Afro Samurai is a Japanese dōjinshi manga series, created by Takashi Okazaki, originally featured in the NOU NOU HAU dōjin magazine. It was adapted into a 5-episode anime television series directed by Fuminori Kizaki. The cost of each episode is estimated at one million dollars. The anime series features noted American actor Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of the titular character, as well as one of the co-producers, and also features Ron Perlman and Kelly Hu as character voices. There are plans to produce a live-action Afro Samurai movie, also starring Samuel L. Jackson as the title character, although production has not yet begun.
Spoiler Warning! [+/-] Show/Hide Info The TV anime series is set in a "futuristic, yet feudal Japan," and stars a samurai named Afro for his hair. The story follows Afro as he tries to avenge his father's murder. In the world of Afro Samurai, it is said that the one who becomes "Number One", will rule the world, wielding powers akin to a god. Someone becomes Number One by killing the previous Number One and taking his ceremonial headband. However, the only rule in this world is that only the "Number Two" (also designated by a sacred headband) is allowed to fight the "Number One." The downside of this is that anyone (and typically everyone) can challenge and try to kill the Number Two, to gain the right to move forward and challenge Number One. Afro Samurai's father was the old Number One, until he was challenged by a gunman, "Justice" (who was then Number Two), who fought him in a duel to become the new Number One. At the time the gunman challenged his father, Afro had only been a child. The gunman severed his father's head right in front of the young Afro. Now an adult, Afro Samurai is the current Number Two and a master swordsman; he travels the road looking for revenge on the current Number One, who killed his father.
