Samurai Jack Archetype Analysis

The cartoon series Samurai Jack is a great example showing the different elements of the archetypical hero's journey. This cartoon series fit for children shows the different adventures and conflicts Jack faces in order to become a real hero for his home town. 


The story begins with the typical departure stage of the hero's journey, where Jack unwillingly leaves his comforting home both naive and innocent after the kingdom is attacked by the evil Aku. Jack leaves his home on a boat, a symbol for safe passage which brought him all over the world where his many different mentors teach him skills and techniques he will need to use in order to defeat Aku later on. This begins the initiation stage of the hero's journey. Throughout this stage, his mentors also act as his father figures along the way as his biological father is at the kingdom he left. Jack is taught many skills such as archery, the art of sword fighting, precision, bravery, and self discipline, gaining the confidence and maturity he will require in order to find the courage to face Aku.


The road of trials stage begins when Jack is paid a visit by his mother who offers him a robe with the family crest and a sword, which is the traditional ritual/ceremony hosted that brought Jack from a stage of childhood to manhood. He is faced with a task to defeat Aku's minions and protect both his home and people from the evil force.


The last stage shown in the first episode of Samurai Jack is the innermost cave stage, where he seeks out Aku in his own territory - Hell. Jack fights Aku here, his objective to reclaim the land and rights that the people back in his home deserve to have.  Every time Jack managed to use his sword to slice Aku, Aku changed into a different animal, obtaining new skills and abilities to attack Jack. When Jack thought he had captured Aku in his sword, Aku came right back out and trapped Jack into a portal, teleporting him into a mysterious and unknown place. Despite Jack's efforts, Aku still manages to catch Jack off guard and win the battle. Nonetheless, Jack had gained much maturity and knowledge from this experience and will be better prepared for the next battle he will fight against Aku.


Other pieces of work that I've come across which portray similar elements as Samurai Jack are: The Lightning Thief, Shrek, and Captain America. In these three films, the main character goes through the heroic journey, where they leave home to save a family member or a whole army of people.


The typical plot of the hero's journey continues to be revised because they all have happy endings, something we has human beings all strive and yearn for. Even though we can see what comes next, they always get us onto the edge of our chairs, waiting for the next conflict to come up.