The anime's message was Afro got his revenge but got sucked into the cycle of violence, which betrayed his father's wishes. Justice said his father wanted to hide the headbands to stop people from killing each other to fight the number one. Even Jino's supposed to reflect Afro since he wants revenge for him killing the master. It's an endless cycle of violence and ultimately pointless.
He figured that only a ferocious and empowered warriors focused on the goal of absolute peace with falling into the same trappings as other mortal men. He sought to become a god to not become a monster that just killed for the heck of it. Justice had a purpose
@@Twinklesparks His ideal was to end the headband wars. To create a world where power could be used for something other than just killing. At the end of the day though, he himself was but a man. A brilliant man though, for I had the feeling that Justice was pushing for this very end. Seeing him as he is on that throne indicates that he’s been dead for a long time, probably knowing that the son of the greatest swordsman was not gonna be there to get payback. Justice led the way for Afro, to a way that caused him to become a killer but one that could fight his demons
Thanks for this. I never read the manga but have watched the film a few times. I suspected this may have been the case as Afro's fight with Justice is really the only instance of a supernatural phenomenon (excusing the crazy sci-fi stuff and Afro's superhuman abilities) in the whole film. At first I thought it was strange and out of place. Then I realised it must have been in his head. But I never suspected justice had been dead all along. Simply that we was a mutant of some kind.
Yea and justice might be alive too(in the anime) because at the end of Afro Samurai Resurrection you see him walking towards or passed Takimoto wjo is a mysterious character himself but is kind of explained in the manga as the protector of the No.1 same with Ninja Ninja but he is the protector of the No.2.
I had almost the same interpretation except that I thought it was more of a spiritual battle, hence the supernatural stuff. Like two actual gods fighting. They often referred the wearer of the number 1 headband as a god and the only person allowed to fight for it is number 2. So i kinda imagined the fight was taking place in a spiritual realm of gods. Maybe even though Justice’s body was dead, his godlike spirit was still there because he still had the headband and there still needed to be a fight for it.
In the manga I think it’s the most in your face and nihilistic interpretation The idea that revenge is just pointless and he just killed people’s The game has the more detailed and interesting version but I guess you can say the most spoofed just because every aspect is talked about. The anime has the more good guy win bad guy lose version the idea that justice was doing it for the greater good isn’t even talked about
This is amazing. Years after and no one really talked about these differences. Knowing that was what happened in the Manga further allows me to understand the ideal of "Afro samurai"
Great video! love Afro samurai, i would like to share this, the creator of Afro said in a interview that he wanted every version of the story to be slighty different from each other and he used batman as an example. The manga, anime, game, and even the black and white pilot all differ from each other one way or another
An overall good video, especially the segment about Afro unintentionally deifying Justice in his quest for revenge. I agree that Afro Samurai as a piece of media is way more subtle and well-written than most people would see at first glance. Like the gangster rap that inspired it, it's loud, vulgar, & bombastic nature can cause a lot of people to write off the entire thing as flashy and without substance- putting them off from analyzing it in any meaningful way. I appreciate that you took the time to take a critical look at the series. I do however, think you may have missed out on a lot of the context and symbolism in the story. I agree with your comparison of the Justice's cowboy design to that of the white slavemasters of old - a stand in for the "Oppressive White Man". But beyond that, the view of the concept of "Left-wing African American social justice" being about vengeance is a bit of a strawman. Justice, the character, representing the concept of social justice is a strange reading, and not really supported by the series in any meaningful way beyond the name. A more likely comparison is that of that of the American Justice System. Historically speaking, the judicial system has been an antagonistic force to black Americans- from the bounty hunters & slave catchers of the South to the modern police force of today. All things considered, Afro's interaction with Justice has been relatively short- but extremely impactful. In the few minutes that Afro had seen Justice - he had his home, family and security taken away in an instant by a stranger, leaving him with nothing but headband and a challenge. This parallels the unfortunately reality of many a black youth having his father either killed or arrested in front of him (i.e. taken away by Justice). This is where things get interesting. "Justice" here takes on a double-meaning. On the one hand, there's a quest for revenge- a la 'eye for an eye'. On the other hand, there's the physical being of Justice, a powerful, yet mysterious entity, ruling the world from on high. In his search to find justice(revenge), Afro is willing to commit terrible acts in the hopes. Eventually this turns him into the very monster that he is hunting. Notice that Afro's battle happens in his own head, with his own thoughts telling him that he is bad and Justice is good. Afro is "just a killer with an excuse" and Justice killed "but a single man, in an honorable duel, for a noble purpose". He ignores the reality & complexity of the situation in that Justice had the number 2 headband in the first place- meaning he had to have killed it's previous owner even before killing Rokutaro. Afro's internal perception of Justice the character is just like his concept of justice the idea- a limited and incorrect perspective based on extremes. In his mind, Afro sees Justice as an authority figure who has wronged him personally- but is overall morally correct. In reality, justice was a stranger to Afro- who killed for his own goals in order to secure his own power, at the expense of everyone else. Afro defeating him is a representation of overcoming his internal warped perception of the concept of justice. Depending on which ending is happening, the lesson he learns is different. In the manga & anime, he accepts that he is powerless to end the cycle that killed his father and accepts his place in it. In the game, he transcends the cycle entirely- letting go of the need for revenge. In both of these, justice is something that he realizes he will never reach. tl;dr - A child's father is taken away by a self-defined "Justice", which sets him on a path of destruction. This is the same story of many black kids who grow up to become gangsters and a theme that is common in much of the gangster rap that inspired Afro Samurai and is reflected in the work itself.
Well thought lol! Seriously, revenge is a tough topic. The way I see it is this: afro should have realised that when his master took him in, he finally had a family. A father(not sure about the mother) a friend and possibility(could be wrong) a wife( gino sister). His desire for justice(lol no pun intended) was not wrong until he became so obsessed with the idea of justice that he even killed his own master for the headband. That's where it went wrong. He should have just accepted his new family instead
As an anime only, finding out just now that Justice never fought Afro in the manga is so impactful. That "Justice" Afro was always seeking was already dead. His revenge that ruled his every thought only amounted to people dying for nothing. Even though I love the action of the Anime, I never thought of it as more than a really cool stylish sword fighting anime. Maybe I'll give the manga a try.
For years I’ve been trying to write a video exploring the game anime and manga of Afro but only recently did I figure out how I wanted to do it. I didn’t think anyone remembered any of this. I’m kind jealous you beat me to it.
Just so you know the manga was published last. First afro samurai was an amateur manga that win a prize Then the anime is supposedly an adaption this manga Then the videogame was made And finaly the manga which is explictly a reinterpretation of the original story.
I think the movie added some depth to the anime. He got his revenge, now what? Afro is left to just spend his days barely functioning as a person, living with self-made carvings of all the people he’s killed. He lived for revenge, so revenge is the only reason he gets himself back on his feet. The sad reality is that no matter the outcome, letting vengeance consume you leaves you empty and alone.
i agree with @CaptScrotes thanks for making this dude. i learned a lot about the manga and game. i only saw the show but this was VERY interesting to see and think on... wonderful!
Now that is interesting. They definitely had a shared past from the perspective of the Anime, since Justice says "Remember me, Number 1?" I haven't thought about it that much. If time allows, I will look into this and see what thoughts I can come up with.
@@erikscommentaries5165 Thanks , yes because Afro's dad didn't know about the third arm with the sword and would like to know what accident happened to him and how did Afro's dad try to hide the headbands ? And who was afro's mom and did Justice kill her ? So many questions after all these years lol
See I figured Justice did reach godhood he died but only came back to fight Afro as the anime shows the headbands yet we see no other headband warrior so I figured safe to assume the man is alive and is a God. In the spirtual sense and finding out that shit might not gave even happened I figured it between the 3 versions its simply different interpretation of the same story sorta like stories in history.
Getting the chance to cut down Justice was seriously all Afro was living for. He had no other plans after doing so, aside from isolate himself from society and wait to die. There was really nothing left, as far as he cared. To say Afro was devastated to learn Justice was already dead would be FAR too grave an understatement.
@@iii_brad5863 "Like" nothing, it's _exactly_ like that! Weren't you paying attention?! At least it ends a little better for him here in this game than it did in the Manga, where he ended up straight-up catatonic for a long time. He wouldn't snap out of his zombie-like state until one day, when a kid trying to take revenge for _his_ father came to try and kill him. And he beheaded that kid on nothing but _pure defensive reflex._ Think about that for a moment; dude had developed such incredible skill over his time as the Number Two, that even though he had totally mentally checked out and completely gave up on life, _his body wouldn't let him die!_
But this is how it justice turned out to be what happened to it he turned the villain a cycle Revenge taking their own lives that's how this is how his real revenge it makes them weak too strong no heart no helping but this is how I wish to to what they want to get to their honor that was a lie that's how black people kill each other by their own people and that's how they will think they never betrayed a cold-blooded that's how they wanted to stay alive the most thing with men's monster headband
I do like your Deep review of Afro's Revenge against Justice and its meaning... But.. you kinda went too deep into it.. Afro Samurai is just a Story of Revenge that mostly shows the Consequences and effect of revenge.. there was no Political or Race with the story.. It was just a Story of Revenge and its Cycle.. Yes Afro's Revenge is not wrong as he saw Justice kill his father when he was young.. at the time, he didnt understand the meaning for The Headbands that his Father and Justice collected.. He only understood that he has to be the Number two to Kill and Earn the Number One headband.. So yes the gang he fought at the beginning, Wouldve been spared and Left Afro Alone if he gave them the Number two headband because they were payed to get the headband.. Nothing else. But Afro killed them all and the Leader just explained before he died.. "You could've just gave us the Headband and moved along.. Why.. Why you gotta kill all of my men?" And Afro just says "Nothing personal, It's just revenge" Because they were in his way.. But the other thing was that Anyone could challenge the Number two Headband wearer.. Even in his young days with Sword master and Jino.. Swordmaster gave Afro a Choice in the anime to Either run along with the Kids to be safe or Stay to see the Consequences of wearing the Number two.. Afro chose to Stay and Kill Swordmaster.. Basically abandoning having a Family and to only Avenge his "Real Father" Even Ninja Ninja told Afro to not wear the Headband.. but Afro didnt listen and put it on.. Because Ninja Ninja wanted Afro to have a Life that didnt involve the Headbands.. despite being the Guardian of the Number Two.. So.. Afro didnt want to Kill Jino when he was Kuma.. But chose the hard way because he was in Afro's Way and Afro had to cut him down.. In the Game boss fight against Ninja Ninja.. Ninja ninja gave a whole speech that Afro had so many moments to Abandoned his Revenge and to live a Peaceful life to be happy along with emotions.. but Afro Denied those moments to Focus on killing Justice.. And the game gave.. a Happy ending? to Afro where he Abandons the Headbands and lets them go.. Either to live the Peaceful Life that Ninja Ninja told him to get.. But he already killed Justice and completed his revenge.. While the Anime gives him the Revenge act and to Follow the Rules of the headbands.. While the Manga gives him a Darker ending where he doesnt get his revenge and he Basically becomes like Justice.. because he kills a Young Samurai who was.. Actually the Son of Shichigoro, who was a character in the manga.. he later came back in Afro Samurai Resurrection as a Character that had the number two headband. What im saying is that Afro Samurai was a Story of Revenge.. Its Great, it has very Great Art, very nice music done by RZA. And great voice acting by Samuel L. Jackson and Ron perlman including Lucy Liu for Resurrection.. I especially love the anime fight between Afro Samurai and Afro Droid.. thats a very well done Fight..
The anime's message was Afro got his revenge but got sucked into the cycle of violence, which betrayed his father's wishes. Justice said his father wanted to hide the headbands to stop people from killing each other to fight the number one. Even Jino's supposed to reflect Afro since he wants revenge for him killing the master. It's an endless cycle of violence and ultimately pointless.
I mean that literally goes for the manga as well
That's life. It keeps going, and it's meaningless. Without problems, we have no solutions.
I really like how Justice has a noble goal in the end, he wants to create a peaceful world free of Headbands and mindless killing.
He figured that only a ferocious and empowered warriors focused on the goal of absolute peace with falling into the same trappings as other mortal men. He sought to become a god to not become a monster that just killed for the heck of it. Justice had a purpose
@@lordadorable1140but, without problems there are no solutions. He wanted Nirvana for all. Death.
@@Twinklesparks
His ideal was to end the headband wars. To create a world where power could be used for something other than just killing. At the end of the day though, he himself was but a man. A brilliant man though, for I had the feeling that Justice was pushing for this very end. Seeing him as he is on that throne indicates that he’s been dead for a long time, probably knowing that the son of the greatest swordsman was not gonna be there to get payback. Justice led the way for Afro, to a way that caused him to become a killer but one that could fight his demons
Thanks for this. I never read the manga but have watched the film a few times. I suspected this may have been the case as Afro's fight with Justice is really the only instance of a supernatural phenomenon (excusing the crazy sci-fi stuff and Afro's superhuman abilities) in the whole film. At first I thought it was strange and out of place. Then I realised it must have been in his head. But I never suspected justice had been dead all along. Simply that we was a mutant of some kind.
Yeah, for sure. This story gets real deep. I hope I can find a few more like it.
Yea and justice might be alive too(in the anime) because at the end of Afro Samurai Resurrection you see him walking towards or passed Takimoto wjo is a mysterious character himself but is kind of explained in the manga as the protector of the No.1 same with Ninja Ninja but he is the protector of the No.2.
I had almost the same interpretation except that I thought it was more of a spiritual battle, hence the supernatural stuff. Like two actual gods fighting. They often referred the wearer of the number 1 headband as a god and the only person allowed to fight for it is number 2. So i kinda imagined the fight was taking place in a spiritual realm of gods. Maybe even though Justice’s body was dead, his godlike spirit was still there because he still had the headband and there still needed to be a fight for it.
@@Ham24brand oooo kinda like how only a divine weapon could harm a god?
In the manga I think it’s the most in your face and nihilistic interpretation
The idea that revenge is just pointless and he just killed people’s
The game has the more detailed and interesting version but I guess you can say the most spoofed just because every aspect is talked about.
The anime has the more good guy win bad guy lose version the idea that justice was doing it for the greater good isn’t even talked about
This is amazing. Years after and no one really talked about these differences. Knowing that was what happened in the Manga further allows me to understand the ideal of "Afro samurai"
Afro samurai was a good game
I loved the music and the part with justice.
The voice acting was top notch.
100% agree, especially on the voice acting.
Justice's characterization and voice acting was perfect for his role, in my opinion.
Great video! love Afro samurai, i would like to share this, the creator of Afro said in a interview that he wanted every version of the story to be slighty different from each other and he used batman as an example. The manga, anime, game, and even the black and white pilot all differ from each other one way or another
An overall good video, especially the segment about Afro unintentionally deifying Justice in his quest for revenge. I agree that Afro Samurai as a piece of media is way more subtle and well-written than most people would see at first glance.
Like the gangster rap that inspired it, it's loud, vulgar, & bombastic nature can cause a lot of people to write off the entire thing as flashy and without substance- putting them off from analyzing it in any meaningful way. I appreciate that you took the time to take a critical look at the series.
I do however, think you may have missed out on a lot of the context and symbolism in the story.
I agree with your comparison of the Justice's cowboy design to that of the white slavemasters of old - a stand in for the "Oppressive White Man". But beyond that, the view of the concept of "Left-wing African American social justice" being about vengeance is a bit of a strawman. Justice, the character, representing the concept of social justice is a strange reading, and not really supported by the series in any meaningful way beyond the name.
A more likely comparison is that of that of the American Justice System.
Historically speaking, the judicial system has been an antagonistic force to black Americans- from the bounty hunters & slave catchers of the South to the modern police force of today. All things considered, Afro's interaction with Justice has been relatively short- but extremely impactful.
In the few minutes that Afro had seen Justice - he had his home, family and security taken away in an instant by a stranger, leaving him with nothing but headband and a challenge. This parallels the unfortunately reality of many a black youth having his father either killed or arrested in front of him (i.e. taken away by Justice).
This is where things get interesting. "Justice" here takes on a double-meaning. On the one hand, there's a quest for revenge- a la 'eye for an eye'. On the other hand, there's the physical being of Justice, a powerful, yet mysterious entity, ruling the world from on high.
In his search to find justice(revenge), Afro is willing to commit terrible acts in the hopes. Eventually this turns him into the very monster that he is hunting. Notice that Afro's battle happens in his own head, with his own thoughts telling him that he is bad and Justice is good. Afro is "just a killer with an excuse" and Justice killed "but a single man, in an honorable duel, for a noble purpose".
He ignores the reality & complexity of the situation in that Justice had the number 2 headband in the first place- meaning he had to have killed it's previous owner even before killing Rokutaro. Afro's internal perception of Justice the character is just like his concept of justice the idea- a limited and incorrect perspective based on extremes.
In his mind, Afro sees Justice as an authority figure who has wronged him personally- but is overall morally correct. In reality, justice was a stranger to Afro- who killed for his own goals in order to secure his own power, at the expense of everyone else. Afro defeating him is a representation of overcoming his internal warped perception of the concept of justice. Depending on which ending is happening, the lesson he learns is different. In the manga & anime, he accepts that he is powerless to end the cycle that killed his father and accepts his place in it. In the game, he transcends the cycle entirely- letting go of the need for revenge. In both of these, justice is something that he realizes he will never reach.
tl;dr - A child's father is taken away by a self-defined "Justice", which sets him on a path of destruction.
This is the same story of many black kids who grow up to become gangsters and a theme that is common in much of the gangster rap that inspired Afro Samurai and is reflected in the work itself.
Well thought lol! Seriously, revenge is a tough topic. The way I see it is this: afro should have realised that when his master took him in, he finally had a family. A father(not sure about the mother) a friend and possibility(could be wrong) a wife( gino sister). His desire for justice(lol no pun intended) was not wrong until he became so obsessed with the idea of justice that he even killed his own master for the headband. That's where it went wrong. He should have just accepted his new family instead
@@thandogonna4207naw. Revenge is everything
As an anime only, finding out just now that Justice never fought Afro in the manga is so impactful. That "Justice" Afro was always seeking was already dead. His revenge that ruled his every thought only amounted to people dying for nothing. Even though I love the action of the Anime, I never thought of it as more than a really cool stylish sword fighting anime. Maybe I'll give the manga a try.
For years I’ve been trying to write a video exploring the game anime and manga of Afro but only recently did I figure out how I wanted to do it. I didn’t think anyone remembered any of this. I’m kind jealous you beat me to it.
Just so you know the manga was published last.
First afro samurai was an amateur manga that win a prize
Then the anime is supposedly an adaption this manga
Then the videogame was made
And finaly the manga which is explictly a reinterpretation of the original story.
Great explanation 🔥
Thanks for the comment! Its been a pleasure to produce these videos for you all.
I think the movie added some depth to the anime. He got his revenge, now what? Afro is left to just spend his days barely functioning as a person, living with self-made carvings of all the people he’s killed. He lived for revenge, so revenge is the only reason he gets himself back on his feet.
The sad reality is that no matter the outcome, letting vengeance consume you leaves you empty and alone.
Depends on the type of person you are
Agree. Movie was trash. He was empty. Teddy Bear guy came back. He never dies. More robot then man
i agree with @CaptScrotes thanks for making this dude. i learned a lot about the manga and game. i only saw the show but this was VERY interesting to see and think on... wonderful!
Thank you so much for the reply! I want to make more like it in the future, when I feel more motivated.
might need to check out the manga, thanks erik.
Good video, i agree with you analysis
Great video . Do you have a theory on the history of Afro's father and Justice ?
Now that is interesting. They definitely had a shared past from the perspective of the Anime, since Justice says "Remember me, Number 1?"
I haven't thought about it that much. If time allows, I will look into this and see what thoughts I can come up with.
@@erikscommentaries5165 Thanks , yes because Afro's dad didn't know about the third arm with the sword and would like to know what accident happened to him and how did Afro's dad try to hide the headbands ? And who was afro's mom and did Justice kill her ? So many questions after all these years lol
I need to rewatch the anime and read the manga. Never played the game
See I figured Justice did reach godhood he died but only came back to fight Afro as the anime shows the headbands yet we see no other headband warrior so I figured safe to assume the man is alive and is a God. In the spirtual sense and finding out that shit might not gave even happened I figured it between the 3 versions its simply different interpretation of the same story sorta like stories in history.
dam he wanted to fight him
Getting the chance to cut down Justice was seriously all Afro was living for. He had no other plans after doing so, aside from isolate himself from society and wait to die. There was really nothing left, as far as he cared.
To say Afro was devastated to learn Justice was already dead would be FAR too grave an understatement.
@@Blackheartzero it's like when you are trying to avenge a loved one but the culprit is already gone or dead once you found out.
@@iii_brad5863
"Like" nothing, it's _exactly_ like that! Weren't you paying attention?!
At least it ends a little better for him here in this game than it did in the Manga, where he ended up straight-up catatonic for a long time. He wouldn't snap out of his zombie-like state until one day, when a kid trying to take revenge for _his_ father came to try and kill him. And he beheaded that kid on nothing but _pure defensive reflex._
Think about that for a moment; dude had developed such incredible skill over his time as the Number Two, that even though he had totally mentally checked out and completely gave up on life, _his body wouldn't let him die!_
Kinda of the point all of the people he killed and lives ruined was for nothing.
Honestly, the game version blew the Anime out of the water. ;/
It is time for Man to become God when God had failed... Justice.
👍🏾
But this is how it justice turned out to be what happened to it he turned the villain a cycle Revenge taking their own lives that's how this is how his real revenge it makes them weak too strong no heart no helping but this is how I wish to to what they want to get to their honor that was a lie that's how black people kill each other by their own people and that's how they will think they never betrayed a cold-blooded that's how they wanted to stay alive the most thing with men's monster headband
I do like your Deep review of Afro's Revenge against Justice and its meaning...
But.. you kinda went too deep into it..
Afro Samurai is just a Story of Revenge that mostly shows the Consequences and effect of revenge.. there was no Political or Race with the story..
It was just a Story of Revenge and its Cycle..
Yes Afro's Revenge is not wrong as he saw Justice kill his father when he was young.. at the time, he didnt understand the meaning for The Headbands that his Father and Justice collected..
He only understood that he has to be the Number two to Kill and Earn the Number One headband..
So yes the gang he fought at the beginning, Wouldve been spared and Left Afro Alone if he gave them the Number two headband because they were payed to get the headband.. Nothing else.
But Afro killed them all and the Leader just explained before he died..
"You could've just gave us the Headband and moved along.. Why.. Why you gotta kill all of my men?"
And Afro just says
"Nothing personal, It's just revenge"
Because they were in his way..
But the other thing was that Anyone could challenge the Number two Headband wearer..
Even in his young days with Sword master and Jino..
Swordmaster gave Afro a Choice in the anime to Either run along with the Kids to be safe or Stay to see the Consequences of wearing the Number two..
Afro chose to Stay and Kill Swordmaster.. Basically abandoning having a Family and to only Avenge his "Real Father"
Even Ninja Ninja told Afro to not wear the Headband.. but Afro didnt listen and put it on..
Because Ninja Ninja wanted Afro to have a Life that didnt involve the Headbands.. despite being the Guardian of the Number Two..
So.. Afro didnt want to Kill Jino when he was Kuma.. But chose the hard way because he was in Afro's Way and Afro had to cut him down..
In the Game boss fight against Ninja Ninja..
Ninja ninja gave a whole speech that Afro had so many moments to Abandoned his Revenge and to live a Peaceful life to be happy along with emotions.. but Afro Denied those moments to Focus on killing Justice..
And the game gave.. a Happy ending? to Afro where he Abandons the Headbands and lets them go..
Either to live the Peaceful Life that Ninja Ninja told him to get..
But he already killed Justice and completed his revenge..
While the Anime gives him the Revenge act and to Follow the Rules of the headbands..
While the Manga gives him a Darker ending where he doesnt get his revenge and he Basically becomes like Justice.. because he kills a Young Samurai who was..
Actually the Son of Shichigoro, who was a character in the manga.. he later came back in Afro Samurai Resurrection as a Character that had the number two headband.
What im saying is that Afro Samurai was a Story of Revenge..
Its Great, it has very Great Art, very nice music done by RZA.
And great voice acting by Samuel L. Jackson and Ron perlman including Lucy Liu for Resurrection..
I especially love the anime fight between Afro Samurai and Afro Droid.. thats a very well done Fight..
Cringe
U performed a great injustice of the character Justice, You ruin the voice & the delivery of his line u should be kicked out of the fan club