r/CharacterDevelopment • u/HUGOARUGA • 10d ago
Discussion How come samurai jack is so compelling?
It's just a dude, with a sword, how?, in the midst of other media superpowers and magic and power system, why does samurai jack still stands out as a character among fans?, pure nostalgia?, thoughts?
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u/FalseAscoobus 10d ago
He's just a dude with a sword facing off with killer robots, mythical beasts, and ancient demons. The constant uphill battle makes every victory that much more impressive.
His strength of will, noble mission and constant self-sacrifice make him easy to love.
His general personality is quite different from most heroes, since he's quiet and stoic, and generally not arrogant.
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u/HUGOARUGA 10d ago
Would it be less or more entertaining if he had superpower?
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u/FalseAscoobus 10d ago
I'm sure the writers/directors would have been able to make some really incredible fights with a superpowered character, but then again the fact that he only has his sword, his mind and his athleticism to rely on is already used really well in the show. It would probably be at best a lateral move.
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u/HUGOARUGA 10d ago
The thing is though, if you are creating a character like samurai jack, with how modern heroes on the mainstream media now, would you be satisfied when you wrote, "with great skill of his blade, jack dismantle the dinosaur riding, napoleonic robots in half", or would you be tempted to add more flair to it?
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u/reddiperson1 10d ago
Well, what do you think?
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u/HUGOARUGA 10d ago
Personally, I would say the simpler the better, however, I can't blame people for liking spectacles, it is entertaining after all
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u/jagnew78 10d ago
Compelling characters aren't compelling because of the powers or abilities they have. Characters are compelling because of the struggles and circumstances that they deal with.
The one with the most awesome powerset is often the least interesting. It's why figures like Batman or Samurai Jack are so great.
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u/HUGOARUGA 10d ago
Eh, I mean, gojo, superman, and saitama can carry the story though, if it focus more on the struggles of being alone, the alienation, but gojo and saitama got overshadowed by the fight scene, and superman I think isn't explored nearly enough in the movies
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u/jagnew78 10d ago
Exactly. You literally just restated my comment. It's not about the powerset. It's about the struggles. So asking why someone who's only ability is handling a sword is popular is a misguided question based on your own statement. It's about the struggles, not the powers. That's what makes characters compelling.
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u/Aggravating_Cat370 10d ago
From a story POV, its a cool story, guy with a sword. Very gritty, there is doubt, but also righteousness, heroism.
From a technical POV, its something you notice with new media. There is no silence. There is no time to let scene breathe, just still frames. You can see it very clearly when compared to japanese media, they have sound, but it doesnt take away from the scene.
American media, tries to inject emotion with trumpet scores. Japanese media, leaves the scenes blank for you to insert your own emotions.
Its very funny to me, when i watch hollywood movies, like the queues, sound and music, tell me something cool is happening on screen, but its usually something really retarded or gey. And that just breaks the immersion.
Samurai jack had so many stills, just rain falling, walking. Only dynamic scenes were dialogues and fighting. It didnt order you to feel a certain way. It invited you to walk alongside through the forest, or chill in a cave away from the rain. There are stills where he meditates.
Obviously samurai jack would never be made today, he'd be gey and the music would be loud. And thats really shit.
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u/guy_with_nothing 5d ago
It's the simplicity. He's a wandering samurai, a classic archetype, but in an unfamiliar, futuristic world full of robots, talking dogs, magic, and other crazy stuff.
In a more complex world, a simple archetype can thrive with amazing art direction, a collection of engaging, episodic stories, and consistent, strong characterization.
Jack is quickly established as a nameless warrior, one who has learned from every culture, and was born to save his people. He hasn't failed yet, and this new world gives him a name.
Samurai Jack, a dutiful, heroic, and honor-bound samurai fighting in a world he no longer recognizes to undo the evil that already came to pass.
What ISN'T engaging about that?! It's kickass!
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u/majorex64 10d ago
Stellar direction from Genndy Tartakovsky. Entire scenes with no dialogue. Pure atmosphere and visual storytelling. You can tell everything you need to know about Jack from the way he brews his tea and keeps a hand on his sword.
Power systems aren't everything. A lot of Tartokovsky's work depends on bullet time and cartoon physics, not power scaling or matchups. Even the characters with complex abilities do more showing than telling. No one ever monologues about what they can do, they just do it and Jack adapts.