Afro Samurai: Resurrection

When i first saw Afro Samurai back in 2008 I was amazed, to be honest I didn't think a concept like this would work out in the way it did. I mean here you have a black samurai, in an anime, with hip-hop music, unless we're talking Samurai Champloo this shouldn't work. But I really liked Afro Samurai, I thought it was sick and it only increased my respect for Samuel L. Jackson, so when I found out that there was going to be a sequel to the series I was over the moon... However little did I know that this sequel would end up ... like this.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection takes place after the events of the original series with Afro finding peace in the mountains after killing countless people because of his number 1 headband. It seems that after being on this road for so long, Afro seems to be losing his way and it is at this point when Afro is attacked by his old friend/nemesis Jinno and a mysterious female warrior named Sio, who wishes to have the head of the famous number one warrior because of the death of the people he has killed. And that my friends are basic elements of this story for this film and to be honest it sucks. The best thing about Afro Samurai was its originality and I know it's hard to follow up good material with sequels, but it seems like Resurrection really lost its 'cool' factor here, the story is basic at best and the new characters involved are just ridiculous and for some reason you want to kill Ninja Ninja in this anime. I'm happy to report that the animation and art style is still sick and beautiful and while the music hasn't got the flair of the original it's still pretty nice.

Overall Afro Samurai: Resurrection really wasn't the sequel that people wanted, the story is unoriginal and the main female antagonist feels far too simple along with all other new characters. The animation and music however are still pretty good and while it's still watchable one can't help but feel sad for the way this turned out and hope that the third installment rectifies this anime's mistake.

After watching the series, I went straight for the follow up movie 'Resurrection'. While I did somewhat enjoy it, I felt that it was a disappointment compared to the series.

The story was pretty weak with this one. And I knew this not even 20 minutes into the film, simply be hearing the antagonists 'plans'. By taking Afro's fathers remains and bringing him back to life... to torture him to death again to make Afro suffer... yeah, it's ridiculous. And really, this just simply felt like a poorly recycled version of the original shows storyline.
Granted, there are a few bright moments but not enough to make ... the plot really worth anything.

The art and animation once again looks beautiful, even better then the original shows. This my friends, is as good as if gets in terms of hand drawn animation. In fact, it earned itself an nomination for an Emmy! And I say it's well deserved. The look and style are easily the films main highlight.

The voice acting once again was pretty good, so I have zero complaints about that. The soundtrack is pretty damn good aswell, with a wide range of slow jazz like pieces that fit the anime perfectly.

Now on to the characters. Afro is a pretty unlikeable character in this, not giving a crap on who he kills, as long as he moves on ahead. He is incredibly cold and even seems like he should be the villain of the series rather then our hero at some points. Ninja Ninja is even more annoying then he was in the series and he's annoying to the point that I had a hard time enjoying the film at times.
The villains are pretty good... all save Sio, whom I couldn't stand. But aside from her, I thought the rest were pretty neat and far more interesting then Afro.

Overall, I thought the film was decent. Nothing special or anything I plan to rewatch again, but still it was decent. If you watched the series and enjoyed it, then by all means, watch the film, but don't go in with huge expectations.

I'm writing this soon after I covered the series. The movie made the story complete and now we know what the authors wanted to show us. I found the movie more interesting, even though it got the same score of 6.

Story: 6
The action is even more interesting, but the story covers exactly the same motif: revenge. Now it's pointed at our sole hero who as always has the means to survive the onslaught. His personality changed and the direction in which it moved satisfies me enough to make the review a little longer. After filfilling his duty as a son, he has nothing more ... to live for and lives like a hermit, carving wooden sculptures of the ones he killed on the way to the top. Suddenly he is targeted by a strong opponent, and during the movie he faces some old acquaintances. Other than that it's almost the same as the series, with the hero movin onward and regaining his killing intent.

Art: 8
It looks better and the animation is well made. It doesn't surprise me as it is a movie. I liked the design more and that's the reason the score is higher than when I covered the series.

Music: 7
I have nothing to add: again not my kind of music, but well mixed up with the action.

Characters: 6
The characters here feel the same urge to avenge their brethren, but the changes in AF's personality made me raise the score by one notch.

Enjoyment: 8
I felt more enjoyment than during the series as it was even more packed-up with action.

Overall: 6
I won't say it's good. The story is complete but shows the same flaws of little mystery and no suspense. I recommend it only to people who like action and don't take the blood and violence in anime seriously. For good story looks somewhere else, here you will get a good slasher at most.

I expected more of the same with this movie. It both delivers and falls short of the 5 episode series that was released before it. But that's mostly due to questionable and stupid things that the characters in this movie do towards the end. At least one of the characters acts completely out of character at the end.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection is the story of Afro after having given up killing and going complete peacenik in the wake of his homicidal mania.

Tits McGee, the primary antagonist, who is capable of even giving androids hard-ons is unhappy with the way Afro is leading his life. So she ... shows up with her minion Teddy Ruxpin to tell Afro that she's got the #1 headband and that he needs to get the #2 to challenge her, sort of like in the original series. She even appears to be a complete badass at one point in the story, but it was all smoke and mirrors as the narrative begins to fall apart towards the end.

Afro, of course, falls for this trap and turns his back on his peaceful life because reasons. Actually, truth told, he's an idiot. I'll be honest, I wish they would have gone in the direction of taking this show into being over the top and ridiculous instead of having a revenge based narrative. I mean there's a guy that wears a freakin' teddy bear costume that drives a motorcycle like he's just got done playing Road Rash.

I'm loathe to deduct too many points though, because it's coherent and has a resolution, it just stumbles along the way.

Rapid :fire: Review
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Title: Afro Samurai: Resurrection

A/M: Anime

Synopsis: Afro finally has the Number One Headband which makes him the fiercest warrior in the land, that is until two people set on having their revenge against Afro steal the headband has his deceased father’s remains. He must now get it back by any means necessary.

Pros:
-RZA’s soundtrack is aces and perfectly underscores each scene
... -Beautifully dark and shadowed art design that perfectly illustrates the underbelly of this world
-Like the show, Resurrection mixes old world samurai era with mid 2000s technology in an interesting and dynamic way, yet, well blended way
-Better than the show so much so that Afro Samurai should have just been this movie instead of having its previous 6-episode story arc

Cons:
-Infantile and clichéd script, story concepts and character development
-The Ninja, Ninja character in concept is interesting but come across hokey especially with how much dialogue he gets

Rating: 6/10

What did YOU rate Afro Samurai: Resurrection?

If you appreciate the original and desire more of its stylish, intense action, as well as a hint of violence and flair, then you will be motivated to watch this. To derive similar enjoyment, you should approach it with the same expectations as the first installment. However, if you deviate from those expectations, the flaws become glaringly apparent and are likely to invite your disapproval.

In essence, this is a continuation of the previous narrative, with Afro now in possession of the Number 1 Headband he obtained from Justice in the original's climax. Afro must reclaim the headband from Lady Sio and thwart her plans. The ... plot revolves around Afro's quest and serves as a backdrop for his stylish combat sequences. The focus remains solely on the thrilling action, with the narrative or writing taking a backseat.

The visual and stylistic elements remain unchanged, delivering the same captivating aesthetics and flawless execution. The style's familiarity is a welcome constant, maintaining the excellence established by the original. The opening sequence is particularly noteworthy for its impressive visuals, invoking a nostalgic, old-school feel.

The voice acting retains its high quality, although Ron Perlman's absence is notable. The music, especially the opening theme, continues to complement the series effectively, enhancing the overall experience.

In terms of character changes, Afro now sports a beard, while the overall dynamics and motivations echo those of the original. Lady Sio seeks revenge with some additional backstory, although its significance is debatable. The introduction of a boy later on adds a layer of complexity, but discussing the details risks spoilers. Reflecting on Afro's motivations in the first installment prompts considerations of the underlying theme.

As always, the forefront is dominated by action, violence, and stylish elements, with a minimalistic plot serving as a backdrop. Fanservice, primarily embodied by the main villain, contributes to the overall experience, creating a parallel with the first installment. The similarities are striking, making them almost indistinguishable peas in a pod.

Lady Sio probably saved this sequel to Afro Samurai with her incredible eye candy. The soundtrack is not as good as the first one. However, there are some good tracks in Resurrection. The animation studio went a little overboard with the blood, especially with the first bridge scene. Could have used some more character development as well, especially with Bin and Tomoe.

My favorite scene is probably the final scene where we get to see Lady Sio and Jinno redeem themselves somewhat. The soundtrack for that scene is also probably the best in the movie.

Overall, Afro Samurai: Resurrection is something decent to watch if you watched ... the original.

God this sequel... The story continues Afro's journey, revenge with elements of redemption. What stands out is the integration of traditional samurai lore with a futuristic twist, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique.
The design elements continue to shine to me, with characters sporting an extra layer of detail and flair. Afro's iconic look remains a visual feast, and the addition of new characters adds diversity to an already stylish ensemble. The fight sequences maintain the series' reputation. The animation quality and attention to detail amplify the impact of every sword swing.
Now, let's talk about Sio:). She's the magnetic force that propels ... the narrative forward, a character whose complexity and motivations add a layer of depth to the storyline. Sio's presence challenges him both emotionally and physically. Her character development is a highlight, making her an essential and memorable addition to the "Afro Samurai" universe, i looooved her design.
The sound design, backed by a stellar soundtrack, continues to elevate the viewing experience. The fusion of hip-hop beats with the intense action amplifies the emotional beats of the story. This sequel was totally worth to watch.