Afro Samurai: Resurrection - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
![Afro Samurai: Resurrection - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]](/images/Afro-Samurai-Resurrection-Director-Cut-Blu-ray-B001LXDGQK-L.jpg)
List Price:
Our Price: $11.48
You Save: $8.46 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.00 (click here)
Category: Blu-ray
See more Blu-ray details
Buy this Blu-ray movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Blu-ray details
Actor: Lucy Liu, Mark Hamill, Samuel L. JacksonBrand: Funimation
Blu-ray: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Format: Animated, Color, Director's Cut, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: 2009-02-03
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: 0
Studio: Funimation
Product features:
- Afro Samurai (Academy Award ® nominee Samuel L. Jackson) avenged his father and found a life of peace. But the legendary master is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro s bloody path now burn out of control and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio (Lucy Liu: Kill Bill). She won t quit
Blu-ray Reviews of Afro Samurai: Resurrection - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
Blu-ray Review: Blu-ray: Awesome animation and art background compared to the original series but check your disc for audio!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
The top samurai with the afro is back for another round of slicing and dicing galore. Okazaki's "AFRO SAMURAI" returns with the animated film "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" that is action-packed and poetically violent.
The popular anime and manga series is created by mangaka Takashi "Bob" Okazaki and produced by world renown Japanese animation company STUDIO GONZO ("Full Metal Panic", "Vandread", "Gantz", "Samurai 7' and many other anime) that brought us the popular five-episode series (aired on SPIKE TV back in 2007) made its return returned with a film in 2009.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is an anime that looks absolutely gorgeous on Blu-ray. One thing is clear, the film just looks so much better than the TV series and the film showcases its vibrant colors during daylight scenes, its darkness during the night and most of all, impressive detail in the backgrounds courtesy of its 1080p High Definition (16×9) transfer. The film just looks great!
It's also important to note that "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" has quite a bit of talent involved with the look of the film such as character designer and animation director, Hiroya Iijima ("Gantz", "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and "Black Cat"). Also, art direction from Shigemi Ikeda ("Gantz", "Gasaraki", "Inuyasha", Infinite Ryvius, "Black Cat" and many of the "Mobile Suit Gundam" TV series and films).
The picture quality really brings out the detail of the surroundings, including the rocky cliffs to the disembowelment of several characters. And color from the lush green painted backgrounds, blue skies and huge clouds, villages and buildings to the action sequences which showcases a lot of blood.
"AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is just far superior to the look of the "AFRO SAMURAI" television series in picture quality and animation detail.
As for the audio, there is a known issue with this Blu-ray disc. It appears there have been bad discs that were shipped earlier on. On the back of the case, "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is listed as Dolby TrueHD 5.1. But upon playing it on my system, it only came up as Dolby Digital 5.1. Upon further investigation, I have learned that FUNimation Entertainment has been giving a replacement Blu-ray disc with the correct Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack to those who can provide an original receipt (and fax it to the company) and an e-mail of the purchaser's address.
With that being said, I am unable to review the audio based on its lossless soundtrack. As for the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the audio sounds good and dialogue is clear and understandable. Music comes quite clear as well and utilizes the bass quite well. You do hear the swords clanging and cutting quite well on the DD5.1 soundtrack. But primarily, audio is front channel driven and I don't recall LFE being used.
"AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is featured only in English, there is no Japanese soundtrack. Voice acting is well done by actors Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu and Yuri Lowenthal. Samuel L. Jackson definitely brings out the believability of both Afro and Ninja Ninja.
Subtitles are featured only in English.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" comes with the following special features in 1080p High Definition (16×9) and Dolby Digital English 2.0 audio:
* Afro Samurai: The Game - (11:41) Interview with the staff who created the "Afro Samurai" video game. From the cuts, the music, movement, character animation for the video game and more.
* Enter the RZA - (6:20) RZA talks about how he came up with the music for the film and the various hardware and software used.
* Afro In-Depth - (6:37) Interview wtih Takashi "Bob" Okazaki and how "Afro Samurai" became a manga, an animated series and an action figure.
* Afro Samurai: East Meets West, Part 1 - (19:14) Interviews with creator Takashi "Bob" Okazaki and director Fuminori Kizaki about having more freedom now than when they had with the TV series and now, wanting to blend of the cultures and how they had much more freedom to work for "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION". Also, interviews with the crew that includes character designs and artistic backgrounds. And also the Eastern staff working with the Western staff.
* Afro Samurai: East Meets West, Part 2 - (25:03) Interview with actor and executive producer Samuel L. Jackson, executive producer Arthur Smith, voice actor Yuri Lowenthal, actress Lucy Liu and the crew from the Western staff.
* Afro Samurai at San Diego Comic-Con 2008 - (8:10) Series creator and mangaka Takashi "Bob" Okazaki, Samuel L. Jackson and RZA at San Diego Comic-Con discussing the series during their panel and also interviews with the excited audience.
* Part A Video Commentary - (28:59) A roundtable video/audio commentary by Director Fuminori Kizaki, Creator Takashi "Bob" Okazaki, Character Designer/Chief Animation Director: Hiroya Iijima, Animation Producer: Yuji Hori and Animation Producer: Kenichi Hayashi. The guys have a fun time watching the animation and discuss what they wanted to accomplish for the film, things that they wanted people to see and taking pleasure in discussing scenes that were well done and more.
* Trailers - FUNimation Entertainment trailers for upcoming or currently released series or films.
* 24-Page Booklet - Also included with the Blu-ray is a small booklet with image boards, color setting, production art, character info. and more!
JUDGMENT CALL:
"AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is definitely going to appeal to the fans of the show. It was pretty unique to see the collaboration between the East and the West for this series and I can only hope that GONZO continues to further production of more episodes (note: Okazaki says that what we have seen so far on the TV series and film is such a small part of what he has already written/planned for the characters).
As far as samurai anime goes, "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is a violent anime. Part of Afro's unique fighting style is his ability to slice and dice people with multiple hits with his sword. There are a lot of decapitations, loss of limb and blood featured throughout the series, so for the parents wondering if this film is child-safe, the answer is that this film is definitely not child-safe.
There is a lot of Western appeal and as seen at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2008, this series has its large fandom who love this series. For those who enjoy samurai violence and a samurai anime that is just full of action, there are many positives of "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" from its beautiful animation, magnificent art and of course, the music by RZA just adds another positive reason why people the series but also the film.
Also, another major plus is that this Blu-ray goes beyond what many anime Blu-ray tend to have in terms of special features. You get several featurettes and the Blu-ray definitely explores the Japan and American side of their working collaboration. So, there are a good number of special features include on this Blu-ray disc. Picture quality again is gorgeous but with audio, I'm unable to comment because I am reviewing the disc that doesn't have the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack.
But overall, "AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION" is an anime film that features a ton of action, humor and violence. If you dig samurai anime and a lot of fighting and violence, definitely check this film out!
Description of Afro Samurai: Resurrection - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
Afro Samurai (Academy Award ® nominee Samuel L. Jackson) avenged his father and found a life of peace. But the legendary master is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro?s bloody path now burn out of control ? and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio (Lucy Liu: Kill Bill). She won?t quit until Afro is schooled in the brutal lessons he dealt those who stood in his way. There?s no such thing as final vengeance. The cycle of bloodshed spinning around the Number One Headband must roll on. Featuring the voice of Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and fresh production from The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), the saga that began in the best-selling anime DVD of 2007 continues in AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION.The Director's Cut and Blu-ray features:
Stills from Afro Samurai: Resurrection (Click for larger image)
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
The feature film Resurrection amps up the adventures of Afro Samurai, the Black warrior who debuted on Spike TV in 2007. Taciturn and deadly, Afro (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) wanders through an anachronistic, post-apocalyptic world, accompanied by motor-mouth Ninja-Ninja (also Jackson). This time, his nemesis is not the maniacal Justice from the series, but Sio (Lucy Liu), an embittered beauty who hates Afro for nearly killing her brother Jinno. She has Professor Dharman (S. Scott Bullock) recreate Afro's father from a jawbone stolen from his grave, a scheme that leads to the ultimate Oedipal showdown. The original series was rendered primarily in brooding grays, accented by spatters of red blood; Resurrection uses brilliant blues, oranges, and reds to underscore the conflicts. Hiphop artist RZA contributes another eclectic, moody score. But the over-the-top action can't disguise that the icy, silent Afro is a very limited character: he lacks the humanity that redeems the equally deadly swordsman Kenshin Himura in Rurouni Kenshin. Resurrection is clearly intended as an installment in a ongoing franchise. Afro kills the warrior Shichigoro (Liam O'Brien) in front of Kotaro (Zachary Gordon), his adopted son. At the end of the film, Afro sees Kotaro clutching his father's sword, tells him, "Anytime you're ready," and walks into the distance. Although the many extras stress that Afro-Samurai: Resurrection was a Japanese-American co- production, the film is presented only in English. (Unrated, suitable for ages 17 and older: graphic violence, violence against women, profanity, sexual activity, grotesque imagery, nudity, risqué humor, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
![Trigun: Badlands Rumble [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Trigun-Badlands-Rumble-Blu-ray-B00576U9JE-X.jpg)
Johnny Yong Bosch - Trigun: Badlands Rumble [Blu-ray]Funimation; Release date: 2011-09-27; Blu-ray
Best price: $16.99
Price in other shops:
![Samurai 7 - Box Set [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Samurai-7-Box-Set-Blu-ray-B001F7AUOI-X.jpg)
Samurai 7 - Box Set [Blu-ray]Funimation; Release date: 2009-02-24; Sony PSP; Blu-ray
Best price: $28.95
Price in other shops:
![Cowboy Bebop: The Movie [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Cowboy-Bebop-The-Movie-Blu-ray-B004R0MF0M-X.jpg)
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie [Blu-ray]IMG; Release date: 2011-06-28; Blu-ray
Best price: $7.20
Price in other shops:
Todd McFarlane's Spawn: The Animated CollectionHBO; Release date: 2007-07-24; DVD
Best price: $7.12
Price in other shops:
The Boondocks: The Complete First SeasonSony; Release date: 2006-07-25; DVD
Best price: $16.28
Price in other shops:
The Boondocks: The Complete Second SeasonSony; Release date: 2008-06-10; DVD
Best price: $17.93
Price in other shops:
![Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Samurai-Champloo-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray-B0049TC8C6-X.jpg)
Samurai Champloo: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]Funimation; Release date: 2011-05-24; Blu-ray
Best price: $26.99
Price in other shops:
The Boondocks: The Complete Third SeasonSony; Release date: 2010-11-09; DVD
Best price: $21.51
Price in other shops:
![Afro Samurai: Season One - Director's Cut [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Afro-Samurai-Season-One-Director-Cut-Blu-ray-B001AII4WM-X.jpg)
Afro Samurai: Season One - Director's Cut [Blu-ray]Funimation; Release date: 2008-08-26; Blu-ray
Best price: $7.01
Price in other shops:
![Afro Samurai: The Complete Murder Sessions [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Afro-Samurai-The-Complete-Murder-Sessions-Blu-ray-B003CP61XA-X.jpg)
Afro Samurai: The Complete Murder Sessions [Blu-ray]Funimation; Release date: 2010-06-22; Blu-ray
Best price: $26.19
Price in other shops: