there’s always room for dessert,’ but for me, it’s more like, ‘there’s always room if someone else is paying.'” -Fuu Kasumi

The Real Deal

At first, Fuu seems like a clumsy, ditsy young girl who cannot walk a straight line much less take care of herself but she is so much more than that. After her father left, her mother became ill and life was difficult for her. It didn’t get any easier after her mother died and she had to survive on her own at a young age. 

Mugen and Jin may treat her like a dumb, annoying little sister but she constantly tricks them into getting her way. She is also frequently getting them out of trouble even though it is sometimes her fault they are in trouble in the first place. 

Left is Mugen, Middle is Fuu and Right is Jin. They all stand in an alley and look at the viewer.
Photo courtesy of Funimation.

Fuu learns and grows significantly throughout her journey. We see her transform from a naive young girl who knows little of the world into a kind, compassionate young woman who has learned from her experiences. Through it all, she is resilient and hopeful and that tends to be contagious. Not only did Fuu find the Sunflower Samurai, but she also led Jin and Mugen to closure with demons from their pasts. 

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“This world would be in darkness without a sense of duty.” -Fuu Kasumi

Why She Matters

Much more than meets the eye, Fuu Kasumi shows us you can take care of yourself and rely on others. Even though Fuu goes through one traumatic loss after another, she always maintains her high spirits. She remains hopeful throughout her journey after countless setbacks and has faith that her companions will do the right thing. She is loyal to her friends and kind to those in need. There has to be a reason Mugen and Jin always rescue Fuu (even though they don’t have to) and I like to believe it is because she makes their lives better.

A side view of Fuu with her eyes closed, she has hairpins in her mouth and her hand on her head.
Photo courtesy of Funimation.

Be like Fuu, if you believe in something, be determined and brave enough to see it through. Be resilient but remain sensitive. If you have a dream, persistence, a good attitude and a kind heart will get you a long way (it also helps to have two deadly bodyguards). 

Samurai Champloo is currently streaming on Hulu.

Listen to the Samurai Champloo soundtrack here on Spotify.

https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/gastronogeek-anime-cookbook-book-review/

Cassie Holguin

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