Ep 1. Revenge

Afro Samurai season 1 episode 1, Revenge, sets the tone for a violent, action-packed anime series. The story follows the titular character, Afro, a skilled swordsman on a mission to avenge his father's death at the hands of the villainous Justice.

The episode starts with a young Afro witnessing his father's savage murder by Justice, a notorious warrior who wears a number two headband. The headbands are a defining feature of this world, with the person who wears the number one headband being the strongest and most formidable warrior.

The first episode then fast-forwards several years to reveal an older Afro, now a skilled samurai himself, as he searches for the number two headband. He knows that if he can defeat Justice, he'll finally be able to avenge his father's death.

Throughout the episode, we see Afro engage in numerous fights against other warriors also hunting for the number two headband. These fights are brutally violent and full of bloodshed, underscoring the intensity and ruthlessness of this world. Additionally, the episode flashes back to events from Afro's childhood, giving us glimpses into what led him to become the warrior he is today.

One of the most memorable moments of the episode occurs when Afro confronts Justice for the first time. Justice is surrounded by his loyal followers and seems to relish in taunting Afro. The two engage in a fierce battle, but it's clear that Justice is much stronger than Afro. It's only thanks to a timely intervention from his friend Ninja Ninja that Afro manages to escape with his life.

Despite the episode's focus on violence, we also get a glimpse into Afro's psyche. He's clearly carrying a lot of emotional trauma from witnessing his father's murder, and it's affecting his ability to function as a warrior. Throughout the episode, we see him struggle with flashbacks and self-doubt, making him a more complex and interesting hero.

Overall, Afro Samurai season 1 episode 1 is a strong start to a series that's not afraid to confront difficult themes and depict graphic violence. Fans of action-packed anime will find much to appreciate here, but the show also has a surprising depth and complexity that sets it apart from other shows in the genre.