Afro Samurai: Resurrection American Premiere
Samuel L. Jackson returns as "Afro" along with Special Guests: Mark Hamill and Lucy Liu. The soundtrack is composed by RZA. Afro Samurai Resurrection, is produced by Gonzo Studio in partnership with GDH K.K. and is being released in the US by Funimation Entertainment.
Visit http://www.Spike.com for Exclusive 30 Minute Sneak Peek
and http://www.AfroSamurai.com for Exclusive Content and RZA's Blogs
Source: Funimation's News Page
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20 of 24 Comments Recent Comments
Jan 29, 2009 11:31 AM by Gunbladewarrior
flashy action is nice and all, but the writing was really meh in both shows. and the dialogue was stupid as hell. just because its an action show doesn't mean the creators should throw away stuff like a decent plot out of the window.
i can get distracted by well animated action for maybe 5 minutes, after that, i yawn.
though i don't consider either to be bad, just average. and i admit that AS is probably great for any big action fan.
I laugh whenever I read posts like this. I would say that at least 90 percent of anime, including many "classics" rated among the top 10, 50, or 100 on this site suffer from poor writing and a lack of plot. Just looking at your list, there is no more intellectual depth or originality (and in some cases, even more plot holes) in anime like Melancholy, FMP, Code Geass, etc. than in a series like Afro Samurai.
That's not to say that there aren't valid reasons for disliking Afro Samurai.
But when people mention "lack of plot" as their explanation, I'm skeptical. It's true, of course, but it's also true of so much of the medium, that I'm curious about how the person rates other series. In most cases, not very consistently.
I would actually formulate the reason you didn't enjoy Afro Samurai this way;
"You enjoy action in the form of high school-esque drama and relationships over physical fighting, and can identify with and appreciate the humor of ordinary characters more than those of absurd, over-the-top fighters/killers."
Oh, come on, the old "i';m going to use your anime list against you in an argument" thing wasn't needed.
But to address your points, for one i didn't really dislike AS. For all the things i mentioned that i found lacking, i still gave both the original and the new film positive score, since i have to admit it was still enjoyable.
I do agree with anime as a medium being lackluster when it comes to writing, if i judged anime as i do film, there would be very few shows i could give positive scores to. Instead, i kind of give anime a pass on some of those aspects. The problem with AS is that I felt it was worse in the writing department than an average anime. It also felt to me like they didn't really try to make a serious plot, and i personally couldn't help but roll my eyes throughout the last fight sequence.
Obviously i didn't expect complex storytelling, and i really don't mind simple storylines, i do like Kill Bill 1+2, AS' plot just didn't really impress me. Plus every time Ninja Ninja opened his mouth, i sighed.
Jan 29, 2009 8:37 AM by M_A
flashy action is nice and all, but the writing was really meh in both shows. and the dialogue was stupid as hell. just because its an action show doesn't mean the creators should throw away stuff like a decent plot out of the window.
i can get distracted by well animated action for maybe 5 minutes, after that, i yawn.
though i don't consider either to be bad, just average. and i admit that AS is probably great for any big action fan.
I laugh whenever I read posts like this. I would say that at least 90 percent of anime, including many "classics" rated among the top 10, 50, or 100 on this site suffer from poor writing and a lack of plot. Just looking at your list, there is no more intellectual depth or originality (and in some cases, even more plot holes) in anime like Melancholy, FMP, Code Geass, etc. than in a series like Afro Samurai.
That's not to say that there aren't valid reasons for disliking Afro Samurai.
But when people mention "lack of plot" as their explanation, I'm skeptical. It's true, of course, but it's also true of so much of the medium, that I'm curious about how the person rates other series. In most cases, not very consistently.
I would actually formulate the reason you didn't enjoy Afro Samurai this way;
"You enjoy action in the form of high school-esque drama and relationships over physical fighting, and can identify with and appreciate the humor of ordinary characters more than those of absurd, over-the-top fighters/killers."
Jan 29, 2009 12:14 AM by YoungVagabond
i can get distracted by well animated action for maybe 5 minutes, after that, i yawn.
though i don't consider either to be bad, just average. and i admit that AS is probably great for any big action fan.
Jan 28, 2009 11:27 PM by M_A
PS: FUNimation SUX all the way~
Jan 28, 2009 1:52 PM by nikolai131
Good for you for writing a review. As I didn't even finish watching Afro Samurai, writing a review myself may or may not be appropriate.
I "whould" certainly agree.
Can I be your friend? Lol
Jan 27, 2009 1:25 PM by Hato-kun
Jan 27, 2009 11:36 AM by xMatronxMalicex
Jan 27, 2009 4:20 AM by GendoIzumi
So I probably won't be watching this, it's probably just as horrible, but maybe a bit better animated..
Jan 27, 2009 3:31 AM by Ilyaoh
I was only 'bemoaning' the fact that it wasn't 'purely' Japanese made because that was relevant to the discussion at hand, is all. Its not as though Afro Samurai was the worst thing ever made, but I felt that the acting was weak, the writing was a bit flaccid, and the art style was unappealing - to me. Again, there isn't any great need for either of us to defend our opinion, I suppose, but thats where the discussion has gone so thats fine.
What you chose to "criticize" tells me you either haven't watched Afro Samurai, or didn't understand anything that you were watching.
There's no such thing as "acting" in anime. There are only animations and voice actors. If you disliked the latter, I can only laugh, because it was ostensibly superior to almost every dub I've ever heard, and more emotional and serious than most Japanese voice actorsl.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "writing" in this case, but if you're complaining about the lack of a story, then it's obvious you missed the whole point and entertainment value of "Afro Samurai", and probably don't understand the appeal of most action films or series, animated or live action.
Finally, the art style is purely subjective, but for someone who is obviously a big fan of old-school animation, I'm surprised you prefer no noses, giant raccoon eyes to a more realistic approach.
I whould contend that Naruto (Bleach as well) are not shows that are directed at, nor appropriate for, an 8-14 or so age group, given the level of violence and such. Yes, fine, I do work at a Toys "R" Us and I have witnessed rather young children buying Naruto toys.
Hilarious; your own personal experiences, marked in bold, directly contradict your argument. Yet, instead of adjusting to this, and altering your judgment, you dismiss what YOUR OWN EYES ARE TELLING YOU. It's like a man refusing to believe that elephants exist after seeing one at the local zoo.
No wonder you work at a Toys "R" Us.
However, I whould perhaps argue that their parents are not fully aware of what they are watching, and also point out the show is somewhat heavily edited on TV as well. Given that, the show isn't necessarily produced as a children's show, irregardless of how it is marketed in the US. If we're talking like Mazinger Z, sure - maybe that is directed at a younger Japanese audience. But is Tetsujin 28? I mean, some of those mecha shows get awfully deep for what whould could be construed as children's programing. No, given that, I think I whould argue that 'most' is too large of word to use. Yes, some Anime are marketed at children, but certainly not most of them.
I "whould" not say that just because you feel the violence is too much for 8-14 year olds that anyone would agree with you either here in the United States or in Japan.
There's even a strong hint that most anime is targeted for children; namely, the fact that the protagonists are typically between 14-17 years old.
Good for you for writing a review. As I didn't even finish watching Afro Samurai, writing a review myself may or may not be appropriate.
I "whould" certainly agree.
Jan 27, 2009 12:15 AM by YoungVagabond
-snip-
I was only 'bemoaning' the fact that it wasn't 'purely' Japanese made because that was relevant to the discussion at hand, is all. Its not as though Afro Samurai was the worst thing ever made, but I felt that the acting was weak, the writing was a bit flaccid, and the art style was unappealing - to me. Again, there isn't any great need for either of us to defend our opinion, I suppose, but thats where the discussion has gone so thats fine.
I am neither bashful nor embarrassed, especially not simply because you tell me I should be and take such a tone. You did say little children - if we're looking at teenagers as little children, then you and I clearly have different definitions of little children. While Naruto may be marketed, ostensibly, at a teenage crowd (given that this is felt to be a prime market for toys and other merchandise), I whould contend that Naruto (Bleach as well) are not shows that are directed at, nor appropriate for, an 8-14 or so age group, given the level of violence and such. Yes, fine, I do work at a Toys "R" Us and I have witnessed rather young children buying Naruto toys. However, I whould perhaps argue that their parents are not fully aware of what they are watching, and also point out the show is somewhat heavily edited on TV as well. Given that, the show isn't necessarily produced as a children's show, irregardless of how it is marketed in the US. If we're talking like Mazinger Z, sure - maybe that is directed at a younger Japanese audience. But is Tetsujin 28? I mean, some of those mecha shows get awfully deep for what whould could be construed as children's programing. No, given that, I think I whould argue that 'most' is too large of word to use. Yes, some Anime are marketed at children, but certainly not most of them.
Good for you for writing a review. As I didn't even finish watching Afro Samurai, writing a review myself may or may not be appropriate.
Jan 26, 2009 11:23 PM by internetotaku
I've always found elitist anime fans like yourself funny, who look down on a show simply because it wasn't entirely produced and voiced acted by the Japanese.
Hey, I really like Mysterious Cities of Gold - thats a French/Japanese joint project. Its just that I feel that there have been too many derivative cartoons produced that use an Anime-style in order to cash in on a trend, and haven't been good of their own right.
In that case, tell us what you disliked about Afro Samurai instead of bemoaning the fact that it wasn't purely Japanese made. Based on your first few posts, it seems like your biggest point of contention was the fact that part of the production occurred in the United States.
This is, by the way, incorrect. Anime is absolutely not produced with little children as their primary audience, as you doubtless know. (US) Cartoons, nowadays especially, are not even produced exclusively with children in mind either. No programs that were mentioned were programs that were produced with children in mind in any capacity either.
I also love how bashful and embarrassed most fans of the genre become when one mentions that most series are produced with children in mind. You don't think Naruto, Bleach, any giant robot shows, etc, etc. are targeted at kids 8-14 year old?
Denial can be funny.
I'm glad you liked it. I simply said that I didn't. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine.
Tell us what you disliked about it, then. I even wrote a review mentioning what I DID like about Afro Samurai.
Jan 26, 2009 10:47 PM by YoungVagabond
Jan 26, 2009 10:41 PM by Koko-Bear
I've always found elitist anime fans like yourself funny, who look down on a show simply because it wasn't entirely produced and voiced acted by the Japanese.
Hey, I really like Mysterious Cities of Gold - thats a French/Japanese joint project. Its just that I feel that there have been too many derivative cartoons produced that use an Anime-style in order to cash in on a trend, and haven't been good of their own right.
For fuck's sakes, you're a fan of a medium whose primary audience are little kids.
This is, by the way, incorrect. Anime is absolutely not produced with little children as their primary audience, as you doubtless know. (US) Cartoons, nowadays especially, are not even produced exclusively with children in mind either. No programs that were mentioned were programs that were produced with children in mind in any capacity either.
Afro Samurai rocked, and I already have its sequel on my hard drive, which I plan to watch in the next week or two.
I'm glad you liked it. I simply said that I didn't. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine.
Jan 26, 2009 10:26 PM by internetotaku
I had heard this was coming out. Afro Samurai was horrible so I'm not interested in this at all.
You are the craziest person I've ever met.
lol, yeah you're not the only person who has told me that, but really. During the Afro Samurai premere at ACEN, I actually walked out during it.
like that new batman anime US and japan joint project makes me uncomfortable. i'm afraid that we are going loss animes that are very otaku-ish, with moe characters and such for example.
I doubt that "Otaku-oriented" Anime will be due to this manner of show. Rather, I think I'm more afraid that joint ventures like this, Batman: Gotham Knight being a good example as well, will cause a larger proliferation of "Anime-style" American products that simply aren't any good and are just trying to cash in on the popularity of Anime.
I've always found elitist anime fans like yourself funny, who look down on a show simply because it wasn't entirely produced and voiced acted by the Japanese.
For fuck's sakes, you're a fan of a medium whose primary audience are little kids. You're watching cartoons for children, and yet, you look down upon anime with non-Japanese influence? Insane.
Afro Samurai rocked, and I already have its sequel on my hard drive, which I plan to watch in the next week or two.
Jan 26, 2009 10:01 PM by YoungVagabond
I had heard this was coming out. Afro Samurai was horrible so I'm not interested in this at all.
You are the craziest person I've ever met.
lol, yeah you're not the only person who has told me that, but really. During the Afro Samurai premere at ACEN, I actually walked out during it.
like that new batman anime US and japan joint project makes me uncomfortable. i'm afraid that we are going loss animes that are very otaku-ish, with moe characters and such for example.
I doubt that "Otaku-oriented" Anime will be due to this manner of show. Rather, I think I'm more afraid that joint ventures like this, Batman: Gotham Knight being a good example as well, will cause a larger proliferation of "Anime-style" American products that simply aren't any good and are just trying to cash in on the popularity of Anime.
Jan 26, 2009 9:45 PM by internetotaku
Jan 26, 2009 9:38 PM by 4444holic
I had heard this was coming out. Afro Samurai was horrible so I'm not interested in this at all.
You are the craziest person I've ever met.
Jan 26, 2009 9:00 PM by Hato-kun
Not interested. Afro Samurai is sort of like Golgo 13, right? Or perhaps, you can even call both animes are similar. I dropped Golgo 13, I think..
No, actually they're not at all similar. Afro Samurai is a joint America/Japan project starring Samuel L. Jackson as a wandering Samurai seeking revenge. Its new. (The first one was also quite bad)
Golgo 13, assuming you mean the TV series, is based on a (VERY) long running Manga about a professional sniper who is as good with a gun as he is with the ladies.
I had heard this was coming out. Afro Samurai was horrible so I'm not interested in this at all.
Jan 26, 2009 8:58 PM by internetotaku
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