Startaud Reviews

Samurai Jack (2001– )

The best cartoon ever made.

[10/10 · 9 September 2020]

Samurai Jack is a masterpiece, through and through. Even if I disagree with some of the show's narrative decisions, especially toward the end, none of that detracts from what this show represents. The feelings that this show produces are unreal; both viscerally and emotionally. One minute it shows you an absurdly well-conceived, well-choreographed fight scene, one that's subtle and refined well above the level of your average cartoon, and the next it will make you experience something deeply felt and immerse you Jack's plight. You just end up wanting so badly to see him finally lay the final blow in the show's outstandingly cruel (and wickedly hilarious) villain Aku and return to his time.

No piece of western animation has, in my eyes, matched Samurai Jack's sheer level of immersion, entertainment, and emotional appeal, putting it just ahead of Bojack Horseman, Daria, and Futurama in my eyes.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012– )

The best adaptation of Araki's masterpiece.

[10/10 · 9 September 2020]

It wouldn't be unfair to say that Jojo isn't for everybody. However, I think it has a broader appeal than its title lets on. The greatest strengths of Jojo's are its incredibly rich cast of characters, its vivid, frantic art style, and its ability to continual ability to introduce interesting new concepts, twists, mechanics, and ideas without betraying its core identity. Most of all, however, is how incredibly consistent it is in its quality. Araki has been building on his universe since 1987 without wearing himself out. And this anime, though far from catching up to the manga in terms of chronology, studiously and carefully brings to life the vision of the manga without sacrificing and of the heart and soul Araki has poured into this story.

The only knock against this series that I can possibly think of are that the visuals aren't quite as on-point and richly detailed as those of the manga, but that's to be expected.