(Courtesy of Adult Swim Twitter)
During the Toonami programming block on Adult Swim, viewers can binge-watch a Samurai Jack marathon of Season 5 from start to finish. These are the final 10 episodes of the critically acclaimed animated television series from writer/director Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory).
50 years have passed for the time-traveling swordsman, but his body doesn’t appear to age. Time has lost its effect on the lost voyager. The suffering continues as Aku’s strong grasp chokes the past, present, and future. Even though Jack feels all hope is lost, he has to return to his own time somehow and set things right.
We have 5 reasons why you should watch the Samurai Jack marathon:
5. The Voices!
Comedian Phil LaMarr (Mad TV) reprises his role as the voice of Jack. John DiMaggio (Futurama) returns as well as The Scotsman. Unfortunately, not all the voice actors were able to come back. Because Mako passed away, voice actor Greg Baldwin (The Legend of Korra) had to fill in and imitate the original voice of Aku.
4. The Long Wait!
The original four seasons of Samurai Jack aired on Cartoon Network from 2001 to 2004. There was supposed to be a feature animated film to provide a conclusion for longtime fans, but the project never came about. Fans had to wait till 2017 before they were finally given the fifth and final season of the sci-fi action/adventure drama.
3. Ashi
In the last episodes, Tartakovsky was able to add a new character to the mythology. Trained from the day she was born, Ashi (Tara Strong) was designed to be the deadly assassin to take down Jack. Viewers may recognize Ashi’s voice; Strong also played Raven on Teen Titans Go!
2. It’s Not A Kids Show!
Never meant to a children’s show, Samurai Jack heads into really dark territory. Tartakovsky even pokes fun at the imagery of sexual innuendo in the episode, XCIX. The episodes aired at 11pm because all the kids were supposed to sleeping!
1. Join The Club!
How many shows is it now? We have the revival of Twin Peaks, Prison Break, and The X-Files. Now we can add Samurai Jack to the list.
The Season 5 marathon of Samurai Jack airs Saturday May 27th on Adult Swim’s Toonami from 11pm to 4am.
– By Jorge Solis