Afro Samurai is a 5-episode anime TV series produced by GONZO and directed by Fuminori Kizaki. Before it was animated, it is a dojinshi manga series created by Takashi Okazaki, and inspired by Kung Faux.

This anime is unique, that instead of a Japanese voice cast, it featured American actors, most notably Samuel L. Jackson, who offers his voice for the lead character aptly named Afro for his hairstyle. Also in the cast are Kelly Hu, Phil LaMarr (Samurai Jack), Jeff Bennett (Johnny Bravo) and Ron Perlman. Musical scoring is provided by Wu Tang Clan's RZA. Jackson is also one of the co-producers of this anime. The cost of each episode is estimated at one million dollars, which is a record for GONZO.

The story is set in a "futuristic yet feudal Japan". In the world of Afro Samurai, it is said that whoever becomes "Number One" will gain the power of a god and rule the world. Someone becomes Number One by killing the previous Number One and taking his ceremonial headband; however, only the Number Two is allowed to do so: thus the deathmatch between Afro's father, the previous Number One, and Justice, a gunman who later kills the former to become Number One. Now an adult and a master swordsman himself, Afro sets on a quest to avenge his father's death and ultimately become the Number One.

There are plans to produce a live-action Afro Samurai starring Jackson as the main character, though production has not yet begun.

Namco announced that they would be releasing a video game based on Afro Samurai in both Japan and America. Its video game adaptation has been announced and will be released on the XBOX 360.