Samurai Jack (2001 - 2004): Review By Avrahama

Samurai Jack is a gem in a world full of malaise boring animated shows. From Cartoon Network, Samurai Jack begins with a Japanese village, where the Evil Aku, the "shape-shifting master of darkness", the "Shogun of Sorrow" appears and destroys the village forcing the Emperor to send his son on a long journey. Interestingly we never do find out what Jack's real name is - it's a name he takes on himself later. While away the boy learns many different styles of fighting, travels around the world, until he eventually returns to face Aku. Aku, however has other plans for our samurai. Upon his return a battle ensues and before losing, Aku sends the samurai into the future where "his evil is law". Once in the future "Jack" must find his way back to the past so he can undo all of Aku's evil.

That's the basic premise of the whole story. But its how the story is presented, it's style, that makes this animated show, in this viewers opinion, one of the best animated shows I've ever watched.

As it states on the DVD, season one, inside cover, the creator of the show grew up watching shows like Bladerunner, Conan, Star Wars, and The Good the Bad and the Ugly. As you watch the first few episodes you'll see how all these shows play their part in the creation of the world around Jack.

One of the most appealing aspects of this animated series is the SILENCE. It's a meditation on honor, respect, the battle, the warriors spirit, and just the calm of the character. Jack is a calm, gentle soul, a warrior, against a chaotic world spinning out of control, with Aku at the helm. In a world where Aku enslaves and tortures and rules the land. Jack travels by foot, searching for help wherever he can find it - and in his struggle to return home, finds many, many souls who also require a ray of hope. Reminded of his own plight, he takes up his sword to assist those in need.

I have all four seasons on DVD, and must say this: The true spirit of Jack only occurs in the first two seasons. The beauty of the show, the magic of the soundtrack, the world and Jacks inner calm dwindle away as the series progresses. Whether this was due to some corporate decision to start making Jack think out loud all his inner thoughts (which is very annoying later on in the series) or if parents or kids complained that they were not understanding Jacks motivations.. whatever the case by the fourth and final season, Jack seems to have transformed into your stereotypical children's show, where every small detail must be explained by either the world or the character himself - completely losing site of the whole beauty the series started with.

I would recommend this to all parents and adults alike, that want to instill a kind of code of honor and goodness into impressionable minds. It's a great storyteller, and it's a series I've watched several times, especially season one. The greatest of all the episodes are all in season one, namely for me, the first 3 episodes where the story unfolds, Jack gets his Name, the battle with the Beetle insects (so cool) , the Mad Jack episode, Aku's fairytale episode, and when he meets his first and only true ally, the Scotsman.

Overall, I would give it 4.5 out of 5 just for it's originality in presentation, the artwork, backgrounds, and most of all, for the classic good vs. evil storyline. It's definitely something every animation fan should have in their collection. Oh and the title track is pretty catchy too!