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(Thanks to Chris for this tip!) The cable network Spike TV has optioned five episodes of a new cartoon series based on the cult comic book, Afro Samurai. From Ben Hamamoto of the Nichi Bei Times:

The “Afro Samurai” comic book, a product of underground artist Takashi “Bob” Okazaki’s active mind, is scheduled to receive first-class animation treatment. Five episodes are in the works and they will air on the American cable channel “Spike TV.” What’s more, they will feature the voice of Samuel L. Jackson as the main character. The film and pop culture icon will also be acting as co-producer for the show…

The words “afro” and “Japanese” breathed in the same sentences may seem strange or novel to some, but for Asia-philes, J-pop culture addicts, and hipsters it’s nothing new.

Afros have appeared frequently in Japanese pop culture, but mostly in less reverential ways.

A few years back, a new icon found its way into Japanese toy and trinket market. “Afro-dog” (Afro-ken in Japanese), a creation of edgy Sanrio competitor San-X, is a cartoon dog with a rainbow-colored afro. He is supposed to be good natured and optimistic and his hair has the chameleon-like-ability to morph into nearby objects resembling afros. For instance, if he were to walk near a round apple tree or a foamy beer mug, his hair would mimic their appearance. There is a video, which can be found on the Website YouTube, demonstrating the cartoon character’s strange ability.

As you might remember, I wrote about the continued existence of blackface outside the U.S. back in April. We enjoyed Ben’s article so much that we asked if he’d blog for us, perhaps give us some deeper insight into the representations of African-Americans in Japan. That post comes next.