Seaberry Sessions: Afro Samurai: Can You Dig It?

By Fused Film Staff • February 9, 2009 • 3 Comments

Afro Samurai began as a popular manga, or Japanese comic, created by Takashi Okazaki.  The manga‘s popularity grew and a vinyl toy was made of the main character.  The toy was even sold on several American toy sites, piquing the interest of many sophisticated toy collectors.  The buzz about this property eventually caught the attention of many US entertainment companies such as Spike TV.   In 2007, Spike TV premiered a 5-episode anime miniseries based on the manga.  Samuel Jackson was the voice of Afro Samurai and his hilarious, loud-talking sidekick Ninja Ninja. Kelly Hu, Ron Perlman, and other veteran cartoon voice talent rounded out the cast. 

Afro Samurai takes place in a Japan that is a mix of futuristic and feudal elements.  In this world, the most powerful samurai is the one that wields the “Number One” headband.  “Number One” can only be challenged by the person wearing the “Number Two” headband.  A gunman named Justice (voiced by Ron Perlman), wins the “Number Two” headband and challenged Afro Samurai’s father, who wore the “Number One” headband.  A young Afro witnesses the fight, and his father’s defeat and murder at the hands of Justice.  Afro travels the world seeking revenge on Justice.  Afro becomes “Number Two”, and that story is shown in a series of flashbacks. In the main story, Afro has to face several opponents in his search for Justice and the “Number One” headband,

His main adversaries are the Empty Seven Clan, a group of aging monks who employ robots and mercenaries in their quest for both headbands.  They believe that both headbands will grant them immortality. Another recurring foe is Kuma, an assassin who wears a cybernetic Teddy Bear mask.  Kuma used to be known as Jinnosuke, one of Afro’s friends from his days in the dojo. Kuma wanted revenge on Afro for slaying their master and taking the “Number Two” headband. At the conclusion of the first series, Afro Samurai has his showdown with Justice and gains the “Number One” headband.

After the series’ initial broadcast, a soundtrack produced by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan was released, as was the DVD of the first season.  The DVD came in a “Spike TV” version and an unedited version.  Also, DC Direct, a subsidiary of DC Comics, produced new figures of Afro Samurai, Ninja Ninja, Justice, and Kuma. Also, a new version of the Afro Samurai manga was published in the US by TOR/Seven Seas.  The next volume of the manga will be published in March.  As one can imagine, many people were looking forward to the next adventures of Afro Samurai.

The latest installment in the Afro Samurai saga is a movie entitled Afro Samurai: Resurrection.   Resurrection debuted on Spike TV on January 25.  At the beginning of the movie, we see Afro growing weary of all the killing and constant fighting associated with the “Number One” headband.  Afro actually winds up losing the headband to a female warrior named Sio portrayed by Lucy Liu.  Sio is the sister of Kuma.  Afro has to redeem himself by regaining the “Number Two” headband and challenging Sio for the right to the coveted “Number One” headband.

I love the whole Afro Samurai story.  It is a combination of post apocalyptic future stories, feudal Japan elements, and hip-hop into an awesome tale.   Samuel Jackson, Ron Perlman, Kelly Hu, Lucy Liu, and all the other voice talents embody the characters.  I really hope that we will see another season or another movie. Another recent bit of news that has me excited is famed Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike recently expressing his desire to direct an Afro Samurai film for American audiences.   Afro Samurai: Season One and Afro Samurai: Resurrection are available on DVD and Blu-Ray now. 

Read more from Fused Film Staff >>

Be the first to like.

like this post?

(unlike)