A couple of weeks ago saw the final ever episode of Genddy Tartakovskys masterpiece, Samurai Jack. A cartoon which ended in the early 2000’s after 4 series with no satisfactory conclusion. In 2016 it was announced that Cartoon Network had green lit a final series 5 of 10 episodes to finally conclude the story, and the question answered, will Jack defeat Aku?
The final series is set 50 years after the original, and without giving too much away, Jack has become disillusioned and is out of time, meaning since his transportation to Aku’s future, he has not aged a day. Jack has lost his magic Samurai Sword (the only weapon capable of hurting Aku) and now exists as a post apocalyptic biker, complete with beard, armour and yes… guns!
Aku himself is in no better a situation. He too has become disillusioned and for once does not serve as the primary antagonist of the series. He is bored with his existence and perpetual stalemate with Jack and spends his days within his dark tower, finding no enjoyment in anything (despite being ruler of the World). This series 5 then tracks Jacks reaffirming of his Samurai ways and having a final showdown with Aku.
Samurai Jack was always a dark cartoon, but the inclusion of it on the CN ‘Adult Swim’ line up, has given Tartakovsky the freedom to push further. This includes the much more adult themes, blood and even sexual innuendo, which is handled with maturity enough that it doesn’t seem out of place.
One of the strongest aspects of Samurai Jack was always it’s cinematography for want of a better word. Tartakovsky always treated it as a film, and gave us the viewer the care that any big budget film would receive. Sweeping vistas, beautiful ‘shots’ and pauses of background soundscapes are all again present here.
So too are a host of familar characters (and many brand new ones) and locations, who to a larger or lesser extent make frequent appearances in this series. Phil Lamarr is back voicing Jack, and he is as good as ever over the last 11 years. It is like being reintroduced to an old friend. Unfortunately the same can not be said of Aku. Tragically the original Aku voice artist (the legendary Mako Iwamatsu) passed away, and though in taking over the role, Greg Baldwin does an ok job, it is not great and it is not Aku. This is perhaps why Aku is largely absent from the series.
That aside, (it is the only fault I have with the series) Samurai Jack series 5 is an extremely good adult cartoon. I looked forward to the release of each new episode immensely, and consumed them as quickly as I could. It is a beautiful continuation of the Samurai Jack saga. Extremely enjoyable and the perfect conclusion for Samurai Jack fans, who one way or another are treated to a conclusion.
5/5 stars!
Chris
@cw_stagg
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