"Afro Samurai: Resurrection" - Talkback [1/25] (Spoilers) [Archive]

Space Cadet

01-25-2009, 06:16 PM

http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/spike.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/afrosamurai.jpg

The sequel to 2007's best selling anime title airs tonight at 10 PM Eastern on Spike TV. Instead of another mini-series, we get a two-hour movie that chronicles the events after the five episode series(or it could be four episodes that Spike combined together to make into a movie. Who knows).

Not to give away the plot too much, it involves Afro losing his number one headband to another fighter. Who is it and how will he get it back? You have to tune in tonight to find out.

The movie will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 3rd. It will be released in two versions: a Spike TV version and an unrated Director's Cut version. I'm also sure that the iTunes version will be the unrated Director's Cut(since that's what the mini-series was uploaded with). The Afro Samurai video game and the soundtrack to this movie will be released January 27th.

Also, the five episode mini-series will rerun after the movie ends, so for those who haven't seen it yet, here's your chance.

Blackscarz

01-25-2009, 08:51 PM

Hmm,The movie isn't a prequel so it would have made more sense to show the five episode mini series before the movie. Maybe they couldn't start the mini series around 7:30pm for some reason.

tb4000

01-25-2009, 08:57 PM

I'm already on it right after American Dad.

D Dubbs

01-25-2009, 09:04 PM

I'll watch for the amazing visuals, but I'm hoping there's a bit more substance to the plot this time around.

Soul

01-25-2009, 09:59 PM

ITS COMINNGGGG
AFRO SAMURAI RESURRECTION is COMING! :D

tb4000

01-25-2009, 10:02 PM

I'm digging that new opening.

Bunai

01-25-2009, 10:10 PM

so not digging the torture ^_^
i'm surprised at Jinno.

hmm i didn't know Afro buried his fathers body.
this based on him carrying his fathers skull around.

D Dubbs

01-25-2009, 10:19 PM

Wow, he didn't kill those villagers. That's a first.

GWOtaku

01-25-2009, 10:27 PM

Maybe this is just me, but Ninja Ninja seems to be funnier in this than in what I saw of the miniseries.

Soul

01-25-2009, 10:30 PM

So..
Sio is Jinno's Sister......

GWOtaku

01-25-2009, 10:32 PM

Even money says the Samurai father is the guy with the #2 headband.

Soul

01-25-2009, 10:32 PM

No way he'll kill him.
NO WAY he could do it.
It'd way to much on his conscious.

D Dubbs

01-25-2009, 10:34 PM

So..
Sio is Jinno's Sister......

Wait, I thought she died in the first series...

Grenzer

01-25-2009, 10:35 PM

I give them credit for the homage to Lone Wolf and Cub, and they even manage to tie it into the main theme of the series itself.

Soul

01-25-2009, 10:35 PM

Well.
We never saw her.
Okiku was only like their adopted Sister.

Bunai

01-25-2009, 10:38 PM

I like the pace of this, it's slightly slower than the first series.

How the heck did Ninja Ninja open the door?! :eek:

li_mangaman

01-25-2009, 10:43 PM

I can't believe I forgot about it. Will we be seeing an encore?

warnerbroman

01-25-2009, 10:56 PM

it's kill bill all over again

Bloody Marquis

01-25-2009, 10:57 PM

No way he'll kill him.
NO WAY he could do it.
It'd way to much on his conscious.
He could, and he did.

Bunai

01-25-2009, 10:58 PM

lol @ afro song :anime:

-i feel slightly sorry for that other guy. then there is the kid, who likely or unlikely - go after Afro as he ages.

-just because they rebuilt his father's skull...it doesn't mean it's him

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:01 PM

D Dubbs

01-25-2009, 11:03 PM

Yeah, they made the death and flashbacks too dramatic for the kid not to show up in a sequel.

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:07 PM

Ha.
Flashbaaackksss.
BLAAAHHH.

Bunai

01-25-2009, 11:16 PM

hey look! the little thing is already on the road to vengeance xD

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:19 PM

but Afro saved him...

Bloody Marquis

01-25-2009, 11:22 PM

Wait, Ninja Ninja can get hit too?

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:23 PM

Wait, Ninja Ninja can get hit too?
Yeahh..
I'm so confused

D Dubbs

01-25-2009, 11:26 PM

Oh well, we all know Ninja Ninja will be back in the next sequel.

warnerbroman

01-25-2009, 11:26 PM

Wait, Ninja Ninja can get hit too? it missed and he thinks it hit him

Bunai

01-25-2009, 11:31 PM

I don't think there was much reason to kill the Doctor...
the guy is a bit eccentric, but brilliant.

-Remember Ninja Ninja (appeared) to stand in front of Afro, when Jinno sliced him?

-see? all these robot people could have lived in peace, but noooo they have to follow orders of some nutcase and get dead again.

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:44 PM

"Come to yo' Daddy!"

DUDE
Jinno will save him.
I think.

Bunai

01-25-2009, 11:51 PM

Jinno's being a punk :anime:
okay, i take it back, he's doing great.

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:52 PM

Damn!
Can Jinno do anything anyway?

Bloody Marquis

01-25-2009, 11:54 PM

Jinno's being a punk :anime:
okay, i take it back, he's doing great.
Eh, not so great.

And Afro! Look! He's moving! He's alive! HE'S ALIVE!!!

Soul

01-25-2009, 11:56 PM

Now Finish It!

Bunai

01-25-2009, 11:57 PM

Eh, not so great.

And Afro! Look! He's moving! He's alive! HE'S ALIVE!!! it was a hero worthy ending...

could have been a bit sooner though.

-Afro's robo-father is scary

-hey, the Revenge-Tot got a headband! 0_o

warnerbroman

01-25-2009, 11:59 PM

stupid pixilazation!

Soul

01-26-2009, 12:00 AM

Anyone get that Epilogue?

J!!!

01-26-2009, 12:02 AM

That was a great ending keeps the series open for a spin off or sequel.

NewcomerDC

01-26-2009, 12:02 AM

Anyone get that Epilogue?
It's that the little kid meets up with Justice.

Now season 1 is playing in its entirety now until 2:30AM

Bunai

01-26-2009, 12:05 AM

OMG he did say something before he died!
Rokutaro "Do not avenge me"

i always thought it was "A-a Avenge me..."

D Dubbs

01-26-2009, 12:09 AM

Hmm, well I liked this sequel more than the first season. It was still a bit predictable, but they managed to throw in some surprise twists here and there.

Terror of Death

01-26-2009, 12:10 AM

I liked the movie a lot more than the mini series. I'll probably pick up the dvd.

NewcomerDC

01-26-2009, 12:10 AM

OMG he did say something before he died!
Rokutaro "Do not avenge me"

i always thought it was "A-a Avenge me..."
I feel like that the kid might be the next Afro Samurai just in case our main man gets killed next season/movie. If he doesn't become the next avengeful samurai, then it's cool. At least the kid should try to move on with his life rather than have his mind full of darkness and revenge.

GWOtaku

01-26-2009, 12:11 AM

The ending was too abrupt. Jinno died so that Afro could conveniently get shocked back to the living. And then bam, it's over. I would have taken one or two fewer scenes of the lady monolouging about suffering and revenge in exchange for a better climax. As a pure action movie it does the job (better than, say, Highlander: Search For Vengeance), but while I've seen worse I think I've seen better.

Also, is there a reason I should root for Afro anymore? I'd be just fine with revenge-tot eventually offing him at this point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the movie seemed basically interested in letting us know that he's no better than Justice. Everything the villain was saying about him seemed to basically be the truth.

Beat

01-26-2009, 12:12 AM

D Dubbs

01-26-2009, 12:13 AM

Also, is there a reason I should root for Afro anymore? I'd be just fine with revenge-tot eventually offing him at this point. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the movie seemed basically interested in letting us know that he's no better than Justice. Everything the villain was saying about him seemed to basically be the truth.

Yeah, that's my main problem with Afro Samurai. If I don't sympathize at all with the protagonist, it's hard for me to care about their story. Some of the other characters are interesting, like Jinno, but I honestly don't care for Afro one bit.

Bunai

01-26-2009, 12:18 AM

I feel like that the kid might be the next Afro Samurai just in case our main man gets killed next season/movie. If he doesn't become the next avengeful samurai, then it's cool. At least the kid should try to move on with his life rather than have his mind full of darkness and revenge.
well, Revenge-Tot is officially an orphan, his guardian is dead, and the only guy that knows him is the Bartender / House guy (forgot what you call those types of people). he could go back to him, which would end the "I want Revenge" thing.

if there is going to be another part, i am sure Justice will corrupt him somehow.

@GWOtaku
that was pretty much said in the first series.
if you're going to be the Number One, you're gonna do some bloody things.

@Beat
i don't know if that was meant as sarcasm, but i have seen anime with blood, violence, sexual content, and action. and found them boring or badly done.

why use this series to judge by nationality?

Blackscarz

01-26-2009, 12:21 AM

I smell a squeal. The ending was bit confusing though, I'm going to have to re-watch the movie when I get the chance.

Random thoughts:
- Man, I really didn't like Lucy Lui voice over for Sio. I understand she was one of the big celebrity names they needed to ring in non-anime viewers but...Yeesh..."I have twisted the most twisted man with my twistedness." (Maybe I should just blame the writers)

- Afro basically cursed that kid by giving him the Number Two head band. I didn't think that Afro would want anyone to go through the same thing he went through as a kid, but the I guess he deserved vengeance as well.

- Really love the music for some parts more than others. Only one song really stuck in my head. But overall The RZA did great job as usual.

- To sum up Afro Samurai: Resurrection, it was a nice entertaining blood fest. I didn't expect any less and neither did I expect something more. I can see the direction they were trying to go for since the mini series aired last year. But it will always remain as one my "guilty pleasure animes" like Ninja Scroll/Resurrection and dead leaves.

v1cious

01-26-2009, 12:23 AM

That was two hours of everything Americans want in their anime. Blood, violence, sexual content, action up the ying yang.

Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson.

People running anime blocks would do well to get stuff looking like Afro as opposed to the Moribitos of the medium.

yeah what's funny is most hardcore anime fans hate Afro Samurai... but next Tuesday, it's gonna sell like crazy.

i thought it was okay for the most part. it could've used a bit more action, and Lucy Liu's long-winded speeches got annoying fast. also the final battle was very anticlimactic.

Bunai

01-26-2009, 12:31 AM

^_^ glad i am not a hardcore anime fan
foooo

so now i have to way another year for a part 3?

to "interesting characters"
i got the same impression watching Elfin Lied. i never felt sorry for Lucy/Nyuu.
i just found the story and characters interesting.

D Dubbs

01-26-2009, 12:33 AM

^_^ glad i am not a hardcore anime fan
foooo

so now i have to way another year for a part 3?

Well, it took two years for this sequel...

Soul

01-26-2009, 12:35 AM

Blackscarz

01-26-2009, 12:36 AM

Yeah, that's my main problem with Afro Samurai. If I don't sympathize at all with the protagonist, it's hard for me to care about their story. Some of the other characters are interesting, like Jinno, but I honestly don't care for Afro one bit.

Maybe we're not supposed too. He only seeks vengeance and he has excepted his fate of a life of loneliness and blood. It's hard to sympathize with a demon with no heart. The writers gave us no reason to sympathize with Afro other than "my dad died" incident and they never really rubbed it in our faces.

EDIT:

In a lot of ways, Afro knows what's coming.
He's selfish.
He know's by the end of the movie he's no better than Justice, except he has a better reason for doing what he does.
But he'll die for it.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

GWOtaku

01-26-2009, 12:37 AM

I don't know, I don't hate it, but it just doesn't grab me. I was pretty well entertained while watching but the plot doesn't satisfy me for the reasons I've explained. I suppose I should see Afro as a tragic figure and leave it at that, but then you also have how he deals with the kid. Even if Afro's just a killing machine you'd think he'd have some kind of human reaction considering how he gets when it comes to his father, but no. I guess either Afro is supposed to be too much of a cold badass for that, or they just couldn't let that kind of thing get in the way of leaving an obvious door open for more sequels.

I mean, I've seen the Street Fighter II movie several times and very likely will again, whereas I don't feel compelled to buy the DVD for this. Obviously, a lot of people have and will because of the celebrity names and the uncensored action. I'm just looking for something more usually, and the SF II movie didn't have action heroes that I want dead.

I should say, however, that it beats the everliving hell out of Ninja Scroll. I can think of a lot of movies that I enjoyed better than Ninja scroll, whereas this at least had very impressive action going for it in addition to Ninja Ninja's constant antics.

Bunai

01-26-2009, 12:41 AM

Obviously, a lot of people have and will because of the celebrity names and the uncensored action.
or maybe they will buy it because they like it. :confused:

if those are your reasons, i don't see them being factual. they are more opinionated to me.

Soul

01-26-2009, 12:43 AM

I don't know, I don't hate it, but it just doesn't grab me. I was pretty well entertained while watching but the plot doesn't satisfy me for the reasons I've explained. I suppose I should see Afro as a tragic figure and leave it at that, but then you also have how he deals with the kid. Even if Afro's just a killing machine you'd think he'd have some kind of human reaction considering how he gets when it comes to his father, but no. I guess either Afro is supposed to be too much of a cold badass for that, or they just couldn't let that kind of thing get in the way of leaving an obvious door open for more sequels.

I think it's both really. xD
Personally this had a better story then Afro1, and I kept thinking, "Hey just wound the kid's father, and take the headband" but no.

But you gotta remember the vision of his father, it was more or less his resolve of knowing he's NOT COMPLETELY like Justice, but as long he wears the Number One Band, the bloodshed and sorrow will never end; I honestly think.. Afro wants Revenge-Tot to kill him.

GWOtaku

01-26-2009, 12:44 AM

or maybe they will buy it because they like it. :confused:

Well, of course. Those are reasons for liking it. I didn't say there was anything wrong with that.

I think it's both really. xD
Personally this had a better story then Afro1, and I kept thinking, "Hey just wound the kid's father, and take the headband" but no.

But you gotta remember the vision of his father, it was more or less his resolve of knowing he's NOT COMPLETELY like Justice, but as long he wears the Number One Band, the bloodshed and sorrow will never end; I honestly think.. Afro wants Revenge-Tot to kill him.

Now that could be. Perhaps they'll flesh that out for next time--we all know there will be a next time. I would watch another sequel.

Grenzer

01-26-2009, 12:56 AM

I don't know, I don't hate it, but it just doesn't grab me. I was pretty well entertained while watching but the plot doesn't satisfy me for the reasons I've explained. I suppose I should see Afro as a tragic figure and leave it at that, but then you also have how he deals with the kid. Even if Afro's just a killing machine you'd think he'd have some kind of human reaction considering how he gets when it comes to his father, but no. I guess either Afro is supposed to be too much of a cold badass for that, or they just couldn't let that kind of thing get in the way of leaving an obvious door open for more sequels.

Afro is rather selfish by nature, and has shown time and time again that he often puts his own narrow-minded desires above the lives of innocent people. He knows it as well, since Ninja-Ninja more or less calls him out on that rather constantly.

I don't think Afro is written to be particularly likable, but he's not a complete monster either. That's in spite of his attempts to repress his humanity. Maybe he will find redemption at some point, or maybe he won't. The point is it keeps the narrative going in the meantime, which is why this series rises above standard schlock-filled action anime.

Soul

01-26-2009, 01:04 AM

Oh in this scene (http://www.funimation.com/video/?page=video&v=1192)
When that guy whose spying through the billboard, there's a link (http://takashiokazaki.com/secret/wallpapers/) to a secret Wallpaper

tb4000

01-26-2009, 09:27 AM

I recognized Gaara right off the bat, as soon as the one dude started talking, and especially when he started fighting.

The Overlord

01-26-2009, 09:42 AM

yeah what's funny is most hardcore anime fans hate Afro Samurai... but next Tuesday, it's gonna sell like crazy.

.

You no know why, because no one cares about hardcore anime fans, they are far too small and unpleasable to cater too, so why bother.

This anime is clearly aimed an American audeince, likely why it has faster pacing and aiming something at a general audience will earn Spike TV far more money then aiming something at otakus.

warnerbroman

01-26-2009, 11:09 AM

I recognized Gaara right off the bat, as soon as the one dude started talking, and especially when he started fighting.I am glad someone else noticed

animewolf17

01-26-2009, 10:01 PM

I recognized Gaara right off the bat, as soon as the one dude started talking, and especially when he started fighting.

I also had a feeling the new #2 was voiced by Liam as well.

Space Cadet

01-27-2009, 07:10 PM

From TVByTheNumbers (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/27/obama-inauguration-wwe-raw-and-burn-notice-lead-weekly-cable-viewing/11610/comment-page-1#comment-45498):

Afro Samurai: Resurrection(Sunday 10-12) - 710,000 total viewers

I don't know if that is good or bad, since it didn't crack one million viewers. Only Spike TV knows.

Beat

01-27-2009, 10:07 PM

Unfortunately, that probably means Family Guy beat it.

I'm hoping that if they rerun it, it's right after a UFC fight card. That usually pumps up the ratings points.

Mesousa

01-28-2009, 03:22 PM

I heard people are critizicing it because of the Ninja Ninja character, is this true?

GWOtaku

01-28-2009, 05:47 PM

I heard people are critizicing it because of the Ninja Ninja character, is this true?

I hope not. He was a riot. He's crazy but that's what's fun about him, he's a great companion for the stoic Afro. To me, he's also there to speak for the audience sometimes. Take early on in the movie, where he's commenting on the plot and talking about how crazy and weird Afro's situation is.

Mesousa

01-28-2009, 05:51 PM

I hope not. He was a riot. He's crazy but that's what's fun about him, he's a great companion for the stoic Afro. To me, he's also there to speak for the audience sometimes. Take early on in the movie, where he's commenting on the plot and talking about how crazy and weird Afro's situation is.

Well, Anime News Network thought it was "racist", because he was speaking a lot of jive or something like that.

Which is kinda overreactive...

GWOtaku

01-28-2009, 05:53 PM

Well, Anime News Network thought it was "racist", because he was speaking a lot of jive or something like that.

Which is kinda overreactive...

I'll say! Oh well. Their reviewers tend to be very much hit-or-miss.

Mesousa

01-28-2009, 05:54 PM

I'll say! Oh well. Their reviewers tend to be very much hit-or-miss.

Well, now that I think about it, they are the same people who criticied UFO Ultramiden Valkyrie, for little to no reason, and I liked that anime.

Beat

01-28-2009, 06:09 PM

Same guy that praised Moribito I bet.

So, yeah...

Master Moron

01-28-2009, 06:11 PM

Bunai

01-29-2009, 11:42 PM

Now I get the ending...
Old Samurai movie homage.

ChibiGoku

01-30-2009, 03:22 AM

Well, it did worse than Damages, and Damages is doing horribly. Though, maybe SpikeTV has lower standards than FX.

My understanding is Afro Samurai Resurrection did better than the first one, which I believe got around 600,000 views. I think Spike TV probably has lower expectations for this, so it probably did well for what it was. Probably would have helped had they advertised a bit more, but we shouldn't worry.

Beat

01-30-2009, 12:33 PM

It also depends on how often it's reran.

Space Cadet

01-30-2009, 05:25 PM

My understanding is Afro Samurai Resurrection did better than the first one, which I believe got around 600,000 views. I think Spike TV probably has lower expectations for this, so it probably did well for what it was. Probably would have helped had they advertised a bit more, but we shouldn't worry.

I looked up the press release when the first series aired two years ago and the first episode garnered 775,000 total viewers. So, while there was a drop-off, it might not be as bad as it might seem.

Of course, the mini-series aired once a week(originally Spike was going to air all five episodes at once, but they changed their mind) and on a Thursday(the most watched night on television), so that might factor into it.

Beefy

02-02-2009, 01:47 PM

I liked season one better, but this movie was still pretty good.
Redemption for Jinno, may he rest in peace this time.
Afro's undead father totally owned everyone.
Can't say I really feel sorry for Sio, wanting revenge in this series never ends well.

I'm still confused about the headbands.
Back in the last episode of season one we saw a whole room of headbands (at least eight of them). So in theory wouldn't you need the Number Three headband in order to go after the person with the Number Two?
Why couldn't Afro just go after Sio without having to get the Number Two headband first? Who would stop him, the headband police?