Afro-Samurai ..... New Samurai Champloo?

Joost · Post by **Joost** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:47 pm

I came across this : http://www.afrosamurai.com/default.html

Some new anime starring as voice Samuel L. Jackson, as an afro-samurai
mhhh samurai's blended with hip-hop styles and sorts... where did I saw that before

But seems a cool idea, and I can't wait to see some action

shellie · Post by **shellie** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 12:54 pm

Interesting art style, but it definitely feels like a "been there done that". Mugen had wild hair, but I guess it wasn't an afro... so maybe it is all new!

I'm sure it's difficult to come up with something that is completely different... perhaps that's what leads to hideous stories with nose-hair weapons and such!!

In which case, I'll definitely stick with the same-ol'-same-ol'!

Thanks for the link, lancemet. I'll look forward to seeing what Afro Samurai plays out like.

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:28 pm

I saw a trailer for it 2 years ago and from what I remember it was much more hard core than champloo. There was much more graphic sex and violence.

transmet · Post by **transmet** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:33 pm

shellie wrote:Thanks for the link, lancemet. I'll look forward to seeing what Afro Samurai plays out like.

What Shells...just 'cause it's a hip-hop samurai thread, I gotta be the one postin' it?

I actually saw this back in September - there doesn't seem to be any updates since the last time I looked at the site.

Interesting note: There has been an afro-brandishing samurai featured in a dream fighting sequence on The Boondocks which played out very similar to the end fight of Champloo's episode 2 between Jin and the samurai assassin. Also, Samuel L. has been doing voice work for Boondocks as well. Coincidence?

kittens · Post by **kittens** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 1:56 pm

This is definitely weired

vapalla · Post by **vapalla** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:38 pm

This has been in the works for awhile Here's the latest post about it that I have seen:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=8420

I had wondered what language it was going to be in. Looks like english with Japanese subtitiles according to the article. Something interesting to look forward to next Fall!

shellie · Post by **shellie** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:22 pm

Sorry, joost! I get talkin' about Samurai Champloo, and I automatically stick transmet in the converation!

(Now don't you feel special, lancemet??

)

And it came out already 2 years ago, morgan? So would it have been a contemporary with SC? (I don't know when SC first came out.) That is extremely interesting if both samurai/hip hop shows were being written at the same time and unbeknownst to each other! (and thanks for the tip that it is possibly more graphic... I'm pretty wimpy about that stuff, so I'll have to peek from behind the couch on the first few episodes!

)

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:38 pm

shellie wrote::

And it came out already 2 years ago, morgan? So would it have been a contemporary with SC? (I don't know when SC first came out.) That is extremely interesting if both samurai/hip hop shows were being written at the same time and unbeknownst to each other! (and thanks for the tip that it is possibly more graphic... I'm pretty wimpy about that stuff, so I'll have to peek from behind the couch on the first few episodes! )

I don't think it was out, I saw it on a top secret gonzo reel that a contact of mine had, it had all the stuff they were hyping. At the time I think they were still in talks with samuel l jackson. It was pretty hard core - I remember this scene where he was banging some girl and an assasin came and stuck the blade through her to try to kill him. not quite the same mood as champloo! It had a real bum-chika-wow 70's black-sploitation feel - with a modern hip hop edge of course.

shellie · Post by **shellie** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:05 pm

eeeek! Yah, different feel there!! That sounds a bit much for my wimpy taste. I don't think even watching from behind the couch with my hands over my eyes would save me on that one.

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:39 pm

I was put off by the title but on inspection is looks pretty decent. I'd like to see it in comic-book style, it appears like a western comic- strange to learn that it's by a Japanese fellow.
The art style reminded me of Sam Keith/Greg Capallo and the layouts seen in the preview images on the main webpage are a nod of respect to Koike's/Kojima's 'Lone Wolf & Cub'.

vapalla · Post by **vapalla** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:06 am

Krafty wrote:

it appears like a western comic- strange to learn that it's by a Japanese fellow.

I guess if manga style can influence American artists, I guess it isn't surprising that American comic style would appeal to someone in Japan. For some reason, references to American movies from the '70's also keep showing up in anime too. (Like Saturday Night Fever). That truckin' pose and of course, the 'fro suggest the 70's. ANN said " the show is a "creative collaboration" between Jackson, Takashi Okazaki (the manga-ka) and Gonzo." It will be shown in America first.

edited-added stuff