Fade in. Newly orphaned Afro runs from pursuers. Rain pours from the sky, possibly symbolizing the tears the boy can no sheds. He moves awkwardly, slowed by his father’s katana and a large box strapped to his back. The men corner Afro and demand the Number 2 headband he wears as a belt. Showing bravery and bravado, Afro moves to draw his father’s sword but is struck down before he can attack. After taking the headband, one man kicks open the box to discover the decaying skull of Afro’s father. Upon recognizing the head, they taunt Afro with a macabre game of keep-away. With surprising speed, Afro catches the skull but is hit again. The skull is destroyed and Afro is launched into a nearby roadside shrine. His father’s katana lies in the mud. The men depart, leaving Afro for dead.

The opening description notwithstanding, the second chapter of Afro Samurai is not as violent as the first. Trust me, there is still plenty of gore and violence but it is muted compared to what we see in the premiere. This episode has more exposition than violence, treating viewers to sepia-hued vignettes of young Afro after his father’s death. Interspersed between these flashbacks are cuts of adult Afro, alive after his harrowing fall, healing under the watchful eye of a woman named Okiku, who is not what she seems.

In the past, young Afro is found by a girl, Osuru, and her brother Jinno. They take him to their Master, who runs a dojo for orphans. Here, Afro heals and finds a family of sorts, a respite from the harsh realities of the world.

In the present, Afro wakes up in Okiku’s inn. Voiced by the lovely Kelly Hu, Okiku may look familiar to viewers but I won’t give that away yet. She claims to have found Afro floating in a river, unconscious, badly injured and poisoned yet still clutching his sword. As Afro heals, Ninja-Ninja returns to provide much needed commentary. During these short intermissions, more clues are given about Ninja-Ninja’s true relationship with Afro, but only the more intelligent viewers will pick up on them. No, I won’t reveal it. It becomes obvious in later episodes. All the while, Afro seems apprehensive. Despite his injured state and Okiku’s excellent care, he remains tense and on alert.

Back in the past, young Afro settles in at the dojo. He befriends Osuru, her brother and the other orphans; together they laugh, play and train under the stern but doting Master. His father’s brutal death is seemingly forgotten, like a bad dream. That changes when he hears a man in the local village talking about Number 2. Katana in tow, young Afro follows the man to a brothel to learn more about Number 2. Angered at being interrupted mid-stroke, the man doesn’t comply, even when the boy cuts into his throat. The man slowly pulls out a gun to shoot Afro but the boy slits the man’s throat and turns to leave, his questions unanswered. This mistake nearly costs Afro his life as the man, bleeding profusely and gasping for breath, fires a shot at Afro’s feet. The dying man utters words that will stand as a sub-theme for the episode: When you fight to kill, finish the job. Horrified, Afro can only look on as the dying man shoots himself. Though he coldly slit the man’s throat, Afro is not yet a killer. On the way back to the dojo, the boy stops to catch his breath, fighting back the urge to vomit.

In the present, the nearly healed Afro catches one of the cyborg-ninja working for the Empty 7 Clan spying on him. Immediately afterward, he attempts to depart Okiku’s care but she implores him to stay a little while longer. Harkening back to Ninja-Ninja’s words, it is clear she is attracted to the samurai hero but Afro suspects there is more.

Back in the past, the Master admonishes young Afro for asking about the headbands and Number 2. While cleaning the sword of blood (he knows what Afro did), he implores the boy to break the cycle that has befallen the world. Afro looks at him with dull, empty eyes.

Later, Afro is confronted by the dead man’s friends. Six to one, the boy is unafraid and takes them on alone. Fooled by Afro’s small size, three men are easily cut down with a fourth accidentally killed by his comrade attempting to strike the boy. Just as Afro is dropped by one man, his dojo friends come to his rescue, knocking one man unconscious. The man standing over Afro is distracted by another boy’s feeble attack. Enraged, the man forgets Afro and moves to retaliate. Quickly, young Afro picks up a discarded scythe-type weapon and impales the man’s neck. Afro demands the identity of Number 2. The dying man informs Afro there is a new Number 2 and that Afro will never find him. Angrily, Afro pulls on the scythe, completely decapitating the man. Here, young Afro ignores the words of the Master and willingly walks the path of vengeance and death. Progressing quickly from a frightened boy to a cold killer, Afro took on men twice his size and won.

In the present, Okiku’s allegiance is revealed as she talks the leader of the Empty 7 Clan. She was one of their agents seen during the cutaway scenes in the previous episode. However, her mission is not to kill Afro but to gather information. And to accomplish that, she needs one more night. Yet Okiku spoke hesitantly with Brother 1, like a woman with a guilty conscience.

During Afro’s last night, he and Okiku make love. Trust me, this is not hentai but darn close. Like low-end porn, they writhe on the bed while a slow-jam R&B plays in the background. I felt dirty watching this; the music and Okiku’s intensifying moans ruined what – to me – could have been more tastefully done. I’m no prude but this scene nearly broke my suspension of disbelief.

As Afro readies to leave, more cyber-ninja approach. Inside, Okiku downloads the final data into a memory card. Angrily, she destroys her cell phone with a blade hidden in her comb. She turns in shock to find Afro behind her. Tearfully, she confesses her affiliation with the Empty 7 Clan and mentions the dojo/orphanage. Surprisingly (or not), she is Osuru, the little girl who found Afro. As the cyber-ninja attack, Okiku/Osuru joins with Afro to fight but is killed by Brother 2 for her betrayal. It is no matter, they have the data they need. Okiku/Osuru kept Afro there longer to siphon off his memories for his sword skills. Another step in the Empty 7′s plans for our hero. Before he leaves, Brother 2 sets fire to the inn.

Afro emerges from the flames like a phoenix, rejuvenated, reborn and ready to resume his quest for revenge. Yet, Okiku is not lost on him entirely. As he leaves, Ninja-Ninja re-appears. His fair weather companion carries the dead woman’s comb as a memento. He lets Ninja-Ninja keep it, a sign there may be some humanity left in him after all.

Without extensive exposition, Okiku’s involvement in the story made little sense. Her revelation as the same girl who found young Afro gives emphasis to the reach of the Empty 7 Clan. And Afro’s time there highlights Afro’s remaining humanity. He was wary of her but was willing to stay. She offered him a chance at life outside of fighting, albeit under false pretenses. Despite my prim reaction to the sex scene, I believe Okiku had genuine feelings for Afro. Further, I believe he felt something for her as well. She used him, betrayed their memory but fought by his side until her death. This counts for something. Perhaps this is why he allowed Ninja-Ninja to keep her comb as a memento.

The story was much better than the first episode, mostly because of its focus on young Afro. This insular tale provides viewers with insights into Afro’s quest for revenge. Despite the love and warmth of the dojo, Afro chose the path of vengeance and death. And despite nascent feelings for Okiku, he continues toward his ultimate goal. This episode also hints that the Empty 7 Clan is not out to kill Afro; they could have done that when he was unconscious. The Empty 7 and their agents have something more sinister in mind for the hero.

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