Honestly, finding where to watch Afro Samurai feels like a quest for the Number One headband itself. You’d think a show starring Samuel L. Jackson with a soundtrack by RZA would be everywhere, plastered on every landing page from Netflix to Max. It isn't.
Rights issues and studio mergers have made it a bit of a moving target.
If you are looking for the original five-episode miniseries or the sequel movie, Resurrection, you have a few very specific paths to take. Most people assume it's sitting on Hulu because of the old Funimation deal. It’s not.
As of early 2026, the landscape has settled into a mix of niche anime giants and digital storefronts.
The Best Streaming Services for Afro Samurai
Crunchyroll is basically the king here. Ever since the big merger between Funimation and Crunchyroll, the "Murder Sessions" and the follow-up film have called this platform home.
You can find the entire five-episode run of the original Afro Samurai series streaming there in high definition. It’s usually available in the dubbed version—which, let’s be real, is the only way to watch this specific show. Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as both Afro and Ninja Ninja is half the reason to watch.
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What about the movie?
Afro Samurai: Resurrection is also on Crunchyroll. It’s listed separately, so you’ll need to search for the title specifically rather than just clicking through a "Season 2" tab.
There is a slight catch with region locking. While the US and Canada libraries are pretty solid, users in parts of Europe or Asia might find the title missing. If you’re seeing a "404 Not Found" or a "Content Unavailable" screen, it’s likely a licensing restriction in your specific country.
The Amazon Prime Video Alternative
If you don't want another standalone subscription, you can actually access the Crunchyroll library through Amazon Prime Video Channels. This is often the easiest way for people who already have their credit cards linked to Amazon. You still pay the monthly fee for Crunchyroll, but it all lives inside the Prime interface.
Digital Purchase: Owning the Headband Forever
Streaming is great until a contract expires and the show vanishes. For a cult classic like this, buying it digitally is a smarter move for most fans.
You can find Afro Samurai for purchase on:
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- Apple TV (iTunes): They usually have the "Director’s Cut" versions which include a bit more blood and some extended sequences.
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): A reliable spot to grab the series for around $10 to $15 depending on current sales.
- Google Play Store: Good for Android users, though the interface for watching is getting a bit clunky these days.
Interestingly, many of these storefronts sell the series as a "Full Season" or a "Bundle." Don't get confused by the "Season 2" labels you sometimes see on iTunes—that usually refers to Resurrection, which is technically a movie but is often split or categorized as a second season for digital retail purposes.
The Physical Media Factor
Physical media isn't dead. In fact, for Afro Samurai, it might be the superior way to watch.
The Blu-ray sets, particularly the 2024 Steelbook releases and the "Complete Murder Sessions" collections, offer bitrates that streaming just can't touch. When you’re watching the fluid, ink-wash animation styles of Studio Gonzo, compression artifacts from a shaky Wi-Fi connection really hurt the experience.
Target and Walmart occasionally restock the "Complete Series" Blu-ray, which includes both the five episodes and the movie. If you find one for under $30, buy it. The secondary market on eBay is currently seeing prices climb for the out-of-print "Director's Cut" versions because they are "Uncut and Unrated."
Common Misconceptions About Where to Watch
People often ask if Afro Samurai is on Netflix. The answer is no. It hasn't been on Netflix for years.
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There's also a weird rumor that it's on Disney+ because of some international distribution deals with Hulu/Star. That is also false. This show is way too violent and "adult" for the standard Disney+ brand, even with their more mature "Star" section in the UK and Australia.
How to Watch the Series in Order
If you're a newcomer, the order is simple but strict.
- Afro Samurai (The Miniseries): 5 episodes. This covers the hunt for Justice (voiced by Ron Perlman).
- Afro Samurai: Resurrection: The movie. It takes place after the series and introduces Sio (voiced by Lucy Liu).
Don't skip the series to watch the movie. You’ll be lost. The movie relies heavily on the emotional weight of what Afro did to get the Number One headband in the first place.
Actionable Steps to Start Watching
If you want to watch right this second, here is your checklist:
- Check Crunchyroll first. If you have a subscription, search "Afro Samurai." It’s the most cost-effective way to view the HD version.
- Verify the Version. Ensure you are watching the "Director's Cut" if available. It contains the full artistic vision of director Fuminori Kizaki without the broadcast edits for TV.
- Audit your Prime Channels. If you already have Prime, check if you have a free trial for the Crunchyroll channel to watch the whole thing for free over a weekend.
- Buy the Blu-ray for the Soundtrack. If you are a fan of RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan, the physical discs often have better audio mixes that make the score pop much harder than the compressed stereo streams on mobile devices.
The show remains a masterpiece of style over substance. It’s short, punchy, and visually unlike anything else in the medium. Knowing exactly where to watch Afro Samurai saves you from the frustration of scrolling through endless menus only to find "unavailable" icons. Go get a Crunchyroll trial or head to the Apple TV store and start the journey to the mountain top.