Gonzo's 15th Anniversary Title Afro Samurai Goes On-Air in Japan
GONZO's 15th Anniversary Title AFRO SAMURAI Goes
On-Air in Japan
WOWOW to premier the much-awaited animation on May 3rd
2007.03.08
GDH K.K. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shinichirō Ishikawa, Securities Code: TSE Mothers 3755, hereafter GDH) has announced that AFRO SAMURAI, the animated series produced by GDH's main production subsidiary GONZO K.K. (Head Office: Nerima-ku, Tokyo, Managing Director: Junji Fujita, hereafter GONZO), will be broadcast in Japan on WOWOW starting at 23:00 on Thursday May 3rd, 2007.
Based on Takashi Okazaki's comic, AFRO SAMURAI is a five-episode animated series produced to commemorate the 15th anniversary of GONZO. It follows Afro Samurai's journey to avenge his father who was brutally murdered before his own eyes. Packed with action and with an underlying message about the futility of revenge, the show takes the audience into a unique world that fuses American hip-hop culture with the world of the classical samurai. AFRO SAMURAI first aired in the US as a five-week mini-series on Spike TV from January 4th, 2007 and proved to be immensely popular. The program stars (and is co-produced by) Academy Award-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson as the hero, and also features Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and Kelly Hu (X2: X-MEN United). The soundtrack is composed by the revolutionary hip-hop artist The RZA, adding his considerable creative talents to help create an animation experience for audiences around the world unlike anything seen before. The Japan premiere will feature a complete Director's Cut version, including footage that was not part of the Spike TV broadcast. The series will be aired with English dialogue and Japanese subtitles.
GDH has always sought to create animations that appeal to global audiences. AFRO SAMURAI epitomizes GDH's innovative approach by incorporating elements from outside of traditional anime and by boldly reversing the overseas and domestic broadcast timing. GDH will continue to develop titles like AFRO SAMURAI--titles that challenge conventions and break new ground--in the future.
[ About AFRO SAMURAI ]
In the dark world of the swordsman, it is said that the one who becomes the "No.1" samurai shall rule the world. The one and only law in the world is that only the "No.2" is allowed to challenge the "No.1." Afro Samurai is out for revenge against "No.1," a gunman who killed Afro's father years before, and so takes on the burden of "No.2." Assassins lurk in his shadow in pursuit of the prestige that comes with the title of "No.2" and will risk their very lives for the chance to challenge "No.1." As every power-hungry warrior in this dark land casts their greedy eyes on Afro and tracks his journey looking for their chance, can Afro survive the dangers that pursue him long enough to exact the revenge that drives him towards his destiny?
Original concept by Takashi Okazaki. Produced to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of GONZO.
For more information, visit www.afrosamurai.com.
Production: Fuji Television, GONZO, Dentsu, SAMURAI PROJECTM
[ About WOWOW ] Established in 1991, WOWOW is the first pay-TV broadcasting company in Japan. Acclaimed for its selection of high quality shows from around the world with focus on films, sports and music programs, WOWOW has been providing comprehensive genres of entertainment to its subscribers. Through its digital broadcasting system--launched in December 2000--WOWOW offers high-definition video, 5.1ch surround audio, and three-channel programming (offering an even wider selection of programs). In recent years WOWOW has extended its scope of business to include production of original programs. WOWOW's animation titles are high in quality and are targeted not only towards children but also to adults. The number of WOWOW subscribers as of the end of January 2007 totaled2.44million.
<AFRO SAMURAI- Complete Director's Cut version- broadcast schedule>
Eps#1~Eps#3 at 23:00 on Thursday, May 3rd
Eps#4~Eps#5 at 23:00 on Friday, May 4th
[ About GDH K.K. ]
GDH (Security code: TSE Mothers 3755) is a globally-focused Japanese media company founded in February 2000. The group produces cutting edge entertainment for teens and young adults through its GONZO animation brand. Kids and family product is distributed through the GONZO FILMS and GONZINO brands.
GDH is a world leader in content development targeting both domestic and international audiences with Japan's trend-setting animation culture and, usually, GDH controls licensing management and international distribution for the content it produces. GDH group companies include GONZO K.K., G-creators K.K., Future Vision Music K.K., GONZINO K.K., GONZO Rosso Online K.K., GDH Capital K.K. and GK Entertainment K.K.
For additional information, visit www.gdh.co.jp/english (for GDH) and www.gonzo.co.jp (for GONZO).
On-Air in Japan
WOWOW to premier the much-awaited animation on May 3rd
2007.03.08
GDH K.K. (Head Office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Shinichirō Ishikawa, Securities Code: TSE Mothers 3755, hereafter GDH) has announced that AFRO SAMURAI, the animated series produced by GDH's main production subsidiary GONZO K.K. (Head Office: Nerima-ku, Tokyo, Managing Director: Junji Fujita, hereafter GONZO), will be broadcast in Japan on WOWOW starting at 23:00 on Thursday May 3rd, 2007.
Based on Takashi Okazaki's comic, AFRO SAMURAI is a five-episode animated series produced to commemorate the 15th anniversary of GONZO. It follows Afro Samurai's journey to avenge his father who was brutally murdered before his own eyes. Packed with action and with an underlying message about the futility of revenge, the show takes the audience into a unique world that fuses American hip-hop culture with the world of the classical samurai. AFRO SAMURAI first aired in the US as a five-week mini-series on Spike TV from January 4th, 2007 and proved to be immensely popular. The program stars (and is co-produced by) Academy Award-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson as the hero, and also features Ron Perlman (Hellboy) and Kelly Hu (X2: X-MEN United). The soundtrack is composed by the revolutionary hip-hop artist The RZA, adding his considerable creative talents to help create an animation experience for audiences around the world unlike anything seen before. The Japan premiere will feature a complete Director's Cut version, including footage that was not part of the Spike TV broadcast. The series will be aired with English dialogue and Japanese subtitles.
GDH has always sought to create animations that appeal to global audiences. AFRO SAMURAI epitomizes GDH's innovative approach by incorporating elements from outside of traditional anime and by boldly reversing the overseas and domestic broadcast timing. GDH will continue to develop titles like AFRO SAMURAI--titles that challenge conventions and break new ground--in the future.
[ About AFRO SAMURAI ]
In the dark world of the swordsman, it is said that the one who becomes the "No.1" samurai shall rule the world. The one and only law in the world is that only the "No.2" is allowed to challenge the "No.1." Afro Samurai is out for revenge against "No.1," a gunman who killed Afro's father years before, and so takes on the burden of "No.2." Assassins lurk in his shadow in pursuit of the prestige that comes with the title of "No.2" and will risk their very lives for the chance to challenge "No.1." As every power-hungry warrior in this dark land casts their greedy eyes on Afro and tracks his journey looking for their chance, can Afro survive the dangers that pursue him long enough to exact the revenge that drives him towards his destiny?
Original concept by Takashi Okazaki. Produced to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of GONZO.
For more information, visit www.afrosamurai.com.
Production: Fuji Television, GONZO, Dentsu, SAMURAI PROJECTM
[ About WOWOW ] Established in 1991, WOWOW is the first pay-TV broadcasting company in Japan. Acclaimed for its selection of high quality shows from around the world with focus on films, sports and music programs, WOWOW has been providing comprehensive genres of entertainment to its subscribers. Through its digital broadcasting system--launched in December 2000--WOWOW offers high-definition video, 5.1ch surround audio, and three-channel programming (offering an even wider selection of programs). In recent years WOWOW has extended its scope of business to include production of original programs. WOWOW's animation titles are high in quality and are targeted not only towards children but also to adults. The number of WOWOW subscribers as of the end of January 2007 totaled2.44million.
<AFRO SAMURAI- Complete Director's Cut version- broadcast schedule>
Eps#1~Eps#3 at 23:00 on Thursday, May 3rd
Eps#4~Eps#5 at 23:00 on Friday, May 4th
[ About GDH K.K. ]
GDH (Security code: TSE Mothers 3755) is a globally-focused Japanese media company founded in February 2000. The group produces cutting edge entertainment for teens and young adults through its GONZO animation brand. Kids and family product is distributed through the GONZO FILMS and GONZINO brands.
GDH is a world leader in content development targeting both domestic and international audiences with Japan's trend-setting animation culture and, usually, GDH controls licensing management and international distribution for the content it produces. GDH group companies include GONZO K.K., G-creators K.K., Future Vision Music K.K., GONZINO K.K., GONZO Rosso Online K.K., GDH Capital K.K. and GK Entertainment K.K.
For additional information, visit www.gdh.co.jp/english (for GDH) and www.gonzo.co.jp (for GONZO).
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