"Long ago in a distant land, Aku, the shape-shifting Master of Darkness, unleashed an unspeakable evil. But soon a Samurai warrior wielding a magic sword stepped forth to oppose him. Before the final blow was struck, Aku tore open a portal in time and flung the Samurai into the future, where his evil was law. The Samurai sought to return to the past and undo the future that was Aku.
During his travels the Samurai encountered many kinds of people. Some were enemies, some became trusted friends and allies and most were victims of Aku's evil. The Samurai fought with Aku many times as he searched for a way home until one day, Aku destroyed the last way to the past. Consumed by anger and grief, the Samurai spilled the blood of the innocent and the sword left him.
50 years has passed since then, but the Samurai didn't age. Time has lost its effect on him, yet the suffering continued. Aku's grip choked the past, present and future. Hope was lost. The Samurai continued to wander the world, plagued by his past and failures until he was confronted by female assassins, who worshipped Aku. After a tough fight, the Samurai showed the lone survivor, Ashi, the error of her beliefs as she helped the Samurai start to hope again. The Samurai then meditated to find the path to regaining his lost sword. After achieving the balance he required the Samurai regained his sword and along with Ashi, sought to finally destroy Aku.
The two fell in love during their journey and the Samurai began to worry about losing another loved one. His fear was soon realized when Aku appeared and revealed that Ashi was his daughter. Using his dark powers, he took control of Ashi and forced her to fight the Samurai. Refusing to strike her down, the Samurai gave up and was captured by Aku.
Aku then ordered Ashi to kill the Samurai, but was stopped when his friends came to save him. Together, they fought Aku and Ashi was able to overcome Aku's evil influence. With her inherited powers, Ashi opened a portal to the past and together with the Samurai, returned to the point in time when he was flung into the future. The Samurai was able to destroy Aku, finally freeing the world from his evil.
The Samurai and Ashi were soon to be married, but because Aku no longer existed, Ashi ceased to exist. Distraught, the Samurai rode away and crouched under a tree to grieve before a ladybug landed on his hand, giving him hope for the future again. A future free from Aku, a future where anything can happen. The story of the Samurai has ended, and all the chains that shackled the past and present have been severed, leaving us with the future to do with as we please."
Samurai Jack (2001-2004, 2017)
