Samurai Jack

Reflective Essay

Sitting on the couch, grinning ear to ear, I would wait excitedly for it to start. “Long ago in a distant land,” the voice from the television would go, “ I, Aku, the shapeshifting master of darkness, unleashed an unspeakable. But a foolish samurai wielding a magic sword stepped forward to oppose me…” The next half-hour would be one of the best things of my day. I would get to watch, perhaps, the greatest piece of television artwork and one of my biggest influences, Samurai Jack.

The story followed a samurai hero, Jack, on his journey to return to the past to kill the villainous Aku, a shapeshifting dark being, and avenge death of his fallen family and kingdom. Along the way, he met different characters whom he interacts with in some way. Through each of these experiences we learned something new about Jack. Jack was kind, merciful, benevolent, humble, virtuous, honest, persistent, considerate, and so much more.

One of his first encounters was with the three blind unbeatable archers guarding the wishing well of King Osric. From atop the tower, they shot anything that came close to it. Even an army of vikings was completely defeating by the three archers alone, but Jack was not dissuaded. Reflecting back on his teachings, he was able to beat the archers. It was then that we learned that the archers had been put under a curse. They had wished to become the greatest of warriors but with price of becoming guardians to well against their will. Enraged, Jack destroys the well so no others would be victim to it’s evil.

As much as he desired to return to the past, he chose the nobler route. Would you do the same? I would wish to follow in his example. This was a common occurrence throughout the show. Whenever presented with an opportunity to return to the past, it came at the cost of someone else, and without giving it much thought, he always helped others. It was this altruism that I admired.

Although, there have been criticisms that by going to the past and defeating Aku,