Afro Samurai

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the anime and manga series. For the video game adaption, see Afro Samurai (video game).
Afro Samurai
post-apocalyptic[2]
Manga
Afro Samurai!
Written by
Titan Manga
MagazineNou Nou Hau (dōjinshi)
DemographicSeinen
Original runNovember 1998 – September 2002
VolumesJP 1
NA 2
Anime television series
Directed byFuminori Kizaki
Produced by
  • Kōji Kajita
  • Taito Okiura
Written by
  • Story:
  • Yasuyuki Mutō
  • Tomohiro Yamashita
  • Screenplay:
  • Derek Draper
  • Chris Yoo
Music by
Fuji TV), Wowow
English network
Original run January 4, 2007 – February 1, 2007
Episodes5
Anime television film

Afro Samurai (アフロサムライ, Afuro Samurai, stylized as ΛFΓO SΛMUΓΛI) is a

manga magazine Nou Nou Hau from November 1998 to September 2002. Inspired by Okazaki's love of soul and hip hop music
and American media, it follows the life of Afro Samurai who witnessed his father, Rokutaro (owner of the No. 1 headband) killed by a gunslinger man named Justice (owner of the No. 2 headband) while he was a child. As an adult, Afro sets off to kill Justice and avenge his father.

The Afro Samurai dōjinshi was adapted into an

Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, which it won an Outstanding Animated Program. After the release of the anime series, Okazaki remade the original Afro Samurai dōjinshi into a two-volume manga. Tor Books and Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the title and published it under their new Tor/Seven Seas imprint for a North America exclusive release. In addition to the miniseries, Afro Samurai has been adapted into a video game and an upcoming live action film. For the television series and film, two soundtracks by the RZA of Wu-Tang Clan
were released and a profile book in Japan.

Plot

See also: List of Afro Samurai characters

In a feudal yet futuristic Japan, it is said that the one wearing the Number 1 headband is the greatest warrior in the world and shall possess god-like powers. Some believe it grants immortality, while others believe they received headbands from the gods themselves. The only way to obtain the Number 1 headband is to challenge and defeat the current wearer in combat. However, only the wearer of the Number 2 headband can challenge the Number 1 whereas anyone can challenge the Number 2. Thus, the Number 2 can survive. The Number 2 headband's current owner, the outlaw Justice, fights and kills Rokutaro, Afro's father and owner of the Number 1 headband. A young Afro witnesses the fight and vows revenge against Justice, who tells him to seek him out when he is "ready to duel a god."[3]

Years later, Afro wears the Number 2 headband. He kills a group of

mercenaries
, sent by the Empty Seven Clan, for whom they seek the headband. Recalling his tragic past, Afro goes to Mount Shumi to face Jinno, his childhood friend and fellow samurai, who blames him for killing their master (who had the Number 2 headband). He defeats Jinno and tracks down Justice, who explains that there are other headbands in existence, ranging to an unspecified higher number. Claiming that he intends to use his power as the Number 1 to bring peace to all mankind, Justice reveals that he killed all headband bearers and decorated his safe house with corpses. Afro kills Justice and takes the Number 1 headband. Afro settles in as the new Number 1 while Jinno, now claiming all headbands from Justice, returns to take revenge.

In Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Jinno and his sister Sio, steal Rokutaro's body and the Number 1 headband. After killing Shichigoro and taking the Number 2 headband, Afro confronts the resurrected Rokutaro, who kills the siblings. Afro defeats Rokutaro, gives the Number 2 headband to Shichigoro's son Kotaro, and peacefully continues wearing the Number 1. Elsewhere, a unknown man meets the revived Justice.

Production

Okazaki started drawing

dōjinshi, then called Afro Samurai!, when he and his friends started independently publishing the art magazine Nou Nou Hau.[5] The preparatory "issue 0" of Nou Nou Hau was released in November 1998 with Afro Samurai artwork featured on the cover.[6] Takashi Okazaki wrote the entire manga in the English direction, with elements from English and Japanese comics. He also used Afro Samurai for a cat food advertisement in the last pages of his manga book.[7] In addition to the anime production, Okazaki re-made the dōjinshi, with an increased display of artistic skill.[7] At the Japan Society from March 13 to June 14, 2009, original Afro Samurai dōjinshi artwork (as used on issue 0 of Nou Nou Hau) was showcased at the KRAZY!: The Delirious World of Anime + Manga + Video Games exhibition.[8]

Media

Manga

The series was originally published in the self-funded

Titan Comics taking over the publishing under their new "Titan Manga" imprint before being delayed to December 13, 2022.[13][14]

No. Title Release date ISBN
1Nothing personal, kid.September 2008[15]978-0-7653-2123-7
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Translation Notes
  • Supplemental Material
After witnessing his father killed by Justice, Afro wears the No. 2 headband and plans to avenge his father's death.
2Death isn't the end...it's only the beginning.February 2009[15]978-0-7653-2239-5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Honorifics Guide
  • Translation Notes
  • Creator Interview
After killing Justice, Afro takes the No. 1 headband and challenges Jinno.

Anime

One of Okazaki's friends decided to make action figures based on characters, which were released in small amounts. After they were created, a producer from the anime studio,

Gonzo, happened to find them and thought about creating an animated miniseries based on the manga. It took three years to develop, and during that time the studio created a trailer, which happened to catch the attention of Samuel L. Jackson.[16] It was announced that the series would be a five-episode "creative collaboration", between Jackson, Okazaki and Gonzo, and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA served as a music composer.[17][18] Each episode of the anime cost $1 million.[19]

In 2006, it was announced that

streamed the first episode online. On May 3, 2007, the series premiered on Japanese television, in English with Japanese subtitles, and for the first time completely uncut.[22]

On May 11, 2007, Funimation released the first Afro Samurai DVDs at Anime Central, at their own booth, the regular Afro Samurai: TV Version and the uncut Afro Samurai: Director's Cut. Both DVDs were released to the public on May 22, 2007.

Blu-ray Disc in that year.[25][26] The series was shown at the German Film Festival in Germany.[27]

#TitleOriginal air date
01"Revenge"
"Number Two"		January 4, 2007 (2007-01-04)
As a boy, Afro witnessed Justice decapitating his father and wears the No. 1 headband. As a man, he wears the No. 2 and sets out on his journey for revenge.
02"The Dream Reader"
"OKIKU"		January 11, 2007 (2007-01-11)
Afro relives his harsh past through his dreams when he is discovered by an old friend, Otsuru (Okiku) at a riverbank who tends to his wounds. In the present day, she attempts to kill Afro, but she makes love with him. The assassins then kill Otsuru.
03"The Empty Seven Clan"
"THE EMPTY SEVEN CLAN"		January 18, 2007 (2007-01-18)
As the Empty Seven Clan continues to put pressure on Afro, he kills them and the Afro Droid.
04"Duel"
"KUMA"		January 25, 2007 (2007-01-25)
Jinnosuke (Kuma) fights with Afro about the consequence lesson of choosing revenge over family and using the No. 2 headband.
05"Justice"
"JUSTICE"		February 1, 2007 (2007-02-01)
Afro goes to Justice's lair and duels him. After killing Justice and claiming the No. 1 headband, Afro reconciles and battles with Jinno.

Films

In an

Emmy in the "Outstanding Animated Program (for programming one hour or more)" category in the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. At the Emmy awards, Afro Samurai: Resurrection lost to Destination Imagination, a television film based on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.[31][32] The art director of Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Shigemi Ikeda, won an Emmy for his work on Resurrection, which is the first ever awarded for work on a Japanese-animated production.[33] Afro Samurai: Resurrection was the first Japanese anime to be nominated for and win an Emmy.[32]
Late 2009 also saw the release of Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions on Blu-ray and DVD. A 4-disc collection of both Afro Samurai Director's Cut and Afro Samurai: Resurrection, together in one complete boxset.

Announced at the 2006

San Diego Comic-Con International, a live action version of the series is said to be in the making.[34] On July 21, 2011, Gonzo K.K. announced that Indomina Group had obtained the rights to produce the film, with Samuel L. Jackson, Jasbinder Singh Mann (Indomina Group Vice Chairman and CEO), Shin Ishikawa (Gonzo Studios) as producers; Eli Selden of Anonymous Content as executive producer.[35][36] Production, however, stalled when Indomina Group suspended North American operations and shut its US office.[37]

Video games

In 2005, Gonzo had awarded

Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma was released for the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows on September 22, 2015. The game was developed by Redacted Studios and published by Versus Evil.[42] An Xbox One version was planned to be released on October 9, 2015, but after the negative reception of the game, it was never released.[43] The game was eventually delisted in November 2015, due to the negative reception.[44][45][46]

Soundtracks

Koch Records (now known as E1 Music).[48] The second soundtrack for the TV movie, The RZA Presents: Afro Samurai: Resurrection: The Soundtrack was also released by Koch Records on January 27, 2009.[49]

Voice cast

Crew

  • Samuel L. Jackson - Executive producer
  • Jamie Simone - Casting and voice director

Reception

The manga series has received generally positive reviews from critics. Scott Green, writer of the Anime AICN segment of

VideoScan's Blu-ray charts.[26] In January 2009, IGN ranked the series 90th on a list of the top 100 animated series, saying that the over-the-top violence and quirky story and characters made the show enjoyable.[53]

China ban

On June 12, 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture listed Afro Samurai among 38 anime and manga titles banned in China.[54]

Notes

  1. Madman Anime
    .

References

  1. ^ "Afro Samurai". Seven Seas Entertainment. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  2. ^ Solomon, Charles (February 2, 2009). "American, Japanese pop culture meld in 'Afro Samurai'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  3. ^ Vachev, July. "Afro Samurai rundown". IFGN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  4. ^ 木﨑文智監督、岡崎能士(原作者)インタビュー (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 10 December 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Epstein, Daniel Robert; Takashi Okazaki. "Afro Samurai: Takashi Okazaki Interview". New York, NY: UGO.com/UGO Networks, Inc. Archived from the original on 2008-01-29. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
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  11. ^ "Afro Samurai 1 (Di 2)" [Afro Samurai 1 (of 2)] (in Italian). Modena MO Italy: Panini Comics/Panini SpA. April 9, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
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  13. ^ Johnston, Rich (22 March 2022). "Afro Samurai To Launch Titan Manga Line From Titan Comics". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
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  25. ^ "Free Bakugan #1 on iTunes; HD Afro Samurai on Xbox Live". Anime News Network. February 29, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
  26. ^ a b "VideoScan: Afro Samurai Debuted on Blu-ray at #16". Anime News Network. September 10, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2009.
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  29. ^ "Lucy Liu, Mark Hamill Join Afro Samurai: Resurrection (Updated)". Anime News Network. July 24, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2009.
  30. ^ a b "Afro Samurai: Resurrection Movie Debuts Sunday Night". Anime News Network. July 25, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  31. ^ "Afro Samurai: Resurrection TV Film Nominated for Emmy (Updated)". Anime News Network. July 16, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  32. ^ a b "Foster's Home Wins Emmy over Afro Samurai: Resurrection". Anime News Network. September 15, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  33. ^ "Afro Samurai: Resurrection's Shigemi Ikeda Wins Emmy (Updated)". Anime News Network. August 27, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  34. ^ "Comic-Con: Live Action Afro Samurai". Anime News Network. July 22, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  35. ^ "INDOMINA AND SAMUEL L. JACKSON TEAM FOR LIVE ACTION "AFRO SAMURAI" FILM". 2011-07-21.
  36. ^ "アニメ『アフロサムライ』ハリウッド実写化始動！ サミュエル．L．ジャクソンがプロデューサーに決定！アニメ『アフロサムライ』ハリウッド実写化始動！ サミュエル．L．ジャクソンがプロデューサーに決定！" (PDF). 2011-07-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  37. ^ Yamato, Jen (January 30, 2013). "Indomina Shutters Distribution Unit And Lays Off 15 In LA Office". Deadline. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  38. ^ "Namco to Publish Afro Samurai Video Games". Anime News Network. August 30, 2005. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  39. ^ "Namco Bandai Announces Afro Samurai Game". Anime News Network. June 17, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  40. ^ "Afro Samurai". Amazon. January 27, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  41. ^ Szadkowski, Joseph (February 19, 2009). "Zadzooks: Review of Afro Samurai, the video game". The Washington Times. Washington, D.C.: The Washington Times. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  42. ^ Campbell, Colin (June 12, 2015). "Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma story trailer sets the stage for revenge". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  43. ^ Barnes, Ken (November 24, 2015). "Afro Samurai 2 Release Cancelled Indefinitely Due to Quality Concerns". Pure Xbox. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  44. ^ Frank, Allegra (November 20, 2015). "Afro Samurai 2 pulled from retail, deemed 'a failure'". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
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  48. ^ "Afro Samurai". Amazon. January 30, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  49. ^ "Afro Samurai Resurrection". Amazon. January 27, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
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  51. ^ Santos, Carlo (November 4, 2008). "Afro Samurai Blu-Ray". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  52. ^ Blind, Matt (March 10, 2009). "2009-02: Manga Top 250 Volumes and Top 100 Series for February 2009". ComiPress. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Animated TV Series - 90. Afro Samurai". IGN. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  54. ^ "China bans 38 anime & manga titles including Attack on Titan". Special Broadcasting Service. 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2018-08-31.

External links

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