C&C - Samurai 7 - "The Master" [8/18] [SERIES PREMIERE]

[BrianLeague]

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Watch the series premiere of Samurai 7, tonight @ 12:30a/11:30c!
Catch the repeat @ 3:30a/2:30c!

Don't forget to tweet using the hashtag #samurai7 during the show!

Samurai 7
Episode 1 - Number 101

The Master

Opening 1 - Unlimited by Nanase Aikawa: http://youtu.be/11IuBvNtaI0
Ending 1 - Fuhen by Rin': http://youtu.be/S4Z876g1vHg

On the series premiere of Samurai 7...
Set in a futuristic world that has just witnessed the end of a massive war, scores of villages are terrorized by Nobuseri bandits. But the Nobuseri are no normal bandits. They were once Samurai, who during the war integrated their living cells with machines to become dangerous weapons now appearing more machine than man. Absolute power corrupts, and their reign of terror is increasing its hold on the countryside. But one group of villagers has had enough, deciding to hire samurai to protect their village. Kirara is a young priestess who travels to the city seeking out protection. One by one, she encounters brave samurai that the war has left behind. These men of skill and valor are each unique and not without their quirks. But can they come together as one to defend the helpless village?

Tonight we have the premiere of Samurai 7! I've heard a lot of praise for this show so far and I'm looking forward to it. Also, it should be noted that the intro doesn't air in this episode.

Samurai 7. Part of the Lucky 7's. Only Toonami.


SPOILERS ARE NOT TOLERATED. Please, no talks of future episodes, events, and etc! All spoilers must be taken to The Anime Forum or sent through PM! This talkback is ONLY about this episode.

[Kitschensyngk]

Quick show of hands...how many of you are familiar with Akira Kurosawa's 1954 epic The Seven Samurai?

You know, groundbreaking samurai movie? Classic of Japanese cinema? John Sturges based The Magnificent Seven off of it?

(It isn't required that you watch this film before going into this series, since the story is essentially the same, but I still recommend it.)

Anyway, someone at the Gonzo animation studio (the people who also made Last Exile, Hellsing, and previous Adult Swim offering Trinity Blood) apparently watched that film and thought, "Yeah, Kurosawa made a great movie and all, but you know there's just one thing missing from this story...GIANT FRIGGIN ROBOTS. We need giant friggin robots terrorizing peasants and fighting the samurai. ...Hell, let's make one of the SAMURAI into a robot. That'd be even cooler."

Now, Japanese animation is no stranger to wild and crazy ideas. Another old Adult Swim anime had a secret agent for the British Library who threw paper around like shuriken, and another more recent series had high school students fighting each other Yu-Gi-Oh!-style with life points derived from their last test scores. So Gonzo took it upon themselves to remake Kurosawa's story into a 26-episode series, this time with giant robots posing as the bandits and setting the village on the outskirts of a futuristic steampunk, yet feudal, society.

And guess what? IT WORKED. They actually pulled off a decent adaptation of Kurosawa's masterpiece.

Of course it also helps that they added a post-war political atmosphere, staged some kick-ass fight scenes, and threw in a cute girl or two just to be safe.

Those of you who first saw this on IFC in 2006...welcome back.

Those of you who are watching this for the first time...stick with it. It isn't as bloody as its time slot's former occupant (which may be a relief to some), but that doesn't make it any less awesome.

[The Talon]

I've always wanted to see The Seven Samurai, but I've never been able to find it. Is it on Blu-Ray?

But I'm definitely excited for the show. While it can't replace DMWL for me (nothing can replace that), I think something with the formula of "classic movie + giant friggin robots" is bound to be awesome.

[BrianLeague]

I've always wanted to see The Seven Samurai, but I've never been able to find it. Is it on Blu-Ray?

Amazon.com has the movie in Blu-ray. You can buy it here.

[Lord Dalek]

but I've never been able to find it. Is it on Blu-Ray?

Yeah but its a Criterion double discer (and the dvd was a triple) so expect something a bit on the pricy side.

[Bernkastel]

I remember watching this on a foreign television network (it was probably Canadian). I watched quite a few episodes but it was pulled off the air and then the channel went away. The sword cutting in this series would make Kenpachi jealous. Can't wait for this one too just to see that ridiculousness.XD

[Gold Starz]

Giant robots you say? Well, who can pass on an offer like that?

[Kitschensyngk]

Finally, a show on this block about people with swords who actually USE them.

AWW, NO INTRO?! BUT IT'S FGOT ONE OF THE BEST INTRO SONGS I'VE EVER HEARD!!

(Why am I complaining? I've had the DVDs for some time now.)

[Nobodyman]

So we're moving on from anime Superjail to Seven Samurai with robots.

Did I ever mention how weird Japan is?

"The Master"? Ooh, you mean the villain from Doctor Who?

.........guess not.

[trance2009]

Giant CG steampunk robot. I like it already.

[animePWNS]

I first saw this on IFC. It'll be fun to watch it again here.

[JShaggy]

I just noticed, but apparently Toonami is hashtaging everything now (i.e., #Toonami, #Samurai7, etc.)

Showtime

[Nobodyman]

Giant robots you say? Well, who can pass on an offer like that?

You dig giant robots!
I dig giant robots!
We dig giant robots!
Chicks dig giant robots!

[Kitschensyngk]

Now THAT'S a blade!! None of this Sword Beast/Arrancar/Espada spiritual pressure/bankai horsecrap.

Oh, and this is Kirara the water priestess. She wasn't in the Kurosawa movie, but who's complaining.

[Nobodyman]

A group of priests/villagers chanting and searching for water. Riveting.

Well, we've got the setup with the villagers and the bandits anyway.

[Bernkastel]

Kill the robot bandits? But you're merely nameless villagers! You won't stand a chance until the hero comes in!

Oh, they took a shortcut. Forget it.

[Lord Dalek]

I'm confused... this is supposed to be an animated adaption of Seven Samurai but where are the ants and grasshoppers? =P

[Kitschensyngk]

I'm confused... this is supposed to be an animated adaption of Seven Samurai but where are the ants and grasshoppers? =P

The grasshoppers in this series are BIGGER THAN SKYSCRAPERS.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. The guy who did the music for this show? His other credits include another little series called Inuyasha.

OHHHHHHHHHHH, right, A Bug's Life. I get it now.

[Nobodyman]

I'm confused... this is supposed to be an animated adaption of Seven Samurai but where are the ants and grasshoppers? =P

Ha! I got that.

Oh, great idea having the little girl tag along on your search for deadly samurai.

[trance2009]

I may have to try that Clear Man shampoo. =P