In a feudal and futuristic world of Japan, samurai fight to become No.1 and rule the world. When his father, who holds the coveted position, is challenged and killed, young Afro Samurai vows revenge. Continuously hunted by assassins, will he stay alive long enough to keep his promise?

This new "director's cut" edition, approved by the creator, features specially designed covers and a brand new introduction by Takashi Okazaki.

Japan has become the land of warriors, thieves, and murderers, where future technology coexists with the fierce traditions of the past. This world is ruled by whoever holds the legendary crown No.1, which many believe grants divine powers to its bearer. However, to acquire this crown, one must first become No.2, and only then can they challenge the right to be No.1. But who can challenge No.2? Everyone! So, being the second best warrior in the world means being in a constant battle for survival.

When the boy Afro Samurai's father, Rokutaro, is challenged as No.1 and killed by No.2, a deadly outlaw known as Justice, he vows revenge, embarking on a bloody path of vengeance that will make him the No.2 warrior and allow him to challenge Justice.

In the first of two volumes, we follow the beginnings of young Afro's quest, his battles with a series of assassins and warlords, culminating in an epic clash with the powerful Empty Seven Clan and a showdown with an old enemy...

Inspired by American soul and hip-hop cultures, Okazaki-san originally published Afro Samurai as a serialized and self-funded (doujinshi) manga in the magazine Nou Nou Hau from November 1998 to September 2002. Later, Funimation picked it up and developed it into an anime, airing five episodes in 2007, with Afro voiced by Samuel L. Jackson and music by RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. Okazaki-san created these two manga volumes for the American market, published in 2008 and 2009.

The two original volumes in English have been out of print since 2013 and 2016, respectively, and are highly sought after by collectors.

The long-lasting impact of Afro Samurai can be seen in today’s appetite for all things manga and anime, as it was one of the first cross-cultural collaborations celebrating Asian pop culture and African American hip-hop, creating a wholly new hybrid visual and musical language.

Pages: 176, Dimensions: 17.5x17.5cm