[2] The character is introduced as a Japanese prince raised since youth as a samurai warrior, who trains under several teachers in order to destroy the demon Aku with his father's sword.

Adopting the alias "Jack", the samurai makes it his mission to find a way back to his time and prevent this future from happening.

[5] Thematic and visual inspirations come from Frank Miller's comic book series Rōnin, including the premise of a master-less samurai warrior thrown into a dystopic future in order to battle a shape-shifting demon.

Similarly, the episode "Jack and the Spartans" was specifically inspired by Miller's graphic novel 300 that retold the Battle of Thermopylae.

[5] Cartoon Network executive Mike Lazzo recalled Tartakovsky pitching him the series with Phil LaMarr as Jack as the main character: "He said, 'Hey, remember David Carradine in Kung Fu?

"[6] Cartoon Network billed [Samurai Jack] as a series "that is cinematic in scope and that incorporates action, humor, and intricate artistry.

Jack eventually moves to Greece and learns the art of wrestling, followed by a trip to England, where Robin Hood teaches him archery and how to hone his senses.

His final training takes him to a Shaolin monk temple, where he learns their discipline and Chinese martial arts.

After completing his training, Jack returns to the temple where his mother is hiding and is given the sword his father used to seal Aku along with his signature robe.

He learns from them that Aku has conquered the world and spread his influence throughout the galaxy, enslaving planets while using Earth as his base of operations.

It was further announced at WonderCon 2013 that the first issue of Samurai Jack would debut in October 2013, serving as a continuation from the fourth season of the series.

Jack also appeared in multiple issues of DC Comics' anthology comic series Cartoon Network Action Pack, which ran from July 2006 to April 2012, as well as the crossover event Cartoon Network: Super Secret Crisis War!, which included characters from Ben 10: Omniverse, Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Codename: Kids Next Door, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.

In Episode XCVIII, it is revealed that Jack lost his sword after Aku prevented him from using the final time portal, destroying it and mutating three ram-like creatures.

Over fifty years, those he helped, as well as other oppressed people on Earth and throughout the galaxy, began to rebel against Aku's rule, inspired by his nobility and bravery.

This happens again at night, as sees a vision of his father surrounded by flames, expressing his displeasure that he has forgotten his purpose, along with the Omen.

Jack arrives at the source of the smoke at a ruined city and encounters Scaramouche, who mocks him for losing his sword before attempting to tell Aku the news.

During the battle, he hallucinates again, this time seeing children and the Omen, but defeats Scaramouche, taking his tuning fork sword before leaving.

The next morning, a wolf enters the cave and Jack passes out again; while unconscious, he remembers when his father defended his family from bandits who ambushed their carriage.

Upon awakening, Jack bonds with the wolf and, remembering his father's lesson, parts ways with it before preparing himself for a rematch with the Daughters of Aku.

In Episode XCV, following a nightmare about the Daughters, Jack wakes up in the valley and finds Ashi, who seemingly died on impact.

Jack hallucinates a murder of crows taunting him for killing people, though he defends his actions, claiming the Daughters chose their path.

Jack kills the crab-like creature that abducted Ashi and saves her; while climbing to a higher area, he determines that a way out is nearby.

Before they sleep, Ashi asks Jack if Aku created the stars, and he responds by telling her his mother's story of how the Sun and Moon formed the heavens.

In Episode XCVII, Ashi finds Jack meditating at a cemetery, surrounded by the ghosts of other samurai and about to commit seppuku with help from the Omen.

While Ashi stays behind to protect him, Jack meditates on another plane of existence to find his sword, eventually reaching a house in the middle of an ocean where a monk invites him for tea.

Jack prepares a cup of tea, but the monk informs him that it, and therefore him, is missing balance, which has blocked off the path to the sword.

He prepares to leave, but realizes that Ashi carries his scent and remembers when he visited the members of the Cult of Aku and gave them some of his essence.

Later, Jack mourns Ashi's death in the forest, but his hope is renewed after he sees a ladybug and is reminded that the future will be bright now that Aku is gone.

In the 2020 video game, if the player defeats Aku after destroying all 50 Corrupted Emperor's Kamon medals, it unlocks a unique scene similar to, but separate from the original finale's conclusion.

"[14] Angelica Jade Bastién of New York magazine writes that there is a "distinctive undercurrent of loneliness stretching through the series from start to finish."