Takashi Okazaki's Afro Samurai anime, which stars Samuel L. Jackson, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in a BIG way!
Titan Comics has just announced that the out-of-print cult classic will return with Vol. 1 and 2 this July and October, with both volumes receiving a "Director's Cut" edition. It will also include a brand-new forward by Okazaki himself. The two volumes will land in stores this summer (July 26th) and this fall (October 4th). They are both available for pre-order now via Amazon.com and Forbidden Planet (for UK & Europe readers).
Pre-order Afro Samurai Vol. 1 from Amazon.com
Pre-order Afro Samurai Vol. 2 from Amazon.com
Afro Samurai Vol. 1 & 2 witnesses the beginning of young Afro's quest as he battles an array of assassins and warlords that culminates in an epic confrontation with the powerful Empty Seven Clan and a showdown with an old enemy...
To celebrate today's announcement, Titan has revealed two new covers that were specially commissioned by Takashi Okazaki for the new release, as well as some interior pages. Make sure and check them out below!
Inspired by Okazaki-san's love of hip hop music and American pop culture, Afro Samurai is set in a feudal and futuristic Japan. It follows the young AFro Samurai who witnesses his father, who holds the No. 1 headband, killed after being challenged by the No. 2, a lethal gunslinger named "Justice". Afro begins his bloody path of retribution, swearing revenge for his father's death.
Afro Samurai has been described by Okazaki as "Out of all my work it is my best project". Titan Manga (the new imprint from Titan Comics) will be releasing the original manga in Okazaki-san's preferred larger graphic novel format offering old and new fans alike the chance to experience it as its creator originally intended.
About Afro Samurai: Okazaki-san originally published Afro Samurai as a self-published and serialized manga in Nou Nou Hau magazine. It debuted in November of 1998 and continued to September 2002. Funimation (now operating under the Crunchyroll banner) and Gonzo Studio then adapted the manga into an anime series consisting of five episodes in 2007. Samuel L. Jackson voiced the Afro while RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan was responsible for the soundtrack. Okazaki-san followed the anime up by creating these two manga volumes for the US market, which were published in 2008 and 2009.
Afro Samurai was one of the first cross-cultural collaborations that celebrated Asian pop culture and US hip hop, creating an entirely new hybridised musical and visual style. Afro Samurai's impact can beseen in today's increasing appetite for manga and anime content.
In a feudal, futuristic Japan, samurai battle to become No.1 and rule the world, but when his father, who holds the coveted position, is challenged and killed, the young Afro Samurai vows vengeance. Relentlessly pursued by murderous assassins, will he stay alive long enough to keep his promise?