Afro Samurai Fall-ing onto PS3, 360

Namco announces release window for its anime-inspired action game, starring Samuel L. Jackson and scored by the RZA; first screens inside.

Afro Samurai

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This week brought still-unconfirmed news that Samuel L. Jackson's cameo as Nick Fury in the upcoming Iron Man movie has been cut. It also brought definite confirmation that the Oscar-nominated actor has signed onto a new project: Namco Bandai's game based on the animated series Afro Samurai, itself inspired by a 1999 manga from Japanese illustrator Takashi Okazaki.

First announced in 2005, the Afro Samurai game will follow Afro (Jackson), a young samurai and number-two fighter in the world, as he seeks to avenge the murder of his father. As a youth, his father was killed at the hands of Justice, a warrior who cannot die by conventional means. However, this doesn't stop Afro from plying his bloody trade as he chases Justice and his minions across a fantastical reimagining of medieval Japan.

As outlined in GameSpot's brand-new preview, the Afro Samurai game will re-create the look of the highly stylized series and manga. Its graphics will be cel-shaded, and the assuredly M-rated game's violence is appropriately over the top, with plentiful dismemberments and beheadings. The game expands the high drama of its source material by building on the extensive storyline of the series, which ran for only five episodes.

Like the show, Afro Samurai will also feature a hip-hop-influenced soundtrack composed by Wu-Tang Clan alumnus The RZA, who also scored the cult-classic films Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai. It will also sport "an innovative gameplay system where the music affects the enemy AI and the tone of the gameplay."

Afro Samurai is set for release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this fall in North America.

49 Comments

  • danibus

    Posted Mar 2, 2009 3:43 am PT

    Didn't hear about it till the other day; played the demo and can't wait for the full game. I'm prepared to forgive what the video review says about the game, because the violence and stylised visuals sells it for me 100%. Well, count Sammy L and RZA I feel more like I should own whether I even like games or not!!

    I FULLY agree with what Raykuza says about stereotyping too, it's a breath of fresh air to see a black lead (never mind gender!) who isn't gangster-poppin' bad-boy attitude "all up in yo grill" type. That was getting boring real fast!! Roll on Fall 09.

  • burstlimit514

    Posted Jun 16, 2008 9:52 am PT

    This had better be a good game!The show is great so so you would think it is gonna be a good game.One other thing.Is it an anime?lol

  • Raykuza

    Posted Apr 17, 2008 7:00 pm PT

    @ CloudyWolf

    Please keep the racism to yourself. I don't appreciate it. No one appreciates it.

    As for the game, I really like the artsy style to it. I don't know enough about rap music to know who RZA is but I know I like the Wu-Tang Clan. Samuel L. Jackson is enough of a reason to buy the game no matter what rating. I especially like how this is a non-stereotypical black male lead, very much opposite 50 cent: Blood on the Sand (one day he'll stop embarrassing us all). And also beheadings! I'm exicited for this.

  • Dirty_Rabz

    Posted Apr 17, 2008 10:46 am PT

    Loved the show. Usually I hate any anime cartoons, just can't wrap my head around some of them, I guess I'm just a old school westerner but I really loved this show. The Guy with the Teddy Bear Darth Vader mask with deul swords!!! F'n Sweet. Hope they make similar to Ninja Gaiden.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 7:58 pm PT

    This game looks different, I will keep my eye on it

  • AvIdGaMeR444

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 7:56 pm PT

    Afro Samurai lol

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    The art style looks nice but I doubt the game will be any good. The "anime" was terrible.

  • MetalMan300

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    Oh crap no...

  • Jebril

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 1:09 pm PT

    Am I the only one who hated this anime? If you even wanna call it that.

  • BooBakerBrown

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 11:32 am PT

    Ready for it... A game set in feudal Japan with a new twist. I can't see why anyone wouldn't be interested in, even a hack n slash, game like this. Besides, Samuel L. exudes cool. I'm not particularly fond of cell shading but the animated series was pretty cool. Besides, how many times can they make a new Dynasty Warriors game? Here's your chance to play a sword slinging game that's neither DOA, Soul Caliber, or Dynasty Warriors. Plus, this will be an appetizer for me until the next Assassin's Creed comes out in which is rumored to be set in feudal Japan. The fact that RZA is composing the soundtrack doesn't detract from the sound value of the game. It may be somewhat hip/hop enfluenced but it won't be like you're playing NBA Live. If John Williams composes the soundtrack to Gears Of War 2 doesn't mean that it will sound like a Star Wars movie. RZA is a creative music producer much like Timbaland who's gone from Missy Elliot & Aaliyah to Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake. Let's see what the critics (in which really doesn't say much) write about the game when it comes out.

  • jknight5422 posted Apr 16, 2008 10:13 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jknight5422

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 10:13 am PT (hide)

    This sounds awful. Samurai story w/rap music? I'll wait for the reviews. If it isn't a 9.0 review, it'll be must-miss.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 9:57 am PT

    This should be pretty good. I mean, I love Samuel Jackson and the RZA is becoming a far better actor then rapper. I loved RZA's beats but his rapping was awful, so lets hope he produces some tracks and leaves the rapping to Samuel Jackson.

  • YamiGuzz

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 9:34 am PT

    I want to see the anime

  • jcloverboy

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 6:30 am PT

    Great show - hopefully they can manage a decent game.

  • TheGum

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:59 am PT

    I loved the show, but I'm afraid this will be one of those terrible hack and slash games. The music gameplay will probably be a huge gimmick that fails.

  • pourya_ahmadian

    Posted Apr 16, 2008 12:47 am PT

    it show that the gameplay is so diferent from other ones;the graphic seems to be good;

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:57 pm PT

    OK, didn't Grasshopper make the Samurai Champloo game where the music affects the gameplay and all that? Oh that's right they did. Sorry Namco Bandai...it's been done. Although I still think this game could be sweet. The show was.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 11:24 pm PT

    Play had read an article about this a couple months back, I was really excited as I had just bought the 5 episode anime series from Target for like $10, and well worth it. I think my favorite excerpt from that article was "The game isn't an adaption from Afro Samurai, it is Afro Samurai"... hehe, I so stoked!!

  • Viral-venom13

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 10:48 pm PT

    i just hope that the game will be as cool as the anime series!

  • android_M

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 9:39 pm PT

    If they can do it samurai champloo style (I mean the anime not the game) then this would be over the top wicked.

  • X-RS

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 9:10 pm PT

    please e a good game...

  • padrenes86

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:26 pm PT

    it looks good!

  • rasterror

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:09 pm PT

    Ayo Afro, he has a R.P.G!


    This is Manga is most definitely fit for videogames. It has the perfect story for a great adventure and a unique style. I hope they get the original voices and don't screw this game. RZA is definitely one the best producers to work on the game. I wish they also got Danger Mouse, Madlib, other dope beat makers on the track. Definitely on my radar.

  • darknferno12

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 8:06 pm PT

    Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury well i guess it's better than the Hoff

  • ebonknight

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 7:53 pm PT

    Ron Perlman does the voice of Afro. Jackson is Ninja Ninja.

  • cmpepper23

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 7:42 pm PT

    WOW! I can't wait for this. I didn't even know they were thinking about this. I loved the show, got the DVD. I hope they do a good job on it. The soundtrack is going to be dope. I just hope RZA is on par with his best stuff like Liquid Swords.

  • AZisBack

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:42 pm PT

    I hope the game is as good as the show.

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:36 pm PT

    "Shuz_ i wish jackson was nick fury!" Yeah but when you really think about it it wouldve been kind of redundant. I mean I've heard that Nick Fury in the ultimate universe looks alot like Shaft. Seeing how he(Samuel L. Jackson) was already Shaft in John Singleton's remake of the same name. Why would he want to play the same role twice?

  • havok72202

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:25 pm PT

    Nick Fury is black in the Ultimate universe majestikk.

  • TBoogy

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:13 pm PT

    This is actually one of my most anticipated games, ever. I hope they don't mess it up. This is going to be a crazy game year for me. (plus I am getting married at the end of the year. I guess I better get gaming quick.)

  • majestikk

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:10 pm PT

    Wasn't Nick Fury Caucasian?

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 6:04 pm PT

    The gameplay sounds a lot like Samurai Champloo... another anime game done by Namco.

  • -HaloHitman-

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:56 pm PT

    Afro Ninja?

  • supa_badman

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:48 pm PT

    lol afro samurai. samuel L. jackson FTW.

  • Priest57

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:35 pm PT

    This aime is one of the best I've seen in a great while; hope to see more from this series very soon.

  • AtlanticRock

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:32 pm PT

    "Yes They Deserved to Die and I hope they burn in HELL!!!"

  • lordmt

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:04 pm PT

    Going to be kick

  • destrozz

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 5:03 pm PT

    loved the anime, love sam jackson ,and love RZA let hope the game live up to the hype.

  • hunter8man

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:48 pm PT

    Thank god! An anime game other than Inuyasha, Naruto, or DBZ. Not that I hate those shows, but it's about time we see a pretty violent anime made into a game.

  • mcbride69

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:47 pm PT

    This looks HOT! The anime was ace, i cnt wait.

  • Shuz_

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:44 pm PT

    i wish jackson was nick fury!

  • Teelee8

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:39 pm PT

    finally, a change from stale japanes anime

  • imperial_agent

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    hope they release a soundtrack. RZA beats are always good.

  • Shadow_Child

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:34 pm PT

    BA (Bad-Ass)

  • GDCalibur

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:32 pm PT

    Looks great so far. If it's anything like the anime , then it should be good.

  • felipealcar posted Apr 15, 2008 4:32 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    felipealcar

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:32 pm PT (hide)

    I thought it was the black ninja dude from youtube lol

  • DazKurupt

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:21 pm PT

    Anticipating this one.

  • casshern

    Posted Apr 15, 2008 4:19 pm PT

    Nice

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