There are plenty of anime fans out in the world, and the fandom only continues to grow. Since the medium exploded in popularity back in the 1990s, anime has become a leader in entertainment around the world. Recently, some very famous faces have lent their talents to various anime titles or adaptations. This month will see Scarlett Johansson join the Ghost in the Shell canon as the franchise’s first live-action adaptation hits theaters. And, now, Samuel L. Jackson has confirmed he previous work with anime all comes back to one fact.
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Yes, that’s right. The star himself is a massive Otaku – and he knows what kind of anime he likes.
Recently, Jackson did an interview with Wired where he took part in a fun Q&A. The star was asked to answer the most popular, pre-filled questions on Google about himself. One of the most frequently asked questions about Jackson asked about his anime interests. Google’s pre-fill asked “Does Samuel L Jackson like anime?” And, when it came to answering, the actor was not phased in the least.
“Yes, I do,” Jackson admitted. “Hentai too.”
Despite his laughter, Jackson is no doubt telling the truth about his interest in anime. Not only did the star use the phrase ‘Hentai,’ but Jackson has starred in enough anime projects to convince fans that he is sincere.
Back in 2014, Jackson starred in a somewhat controversial adaptation of Yasuomi Umetsu’s Kite. The graphic series was created back in 1999 and follows a young girl named Sawa who is turned into an assassin. The orphan is taken care of by a corrupt police officer who is played by Jackson. The film had some fans up in arms as the original Kite anime sees Sawa brutally sexually abused by her caretaker as the officer rapes the minor.
Aside from Kite, Jackson has also put in work into a critically praised anime title called Afro Samurai. The anachronistic anime tells the story of a young, black samurai who dedicates his life to avenging his slain father. The anime was based off an irregular manga called Nou Nou Nou, and creator Takashi Okazai championed its anime adaptation. When Afro Samurai was green-lit for a movie, Jackson joined the feature as a producer.
Of course, Jackson is not the only person in Hollywood who has a love for anime. Robin Williams was a noted fan of anime, and his daughter Zelda has continued his otaku legacy since the comedian’s tragic passing.
