If you thought the episode 1 of season 5 was amazing and mind-blowing, wait till you see episode 2. OH MY GOD! Once it ended, I sat in stunned silence for 10 minute waiting for the INCREDIBLE amount of awesomeness I had witnessed in this episode to sink in. The animation is phenomenal, the camera angles are phenomenal, the fight choreography and tension throughout the episode is just beyond compare. The way this episode goes from one place to another is just masterful. I thought they have improvised on the original after watching the first episode, but now I can state that this reboot is pure 24 Carat Gold. Absolutely a must watch if you had loved the series. I can't even comprehend how Genndy and his team come up with such ideas. WOW!
14 Reviews
Here I go with this show
ericstevenson19 March 2017
It looks like this is going to be yet another show I'm going to review every episode of. Anyway, where to really start? This episode has a really weird beginning as it features the villain Aku in these weird comedic roles as he makes more of himself as a therapist. When did he become Discord? Seriously though, these scenes are funny. It's at this point that we truly get to see the show earn its time on Adult Swim and more importantly, it's TV-14 rating. We actually get to see blood in this. Not oil like the previous show, but actual blood.
Jack is being pursued by the daughters of Aku and he kills one. He thought that they were just robots, but then he realizes he's actually killed a fellow human being. Things seem more hopeless as Jack has lost his magic sword and Aku is said to have destroyed all the time portals. It's weird to see him using guns! The most intense part is probably when Jack struggles with himself over suicide. They don't actually use the word "suicide", but we all know it's what he's talking about. Couldn't they say that word in an Adult Swim show? This has shown us that this isn't a kid's show any longer, but luckily all the fans of the original show have grown up. ****
Jack is being pursued by the daughters of Aku and he kills one. He thought that they were just robots, but then he realizes he's actually killed a fellow human being. Things seem more hopeless as Jack has lost his magic sword and Aku is said to have destroyed all the time portals. It's weird to see him using guns! The most intense part is probably when Jack struggles with himself over suicide. They don't actually use the word "suicide", but we all know it's what he's talking about. Couldn't they say that word in an Adult Swim show? This has shown us that this isn't a kid's show any longer, but luckily all the fans of the original show have grown up. ****
XCIII: A Meeple Review
theoneandonlymeeple19 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
After Episode 1 ended, I was super excited for the next episode. Like, I literally watched the first episode 15 times to get every single bit of symbolism, and just to rally myself up for Episode 2.
Just like with Episode 1, I watched it live on Toonami the day it aired. Watched through Family Guy, and squealed in excitement when Toonami came on.
I am shook.
I though nothing could ever top the first episode. The first episode was just so good, I thought nothing could stand against it. But Gennedy and Adult Swim has outdone theme selves, because overall, this episode was a damn good ride.
So first off, we finally get to see Aku again this episode! In my opinion, Greg Baldwin is doing a pretty good job as Aku's new VA. It's not as awesome as Mako, but it still fits really well, and keeps the likable charm of the character.
One of the things I MUST talk about is that they keep the comedy IN TACT! They kept the lovable comedy of the first four seasons, and kept it in check in this final season! There's this one scene where Aku is sitting down talking to himself as a therapist, and I was cracking up! That was never y only hilarious, but also some pretty dark humor that's i bet wouldn't be allowed on Cartoon Network at all! But also, Aku is depressed about the fact that Jack actually ISN'T dead! He'd assumed time would weigh in on him and he would die, but now that he is unable to age, Aku just doesn't have much motivation to kill the samurai anymore, and I really hope that we'll be able to look more into Aku in later episodes.
But soon, during that first half, Jack is apparently attacked by the Daughters Of Aku (YES!!!) and they destroy most of his armor, and he is clearly vulnerable. And then, while in hiding, he start literally taking to himself.
Now, they Dive a bit more into Jack's PTSD this episode. At this moment in the first half,Jack begins talking to his Psyche. This psyche keeps telling him "You don't have the sword!" "How much longer can you keep up with this?" "There's no point to this anymore." And at one point, Jack's psyche tell him "Aren't you tired of all of this? Don't you want to join them? It's the only honorable thing you can do at this point."
JACK IS LITERALLY CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE!
No joke, that scene literally broke my heart.
Now, onto the second half!
The second half definitely outshines the first half by a landslide, even though the episode as a whole is outstanding. There's no dialogue, yet as usual, the episode manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, and this is one of those moments where it feels like Jack might actually die. There were a few episodes that were like that, but this is the first time it's truly felt intense.
There was one particular scene where Jack was laying in a tomb next to a corpse, hiding from the Daughters. The OST at that point was spectacular. It was so beautiful, yet so intense and suspenseful.
There was also some symbolism throughout the episode using a wolf attacking some other creatures, in which they were very powerful, and the wolf was left ragged at the end, just like how Jack was stabbed at the end of the episode.
Actually, Jack getting stabbed related to the final part of this review. The ending scene.
At the end of the episode, Jack finally kills his first human. Many people refer to "Jack And The Bounty Hunters" as an episode in which Jack has killed people before, but this is the first time he had REALIZED it was a human. I know he's most likely going to be damaged mentally to a great degree, due to the fact that he'd slit the daughter's throat. But, h'll also be damaged mentally, due to the fact that before her throat was slit, she's stabbed the samurai with a dagger. Then, he walks, blood dripping, and then, he falls into the river.
I swear, the cliffhanger will be one of the hardest I'll ever have to face, because it ended right there when the tomb exploded.
That's all i have for now. If you liked my review, give it a YES if you can! If you didn't like it, give it a NO, I don't mind.
See you guys in my Episode 3 review!
Just like with Episode 1, I watched it live on Toonami the day it aired. Watched through Family Guy, and squealed in excitement when Toonami came on.
I am shook.
I though nothing could ever top the first episode. The first episode was just so good, I thought nothing could stand against it. But Gennedy and Adult Swim has outdone theme selves, because overall, this episode was a damn good ride.
So first off, we finally get to see Aku again this episode! In my opinion, Greg Baldwin is doing a pretty good job as Aku's new VA. It's not as awesome as Mako, but it still fits really well, and keeps the likable charm of the character.
One of the things I MUST talk about is that they keep the comedy IN TACT! They kept the lovable comedy of the first four seasons, and kept it in check in this final season! There's this one scene where Aku is sitting down talking to himself as a therapist, and I was cracking up! That was never y only hilarious, but also some pretty dark humor that's i bet wouldn't be allowed on Cartoon Network at all! But also, Aku is depressed about the fact that Jack actually ISN'T dead! He'd assumed time would weigh in on him and he would die, but now that he is unable to age, Aku just doesn't have much motivation to kill the samurai anymore, and I really hope that we'll be able to look more into Aku in later episodes.
But soon, during that first half, Jack is apparently attacked by the Daughters Of Aku (YES!!!) and they destroy most of his armor, and he is clearly vulnerable. And then, while in hiding, he start literally taking to himself.
Now, they Dive a bit more into Jack's PTSD this episode. At this moment in the first half,Jack begins talking to his Psyche. This psyche keeps telling him "You don't have the sword!" "How much longer can you keep up with this?" "There's no point to this anymore." And at one point, Jack's psyche tell him "Aren't you tired of all of this? Don't you want to join them? It's the only honorable thing you can do at this point."
JACK IS LITERALLY CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE!
No joke, that scene literally broke my heart.
Now, onto the second half!
The second half definitely outshines the first half by a landslide, even though the episode as a whole is outstanding. There's no dialogue, yet as usual, the episode manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, and this is one of those moments where it feels like Jack might actually die. There were a few episodes that were like that, but this is the first time it's truly felt intense.
There was one particular scene where Jack was laying in a tomb next to a corpse, hiding from the Daughters. The OST at that point was spectacular. It was so beautiful, yet so intense and suspenseful.
There was also some symbolism throughout the episode using a wolf attacking some other creatures, in which they were very powerful, and the wolf was left ragged at the end, just like how Jack was stabbed at the end of the episode.
Actually, Jack getting stabbed related to the final part of this review. The ending scene.
At the end of the episode, Jack finally kills his first human. Many people refer to "Jack And The Bounty Hunters" as an episode in which Jack has killed people before, but this is the first time he had REALIZED it was a human. I know he's most likely going to be damaged mentally to a great degree, due to the fact that he'd slit the daughter's throat. But, h'll also be damaged mentally, due to the fact that before her throat was slit, she's stabbed the samurai with a dagger. Then, he walks, blood dripping, and then, he falls into the river.
I swear, the cliffhanger will be one of the hardest I'll ever have to face, because it ended right there when the tomb exploded.
That's all i have for now. If you liked my review, give it a YES if you can! If you didn't like it, give it a NO, I don't mind.
See you guys in my Episode 3 review!
Success!
george-89619 March 2017
They have done it. These MAD MEN have achieved the impossible. To create something that truly rivals if not surpasses the standard set in the previous 4 seasons. If they can keep up this pace and artistry for the rest of the season then the story arc of Samurai Jack will find a conclusion so satisfying we will be telling our kids stories about it.
What have they done to Samurai Jack?!
adam-pajor22 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I was skeptical about bringing back one of my childhood favourite show Samurai Jack... but at the same time I was like "Genndy Tartakowsky = can't be bad"
So I watched the first episode of season 5 and I was shocked! I was shocked how good it was! Beautiful art style, great soundtrack, great voice acting, wonderful, atmospheric sound effect. High quality show! Now of course that first episode set the bar high and I was worried the show can't keep up that quality. And I'm still not convinced about it. Episode 2 of season 5 (XCIII) was something I didn't expect. It was a masterpiece! Pure art! I can't believe what I've seen!
Beautiful in every aspects. And really dark. The art style was as good as in the first episode, but the animation was even better. Smooth, greatly choreographed fighting scenes, wonderful soundtracks (one of them is based on Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy of Gold"). The suspense! I really got goosebumps. I felt some fear and excitement watching this episode. Jack was in trouble. He had suicidal thoughts! The seven daughters are true threat for him. They are extremely strong and Jack doesn't stand a chance against all of them at once. The wolf metaphor was beautiful too. And the ending. I didn't see that coming. It was bloody and dark. And I really felt worried about Jack. It's not kids' show anymore! It's mature and dark and anything can happen.
It's a 10 out of 10 episode. I wonder if they can keep up this extremely high quality. And yes, it had some graphical mistakes (In one scene there were 8 girls), but it's forgivable! A masterpiece, that deserves some awards!
Thank you TartaGodSky and team!
So I watched the first episode of season 5 and I was shocked! I was shocked how good it was! Beautiful art style, great soundtrack, great voice acting, wonderful, atmospheric sound effect. High quality show! Now of course that first episode set the bar high and I was worried the show can't keep up that quality. And I'm still not convinced about it. Episode 2 of season 5 (XCIII) was something I didn't expect. It was a masterpiece! Pure art! I can't believe what I've seen!
Beautiful in every aspects. And really dark. The art style was as good as in the first episode, but the animation was even better. Smooth, greatly choreographed fighting scenes, wonderful soundtracks (one of them is based on Ennio Morricone's "The Ecstasy of Gold"). The suspense! I really got goosebumps. I felt some fear and excitement watching this episode. Jack was in trouble. He had suicidal thoughts! The seven daughters are true threat for him. They are extremely strong and Jack doesn't stand a chance against all of them at once. The wolf metaphor was beautiful too. And the ending. I didn't see that coming. It was bloody and dark. And I really felt worried about Jack. It's not kids' show anymore! It's mature and dark and anything can happen.
It's a 10 out of 10 episode. I wonder if they can keep up this extremely high quality. And yes, it had some graphical mistakes (In one scene there were 8 girls), but it's forgivable! A masterpiece, that deserves some awards!
Thank you TartaGodSky and team!
Best episode of the whole season
umlaziking26 January 2020
The best episode yet
gerknight19 March 2017
Everyone was waiting for a new Samurai Jack season and we surely got what we asked for. I feared that the new season wouldn't be as great as the old ones,but this episode proved that the 5th season can produce one of the best SJ episodes in the history of the whole TV show. This season also adds one element that the old TV show lacked. Before each episode represented somewhat an independent story and many times the episodes didn't relate to each other. Whilst, the 5th season's first 2 episodes are clearly connected and in an entertaining way. After watching the first and especially the second episode you'll have an urge to know what happened next. The animation was above all else, even though the old animation of the TV series was great Tartakovsky has outdone himself.
Best revival yet
ataropollard27 March 2017
More than often, revivals fell flat. They fail to meet the expectation. While that's certainly not the case here, in fact it is surpassing the expectations.
Episodes are one emotional roller coaster. It goes from comedy to horror to intense thrills to adrenaline rushed action to sadness. All packaged in one 22 minute episode.
It'd an injustice to all the creators out there, if it doesn't win any award.
Episodes are one emotional roller coaster. It goes from comedy to horror to intense thrills to adrenaline rushed action to sadness. All packaged in one 22 minute episode.
It'd an injustice to all the creators out there, if it doesn't win any award.
What a treat!
sammorgan-100965 April 2017
This is such a breath of fresh air.. I'm so happy this show is back!! I hated the cliff hanger it ended on at season 4. Season 5 has been superb.. i cant believe its been 13 years.. i'm now 24 and love that they have made Jack more adult-themed. Genius. 10/10. Long may it last. The animation is masterful, the story telling beautiful.. i just wish the episodes were longer!
Jack's Survival
shivaniscool19 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Looks like the seven (now six) assassins are too fast and are beating Jack. Jack did the best he can fight them, but they destroyed his motorcycle, weapons, and armor. Looks like Jack faces another hallucination, but this time it is his past self. The past self is telling Jack to just give up and commit suicide. Well, that is no way to solve the problem. What is true on what Jack said that it always seems bad at first, but he finds away. Jack is not giving up. It is really shocking to see that Jack has killed a human being the first time. Although, Jack going back in time to prevent Aku's law and save the world would mean that Jack has never killed a human being. Aku appearing for the first time in Season 5 was great, I really do like the voice actor because does well. Aku doesn't seem happy because of Jack not dying nor aging, looks like his evil days will be numbered when the hero and the villain come face to face in a final battle. I believe that Jack will win and Aku will lose.
Greatest cartoon episode I seen
grifworm17 July 2017
This is my favorite episode of samurai jack. I really enjoy the show and love the 5th season. It had me at the edge of my seat with Jack's awesome fighting and him talking to his conscience. I love that they made the beginning funny with i. This episode has well choreography fights and just awesome action. Try to recommend this to your friends so they know this exist.
The Ecstasy of Gold
Rectangular_businessman7 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was an impressive episode, and personally I consider it one of the highest points of the entire series, having one of the most memorable fight scenes that I've seen in a western animated series from the recent years, with Tyler Bates' version of "The Ecstasy of Gold" gives the battle the perfect epic vibe it deserves.
It would be amazing if the final duel between Aku and Jack has another reference to "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" or any other classic spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone.
It would be amazing if the final duel between Aku and Jack has another reference to "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" or any other classic spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone.
Does Samurai Jack being more adult mean it's possible to be "too good for kids?"
adampkalb7 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This episode and its follow-up, XCIV, give me the bad impression that if Samurai Jack is better as an Adult Party Cartoon, then it was always geared towards the wrong audience in the first place. Much like Ren in Ren Seeks Help, Stimpy/Aku only appears in the first 4 minutes and are gone from the rest of it to spare them from seeing how cruel Ren/Jack has become, while the actual disturbing plot is delayed as much as possible so it only takes up the last 2/3 of the episode. That's a good thing because I think even Aku would be afraid of Jack after Jack killed 6 of his 7 daughters...without his sword. They both have a grisly flashback that would never be allowed in the original kid version to show what a cruel killer they are in the new adult version (except in Jack's case, it didn't come until XCIV after he already killed someone in XCIII). At the end the frog/Ashi is 1 victim who lives on in even more pain. If there was anything kids enjoyed about Ren Hoek or Samurai Jack before, then this new Adult Party Cartoon version has stripped them of that. Even adults now who used to watch them as kids in the previous decade wouldn't like to see this. Jack has to either kill Aku's daughters or kill himself because this episode teaches us the awful lesson that murder or suicide is the only honorable thing to do. It's too bad Adult Swim wasn't around when Samurai Jack originally premiered on Cartoon Network in 2001 if this is what they originally wanted the show to be like, but at least the last 3 episodes of this season that conclude the show for good are okay for the original audience to watch. Since I just found out Genndy Tartakovsky originally envisioned Samurai Jack as an adults show from the start, that's very horrifying because it means Adult Swim is only used to shield it from criticism for getting darker and more cruel and ruining Jack's character.
Do you think Adult Swim Samurai Jack is better than Cartoon Network Samurai Jack? If you do feel that way, that would really hurt my feelings because Adult Swim changed the identity of the Samurai Jack series and title character too much and made it a totally different kind of show than it was on Cartoon Network.
Do you think Adult Swim Samurai Jack is better than Cartoon Network Samurai Jack? If you do feel that way, that would really hurt my feelings because Adult Swim changed the identity of the Samurai Jack series and title character too much and made it a totally different kind of show than it was on Cartoon Network.
Incredibly disappointing
mishomartamisho25 March 2022
I just watched the whole series for the first time and after seeing the first few episodes i was extremely disappointed. The animation style is awful and the 3d effects dont fit the series in the slightest. The whole charm of jack being calm and collected, defeating his enemies with his incredible skill while exploring the fascinating new world is all out of the window.
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