Hello everyone, and welcome to the first 'In Praise of', in ages. Today's feature is the Animated cartoon Samurai Jack, and some spoilers follow. This is a show which is vastly underseen, and vastly underrated. I'm yet to meet anyone who's seen more than a few episodes who hasn't loved it (and loved isn't a word I use lightly). I caught the first series on cartoon network (I used to watch it before going to work - I know), years ago. From there I bought the DVDs, and then got my then girlfriend and a couple of friends into it. All of them scoffed at first, too.
The story follows a samurai whose real name isn't given, although he is named Jack by some onlookers early on. and his battles with Aku, an evil shape-shifting sorcerer. After besieging Jack's homeland and enslaving his family, Jack and Aku battle, where he is Jack is sent forward in time to a dystopian future, where Aku's reign is now absolute, Jack's allies having been subdued. from here he tries to gain revenge and return back to his own time. All this is spelled out in the excellent introduction, although the plot is often irrelevant, as it follows Jack through various, seemingly unrelated adventures and mischiefs. Jack's quest to destroy Aku seems immensely one-sided, he is seemingly invincible to anything other than a magic sword, and can travel through space and time. However, it is hinted that Jack has allies other than The Scotsman, voiced by Bender from Futurama, I mean John DiMaggio. Jack is voiced by Phil LaMarr, or Hermes Conrad from Futurama, or the guy who gets shot in the car in Pulp Fiction, and despite being the title character, is rarely talkative. He is however, Stoic, heroic, friendly when needed and immensely skilled as a warrior. Aku's voice is provided by Mako, and is a highlight of the show, and of my own repertoire.
Other than these three, very few characters are in more than an episode, and this creates a vast world where literally anything can happen. Episodes often deal with Jack overcoming an obstacle, but the obstacles vary hugely: from city-sized robots, to a haunted house, to being turned into a chicken. this disjointedness suggests Jack's solitude in seeking justice, and also allows for episodes to vary wildly in tone and humour levels. For example, we are shown a quite in depth depiction of the beginnings of the human race as the gods looks on in one episode, and in another Jack must find a way to replace his shoes, or find clothing while being stuck in a bizarre pastiche of Alice in wonderland. This difference allows for huge difference in characters too, from happy jungle-dwelling creatures and scientist dogs, to stern faced warriors such as Demongo, who can collect souls and use them to fight Jack. There are literally dozens of enemies and characters, and they are largely drawn very well, both artistically and emotionally.
One thing which sets this show up from a regular cartoon is the emotional stake involved. For example, one episode follows three assassins plotting, explaining their reasons for killing Jack. At the end, Jack avoids their traps, but leaves them having to deal with enslavement and loss of family for disappointing Aku. Another, excellent episode has a robot who has broken his programming and has learned to love his pet dog. His dying wish is for the dog to be looked after. In other episodes Jack is saved by his allies or sheer luck, the sense of character bubble of a regular show is nonexistant. Vital questions of the show are deliberately left unanswered, leaving a sense of mystery unusual in any show, let alone one ostensibly aimed at children.
At the same time, other episodes seem to acknowledge that this is a kids show, as seen in the relatively straightforward episodes where Jack learns to jump good, or dance at a rave show. Further episodes acknowledge the juxtaposition of violence and moral dilemmas with cartoons more subversively, notably in the episode 'Aku's Fairy Tales,' where the show provides a brilliant parody of itself. The story and the artistic ideas come from Genndy Tarkovskoy, the creative mind behind the surprisingly subversive Dexters Laboratory, and The Powerpuff Girls, although I admit that I've only seen them in passing
Samurai Jack's art and direction is bold and stylish, and is often incredibly beautiful. This is particularly true of landscapes. Many episodes are bold and colourful, but some of the landscapes are haunting, much more sparsely, suggestively detailed than anything on Cartoon network really should be. Often scenes are allowed to develop, showing Jack slowly crossing a boldly drawn, breath-taking landscape. The art is at its best not only on landscapes, but in the battle scenes, which are suggestive and use any number of techniques to suggest different styles: modern art, Japanese anime, or other forms such as split screen action. It's often breathtaking, and it's obvious why it won so many awards. The music also plays a part, epic, oriental styled, and atmospheric, it sets the mood perfectly, especially the low hum chanting which plays whenever Aku is seen plotting or manically talking to himself.
Variously poetic, violent, silly, and thoughtful, it's also aware of other things which have influenced it, acknowledging them in knowing winks. To illustrate, the original Star Wars movies pop up a few times, and Jack even meets the similarly themed Lone Wolf and Cub, Lady Snowblood, and even Totoro. the show itself has influenced others directly. To illustrate, the episode Jack and the Spartans helped to define the visual style and theme (though not the homo-eroticism) for '300' - and the visual style is also aped at the dream sequence at the beginning of Kung Fu Panda. In my opinion, it will go from being a cult favourite to being viewed as one of the best shows of the early 21st century. As Jack's voice, Phil LaMarr, said in an interview "I feel like it hasn’t gotten enough recognition, because it was just so, so good. I mean, it’s one of the few things I’ve been a part of that I feel pretty confident I can sit anybody down in front of it, and they will find something to enjoy about it. Grown-ups, kids, old people, babies—you respond to the colours, to the action, to the epic mythological underpinnings. Whatever it is, there’s something there that will blow you away." [source]
That's not to say that it's perfect, however. While the juxtaposition of epic, serious episodes and comic episodes is sometimes terrific; some of the less intense episodes fail: I'm looking at you, Jack and the giant underwater sea monkeys, or the one where Jack goes becomes naked; there's also a terrible episode where Jack has to look after a baby. However, the troughs are rare and far outweighed by the creative peaks of so many of the episodes, so a bizarre flight of fancy inside a Dragon's stomach plays out like an intense, psychodelic piece of televisual magic, instead of being too bizarre to enjoy. Because it's a cartoon, it rarely shows any violence happening to people, although a lot of robots are slaughtered, often needlessly, spurting oil as though it was blood, which can become repetitive, particularly if you're watching several episodes in a row. Also, the first season is the most broadly drawn, later seasons definitely get better, it's still excellent though.
Furthermore, there are other flaws. The theme tune was written and performed by noted cretin Will.I.Am. From a plot standpoint, there are plotholes and elements which aren't explained properly (for example, why does Jack seek to return to the past instead of merely murdering Aku and accepting life in the future?)
Also fights get a little too repetitive, epecially if you watch the whole thing in a week. Jack strips to the waist, shouts 'AKU!!' , outruns bullets and maims robots dozens of times throughout the series, something which the show itself acknowledges.
Furthermore, the whole thing is left open-ended, which is either interesting or irritating depending on mood, although several episodes hint at what the future holds for Jack. A movie was promised to conclude the series, but as the show hasn't been on the air for like 7 years, it looks unlikely. The fact that Mako, the voice of the insane and terrific Aku has died also doesn't help. Possibly, the show hints that it was running of steam by the end of the last season - it may be blasphemous to say, but it's probably just as well it didn't get another season, as it may perhaps have ruined the mystique.
I haven't watched it in a fair while, though I can still remember favourites very vividly, and have been greedily watching them again recently (seriously, how long can a half season break be for Breaking bad go on for?) The following episodes are fondly remembered highlights, note that there were only 52 episodes- this had a high strike rate.
It Begins - a three piece beginning of the whole story, which work brilliantly together to show the strengths and stlye of the the show. Also,Jack vs Evil Jack, and Aku's Virus -two episodes which showed that Jack was corruptable, and had to deal with the negative urges we all have to quash. The same also goes for a multi-part episode where Jack gets amnesia, but it's not on the highlight list, as amnesia is too overused in television shows (or is it?). Jack's meetings with the Scotsman tend to be terrific as well, none moreso than their antagonistic introduction on a seemingly endless bridge.
Other highlights include Demongo the soul collector, a great enemy of Jack, which requires all of his guile to overcome, and the brilliant, but indescribable Jack and the green gal in the desert, while the previously mentioned Aku's Fairy Tales is the best of the subversive, self-aware style episode of Samurai Jack, as well as being probably one of the funniest episodes. Other great episodes include Jack and the Creature, where Jack encounters a beast which is a combination of Totoro and a murderer, while Jack and the travelling creatures, and Jack and the Zombies are exciting and important to the plot, as is Jack and the Hunters. Those last three episodes are action-packed, imaginative, and really tightly plotted, as well as beautifully rendered.
More pensive episodes include the award winning Four Seasons of Death, or the sad Jack Remembers the Past. This emotional heft is also visible in the episode where Jack fights 3 assassins, or the previously mentioned episode with K-9 the dog. These all deal with human emotion, and the sadness of loss and inevitability of decline over time. Other than these, personal favourites for me include Jack and the Haunted House, Jack and the Three Blind Archers (I think the first episode I ever saw) and the epic 'Birth of Evil,' which is astonishing in its scope and ambition.
In conclusion. This is proof that television shouldn't be aimed specifically at anyone, as anyone can and will enjoy it. It has beautiful scenes and is at times, funny, sad, pensive, thoughtful, playful, scary, and intelligent, on top of it all it's hugely imaginative and really entertaining. Check it out.
Note, will add pictures later, as well as proofread - but have been incredibly busy.
The story follows a samurai whose real name isn't given, although he is named Jack by some onlookers early on. and his battles with Aku, an evil shape-shifting sorcerer. After besieging Jack's homeland and enslaving his family, Jack and Aku battle, where he is Jack is sent forward in time to a dystopian future, where Aku's reign is now absolute, Jack's allies having been subdued. from here he tries to gain revenge and return back to his own time. All this is spelled out in the excellent introduction, although the plot is often irrelevant, as it follows Jack through various, seemingly unrelated adventures and mischiefs. Jack's quest to destroy Aku seems immensely one-sided, he is seemingly invincible to anything other than a magic sword, and can travel through space and time. However, it is hinted that Jack has allies other than The Scotsman, voiced by Bender from Futurama, I mean John DiMaggio. Jack is voiced by Phil LaMarr, or Hermes Conrad from Futurama, or the guy who gets shot in the car in Pulp Fiction, and despite being the title character, is rarely talkative. He is however, Stoic, heroic, friendly when needed and immensely skilled as a warrior. Aku's voice is provided by Mako, and is a highlight of the show, and of my own repertoire.
Other than these three, very few characters are in more than an episode, and this creates a vast world where literally anything can happen. Episodes often deal with Jack overcoming an obstacle, but the obstacles vary hugely: from city-sized robots, to a haunted house, to being turned into a chicken. this disjointedness suggests Jack's solitude in seeking justice, and also allows for episodes to vary wildly in tone and humour levels. For example, we are shown a quite in depth depiction of the beginnings of the human race as the gods looks on in one episode, and in another Jack must find a way to replace his shoes, or find clothing while being stuck in a bizarre pastiche of Alice in wonderland. This difference allows for huge difference in characters too, from happy jungle-dwelling creatures and scientist dogs, to stern faced warriors such as Demongo, who can collect souls and use them to fight Jack. There are literally dozens of enemies and characters, and they are largely drawn very well, both artistically and emotionally.
One thing which sets this show up from a regular cartoon is the emotional stake involved. For example, one episode follows three assassins plotting, explaining their reasons for killing Jack. At the end, Jack avoids their traps, but leaves them having to deal with enslavement and loss of family for disappointing Aku. Another, excellent episode has a robot who has broken his programming and has learned to love his pet dog. His dying wish is for the dog to be looked after. In other episodes Jack is saved by his allies or sheer luck, the sense of character bubble of a regular show is nonexistant. Vital questions of the show are deliberately left unanswered, leaving a sense of mystery unusual in any show, let alone one ostensibly aimed at children.
At the same time, other episodes seem to acknowledge that this is a kids show, as seen in the relatively straightforward episodes where Jack learns to jump good, or dance at a rave show. Further episodes acknowledge the juxtaposition of violence and moral dilemmas with cartoons more subversively, notably in the episode 'Aku's Fairy Tales,' where the show provides a brilliant parody of itself. The story and the artistic ideas come from Genndy Tarkovskoy, the creative mind behind the surprisingly subversive Dexters Laboratory, and The Powerpuff Girls, although I admit that I've only seen them in passing
Samurai Jack's art and direction is bold and stylish, and is often incredibly beautiful. This is particularly true of landscapes. Many episodes are bold and colourful, but some of the landscapes are haunting, much more sparsely, suggestively detailed than anything on Cartoon network really should be. Often scenes are allowed to develop, showing Jack slowly crossing a boldly drawn, breath-taking landscape. The art is at its best not only on landscapes, but in the battle scenes, which are suggestive and use any number of techniques to suggest different styles: modern art, Japanese anime, or other forms such as split screen action. It's often breathtaking, and it's obvious why it won so many awards. The music also plays a part, epic, oriental styled, and atmospheric, it sets the mood perfectly, especially the low hum chanting which plays whenever Aku is seen plotting or manically talking to himself.
Variously poetic, violent, silly, and thoughtful, it's also aware of other things which have influenced it, acknowledging them in knowing winks. To illustrate, the original Star Wars movies pop up a few times, and Jack even meets the similarly themed Lone Wolf and Cub, Lady Snowblood, and even Totoro. the show itself has influenced others directly. To illustrate, the episode Jack and the Spartans helped to define the visual style and theme (though not the homo-eroticism) for '300' - and the visual style is also aped at the dream sequence at the beginning of Kung Fu Panda. In my opinion, it will go from being a cult favourite to being viewed as one of the best shows of the early 21st century. As Jack's voice, Phil LaMarr, said in an interview "I feel like it hasn’t gotten enough recognition, because it was just so, so good. I mean, it’s one of the few things I’ve been a part of that I feel pretty confident I can sit anybody down in front of it, and they will find something to enjoy about it. Grown-ups, kids, old people, babies—you respond to the colours, to the action, to the epic mythological underpinnings. Whatever it is, there’s something there that will blow you away." [source]
That's not to say that it's perfect, however. While the juxtaposition of epic, serious episodes and comic episodes is sometimes terrific; some of the less intense episodes fail: I'm looking at you, Jack and the giant underwater sea monkeys, or the one where Jack goes becomes naked; there's also a terrible episode where Jack has to look after a baby. However, the troughs are rare and far outweighed by the creative peaks of so many of the episodes, so a bizarre flight of fancy inside a Dragon's stomach plays out like an intense, psychodelic piece of televisual magic, instead of being too bizarre to enjoy. Because it's a cartoon, it rarely shows any violence happening to people, although a lot of robots are slaughtered, often needlessly, spurting oil as though it was blood, which can become repetitive, particularly if you're watching several episodes in a row. Also, the first season is the most broadly drawn, later seasons definitely get better, it's still excellent though.
Furthermore, there are other flaws. The theme tune was written and performed by noted cretin Will.I.Am. From a plot standpoint, there are plotholes and elements which aren't explained properly (for example, why does Jack seek to return to the past instead of merely murdering Aku and accepting life in the future?)
Also fights get a little too repetitive, epecially if you watch the whole thing in a week. Jack strips to the waist, shouts 'AKU!!' , outruns bullets and maims robots dozens of times throughout the series, something which the show itself acknowledges.
Furthermore, the whole thing is left open-ended, which is either interesting or irritating depending on mood, although several episodes hint at what the future holds for Jack. A movie was promised to conclude the series, but as the show hasn't been on the air for like 7 years, it looks unlikely. The fact that Mako, the voice of the insane and terrific Aku has died also doesn't help. Possibly, the show hints that it was running of steam by the end of the last season - it may be blasphemous to say, but it's probably just as well it didn't get another season, as it may perhaps have ruined the mystique.
I haven't watched it in a fair while, though I can still remember favourites very vividly, and have been greedily watching them again recently (seriously, how long can a half season break be for Breaking bad go on for?) The following episodes are fondly remembered highlights, note that there were only 52 episodes- this had a high strike rate.
It Begins - a three piece beginning of the whole story, which work brilliantly together to show the strengths and stlye of the the show. Also,Jack vs Evil Jack, and Aku's Virus -two episodes which showed that Jack was corruptable, and had to deal with the negative urges we all have to quash. The same also goes for a multi-part episode where Jack gets amnesia, but it's not on the highlight list, as amnesia is too overused in television shows (or is it?). Jack's meetings with the Scotsman tend to be terrific as well, none moreso than their antagonistic introduction on a seemingly endless bridge.
Other highlights include Demongo the soul collector, a great enemy of Jack, which requires all of his guile to overcome, and the brilliant, but indescribable Jack and the green gal in the desert, while the previously mentioned Aku's Fairy Tales is the best of the subversive, self-aware style episode of Samurai Jack, as well as being probably one of the funniest episodes. Other great episodes include Jack and the Creature, where Jack encounters a beast which is a combination of Totoro and a murderer, while Jack and the travelling creatures, and Jack and the Zombies are exciting and important to the plot, as is Jack and the Hunters. Those last three episodes are action-packed, imaginative, and really tightly plotted, as well as beautifully rendered.
More pensive episodes include the award winning Four Seasons of Death, or the sad Jack Remembers the Past. This emotional heft is also visible in the episode where Jack fights 3 assassins, or the previously mentioned episode with K-9 the dog. These all deal with human emotion, and the sadness of loss and inevitability of decline over time. Other than these, personal favourites for me include Jack and the Haunted House, Jack and the Three Blind Archers (I think the first episode I ever saw) and the epic 'Birth of Evil,' which is astonishing in its scope and ambition.
In conclusion. This is proof that television shouldn't be aimed specifically at anyone, as anyone can and will enjoy it. It has beautiful scenes and is at times, funny, sad, pensive, thoughtful, playful, scary, and intelligent, on top of it all it's hugely imaginative and really entertaining. Check it out.
Note, will add pictures later, as well as proofread - but have been incredibly busy.
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