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Samurai Jack

{{short description|American action-adventure animated television series}}

{{about|the television series|the title character|Samurai Jack (character)}}

{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Samurai Jack logo.png

| image_size = 280

| genre = {{Plainlist|

  • Action-adventure{{Cite news |last=Jubera |first=Drew |date=August 12, 2001 |title=Watching TV: Is 'Samurai' One for the Ages? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-is-samurai-one-for/161511715/ |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |department=Arts |location=Burbank, California |page=L12 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/samurai-jack/1000101950/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321103506/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/samurai-jack/1000101950/ |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |website=TV Guide}}
  • Comedy-drama{{Cite press release |title=Samurai Jack Wins the Award for World's Best Anime at International Animated Film Festival |date=June 12, 2002 |publisher=Time Warner |url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2002/06/12/samurai-jack-wins-the-award-for-world-s-best-tv-series-at |last1=Hart |first1=Nick |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802171004/http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2002/06/12/samurai-jack-wins-the-award-for-world-s-best-tv-series-at |archive-date=August 2, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Kohn |first=Eric |date=March 1, 2017 |title='Samurai Jack' Review: Adult Swim Resurrects the Best Samurai of the 21st Century, and It's Already an Action-Packed Masterpiece |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/samurai-jack-review-adult-swim-new-season-1201788530/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331210753/http://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/samurai-jack-review-adult-swim-new-season-1201788530/ |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |work=IndieWire}}
  • Dystopian science fantasy{{Cite web |last=Bastien |first=Jade Bastien |date=May 26, 2017 |title=Samurai Jack Was the Most Poignant Depiction of Loneliness on TV |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/05/samurai-jack-was-tvs-most-poignant-depiction-of-loneliness.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502190454/https://www.vulture.com/2017/05/samurai-jack-was-tvs-most-poignant-depiction-of-loneliness.html |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Tasha |date=March 10, 2017 |title=Genndy Tartakovsky on Reviving Samurai Jack: 'I Was out of Shape for Working This Hard Again' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/10/14881920/samurai-jack-season-five-genndy-tartakovsky-cartoon-network-adult-swim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402142918/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/10/14881920/samurai-jack-season-five-genndy-tartakovsky-cartoon-network-adult-swim |archive-date=April 2, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |website=The Verge}}

}}

| creator = Genndy Tartakovsky

| writer =

| director = {{Plainlist|

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| voices = {{Plainlist|

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| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|

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| open_theme = "Samurai Jack"

| end_theme = "Samurai Jack"

| composer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 5

| num_episodes = 62

| list_episodes = List of Samurai Jack episodes

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| producer = Genndy Tartakovsky

| runtime = 22 minutes{{Cite web |last=Polo |first=Susana |date=March 2, 2017 |title=Samurai Jack: The Essential Episodes |url=https://www.polygon.com/tv/2017/3/2/14536782/samurai-jack-best-episodes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321102258/https://www.polygon.com/tv/2017/3/2/14536782/samurai-jack-best-episodes |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |website=Polygon}}

| company = {{Plainlist|

}}

| channel = Cartoon Network

| first_aired = {{Start date|2001|8|10}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2004|9|25}}

| channel2 = Adult Swim

| first_aired2 = {{Start date|2017|3|11}}

| last_aired2 = {{End date|2017|5|20}}

}}

Samurai Jack is an American science fantasy action-adventure animated television series created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The show is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. Tartakovsky conceived Samurai Jack after finishing his work on his first Cartoon Network original series, Dexter's Laboratory, which premiered in 1996. Samurai Jack took inspiration from Kung Fu, the 1972 televised drama starring David Carradine, as well as Tartakovsky's fascination with samurai culture and the Frank Miller comic series Ronin.

The titular character is an unnamed Japanese samurai prince who wields a mystic katana capable of cutting through virtually anything. He sets out to free his kingdom after it is taken over by an evil, shapeshifting demon lord known as Aku. The two engage in a fierce battle, but just as the prince is about to deal the final strike, Aku sends him forward in time to a dystopian future ruled by the tyrannical demon. Adopting the name "Jack" after being addressed as such by beings in this time period, he quests to travel back to his own time and defeat Aku before he can take over the world. Jack's search for a way back to his own time period transcends Aku's control, but Jack's efforts are largely in vain due to the way back to his home ending up just out of his reach.

Samurai Jack, originally airing for four seasons comprising thirteen episodes each, was broadcast from August 10, 2001, to September 25, 2004, without concluding the overarching story. The show was revived thirteen years later for a darker, more mature fifth season that provides a conclusion to Jack's story, with Williams Street assisting in production; it premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim as part of its Toonami programming block on March 11, 2017, and concluded with its final episode on May 20, 2017. Episodes were directed by Tartakovsky, often in collaboration with others.

The series has garnered critical acclaim and won eight Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program, as well as six Annie Awards and an OIAF Award. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest animated shows of all time.{{Cite web |last=Pagano |first=Elizabeth |date=September 13, 2022 |title=The 30 Best Cartoons and Animated Series of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.one37pm.com/popular-culture/best-cartoons-of-all-time |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=One37pm.com |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905061611/https://www.one37pm.com/popular-culture/best-cartoons-of-all-time |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Osiyemi |first=Shola |date=2023-06-22 |title=Why Samurai Jack Is The Greatest Cartoon Network Show Ever |url=https://medium.com/@sholaosiyemi/why-samurai-jack-is-the-greatest-cartoon-network-show-ever-67502e933ca |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Medium |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905061611/https://medium.com/@sholaosiyemi/why-samurai-jack-is-the-greatest-cartoon-network-show-ever-67502e933ca |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Marlborough |first=Patrick |date=2017-05-26 |title='Samurai Jack' Is Probably the Most Beautiful, Inventive Cartoon Ever |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/samurai-jack-is-probably-the-most-beautiful-inventive-cartoon-ever/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Vice |language=en |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905061610/https://www.vice.com/en/article/59mvka/samurai-jack-is-probably-the-most-beautiful-inventive-cartoon-ever |url-status=live }}

Premise

{{Quote_box

| width = 45%

| align = Centre|"Long ago in a distant land, I, Aku, the shapeshifting master of darkness, unleashed an unspeakable evil. But a foolish samurai warrior wielding a magic sword stepped forth to oppose me. Before the final blow was struck, I tore open a portal in time and flung him into the future where my evil is law. Now the fool seeks to return to the past and undo the future that is Aku!"|Aku's opening narration.

}}

Samurai Jack tells the story of an unnamed young prince from a kingdom set in feudal Japan, whose father, the emperor of Japan, was given a magical katana from the three gods—Ra, Rama, and Odin—that he could and had used to defeat and imprison the supernatural shapeshifting demon Aku. Eight years later{{Cite episode |title=C |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |time=7 minutes}} Aku is freed, took over the land, and held the Emperor hostage, but not before the prince was sent away by his mother to travel so that he could train around the world and return with the magic sword to defeat Aku. On his return, the prince-turned-samurai faced and almost defeated Aku, but before he could land a finishing blow, Aku placed a time travel curse and sent him into the distant future, anticipating that he would be able to deal with the samurai by that time.{{Cite episode |title=I – The Beginning |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network}}

The samurai prince arrives on Earth surrounded in dystopian retrofuturism ruled by Aku. The first people he encounters call him "Jack" as a form of slang, which he adopts as his name.{{Cite episode |title=The Samurai Called Jack |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=August 10, 2001 |season=1 |number=2}} His given name is never revealed. Jack only has his kimono, geta, and sword to his avail in his adventures.{{Cite episode |title=III – The First Fight |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network}}{{Cite episode |title=XCII |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network}}{{Cite episode |title=XCIII |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network}} Most episodes depict Jack overcoming various obstacles in his quest to travel back to his own time and defeat Aku, and his quest is prolonged occasionally by moments where either he nearly succeeds in returning to his own time,{{Cite episode |title=XXXII – Jack and the Traveling Creatures |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2003-09-26}}{{Cite episode |title=XXXIX – Jack and the Labyrinth |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network}}{{Cite episode |title=XCVIII |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2017-04-29}} or conversely, Aku nearly succeeds in defeating Jack,{{Cite episode |title=XXII – Jack vs. the Five Hunters |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2002-09-13}}{{Cite episode |title=XXX – Jack and the Zombies |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2002-10-25}}{{Cite episode |title=CI |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2017-05-20}} only to be undermined by the unexpected.

= Cast and characters =

==Main==

  • Samurai Jack (voiced by Phil LaMarr) - A feudal Japanese prince trained to be an elite samurai warrior. He is armed with a magical katana that can cut through virtually anything and is the only weapon that can destroy Aku.
  • Aku (voiced by Mako Iwamatsu in Seasons 1–4, Greg Baldwin in Season 5) - An evil shapeshifting demon born from an ancient, cosmic black mass who sends Jack into the future, where he rules with an iron fist and seeks to destroy the samurai. He is invulnerable to every type of weapon except for Jack's magic sword.
  • Ashi (voiced by Tara Strong, Season 5) - One of the seven septuplet daughters of the High Priestess of the Daughters of Aku, an all-female Aku-worshipping cult, who were trained since birth to kill Jack. She allies with Jack after learning of his and Aku's true natures and becomes his love interest.

==Recurring==

  • The Scotsman (voiced by John DiMaggio) - A robust, aggressive, stereotypically Scottish man who fights using an enchanted claymore and a submachine gun for a prosthetic leg, and becomes a close ally of Jack's.
  • The Emperor (voiced by Sab Shimono, Keone Young (1 episode)) - Jack's father, who originally created Aku by accident but vanquished him with help from the gods Odin, Ra and Rama, who forged the magic sword.

= Setting =

The retro-futuristic world is inhabited by a variety of denizens besides humans such as robots, extraterrestrials, anthropomorphic animals, monsters, magical beings, and deities. Some areas may have advanced technologies like flying cars, while others resemble ancient times or industrial conditions. Moreover, Aku has brought aliens from other planets to inhabit Earth, after destroying the habitability of their home worlds. Criminals and fugitives of all kinds are very common on his Earth, including bounty hunters who voluntary hunt for Jack in exchange for a cash reward. Mythological and supernatural creatures make regular appearances and coexist among the technologically advanced inhabitants.

Despite exponential levels of technological advancement, there are still uninhabited areas of the world. Those include forests, jungles, and mountains, which have remained largely untouched even as Aku began his conquest and reign over every sentient being.{{Cite episode |title=VII – Jack and the Three Blind Archers |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2001-08-20}}{{Cite episode |title=XX – Jack and the Monks |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2002-04-12}}{{Cite episode |title=XXXIII – Jack and the Annoying Creature |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2003-05-03}} A few communities of intelligent creatures, like Shaolin monks, have also remained largely untouched in spite of Aku's reign.{{Cite episode |title=XXXVI – Jack, the Monks, and the Ancient Master's Son |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=2003-05-31}}

Production

File:Genndy Tartakovsky.jpg in 2012]]

Samurai Jack was created by Genndy Tartakovsky as a follow-up to his successful series Dexter's Laboratory. Cartoon Network executive Mike Lazzo recalled Tartakovsky pitching him the series: "He said, 'Hey, remember David Carradine in Kung Fu? Wasn't that cool?' and I was like, 'Yeah, that's really cool.' That was literally the pitch."{{Cite magazine |last=Flaherty |first=Mike |date=February 21, 2002 |title='Jack' Magic |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/02/21/meet-cartoon-networks-samurai-jack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504085542/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,212037,00.html |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |access-date=2013-01-27 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Time Inc.}} Tartakovsky said of the pitch, "It could backfire. People could say, 'I don't get it. There's hardly any dialogue.' But to me that just makes it more compelling." Lazzo supported Tartakovsky's efforts, calling him "an architect of the success of the Cartoon Network." According to Betty Cohen, then-president of Cartoon Network Worldwide, Samurai Jack was greenlit for 26 episodes before its pilot was produced, a decision Cohen attributed to Tartakovsky's success with Dexter's Laboratory.{{Cite magazine |last=Forkan |first=Jim |date=February 26, 2001 |title=Cartoon Network Shows Off Four New Series |magazine=Multichannel News |page=28 |volume=22 |issue=9 |issn=0276-8593 |quote=Samurai Jack, from Dexter creator Genndy Tartakovsky, was greenlighted for 26 episodes without even a pilot, according to Cohen. That was due to the success of Dexter, one of the first series to emerge from Cartoon's pool of original shorts.}} Cartoon Network billed it as a series "that is cinematic in scope and that incorporates action, humor, and intricate artistry."{{Cite web |title=Animator Profile: Genndy Tartakovsky |url=https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/ap/gtartakovsky.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080717134403/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/ap/gtartakovsky.html |archive-date=July 17, 2008 |access-date=2007-03-16 |website=CartoonNetwork.com |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System}}

The basic premise of Samurai Jack comes from Tartakovsky's childhood fascination with samurai culture and the bushido code,{{Citation |title=Q&A with Genndy Tartakovsky – Samurai Jack |date=March 11, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMCgp4OjUQ&t=46m44s |access-date=April 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810135717/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XMCgp4OjUQ&t=46m44s |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |url-status=live |publisher=Adult Swim}}{{rp|at=42:56}} as well as a recurring dream where he wandered a post-apocalyptic Earth with a samurai sword and traveled the world fighting mutants with his crush.{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Robert |date=March 10, 2017 |title='Samurai Jack' Creator on Final Season: Everybody's Going to Be Bawling |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/samurai-jack-creator-on-final-season-everybodys-going-to-be-bawling-174412794.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311162446/https://www.yahoo.com/tv/samurai-jack-creator-on-final-season-everybodys-going-to-be-bawling-174412794.html |archive-date=March 11, 2017 |access-date=March 12, 2017 |website=Yahoo TV}} The show is inspired by 1970s cinematography, as well as classic Hollywood films such as Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia,{{rp|at=46:44}} and Spartacus.{{Cite AV media |title=XXV – "Jack and the Spartans" commentary track |last=Tartakovsky |first=Genndy |author-link=Genndy Tartakovsky |type=DVD |publisher=Turner Home Entertainment |time=00:21 |work=Samurai Jack}} Thematic and visual inspirations come from Frank Miller's comic book series Rōnin, including the premise of a master-less, nameless samurai warrior thrown into a dystopic future in order to battle a shapeshifting demon. Similarly, the episode "Jack and the Spartans" was specifically inspired by Miller's graphic novel 300 that retold the Battle of Thermopylae. The Japanese manga Lone Wolf and Cub and films by Akira Kurosawa were also inspirations.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngoHFUf4Ko&t=44m56s |title=Genndy's Roundtable |last=Tartakovsky |first=Genndy |author-link=Genndy Tartakovsky |type=DVD |publisher=Turner Home Entertainment |time=44:56 |access-date=2017-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818000004/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mngoHFUf4Ko&t=44m56s |archive-date=2017-08-18 |url-status=live |work=Samurai Jack}}

The network announced the series' launch at a press conference on February 21, 2001.{{Cite news |date=February 21, 2001 |title=Cartoon Network Announces New Programming and Online Initiatives for 2001–2002 Television Season. |publisher=Business Wire}}{{Cite web |last=DeMott |first=Rick |date=February 22, 2001 |title=Cartoon Network Rolls out 2001–2002 Schedule |url=https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-rolls-out-2001-2002-schedule |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129155541/https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-rolls-out-2001-2002-schedule |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=January 24, 2021 |publisher=Animation World Network}} Weeks leading up to the series were accompanied by a sweepstakes giveaway sponsored by AOL in which the grand prize was a trip for four to Japan. AOL subscribers were offered sneak peeks of Samurai Jack as well as a look at samurai traditions, future toys, behind-the-scenes model sheets, and exclusive Cartoon Orbit cToons.{{Cite press release |title=Cartoon Network and America Online Team Up to Celebrate the Premiere of Samurai Jack. |date=July 30, 2001 |publisher=Business Wire}}{{Cite web |last=DeMott |first=Rick |date=August 2, 2001 |title=Cartoon Network & AOL Team on Samurai Jack Promotion |url=https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-aol-team-samurai-jack-promotion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129193921/https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-aol-team-samurai-jack-promotion |archive-date=2021-01-29 |access-date=2021-01-24 |publisher=Animation World Network}} A CD-ROM containing clips of the premiere movie and a countdown clock until the series' premiere was distributed as part of AOL 6.0's release.{{Cite magazine |last=Hogan |first=Monica |date=July 23, 2001 |title=AOL Backs Cartoon's 'Samurai Jack' Premiere |magazine=Multichannel News |volume=22 |issue=30 |page=78 |issn=0276-8593}} Samurai Jack debuted on Cartoon Network on August 10, 2001, with the three-part special "The Beginning".{{Cite news |last=Wellons |first=Nancy Imperiale |date=August 8, 2001 |title='Samurai Jack,' Debuts on Cartoon Network |work=Telegraph Herald |publisher=Woodward Communications}} As production of the fourth season was ending, with four seasons of 13 episodes each or 52 episodes of Samurai Jack in total, Tartakovsky, and the crew moved on to other projects.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfR4XTIb6uU |title=Exclusive Interview with Samurai Jack Creators; Genndy Tartakovsky, Phil Lamarr & Scott Wills |date=February 8, 2017 |last=Thompson |first=RuthAnn |publisher=Mingle Media TV Network |at=11:14 |access-date=2017-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018063005/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfR4XTIb6uU |archive-date=2018-10-18 |url-status=live |work=Red Carpet Report}} The show ended with the airing of the four final episodes as a marathon on September 25, 2004.{{Cite press release |title=Samurai Jack Says 'Sayonara' with Final Four Episodes During Special Toonami Presentation on Saturday, Sept. 25 |date=August 24, 2004 |publisher=Cartoon Network |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2004/08/24/samurai-jack-says-sayonara-with-final-four-episodes-during-special-toonami-presentation-on-saturday-sept-25-16779/20040824cartoon01/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150210035026/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2004/08/24/samurai-jack-says-sayonara-with-final-four-episodes-during-special-toonami-presentation-on-saturday-sept-25-16779/20040824cartoon01/ |archive-date=2015-02-10 |website=The Futon Critic}}

In Canada, Samurai Jack previously aired on YTV,{{Cite web |date=July 16, 2002 |title=Corus Entertainment Announces Kids' Television Highlights for 2002/2003 |url=https://www.corusent.com/news/corus-entertainment-announces-kids-television-highlights-for-20022003/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811014729/https://www.corusent.com/news/corus-entertainment-announces-kids-television-highlights-for-20022003/ |archive-date=2021-08-11 |access-date=2020-11-29 |website=Corus Entertainment}} and currently airs on the Canadian version of Adult Swim.{{Cite web |title=Corus Entertainment Boosts Its Adult Swim Lineup with the Best in Primetime Animation |url=https://www.corusent.com/news/12963/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406201054/https://www.corusent.com/news/12963/ |archive-date=2019-04-06 |access-date=2020-11-29 |website=Corus Entertainment}}{{Cite web |last=Primus |first=Jonathan |date=March 22, 2019 |title=Canadian Adult Swim Channel Launch Lineup Revealed, App Gets Discontinued |url=https://imissbionix.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/canadian-adult-swim-channel-gets-launch-lineup-app-gets-discontinued/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107225725/https://imissbionix.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/canadian-adult-swim-channel-gets-launch-lineup-app-gets-discontinued/ |archive-date=2020-11-07 |access-date=2020-12-04 |website=IMissBionix.WordPress.com}}

In United Kingdom, Samurai Jack previously aired on Cartoon Network, and currently airs on streaming service All 4.{{Cite web |title=Watch Samurai Jack |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/samurai-jack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409034706/https://www.channel4.com/programmes/samurai-jack |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=Channel4.com}}

= Conclusion =

The original series was left open-ended after the conclusion of the fourth season.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Genndy Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack to Return in 2016 |url=https://nerdist.com/genndy-tartakovskys-samurai-jack-to-return-in-2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212192010/http://nerdist.com/genndy-tartakovskys-samurai-jack-to-return-in-2016/ |archive-date=December 12, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |website=Nerdist |publisher=Nerdist Industries}} Tartakovsky said, "coming close to [the end of] the fourth season, we're like, 'are we gonna finish it?' And I didn't know... The network didn't know, they were going through a lot of transitions also. So I decided, you know, I don't want to rush and finish the whole story, and so we just left it like there is no conclusion and then [the final episode is] just like another episode". Art director Scott Wills added, "We didn't have time to think about it, because we went right into Clone Wars. They even overlapped, I think. There was no time to even think about it."

= Cancelled film =

A film intended to conclude the story of Samurai Jack had been in development at different times by four different studios.{{rp|at=2:50}} As early as 2002, Cartoon Network was producing a Samurai Jack live-action feature film, in association with New Line Cinema.{{Cite web |last=Seibert |first=Fred |author-link=Fred Seibert |date=September 5, 2009 |title=Lunch with Genndy |url=http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederatorfilms/2009/09/05/lunch-with-genndy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007013347/http://archives.frederatorblogs.com/frederatorfilms/2009/09/05/lunch-with-genndy/ |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |access-date=2009-12-11 |website=Frederator Studios Blog |publisher=JoeJack, Inc.}} Brett Ratner was hired as a director.{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2001 |title=Samurai Jack Jumps to New Line |url=http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=cat&category1=Films&newsitem_no=6043 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020126165521/http://news.awn.com/index.php3?ltype=cat&category1=Films&newsitem_no=6043 |archive-date=January 26, 2002 |access-date=January 18, 2022 |website=Animation World Network}} Tartakovsky said in a 2006 interview that the live-action version of Samurai Jack was thankfully abandoned, and that "we will finish the story, and there will be an animated film."{{Cite news |last1=Adler |first1=Shawn |last2=Carroll |first2=Larry |last3=Cornell |first3=Jeff |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Movie File: Russell Crowe, Seann William Scott, Ne-Yo & More |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1541895/movie-file-russell-crowe-seann-william-scott-ne-yo-more/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018101803/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1541895/movie-file-russell-crowe-ne-yo-amp-more.jhtml |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |access-date=2012-12-13 |work=MTV.com |publisher=Viacom}} Fred Seibert announced in 2007 that the newly formed Frederator Films was developing a Samurai Jack movie,{{Cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=June 25, 2007 |title=Toon Trio Starts Frederator |url=https://variety.com/2007/digital/markets-festivals/toon-trio-starts-frederator-1117967622/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423072531/http://variety.com/2007/digital/markets-festivals/toon-trio-starts-frederator-1117967622/ |archive-date=April 23, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2017 |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Business Media}} which was planned to be in stereoscopic 2D{{Citation |last=Seibert |first=Fred |title=Answers |date=November 1, 2007 |work=Frederator Studios Blog |url=https://fredseibert.frederator.com/post/451451479/answers |access-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425033208/http://fredseibert.frederator.com/post/451451479/answers |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |url-status=live |author-link=Fred Seibert}} with a budget of 20 million dollars.{{Citation |last=Siebert |first=Fred |title=Movies, Movies, Movies |date=September 10, 2009 |work=Frederator Studios Blog |url=http://films.frederator.com/post/5790789474/movies-movies-movies |access-date=April 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425032851/http://films.frederator.com/post/5790789474/movies-movies-movies |archive-date=April 25, 2017 |url-status=live |author-link=Fred Seibert}} Seibert said in 2009 the film was being co-produced with J. J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions. Sony Pictures expressed its interest to make the film.{{Cite web |last=Shaefer |first=Sandy |date=September 11, 2012 |title=Genndy Tartakovsky Still Plans to Make A 'Samurai Jack' Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/genndy-tartakovsky-samurai-jack-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041526/https://screenrant.com/genndy-tartakovsky-samurai-jack-movie/ |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Screen Rant}}

Genndy Tartakovsky said of the Samurai Jack movie in a 2012 interview with IGN:

{{quote|I've been trying so hard every year, and the one amazing thing about Jack is that I did it in 2001, you know, and it still survived. There's something about it that's connected with people. And I want it, it's number 1 on my list, and now Bob Osher, the president, is like 'Hey, let's talk about Jack. Let's see what we can do.' And I go, 'You're going to do a 2D feature animated movie?' and he's like, 'Yeah. Maybe. Let's do some research and let's see.' So it's not dead for sure by any means, and it's still on the top of my list, and I'm trying as hard as I can.}}

Tartakovsky said the loss of Mako Iwamatsu (Aku's voice actor) would also need to be addressed.{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Geoff |date=September 11, 2012 |title=Genndy Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack Movie Update |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/11/genndy-tartakovskys-samurai-jack-movie-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207084531/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/11/genndy-tartakovskys-samurai-jack-movie-update |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |access-date=2012-12-13 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}} The feature film project never materialized, and eventually, the series concluded with a fifth television season.{{Cite news |last=Loughrey |first=Clarisse |date=December 3, 2015 |title=Acclaimed Cartoon Samurai Jack to Return with New TV Series |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/acclaimed-cartoon-samurai-jack-to-return-with-new-tv-series-a6758381.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203130807/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/acclaimed-cartoon-samurai-jack-to-return-with-new-tv-series-a6758381.html |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |work=The Independent}}

= Revival =

{{Main|Samurai Jack season 5{{!}}Samurai Jack season 5}}

Samurai Jack returned to television over twelve years after its fourth season concluded, with the first episode of its fifth season airing on Adult Swim on March 11, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |date=March 12, 2017 |title=Samurai Jack: XCII – Review |url=https://me.ign.com/en/xcii/130496/review/samurai-jack-season-5-premiere-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316013015/http://me.ign.com/en/xcii/130496/review/samurai-jack-season-5-premiere-review |archive-date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=IGN}} Produced at Cartoon Network Studios and Williams Street with Tartakovsky as executive producer,{{Cite web |last=James Viscardi |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Adult Swim Announces New Season of Samurai Jack with Genndy Tartakovsky |url=https://comicbook.com/news/adult-swim-announces-new-season-of-samurai-jack-with-genndy-tart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205014218/http://comicbook.com/2015/12/02/adult-swim-announces-new-season-of-samurai-jack-with-genndy-tart |archive-date=2015-12-05 |access-date=2015-12-04 |website=Comicbook.com}} the fifth and final season features more mature elements and a cohesive narrative that concludes Jack's journey. Set approximately 50 years after the original four seasons, Jack, who has not aged as a side effect of time travel, has lost his sword and has given up hope of ever returning home with no time portals left in existence. However, he begins to regain his sense of purpose when, after he kills six out of seven septuplet sisters sent to kill him by the Daughters of Aku, an all-female Aku-worshipping cult, he convinces the sole survivor, Ashi, to join his cause.{{Cite episode |title=XCII |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=March 11, 2017 |season=5 |number=1}} Phil LaMarr reprises his role as Jack;{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Phil LaMarr on 'Samurai Jack': "I Consider It a Work of Art" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/phil-lamarr-samurai-jack-ending-i-consider-a-work-art-1010801/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209012944/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/phil-lamarr-samurai-jack-ending-i-consider-a-work-art-1010801/ |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Greg Baldwin provides the voice of Aku.{{Cite web |last=Vilas-Boas |first=Eric |date=March 19, 2017 |title=Samurai Jack's New Aku Greg Baldwin Discusses Taking on Mako's Role: Exclusive |url=https://dotandline.net/samurai-jack-greg-baldwin-new-aku-interview-mako-21ee0139bd34/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521111714/https://dotandline.net/samurai-jack-greg-baldwin-new-aku-interview-mako-21ee0139bd34/ |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=DotAndLine.net}} Mako, who voiced Aku in the show's first four seasons, died ten years before the revival was produced;{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Margalit |date=July 25, 2006 |title=Mako, 72, Actor Who Extended Asian-American Roles, Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/arts/25mako.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613213303/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/arts/25mako.html |archive-date=2020-06-13 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |work=The New York Times}} however, the original seasons' opening narration, provided by Mako, is used for Aku's past self in the series finale.{{Cite episode |title=CI |series=Samurai Jack |network=Cartoon Network |date=May 20, 2017 |season=5 |number=10}}

Episodes

{{Main|List of Samurai Jack episodes{{!}}List of Samurai Jack episodes}}

{{:List of Samurai Jack episodes}}

Reception

= Critical reception =

Samurai Jack received generally positive reviews from critics following its 2001 Cartoon Network debut. Steven Linan of the Los Angeles Times said of the 90-minute premiere movie, "One can quibble with some of the dialogue, which sounds like something you'd hear in Karate Kid 2 ('Let the sword guide you to your fate, but let your mind set free the path to your destiny'). Nonetheless, there is one highly unconventional aspect of the series which sets it apart from others—its willingness to go for extensive stretches in which there is no dialogue."{{Cite web |last=Linan |first=Steven |date=August 10, 2001 |title='Samurai Jack' Knows the Score |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-10-ca-32579-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204656/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-10-ca-32579-story.html |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=2021-06-23 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

The premiere received high praise and four award nominations,{{Cite web |title=30th Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2002) |url=https://annieawards.org/30th-annie-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209203325/http://annieawards.org/30th-annie-awards |archive-date=2017-02-09 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=ASIFA-Hollywood}}{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/samurai-jack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606215757/http://www.emmys.com/shows/samurai-jack |archive-date=2012-06-06 |access-date=2013-04-15 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences}} and was released as a standalone VHS and DVD on March 19, 2002.

In 2004, British broadcaster Channel 4 ran a poll of the 100 greatest cartoons, in which Samurai Jack achieved the 42nd position.{{Cite web |title=The 100 Greatest Cartoons |url=https://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306005838/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/G/greatest/cartoons/results.html |archive-date=March 6, 2005 |access-date=2013-01-27 |publisher=Channel 4}} The show was ranked eleventh by IGN for its "Top 25 Primetime Animated Series of All Time" list in 2006.{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2006 |title=Top 25 Primetime Animated Series of All Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/29/top-25-primetime-animated-series-of-all-time?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923030609/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/29/top-25-primetime-animated-series-of-all-time?page=3 |archive-date=September 23, 2012 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}} In its list ranking, IGN compared the series' writing style to Tartakovsky's Star Wars: Clone Wars, stating, "episodes have little or no dialogue, relying instead on action and strong visuals to tell the stories. Entertaining for adults, yet not too violent for kids." The review went on to say that the series' "unique combination of cinematic and comic book styles appeals to all ages." IGN also ranked the show 43rd in its Top 100 Animated Series list in 2009, saying that its "simple and colorful art style lends itself well to the cinematic scope and frenetic action sequences that fill each episode."{{Cite web |title=43. Samurai Jack |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/43 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620163550/http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/43.html |archive-date=2013-06-20 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}} IGN's review also stated that the series' "unique style and humor make the most out of the animation format, producing elaborate action sequences and bizarre situations that would be impossible to do in a live action film."

On review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the series as a whole has received an approval rating of 93%.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |title=Samurai Jack |id=samurai_jack |type=tv |access-date=March 20, 2021}} The first season received an approval rating of 80% while the fourth and fifth seasons received an approval rating of 100%.Multiple sources:

  • {{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |title=Samurai Jack |id=samurai_jack |type=tv |season=1 |access-date=March 20, 2021}}
  • {{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |title=Samurai Jack |id=samurai_jack |type=tv |season=4 |access-date=March 20, 2021}}
  • {{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |title=Samurai Jack |id=samurai_jack |type=tv |season=5 |access-date=March 20, 2021}} The fifth season's critical consensus reads, "An increasing intensity and maturity are evident in Samurai Jack's beautifully animated, action-packed, and overall compelling fifth season."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |title=Samurai Jack |id=samurai_jack |type=tv |season=5 |access-date=March 20, 2021}}

Matt Zoller Seitz, a film critic for RogerEbert.com and television critic for Vulture, considers Samurai Jack, along with Tartakovsky's Star Wars: Clone Wars, to be a masterwork and one of the greatest American animated shows on television, mainly for its visual style.{{Cite web |last=Seitz |first=Matt Zoller |date=May 30, 2014 |title=No Respect Week: Seitz on Genndy Tartakovsky's Underrated Classic Samurai Jack |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/05/respect-week-remembering-samurai-jack.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422164135/http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/respect-week-remembering-samurai-jack.html |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2016 |website=Vulture}} Entertainment Weekly ranked Samurai Jack third in its list of "10 Best Cartoon Network Shows" in 2012.{{Cite magazine |date=October 1, 2012 |title=10 Best Cartoon Network Shows: We Rank 'Em! |url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-cartoon-network-shows-we-rank-em/579302_3-samurai-jack |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123194420/http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-cartoon-network-shows-we-rank-em/579302_3-samurai-jack |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

Samurai Jack would later be included in Seitz and Alan Sepinwall's 2016 book TV (The Book) as an honorable mention following the 100 greatest television series.{{Cite web |last1=Sepinwall |first1=Alan |author-link1=Alan Sepinwall |last2=Zoller Seitz |first2=Matt |author-link2=Matt Zoller Seitz |date=September 1, 2016 |title=Why 'Deadwood' Is a Top-10 TV Show of All Time |url=https://theringer.com/deadwood-hbo-tv-the-book-dadb4007790e#.5f7cc3yte |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902021203/https://theringer.com/deadwood-hbo-tv-the-book-dadb4007790e#.5f7cc3yte |archive-date=September 2, 2016 |access-date=September 2, 2016 |website=The Ringer |publisher=Perfect Privacy}}

= Accolades =

class="wikitable sortable"
YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
rowspan="9"|2002rowspan="5"|Annie AwardOutstanding Character Design in an Animated Television ProductionLynne Naylor (for "Jack and the Warrior Woman"){{nom}}
Outstanding Music in an Animated Television ProductionJames L. Venable (for "The Beginning"){{won}}
rowspan="2"|Outstanding Production Design in an Animated Television ProductionDan Krall (for "The Beginning"){{won}}
Scott Wills (for "The Beginning"){{nom}}
Outstanding Storyboarding in an Animated Television ProductionBryan Andrews (for "Jack and the Three Blind Archers"){{won}}
OIAF AwardBest Television Series{{Cite web |title=Ottawa 02 Winners |url=https://www.awn.com/ottawa/ottawa02/winners.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601003436/http://www.awn.com/ottawa/ottawa02/winners.html |archive-date=2012-06-01 |access-date=2013-01-27 |publisher=Animation World Network}}Genndy Tartakovsky (for "Jack and the Three Blind Archers"){{won}}
Annecy Official SelectionSpecial Award for Television Series{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2002 |title=Annecy's Animation Awarded |url=https://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/editor/annecys_animation_awarded |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173715/https://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/editor/annecys_animation_awarded |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=May 8, 2017 |publisher=filmfestivals.com}}Genndy Tartakovsky (for "Jack and the Three Blind Archers"){{won}}
Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or More){{Cite web |title=Trilogy (Samurai Jack) |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/trilogy-samurai-jack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201151524/http://www.emmys.com/shows/trilogy-samurai-jack |archive-date=2014-02-01 |access-date=2013-04-15 |website=Emmys.com |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences}}Brian A. Miller, Yu Mun Jeong, Yeol Jung Chang, Paul Rudish, Genndy Tartakovsky, Bong Koh Jae (for "The Beginning, Parts 1–3"){{nom}}
TCA AwardOutstanding Achievement in Children's Programming{{Cite news |last=Owen |first=Rob |date=June 5, 2002 |title=TV Note: Television Awards |url=http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20020605tvnote4.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023032850/http://old.post-gazette.com/tv/20020605tvnote4.asp |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |access-date=2013-01-27 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |publisher=Block Communications}}Samurai Jack{{nom}}
rowspan="6"|2003rowspan="4"|Annie AwardOutstanding Achievement in an Animated Television Production{{Cite web |title=31st Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2003) |url=https://annieawards.org/31st-annie-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701220856/http://annieawards.org/31st-annie-awards |archive-date=2016-07-01 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=ASIFA-Hollywood}}Cartoon Network Studios{{nom}}
Outstanding Character Design in an Animated Television ProductionAndy Suriano (for "Jack and the Haunted House"){{won}}
Outstanding Directing in an Animated Television ProductionGenndy Tartakovsky and Robert Alvarez (for "The Birth of Evil"){{nom}}
Outstanding Production Design in an Animated Television ProductionScott Wills (for "The Birth of Evil"){{won}}
rowspan="2"|Primetime Emmy Awardrowspan="2"|Outstanding Individual Achievement in AnimationScott Wills (for "Jack and the Traveling Creatures"){{won}}
Dan Krall (for "Jack and the Spartans"){{won}}
rowspan="3"|2004rowspan="2"|Annie AwardOutstanding Directing in a Television Production{{Cite web |title=32nd Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2004) |url=https://annieawards.org/32nd-annie-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214053223/http://annieawards.org/32nd-annie-awards |archive-date=2014-02-14 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=AnnieAwards.org |publisher=ASIFA-Hollywood}}Genndy Tartakovsky (for "Tale of X-49"){{nom}}
Outstanding Production Design in a Television ProductionRichard Daskas (for "Seasons of Death"){{won}}
rowspan="3"|Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)Genndy Tartakovsky, Brian A. Miller, Don Shank, Robert Alvarez, Randy Myers, Yu Mun Jeong, Bong Koh Jae, James T. Walker (for "The Birth of Evil"){{won}}
rowspan="2"|2005Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming Less Than One Hour)Genndy Tartakovsky, Brian A. Miller, Bryan Andrews, Mark Andrews, Hueng-soon Park, Kwang-bae Park, Randy Myers, James T. Walker (for "Seasons of Death"){{nom}}
Outstanding Individual Achievement in AnimationBryan Andrews (for "Seasons of Death"){{won}}
rowspan="4"|2017rowspan="4"|Primetime Emmy Awardrowspan="4"|Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation{{Cite web |date=7 September 2017 |title='Samurai Jack' Artists Sweep Juried Animation Emmys |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/samurai-jack-artists-sweep-juried-animation-emmys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207054317/http://www.animationmagazine.net/events/samurai-jack-artists-sweep-juried-animation-emmys/ |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |access-date=February 1, 2018 |website=Animation Magazine}}Bryan Andrews (for "Episode XCIII"){{won}}
Scott Willis (for "Episode XCIII"){{won}}
Craig Kellman (for "Episode XCII"){{won}}
Lou Romano (for "Episode XCV"){{won}}

Other media

= Board game =

A year after the series was concluded, a board game adaptation covering all five seasons was released, titled Samurai Jack: Back to the Past. Players work together to complete tasks to help Jack return to the past while competing to earn honor for their actions.{{Cite web |last=Blair Marnell |date=March 13, 2018 |title=Samurai Jack Goes Back to the Past with New Board Game |url=https://nerdist.com/samurai-jack-board-game-usaopoly/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209130221/https://nerdist.com/samurai-jack-board-game-usaopoly/ |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |access-date=December 7, 2018 |website=Nerdist |publisher=Nerdist Industries}}

= Comics =

{{Main|Samurai Jack (comics){{!}}Samurai Jack (comics)}}

In February 2013, IDW Publishing announced a partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics based on its properties. Samurai Jack was one of the titles announced to be published.{{Cite press release |title=IDW Teams Up with Cartoon Network! |date=February 25, 2013 |publisher=IDW Publishing |location=San Diego |url=https://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/2507/ |access-date=April 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228191129/http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/2507/ |archive-date=February 28, 2013}} It was further announced at WonderCon 2013 that the first issue of Samurai Jack would debut in October 2013.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=C. |date=July 17, 2013 |title=IDW Publishing Announces "Samurai Jack" Comic Book |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/comics/idw-publishing-announces-samurai-jack-comic-book-85893.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531111737/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/comics/idw-publishing-announces-samurai-jack-comic-book-85893.html |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=Cartoon Brew}} The first comic in the series was released on October 23, 2013.{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack #1 |url=http://read.idwpublishing.com/Samurai-Jack-1/digital-comic/49614 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131123234556/http://read.idwpublishing.com/Samurai-Jack-1/digital-comic/49614 |archive-date=November 23, 2013 |website=Read.IDWPublishing.com |publisher=IDW Publishing}} The final issue came out in May 2015.{{Cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |date=May 21, 2015 |title=First Look at Samurai Jack's Finale |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/21/first-look-at-samurai-jacks-finale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114546/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/21/first-look-at-samurai-jacks-finale |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=IGN}} On October 25, 2016, IDW re-released all of the issues in a compilation entitled "Tales of a Wandering Warrior".{{Cite tweet |number=766735761249017856 |user=JimZub |title=SEPT: SAMURAI JACK: Tales of the Wandering Warrior Compendium! #comicmarket #samuraijack https://amazon.com/Samurai-Jack-T}} Tartakovsky does not consider the comics part of the story of Jack.{{Cite web |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |date=July 25, 2016 |title=Samurai Jack Will Cross a Line He's Never Crossed – Comic Con 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJSvKRuDNrw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205075723/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJSvKRuDNrw |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |access-date=January 24, 2017 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation |via=YouTube}}{{rp|at=4:58}}

Jack also appeared in multiple issues of DC Comics' anthology comic series Cartoon Network Action Pack, which ran from May 10, 2006, to March 14, 2012.{{Cite web |title=Cartoon Network Action Pack #1 |url=https://www.dc.com/comics/cartoon-network-action-pack-2006/cartoon-network-action-pack-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324070007/https://www.dc.com/comics/cartoon-network-action-pack-2006/cartoon-network-action-pack-1 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=DC.com}}{{Cite web |title=Cartoon Network Action Pack #67 |url=https://www.dc.com/comics/cartoon-network-action-pack-2006/cartoon-network-action-pack-67 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529144535/https://www.dc.com/comics/cartoon-network-action-pack-2006/cartoon-network-action-pack-67 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=DC.com}}

= Home media =

Like other previous Cartoon Network shows, Samurai Jack DVDs were released by Warner Home Video between 2002 and 2007. The DVDs include episode numbers in Roman numerals as they appear at the end of each episode but remain untitled. Season 1 was released on Netflix streaming service in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Jack |date=2013-03-29 |title=Netflix Instant Picks 3/29/13—4/4/13 |url=http://moviemezzanine.com/netflix-instant-picks-32913-4413/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426061449/http://moviemezzanine.com/netflix-instant-picks-32913-4413/ |archive-date=26 April 2013 |access-date=4 April 2013 |website=Movie Mezzanine}} Samurai Jack: The Complete Series was released on Blu-ray and Digital HD on October 17, 2017, and contains remastered versions of the first four seasons of the series, courtesy of ACMEworks Digital Film, Inc.{{Citation |last=Sean Fallon |title=Review: The 'Samurai Jack' Blu-ray Box Set Is Awesome and on Sale |date=October 17, 2017 |work=ComicBook.com |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/samurai-jack-boxed-set-review/ |access-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029174039/http://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2017/10/17/samurai-jack-boxed-set-review/ |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |url-status=live}} The series is also available on HBO Max since May 27, 2020.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2020 |title=HBO Max: All the TV Shows, Movies and Originals You Can Stream Now – IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hbo-max-tv-shows-movies-originals-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026125907/https://www.ign.com/articles/hbo-max-tv-shows-movies-originals-list |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=October 23, 2020 |via=www.ign.com}}

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|+ Samurai Jack VHS and DVD releases

rowspan="2"|Productrowspan="2"|Episodescolspan="2"|Release daterowspan="2"|Description
Region 1Region 4
The Premiere Movie

| 4

| March 19, 2002{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack— The Premiere Movie (2001) |asin=B00005UF82}}{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack— The Premiere Movie [VHS] (2001) |asin=B00005UF9I}}

| October 10, 2007{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack the Movie |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8802/samurai-jack-the-movie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411074115/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8802/samurai-jack-the-movie |archive-date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Madman Entertainment}}

| Available on DVD and VHS, this release includes the first 3 episodes of season 1 ("The Beginning" (I–III)) as well as the episode "Jack and the Scotsman" (XI) in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.

The Complete First Season

| rowspan=4|13

| May 4, 2004{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack— Season 1 (2004) |asin=B0001HAI0E}}

| November 7, 2007{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack Season 1 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8844/samurai-jack-season-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411061741/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8844/samurai-jack-season-1 |archive-date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Madman Entertainment}}

| Includes all 13 episodes from season 1, a "making-of" documentary, an original animation test, original artwork, and commentary on "Jack and the Three Blind Archers" (VII).

The Complete Second Season

| May 24, 2005{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack— Season 2 (2005) |asin=B0007VY40E}}

| March 4, 2009{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack Season 2 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/11729/samurai-jack-season-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411074240/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/11729/samurai-jack-season-2 |archive-date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Madman Entertainment}}

| Includes all 13 episodes from season 2, commentary on "Jack and the Spartans" (XXV), "Creator Scrapbook", and an original pitch for "Jack and the Scotsman, Part 2" (XVII).

The Complete Third Season

| May 23, 2006{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack— Season 3 (2006) |asin=B000EGDAFC}}

| September 9, 2009{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack Season 3 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/12494/samurai-jack-season-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411075201/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/12494/samurai-jack-season-3 |archive-date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Madman Entertainment}}

| Includes all 13 episodes from season 3, commentary on "The Birth of Evil" (XXXVII/XXXVIII), "Lost Artwork" and a featurette called "Martial Arts of the Samurai".

The Complete Fourth Season

| August 28, 2007{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack: Season 4 (2007) |asin=B000QCU534}}

| October 3, 2012{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack Season 4 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/18507/samurai-jack-season-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501154851/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/18507/samurai-jack-season-4 |archive-date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2013-01-28 |publisher=Madman Entertainment}}

| Includes all 13 episodes from season 4, "Genndy's Roundtable", "Genndy's New Project" (a tour of Orphanage Animation Studios), alternate takes for two snippets of "The Tale of X-49" (L) and Samurai Jack promos.

Samurai Jack and Friends

| 7

| October 7, 2014{{Citation |title=Cartoon Network: Samurai Jack and Friends |asin=B00M2FMF8Q}}

| {{n/a}}

| A re-issue of the first disc of season two, containing its first seven episodes.

The Complete Fifth Season

| 10

| October 17, 2017{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack: Season Five |asin=B074XTYMT2}}

| {{n/a}}

| Includes all 10 episodes from season 5, "The Evolution of Jack", and detailed reviews of the storyboards of five of this season's episodes (XCIV, XCVI, XCVIII, XCIX and C).

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|+ Other releases including Samurai Jack episodes

rowspan="2"|Productrowspan="2"|Episodescolspan="3"|Release daterowspan="2"|Features
Region 1Region 2Region 4
4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Vol. 2

| 7

| March 12, 2013{{Citation |title=4 Kid Favorites Cartoon Network Hall of Fame #2 |asin=B00AYV0KIM}}

| {{n/a}}

| {{n/a}}

| 4-disc compilation set includes Samurai Jack: Season One, Disc One

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+Samurai Jack Blu-ray releases

rowspan="2"|Productrowspan="2"|Episodescolspan="3"|Release daterowspan="2"|Features
Region ARegion BRegion C
The Complete Series

| 62

| October 17, 2017{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack: The Complete Series |asin=B074XJ48WV}}

| December 2, 2019{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack The Complete Series (Includes Seasons 1–5) (Blu-ray) |asin=B07W8LJ6JP}}

| {{n/a}}

| Includes all 62 Samurai Jack episodes across all 5 seasons, all remastered in Blu-ray high definition, a first for the previous four seasons. All special features from previous releases are included in this box set, along with new cover art for the prior 4 seasons, steelbook art for the first season's cover and redemption codes for UltraViolet digital versions of all episodes.

The Complete Fifth Season

| 10

| October 17, 2017{{Citation |title=Samurai Jack: Season Five |asin=B074XTYMT3}}

| {{n/a}}

| {{n/a}}

| This Blu-ray includes all 10 episodes from season 5, along with the same special features as the DVD version.

= Video games =

The Samurai Jack world has been seen in the video games Samurai Jack: The Amulet of Time for the Game Boy Advance in 2003 and Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2004.{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack: The Amulet of Time— Game Boy Advance— IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/games/samurai-jack-the-amulet-of-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418054610/http://www.ign.com/games/samurai-jack-the-amulet-of-time/gba-482126 |archive-date=2013-04-18 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}}{{Cite web |title=Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku— GameCube— IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/games/samurai-jack-the-shadow-of-aku |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022222613/http://www.ign.com/games/samurai-jack-the-shadow-of-aku/gcn-640588 |archive-date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2013-01-27 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}} A third game, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, was released on August 21, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch,{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=February 25, 2020 |title=Samurai Jack Video Game Announced for PC, PS4, Xbox, and Switch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/samurai-jack-video-game-announced-for-pc-ps4-xbox-and-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225160914/https://www.ign.com/articles/samurai-jack-video-game-announced-for-pc-ps4-xbox-and-switch |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |access-date=February 25, 2020 |website=IGN |publisher=News Corporation}} and Apple Arcade.{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Dann |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time Heading to Apple Arcade, Watch an Exclusive Developer Diary Here |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/083551/samurai-jack-battle-through-time-heading-to-apple-arcade-watch-an-exclusive-developer-diary-here/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805194751/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/083551/samurai-jack-battle-through-time-heading-to-apple-arcade-watch-an-exclusive-developer-diary-here/ |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |access-date=20 August 2020 |website=Pocket Gamer}}

Elements of the Samurai Jack concept were reused in other Cartoon Network video games. The MMORPG FusionFall features Jack, the Scotsman, and Demongo as non-playable characters, while Aku is a Nano.{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Brad |date=January 2009 |title=FusionFall: Role-Playing in the Cartoon Network World |url=http://www.bradcook.net/games/articles/2009/01/fusionfall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202003436/http://www.bradcook.net/games/articles/2009/01/fusionfall/ |archive-date=December 2, 2018 |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=Bradcook.com}} The brawler game Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion for Nintendo 3DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 features Jack and the Scotsman as playable characters while Aku is an assist character, a boss, and a playable character.{{Cite web |last=Max |first=Josh |date=December 9, 2011 |title=Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28644/cartoon-network-punch-time-explosion-xl-wii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111171414/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28644/cartoon-network-punch-time-explosion-xl-wii |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=2021-02-17 |website=Nintendo World Report}} The platform fighter MultiVersus features Jack as a playable character.{{cite AV media| url=https://youtube.com/j5AtpYPz2Ic?si=VU6nEwDYDYpkuFRy|title= MultiVersus -Official Samurai Jack "It Is Time" Gameplay Trailer|date=July 20, 2024|access-date=July 20, 2024|via=YouTube}}

Notes

{{Reflist|group=a}}

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

External links

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Commons category}}

  • {{Official website|https://www.adultswim.com/videos/samurai-jack}}
  • {{IMDb title}}

{{Samurai Jack|state=expanded}}

{{EmmyAward AnimationLessThanHour 2001-2025}}

{{Genndy Tartakovsky}}

{{Rough Draft Studios}}

{{Former Cartoon Network original programming}}

{{Adult Swim original programming}}

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