Afro Samurai (Full Version)

Afro Samurai (アフロサムライ, Afuro Samurai?), also written AFRO SAMURAI, is a Japanese seinen dōjinshi manga series written and illustrated by manga artist Takashi Okazaki. It was originally serialized irregularly in the avant-garde dōjinshi manga magazine Nou Nou Hau from September 1999 to May 2000. Inspired by Takashi Okazaki's love of soul and hip hop music and American media, Afro Samurai follows the life of Afro Samurai who witnessed his father (owner of the No. 1 headband) being killed by the hands of a gunslinger named Justice (owner of the No. 2 headband) while he was a child. As an adult, Afro sets off to avenge his father's death and kill Justice.

The Afro Samurai dōjinshi was adapted into a 5-episode anime TV series by studio Gonzo in 2007. The same studio also went on to produce a made-for-TV movie sequel entitled Afro Samurai: Resurrection in 2009, which gained two Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation,
which it won, and Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More), which it did not win. After the release of the anime series, Takashi Okazaki remade the original Afro Samurai dōjinshi into a two-volume manga. To be only released in North America, Tor Books and Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the title and published it under their new Tor/Seven Seas imprint.

In addition to the success of the anime series, Afro Samurai has also been adapted into a video game and an upcoming live-action feature film. For the TV series and the film, two soundtracks by the RZA of Wu-Tang Clan have been released as well as a profile book in Japan.

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Plot

Afro Samurai

In a futuristic yet feudal Japan, it is said that the one who wields the Number 1 headband is the fiercest fighter in the world and shall possess godlike powers. The only way to obtain the Number 1 headband is to challenge and defeat him in combat. However, only the Number 2 can challenge the Number 1, while anyone can challenge the Number 2, which causes a constant struggle for the Number 2 headband.

Justice, the owner of the No. 2 headband, goes to fight the owner of the No. 1 headband, Rokutaro. The two battle, ending with Justice decapitating Rokutaro and claiming his headband. Rokutaro's head rolls in front of his son, a young boy named Afro, as he sobs and vows revenge.

Now an adult, Afro Samurai is the current No. 2 and a master swordsman. He travels Japan trying to make his way to the mountain-top keep where Justice awaits. As he makes his way to Justice, he recalls his journey from a frightened young boy to a master samurai. Along the way, many people challenge Afro for his headband, including the "Empty Seven Clan" who send various agents, including a robotic Afro, to kill him throughout his travels. He is also being hunted by his vengeful childhood friend Jinno, who was long thought to be dead. Afro eventually defeats his enemies, Jinno, and confronts Justice, whom he defeats and takes the No. 1 headband from.

Afro decides to live in the mountains once again, when Jinno, adorned with every headband in existence, confronts Afro for the No. 1 band and his revenge.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection

Afro, now trying to live an ordinary life, refuses any challenge for his No. 1 headband. One dark and stormy night, Jinno, and a mysterious woman named Sio, attack Afro. They easily defeat him and take his No. 1 headband as well as his father's remains. Sio tells Afro her plans to resurrect his father, Rokutaro, so she can torture him as revenge against Afro for the lives he has destroyed and for what has happened to her brother, Jinno. Afro, determined to regain the No. 1 as well as his father's remains, sets off to find the No. 2 headband. Afro eventually learns that the bearer of the No. 2 is a man named Shichigoro.

Afro confronts Shichigoro, regains the No. 2, and continues on toward Sio. Along the way he is observed by three mysterious warriors from his past. He eventually battles them while Sio revives Afro's father. Afro defeats the three and is confronted by Sio, Jinno, and his resurrected father. However, Rokutaro is revived before he is completely restored, leaving him a mindless killing machine. Rokutaro defeats and almost kills Afro, when Jinno comes to Afro's aid in a sudden change of heart. Landing only a few blows, Jinno is quickly dispatched by Rokutaro, who then kills Sio. The cybernetic remains of Jinno give off an electrical surge, which, conducted through the spilled blood of Afro, revives him. Afro then defeats Rokotaro and reclaims the No. 1 headband.

Afro walks away from the battle, wearing the No. 1 headband and clutching the No. 2 headband in hand. He comes across an orphan who seeks vengeance for Shichigoro and hands him the No. 2, telling him to challenge him when he's ready.