Afro Samurai

Given RZA's work on both the Ghost Dog and Kill Bill soundtracks, it's no surprise to see the venerable Wu-Tang producer tackling Afro Samurai. However, unlike the previous albums, where RZA more or less created scores, the Afro Samurai soundtrack is a mix of instrumental and conventional rap songs, featuring an eclectic mix of MCs, including Talib Kweli, GZA, True Master, and RZA himself. There are some strange tracks here, none more so than the maple syrupy R&B songs featuring Stone Mecca or Baby. The instrumentals, removed from the context of the movie, are themes rather than fully fleshed out songs but a few, like "Afro's Father Fight" are tantalizingly fast, furious, and funky. The rap songs hold some surprises, such as Q-Tip popping up on "Just a Lil Dude," or veteran Big Daddy Kane sparking off the dramatic "Cameo Afro." Fans of RZA's past albums, especially his Bobby Digital projects, will find Afro Samurai to their liking, but for those expecting a classic Wu-Tang album, they might be left lost in the oft-jarring mix of sounds. --Oliver Wang

No Description Available.Genre: Soundtracks & ScoresMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: PARelease Date: 30-JAN-2007

The violent five-part adventure Afro Samurai marks both the increasing confluence of American and Japanese pop culture and the shift in Japanese depictions of African-Americans. The popularity of hip-hop in Japan has led to more positive images of blacks, including Takashi Okazaki's original manga. The "Director's Cut" contains an additional 15 minutes of footage, and is even gorier than the broadcast version on Spike TV. As a boy, Afro Samurai saw his father beheaded by the maniacal Justice. The murderer sought an ancient headband that marks the wearer as the #1 warrior in the world. As an adult, Afro seeks only revenge, cutting down anyone who blocks his path to Justice. Afro Samurai depicts a oddly anachronistic world that infuses cell phones, cigarette lighters, and cyber technology into traditional Japanese culture. The elongated character designs recall Peter Chung's Aeon Flux, and much of the series is rendered in moody grays, accented by gobbets of scarlet blood. Afro is such a taciturn figure, most of the dialogue goes to his motor-mouth comrade Ninja Ninja. This big budget production features an eclectic score by Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA and an A-list vocal cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson and Ron Perlman. But for all its elaborate production values and over-the-top fights, Afro Samurai suffers from a weakness at its core: Afro is so monosyllabic and cold-blooded, he's not very interesting. His inevitable duel-to-the-death with Justice lacks the emotional punch of Spike's face-off against Vicious in Cowboy Bebop or Kenshin's one-on-one with Shishio in Rurouni Kenshin. This extremely violent series is not for the faint of stomach. (Rated TV MA, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, profanity, sexual activity, grotesque imagery, nudity, risqué humor, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon More from Studio Gonzo Origin: Spirits of the Past Trinity Blood Solty Rei Stills from Afro Samurai (click for larger image) More Samuel L. Jackson Snakes on a Plane Shaft Pulp Fiction More Stills (click for larger image)

A black samurai goes on a mission to avenge the wrongful death of his father in a futuristic feudal japan. Studio: Funimation Prod Inc Release Date: 08/26/2008 Starring: Samuel Jackson Yuri Lowenthal Run time: 125 minutes Director: Takashi Okazaki

The feature film Resurrection amps up the adventures of Afro Samurai, the Black warrior who debuted on Spike TV in 2007. Taciturn and deadly, Afro (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) wanders through an anachronistic, post-apocalyptic world, accompanied by motor-mouth Ninja-Ninja (also Jackson). This time, his nemesis is not the maniacal Justice from the series, but Sio (Lucy Liu), an embittered beauty who hates Afro for nearly killing her brother Jinno. She has Professor Dharman (S. Scott Bullock) recreate Afro's father from a jawbone stolen from his grave, a scheme that leads to the ultimate Oedipal showdown. The original series was rendered primarily in brooding grays, accented by spatters of red blood; Resurrection uses brilliant blues, oranges, and reds to underscore the conflicts. Hiphop artist RZA contributes another eclectic, moody score. But the over-the-top action can't disguise that the icy, silent Afro is a very limited character: he lacks the humanity that redeems the equally deadly swordsman Kenshin Himura in Rurouni Kenshin. Resurrection is clearly intended as an installment in a ongoing franchise. Afro kills the warrior Shichigoro (Liam O'Brien) in front of Kotaro (Zachary Gordon), his adopted son. At the end of the film, Afro sees Kotaro clutching his father's sword, tells him, "Anytime you're ready," and walks into the distance. Although the many extras stress that Afro-Samurai: Resurrection was a Japanese-American co- production, the film is presented only in English. (Unrated, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, violence against women, profanity, sexual activity, grotesque imagery, nudity, risqué humor, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

When his fathers body is stolen from its grave afro takes up his sword again to tear through an army of deadly foes led by a sadistic leader. Studio: Funimation Prod Inc Release Date: 02/03/2009 Starring: Samuel Jackson Mark Hamill Director: Fuminori Kizaki

Studio: Funimation Prod Inc Release Date: 11/03/2009 Run time: 200 minutes

Set of 2 Japanese headbands that tie in the back. Use these headbands for martial arts, cooking or just for fun! Each headband is 2 2/3 inches wide by 36 inches long.

Kuma cell phone charm, from Afro Samurai.

Afro Droid cell phone strap, from Afro Samurai.

AFRO SAMURAI DIR.CUT-KEYCHAIN EXCL

Color:BlackShipping Duration:Within 14-20 DaysShipping:FREE SHIPPING IN all CountriesAbout Decal:Made of quality cut vinyl to stay put on the OUTSIDE of your window or any smooth surface.Sticker size:3.5 x 5.9 Inches8.9 x 15 Cm

Color:BlackShipping Duration:Within 14-20 DaysShipping:FREE SHIPPING IN all CountriesAbout Decal:Made of quality cut vinyl to stay put on the OUTSIDE of your window or any smooth surface.Sticker size:2.3 x 5.9 Inches5.9 x 15 Cm

Color:BlackShipping Duration:Within 14-20 DaysShipping:FREE SHIPPING IN all CountriesAbout Decal:Made of quality cut vinyl to stay put on the OUTSIDE of your window or any smooth surface.Sticker size:3.5 x 5.7 Inches9 x 14.5 Cm

Afro Samurai No.2 Metal And Leather Key Chain

Super cool Ninja Ninja key chain base on the hit, anime, Afro Samurai, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson.