Afro Samurai: Resurrection

Afro Samurai: Resurrection (アフロサムライ レザレクション, Afuro Samurai Rezarekushon), (stylized as ΛFΓO SΛMUΓΛI RESUΓΓECTIOΠ) is a 2009 Japanese anime television film sequel to the miniseries of 2007, Afro Samurai, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Lucy Liu. It aired on Paramount Network on January 25, 2009.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Japanese film poster
Based onAfro Samurai by Takashi Okazaki
Screenplay by
  • Yasuyuki Mutō
  • English version:
  • Leo Chu
  • Eric Garcia
  • Josh Fialkov
  • Eric Calderon
Story by
  • Takashi Okazaki
  • Fuminori Kizaki
Directed by
  • Fuminori Kizaki
  • Assistant director:
  • Takahiro Harada
Starring
Theme music composerRZA
Country of originJapan
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Shinichiro Ishikawa
  • Leo Chu
  • Eric Garcia
  • Arthur Smith
  • Samuel L. Jackson
Producers
  • Hiroshi Kumada
  • Chris Carlisle
  • Eric Calderon
EditorKiyoshi Hirose
Running time100 minutes
Production companyGonzo
Budget$5 million
Release
Original network
Original release
  • January 25, 2009 (2009-01-25)

Plot

Lacking any sense of purpose after taking revenge on his father's killer, the Number 1 headband bearer, Afro Samurai, spends his days making wooden sculptures of historical figures and has not fought a duel in years. Jinno, his sworn brother who is now an emotionless cyborg, and his sister, Lady Sio, ambush and beat him severely, taking both the headband and his deceased father Rokutaro's mandible. Lady Sio tells Afro that they will resurrect Rokutaro and use him for vengeance, challenging Afro to find the Number 2 headband if he still has the will to fight.

After getting his rusted sword reforged, Afro goes to a gambling house, where the last surviving member of the Empty Seven Clan, Brother 3, challenges him to a dice game for the identity of the Number 2. Afro catches him cheating and forces Brother 3 to reveal that the Number 2 now belongs to the ronin Shichigoro. Afro unknowingly saves Shichigoro's adopted son Kotaro, but then murders the swordsman in front of him, leaving Kotaro to mourn his father and swear revenge. Claiming the Number 2 headband, Afro goes on to destroy three cyborg warriors, who turn out to be Lady Sio's foster brothers and sister. Sio uses forbidden science to resurrect Rokutaro, turning him into a soulless warrior driven only to kill.

With Afro badly injured by his previous fight, Rokutaro easily beats him with his superior strength and speed, choking his son until he loses consciousness. The sight of Afro dying causes Jinno to remember the bond they once shared as brothers, and he attacks Rokutaro, who mutilates his body. Lady Sio tries to save her brother, and Rokutaro impales her through Jinno's body. As they lay dying, a spark from Jinno's body travels through Lady Sio's spilled blood until it revives Afro, who accepts that Rokutaro is not his real father and strikes him down. Afro takes back the Number 1 headband and gives the Number 2 to Kotaro, telling him that he'll be ready for when he wants to avenge Shichigoro's death. As Afro takes his leave, his imaginary companion Ninja Ninja reappears before him, stating that the cycle of revenge and bloodshed will never end. Afro heads on and makes his way to Mount Shumi, where he awaits his next challenger as the Number 1.

Difference between versions

The ending differs between the DVD and television broadcast editions of the film. In the television version, Afro reclaims the headband and runs into a masked man as the image of Justice appears for a split second. In the Director's Cut DVD edition, Afro reclaims the Number 1 headband. After the credits, Justice reappears.

Voice cast

Music

The RZA Presents: Afro Samurai Resurrection OST was released on January 27, 2009.

Releases

The film aired for Paramount Network on January 25, 2009.[1] It was released on DVD on February 3, 2009,[1] and for the PlayStation Store in May 2009.[2] The film premiered at the San Diego Asian Film Festival in October 16, 2009.[3] It aired for Funimation's YouTube stream, from July 31 to August 5, 2011.[4] For the United Kingdom release on Netflix, Resurrection was among one the initial titles for the January 2012 launch.[5]

Reception

Zac Bertschy of Anime News Network stated about Afro Samurai: Resurrection that "it's a gorgeous film," with "incredible animation, spectacular action setpieces [sic] and a thumping score by Ghostface". Zac noted that the plot is just "window dressing" and that if it's about anything it's about "cool". Zac criticized that the film as just an excuse to string fight scenes together and that the farther it goes on it becomes clearer how "weak the writing is".[6]

Hyper commends the anime for its art, saying, "stylised poses and sharp, dynamic visuals have long been a trademark element of this series, and they hold true [in the anime]."[7] For the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program, the film was lost to Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.[8] Though film's art director, Shigemi Ikeda, won a Primetime Emmy award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation".[9]

References
  1. "Afro Samurai: Resurrection's U.S. TV Premiere Dated". Anime News Network. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  2. "Afro Samurai Sequel Sold in PS Store & Air Master Streamed Online". Anime News Network. 16 May 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  3. "Afro Samurai: Resurrection @ the San Diego Asian Film Festival". Afro Samurai.com. 13 October 2009. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  4. "North American Stream List: July 31–August 5". Anime News Network. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  5. "More Anime Available on Netflix U.K." Anime News Network. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  6. Bertschy, Zac (January 27, 2009). "Afro Samurai: Resurrection Director's Cut DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  7. "Afro Samurai: Resurrection". Hyper. Next Media (192): 89. October 2009. ISSN 1320-7458.
  8. "Foster's Home Wins Emmy over Afro Samurai: Resurrection". Anime News Network. 15 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  9. "Afro Samurai: Resurrection's Shigemi Ikeda Wins Emmy (Updated)". Anime News Network. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
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