Afro Samurai

[Dillzman]

when I was at AX I missed Afro Samurai too and I was thinking the same thing "what the hell is Afro Samurai?" , oh and I bought risky safty at your booth and talked to some guy about your new title that wasnt really anounced yet. (I think animenation did a good job with the first dvd except when I took off the tape to open my dvd it ripped some of the cover but it was cool that he gave me a new cover) anyway does anyone know about this title Afro Samurai?

[Dual_Evolution]

This is based upon nothing but some concept that popped into my head when I read the title (so its a pre-existing concept from sometime before I read the title) is that its Shinichi Watanabe's next project. Well it fits with the whole Afro thing, but I could be wrong (as I expect I am).

[Gonzo_boy]

Hey all,

I'm one of the Afro Samurai producers who works at Gonzo. Here's some FAQ.

Check the website at http://www.afrosamurai.com for the designs and general info.

The animation is a $1 million per episode 5 part mini-series.

It is directed by Kizaki-san (Basilisk) and has nothing to do with Watanabe-san (Cowboy Beebop - Champloo).

It was created by Takashi Okazaki (independent illustrator) over 10 years ago. I discovered and started producing it around 5 years ago. But international coordination took a long time to organize!

the voice of 2 characters will be done by Samuel L. Jackson.

The soundtrack will be done by RZA (Wu-Tang and Kill Bill).

A video game is in production with Namco.

A live action movie is in development with the producer of Batman Begins (Chuck Roven).

Throw more questions my way if you have them!

Gonzo_Boy

[Tidusauron12]

This is crazy... (I gotta' afro too. lol.)

[Neo0tak0n]

ive been looking forward to afro samurai for some time now

Gonzo_boy: Is there a release date on DVD? Will it be one episode per DVD?

[Suki]

Do you think you can change the sound track?

[Gonzo_boy]

To answer the 2 questions above:

+ Looks like the first DVD will drop in March 2007. Currently, the plan is to put all 5 episodes will be on 1 disc. There will be a regular SpikeTV version as well as a special edition with tons of extra features!

+ Can't change the soundtrack. RZA is too awesome!

Bring more questions!!!! :)

Gonzo_boy

[Till]

Any homages or nod's to Jim Kelly in this.... ^_^

[Dipset]

Does Gonzo plan to continue the series after these initial five episodes?

[John]

First my critique. Based on the trailer, and because I'm not familiar with Takashi Okazaki's original manga/doujin, I have the impression that the animation doesn't feel as gritty or serious as I'd expected. The revenge theme and Okazaki's art give me the feeling of a 1970s grindhouse action film like Shaft or something that Quentin Tarintino would love, like Thriller: A Cruel Picture. The Afro Samurai trailer has the blood splatter that I'd expect of a violent 70s exploitation flick, but it otherwise feels light and funny rather than grim and harsh. I think I expected Afro Samurai to look and feel something like Samurai Champloo as directed by Quentin Tarintino, but the trailer reminds me more of Tatsuo Sato's Jubei Ninpucho TV series.

Since the trailer is short, I may have gotten the wrong impression, or maybe I'll get used to it.

Now my questions:

I'd heard that Afro Samurai was originally planned as a single feature film. If that's true, what motivated the change to a 5 episode OVA/TV series?

Since Afro Samurai will premier in the US, will there be any differences between the American and Japanese release versions?

[Tidusauron12]

Personally, the revenge thing reminded me of Kill Bill for some reason. It's a real turn off, but I'll still check it out.

[mimage]

Definitely going to buy this when it comes out! ^o^

can't wait!

[Gannon]

I'll be sure to check it out when it hits.

[hungrytim]

Questions to Gonzo_Boy:

1. Wil the manga go along-side the anime or will it be a seperate story from the show?

2. Will Takashi Okazaki's original manga printed in '99 be re-released?

3. Will the first figurine be re-manufactured or will new ones be created, and if so what company will be doing them.

4. When Can we expect to see merchandise, ie: t-shirts, backpacks, american comicbooks etc...?

5. Will other characters from the old Afro Samurai site be in the show, ie: Kuma, Afro clone (or Afro Robot, I can't remember)?

Thank you for allowing us to ask you questions.

[Gonzo_boy]

Answers for John:

1) Afro Samurai had many false starts before finally arriving at it's current state. In the past it was considered for anime feature film, but we decided that the best balance of money and creative control was a 5 part mini-series in collaboration with SpikeTV.

2) There will be no changes in the US version versus the Japan version. We'd like to think of this as a worldwide release.

As for your other comments - thanks for posting! Getting feedback like this is great. We're actually aiming for a deep revenge vibe, but Okazaki's visual style does have a lightness to it. That does sometimes contrast against the hardcore nature of the story. Keep watching and let me know what you think!

Gonzo_boy

[Gonzo_boy]

Answers for Hungry_Tim:

1) The manga is written by the original creator. It's the same core story, but his vision is different than the one developed by the team of writers who worked on the TV series (including Samuel L. Jackson!). Think of it like the Spiderman comics and movies.

2) We probably won't release Okazaki's original manga because he is very embarassed about it (but maybe we'll sneak it in somewhere...!)

3) New figurines are in negotiation. We will no longer be issuing or creating the original ones.

4) Merchandise is also in the works. I'd expect everything to come closer to the end of the year or early next year. We've got some great artists working on designs - we hope that you'll like them!

5) Yes! You will see Kuma and Afro Droid in the series. They're awesome characters!

Gonzo_boy

[Sendo Takeshi]

Do you think you can change the sound track?




No. RZA = genious.


If the soundtrack lives up to the high expectations that I'm having right now since its RZA, I hope you guys release the OST's of this. Fast.

I'll definitely get this when it comes out. Samuel L. Jackson is too beast.

[Mako Hazard]

Just my opinion but, I think this is completely rediculous and stupid.

[Westlo]

Hopefully Samuel Says...

YES THEY DESERVE TO DIE AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL!!!!

[Dan]

Just my opinion but, I think this is completely rediculous and stupid.

no offense since I'm also not intrested, but you could have spelled "ridiculous" correctly.

[SeannyB]

I'll reserve judgement until I see the thing. The style seems pretty interesting, and while Gonzo is a cringe-worthy name to drop these days, Afro Samurai seems more like an OAV than a TV series which gives me some hope.is that its Shinichi Watanabe's next projectif you're interested in Watanabe, you'll want to keep your eye on Genius Party (http://pelleas.net/aniBBS/viewtopic.php?t=7)Hopefully Samuel Says...we got motherf---in' snakes!

[davidpliskin]

Gonzo_Boy:
I appreciate how you developed this series. A couple of questions: Do you know when exatctly the manga was published, and do you accept ideas for merchandise from the fans, or is it prohibited? Also, for another Gonzo series, Witchblade; when it comes over here stateside for DVD, will you make it like Samurai 7 with a Limited Edition Box (Storybook packets and art sketches)? Thank You for your time.

[birdcat]

I'm not the biggest fan of SLJ, so I won't make an effort to catch this (it doesn't help either that the show airs an hour after I leave for work). I do have a question though, about SLJ's involvement with this project.

Did you approach him, or did he approach you? If it was you, why exactly did you do so. Because you liked his work and believed he could bring something to the character, or because you were hoping that having SLJ's name slapped on the cover would help with ratings/sales?

[Chousho]

Any others from WuTang gonna be in the soundtrack?

[TougeSil80]

Is there going to be a Japanese dub for this series?

[Delariean]

No. RZA = genious.


If the soundtrack lives up to the high expectations that I'm having right now since its RZA, I hope you guys release the OST's of this. Fast.

I'll definitely get this when it comes out. Samuel L. Jackson is too beast.

The OST will be released sometime at the end of this month. There will be a clean and explicit version.

On Amazon.com it's set for January 30th....

Clean version:
http://www.amazon.com/Afro-Samurai-RZA/dp/B000IU3Y3C/sr=8-2/qid=1168449175/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-4848087-0919911?ie=UTF8&s=music

Explicit version:
http://www.amazon.com/Afro-Samurai-RZA/dp/B0000269IF/sr=8-3/qid=1168449175/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/104-4848087-0919911?ie=UTF8&s=music