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Afro Samurai: Resurrection

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Afro Samurai: Resurrection
Japanese film poster
Based onAfro Samurai
by Takashi Okazaki
Screenplay by
  • Yasuyuki Mutō
  • Josh Fialkov
  • Eric Calderon
Story by
  • Takashi Okazaki
  • Fuminori Kizaki
Directed byFuminori Kizaki
Starring
Music byRZA
Country of originJapan
United States
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
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 25, 2009 (2009-01-25)

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 English-language Japanese animated television film sequel to the anime series Afro Samurai, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Lucy Liu. It aired on Spike (now known as Paramount Network) on January 25, 2009.

Plot

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Lacking any sense of purpose after taking revenge on Justice, 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 adoptive brother who is now an emotionless cyborg, and his sister, Lady Sio, ambush and beat him severely, while stealing the headband and his deceased father Rokutaro's mandible. Sio tells Afro that they will resurrect Rokutaro and use him for vengeance, challenging Afro to find the Number 2 headband if he has the will to fight.

After getting his 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 discovers Brother 3 cheating and forces him to reveal that the Number 2 belonged to the ronin Shichigoro. Afro unknowingly saves Shichigoro's adopted son Kotaro and later kills the latter, leaving Kotaro to swear revenge. Afro claims the Number 2 headband and goes on to destroy three cyborg warriors, who turn out to be Sio's foster brothers and sister. Sio uses forbidden science to resurrect Rokutaro, turning him into a soulless warrior.

With Afro injured by his previous fight, Rokutaro mortally wounds his son, choking him until he falls unconscious. The sight of Afro dying causes Jinno to remember the bond they once shared as brothers, and he attacks Rokutaro, who mutilates his body. Sio tries to save her brother, but Rokutaro impales her through Jinno's body. After they die, a spark from Jinno's body travels through Sio's spilled blood and revives Afro. He accepts that Rokutaro is not his real father and kills him. Afro retrieves the Number 1 headband and gives the Number 2 to Kotaro, telling him that he will be ready for when he wants to avenge Shichigoro. While Afro travels to Mount Shumi and searches for a challenger as the Number 1, his imaginary companion Ninja Ninja reappears before him, stating about the endless cycle of revenge and bloodshed.

Difference between versions

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The ending differs between the DVD and television broadcast editions of the film. In the series, 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

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Music

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

Releases

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The film aired for Paramount Network on January 25, 2009.[1] It was released on DVD on February 3, 2009,[1] and on 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, the film was among one the initial titles for the January 2012 launch.[5]

Reception

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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 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

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  1. ^ a b "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. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. 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. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  5. ^ "More Anime Available on Netflix U.K." Anime News Network. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  6. ^ Bertschy, Zac (January 27, 2009). "Afro Samurai: Resurrection Director's Cut DVD". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 8, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  7. ^ "Afro Samurai: Resurrection". Hyper (192). Next Media: 89. October 2009. ISSN 1320-7458.
  8. ^ "Foster's Home Wins Emmy over Afro Samurai: Resurrection". Anime News Network. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Afro Samurai: Resurrection's Shigemi Ikeda Wins Emmy (Updated)". Anime News Network. 27 August 2009. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
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