To celebrate its 15th anniversary, cult classic Afro Samurai manga is out of print for a re-release with an exclusive two-volume director’s cut.
Which is out of print Afro samurai the manga is set to receive a re-release with an exclusive Director’s Cut edition.
The announcement comes from YouTube channel Titan Comics, which featured an announcement trailer for the book’s return. Capitalizing on the sleek motion-comic style, the trailer highlights the manga’s distinct look and bloody action – with splashes of vibrant red contrasting against black-and-white characters and landscapes.
For fans of the original Afro samurai manga and anime, this new Director’s Cut edition of the two-volume unreachable series will feature a specially commissioned cover and a new preface by creator Takashi Okazaki. Volume 2 will feature content not previously seen from the original release.
While the book’s release date isn’t listed in the trailer itself, the video description details the first volume’s release date for December 20, 2022, for the US and Canada – with sales already starting in the UK – and Volume 2 will hit stores on January 17, 2023. A limited edition featuring Exclusive co-pic variant covers will only be available in US and UK comic stores on December 21, 2022.
Who are Afro Samurai?
Afro samurai originally published in the self-funded “Nou Nou Hau dōjinshi” magazine from Sep 1999 to October 2000. Following the release of the anime adaptation, Takashi Okazaki remade the original dōjinshi. The TV show debuted on January 4, 2007, on the now defunct Spike TV. It featured Samuel L. Jackson in the titular role of Afro – a lone samurai in a futuristic, feudal Japan who is constantly attacked for possessing the No.2 Headband. It follows a gory tale of pain, heartbreak, and a cycle of violence as Afro seeks out the No.1 Headband wearer to avenge his father’s death. This anime was well received by critics due to its strong story, charming design, and excellent soundtrack by The RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.
The series received a follow-up film on January 25, 2009, titled Afro Samurai: Awakening which was equally praised by critics and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Animated Program — although it lost to Destination Imagination. The film’s Art Director, Shigemi Ikeda won an Emmy for his work on the film. There is also a video game adaptation of Afro samurai was released on Jan 27, 2009, which was well received and sold well for a product based on relative niche properties. sequel, Afro Samurai 2: Kuma’s Revenge famously canceled due to poor design and extremely negative reception.
Source: YouTube