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Debuting a few short months before Cartoon Network's Justice League, Samurai Jack launched with much fanfare but quickly faded into the background for much of the general population in the face of Teen Titans and other animated action shows, including show creator Genndy Tartakovsky's own Star Wars: The Clone Wars micro-series. But the influence of the series can be felt in a wide variety of places, from the fight scenes in Iron Man 2 (which Tartakovsky did the storyboards for) to the Nickelodeon show Avatar: The Last Airbender. There were only 52 episodes of Samurai Jack, but here are 11 standouts in a crowded field of amazing animation.
Daily list suggested by The Great A'Tuin.
11) Jack and the Scotsman (Ep. XI)
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10) Jack vs. Demongo, The Soul Collector (Ep. XXIII)
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9) Jack Learns to Jump Good (Ep. XIV)
Samurai Jack seemed pretty invincible physically, which is why this episode, where Jack needs help learning a new skill, really stands out. Jack helps a monkey-like tribe learn to defend themselves from gorillas, and in return, they train him how to "jump good." This is definitely one of the more lighthearted episodes, but it still helped explain why Jack was such an exceptional warrior and person.
8) Jack and the Smackback (Ep. XVI)
Some episodes of Samurai Jack were heavy on story and concept. This isn't one of those episodes. Jack is forced into an episode long melee against some seriously unique and weird opponents in the Dome of Doom, a setting that takes the best of Mad Max and Gladiator films and blends them together.
7) Jack vs. Mad Jack (Ep. VIII)
It's kind of a well-worn trope in comics that a hero fights an opposite version of himself. Superman has Bizarro, Spider-Man has Venom, and Jack has Mad Jack. The twist in this version is that Mad Jack is actually Jack's rage personified by Aku. The angrier Jack becomes fighting Mad Jack, the more powerful Mad Jack grows. Instead of fighting, Jack wins by quieting his inner demons. Pretty metaphysical for a kids' action show.
6) Jack and the Spartans (Ep. XXV)
Although this episode doesn't have a whole lot in common with the story of Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae, but the art undeniably is influenced by Frank Miller's comic 300. Not surprisingly, the episode's popularity grew by leaps and bounds after Gerard Butler killed the hell out of some Persians in the movie theater.
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