Dec 14th, 2007 · Britain's government is cracking down on swords -- used in a number of high-profile attacks. So the government says swords will no longer be imported, sold, or rented. Expensive swords that collectors prize are still allowed. Criminals apparently were using cheap, widely available weapons.
Jan 4th, 2007 · A new instance of cultural cross-pollination between Japan and America debuts Thursday night: Afro Samurai. The animated series, which will air on Spike TV, stars Samuel L. Jackson and features music by the RZA.
Oct 17th, 2006 · Forest Whitaker played jazz musician Charlie Parker in Bird, a British soldier kidnapped by the IRA in The Crying Game, a mafia hit man who models himself after a Samurai warrior in Ghost Dog, and an internal-affairs detective on the FOX TV show The Shield. In his latest film, The Last King of Scotland, he plays Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Sep 24th, 2004 · Los Angeles Times animation critic Charles Solomon delivers an appreciation of the Cartoon Network show Samurai Jack. The network is running what could be the last four episodes of the animated series Saturday night -- even though the show's creators just won an Emmy.