History Heartwarming / SamuraiJack

* The most poignant scene is when Ashi wanders into a dance party -- in the same setting from "Jack and the Rave". The DJ is Olivia, now a CoolOldLady in her 60s, and she organized the rave for the grandchildren of her old friends. Being told that Ashi is looking for Jack and he needs help, the ravers have [[https://youtu.be/ugRw6oowpC4 a special musical number]] in Jack's honor.

* This particular fanmade [[http://nalemart.com/post/160941622948/wrote-a-silly-epilogue-comic-of-the-samurai-jack crossover comic]] between WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty shows a what-if ... of Rick teleporting in (referring to the April Fool's prank) and bringing an Ashi from an alternate timeline who lost her Jack in the battle against Aku. Some fans are even considering it fanon.

** Given that Ashi quickly understood what was happening to her when she faded away, it's implied that, like everyone else, she understood the consequences of what was going to happen once Aku was defeated and yet [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy still chose to sacrifice ''her very existence'' for Jack.]]

[[AD:Jack Under the Sea]]

* He spends the entire adventure becoming more and more frustrated that he can't find out exactly what happened to Jack, but follows up whatever information he can without even hinting at giving. When he finally encounters what he quickly figures out to be how Jack "lost his brain," he looks at his brain-addled friend with a genuine smile - not a goofy grin like he usually does, but a very heartwarming "we've got 'em now" smile. Then comes the "bring it on" smirk.

--> '''Wife''': *smiling* Dont ever stop!

* Believe what you want, but Jack changing the past means that all the suffering Aku and other villains did in the future was completely erased from existence. Also, it ''is'' quite possible that the people Jack helped could still exist in the alternate timeline, since [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong Jack vanquishing Aku in the past]] would likely give them a better existence.]] Think about it:

[[caption-width-right:350:[[spoiler:[[MeaningfulEcho Back in the past]], [[EarnYourHappyEnding at long last]].]] ]]

* This episode is all about a retired robot assassin being forced to come out of retirement and fight Jack when his pet dog is abducted and used as a bargaining chip by Aku. [[spoiler:[[TearJerker After Jack inevitably slays X-49]], his last words are to tell him to take care of his pet, and it is clear that Jack wasn't ignoring this statement, as can be seen by the sympathetic look he gives afterwards.]]

* Similar to the above, when Jack [[spoiler:ultimately heads back to the smoking village he initially ran away from]]. The guy's been taking a psychological beatdown for 50 years at this point. He's more cynical, more violent, more pessimistic. And yet, despite him trying to avoid it, despite how broken he's become, [[spoiler:he still doesn't have it in him to just let an innocent village burn]].
** [[spoiler:[[TearJerker Unfortunately, Jack discovers that he arrived far too late to save anyone; ALL of the village's residents were already murdered by the assassin Scaramouche]].]]

* [[spoiler:[[NobleWolf The White Wolf]] taking care of a wounded Jack.]] All of it. Especially when he sleeps next to him, keeping him warm and functioning as a pillow.

* Although it's a [[TearJerker sad indication]] of [[EvilCannotComprehendGood how little they know about the world]], the Daughters of Aku get one when [[spoiler:they spot a deer for the first time. In a way, it's like seeing an {{Adorkable}} side to them like never before. Then, we have a stag come along, mistaken by the sisters as an [[WrongGenreSavvy agent of Aku]]. They believe that he's going to destroy "the weaker one". But in a small act of [[PowerOfLove love triumphing over evil]], the stag proves them wrong and lovingly nuzzles his mate instead.]]
* Jack, despite having lost most of his idealism, actually tries to [[spoiler:convince the Daughters of Aku to leave peacefully, and live out the rest of their lives. He does so using the exact same words his father once used to attempt to diffuse a hostile situation with some bandits. But it's too bad that [[ForegoneConclusion Jack still has to dispose of his attackers by any means necessary]].]]

* Although Jack has [[spoiler:forsaken the idea of [[ThouShaltNotKill never taking a human life]], he immediately [[SympathyForTheDevil realizes that Ashi is merely a brainwashed pawn of Aku]]. Believing she can be redeemed, Jack [[SaveTheVillain repeatedly saves her life]] while they're inside the monster; despite [[UngratefulBitch her constant rejection of his heroism]], and she repeatedly tries to kill him, and he gets called out on [[HonorBeforeReason his ]][[ChronicHeroSyndrome unnecessary mercy]] by [[JerkassHasAPoint his hallucinations]].]]

* The source of the Daughters of Aku's ruthlessness comes from their strict and cruel mother, who was quick to punish them for even the most innocent of missteps. Due to this, they have never known anyone who ever treated them with kindness, are confused by the concept of being kind to others, and appear to not have matured emotionally. [[spoiler:When Ashi, the last surviving Daughter, attempts to strike Jack down when his back is turned, she gets distracted by a ladybug and is shocked to see Jack let it go without harming it. This is in stark contrast to the childhood memory of her mother, who had coldly killed another ladybug, stating that it has no business in Aku's order. She is moved by his ''random act of kindness'', and is unable to bring herself to kill him.]]

* [[spoiler:[[PapaWolf The Scotsman buying his daughters time to escape]], [[HeroicSacrifice even if it means losing his life]]. And he does it by literally ''taunting Aku until he gets bored and kills him''.]]
** [[spoiler:While the Scotsman rants at Aku, he reaffirms his hope that Jack will eventually save the world. Jack may have given up all faith in himself, but his old friend still believes in him.]]
** [[spoiler:Just when the Scotsman's poor daughters are grieving him, he suddenly [[BackFromTheDead rises from his ashes]] as a [[OurGhostsAreDifferent ghost]], much to their joy. The Scotsman himself [[AngstWhatAngst doesn't look worried at all]] that he's become a blue spirit, and then he tells his kids a new plan for resisting Aku:]]
--->[[spoiler:'''Scotsman:''' "We regroup and plan to fight another day! We'll amass a BIGGER army! We'll find Jack, and finally defeat that BIG BABY!"]]
*** [[spoiler:Also heartwarming on a meta-level, as many predicted that not only would Season 5 kill off a beloved character, but that said character would be the Scotsman. They were right, but the Scotsman returned as a ghost, so he's still not completely gone from the show.]]

* [[spoiler:Ashi happening upon the alien children and finding out they're alive. This is probably the first time in her life that she's genuinely proud of something she's done.]]
** [[spoiler:Although the victory is [[MoodWhiplash short]]-[[TearJerker lived]], it's also sweet when Ashi grows worried at Jack's absence, showing how quickly she turned from hating to loving him. For once, she calls him by his full name:]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Ashi:''' "SAMURAI JACK!!"]]

* When Ashi finally finds Jack, [[spoiler:he's about to [[DrivenToSuicide attempt]] {{seppuku}} (a very painful form of ritual suicide), with the Omen preparing to finish him off. Ashi fights the Omen and tries to convince Jack that [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre all of his heroic efforts weren't in vain]], and that she's finally seen all the good that he's done for the world. She has changed greatly from being a brainwashed fanatic who use to want to murder Jack.]]
** [[spoiler:The thing that finally snaps Jack out of his [[HeroicBSOD self-destructive despair]]? Ashi revealing that all the children from the previous episode have survived, meaning that Jack hadn't failed to save them after all.]]
** [[spoiler:And the thing that gets him back on his feet? The Omen lunging at Ashi to strike her down. Cue Jack leaping to his feet and using the sword that was meant to take his own life, to save Ashi's instead.]]
** [[spoiler:After defeating the Omen, Jack compliments Ashi's [[GoodCostumeSwitch new dress and hairstyle]], and the quiet smile she gives him is rather adorable.]]
** [[spoiler:The very end of the episode. [[HesBack Jack has finally snapped out of his severe depression that's been haunting him for the whole season]], and he's ready to go find his lost sword.]]

* Ashi beats down an ''entire army with her bare hands'' in order to [[UndyingLoyalty protect Jack]] while he's meditating. Which is soon followed by [[spoiler:Ashi fighting her wicked mother to defend Jack again]].
** [[spoiler:Ashi's mother lays the deaths of her daughters at Jack's feet, but Ashi [[KirkSummation instead lays that blame back at her mother]], making it clear that whatever role Jack had in her sisters' deaths, she accepts without question that it wasn't his fault. Plus, she knows that Jack was really only acting in self-defense.]]
*** [[spoiler:By accepting responsibility for dooming themselves, Ashi is relieving Jack of responsibility for having killed her sisters. She recognizes that he's a [[MartialPacifist peaceful man at heart]], and the last thing he needs is to feel any more guilt and shame over the blood on his hands.]]
*** [[spoiler:Several episodes ago, Ashi didn't care about the fate of her sisters, even coldly stating "death is failure" while dragging out one of their corpses. Here not only is she acknowledging that they did not deserve their fates, but that they wouldn't have died in the first place if their mother hadn't filled their heads with hateful lies about Samurai Jack, and then sending her and the rest of the Daughters of Aku out on a what basically amounted to a suicide mission.]]
* [[spoiler:Jack completes his spiritual journey, and the gods reward him with his familiar sword, kimono and topknot. After many years, both in- and out-of-universe, [[HesBack the Jack we know and love is finally back]].]]
** In an added touch, [[spoiler: They clearly mention that they still remember when they first gave the sword to Jack's father, and declare Jack to be just as worthy as he was]].

* Ashi noting that Jack [[spoiler:has got his sword back, and a change in haircut, robe, and appearance; which is a CallBack to what Jack told her in the previous episode.]]

* [[spoiler:After narrowly surviving their fight with a man-eating alien monster, [[OfficialCouple Jack and Ashi]] blow off the stress with a BigDamnKiss. It's all the more heartwarming considering that around a month ago, they couldn't stand each other at all.]]
** [[spoiler:For Ashi especially, her whole life she grew up in a setting full of hate, and love was but a foreign concept. For the first time in her life, she knows the joy and pleasure of falling in love]].
** [[spoiler:The song that plays during that scene ("[[Music/DeanMartin Everybody Loves Somebody]]") is actually quite adorable, especially from Jack's point of view.]]

* Jack's and Ashi's [[spoiler:[[{{Adorkable}} adorably awkward]] interactions after they kissed]].
** Jack reminiscing on his childhood to Ashi when she asks if he thinks about home, to which he replies all the time. [[spoiler:Ashi also asks if there was a [[MyGirlBackHome girl]], and Jack thinks she means as in friends or acquaintances; but then he realizes she means ''girlfriend'' and corrects himself, saying there wasn't one.]]

** [[spoiler:But it's too bad that Aku, [[BadBoss true to his actual character]], [[YouHaveFailedMe later executes Scaramouche after realizing that he was misled with inaccurate information]].]]
* [[spoiler: Second time you watch it, Aku finding Ashi's scent familiar and (initially) not knowing why is comparable to a father dog meeting its puppies for the first time and not understanding why they smell and look just like him.]]
* [[spoiler:Jack finally coming clean and admitting he's fallen in love with Ashi. [[TearJerker But it's too bad that some dark secrets will conspire to keep them apart]]...]]
** [[spoiler:Even after learning she's a [[TheAntichrist literal Daughter of Aku]] and [[MadeOfEvil born from the same evil Aku is made of]], Jack refuses to attack [[AntiAntichrist Ashi]], still fully trusting the good in her and encouraging her to break Aku's hold over her. Jack has been betrayed and backstabbed countless times throughout his journey, [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight but he still fully believes in Ashi's goodness]].]]

* [[spoiler:Doubles as a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome. It's the series' DarkestHour: [[BadassInDistress Jack is captured]] by Aku with Ashi fully under his control, and he's chained to a wall in Aku's fortress to be executed. All hope is indeed lost. As Ashi is about to deal the killing blow to Jack, a loud explosion is heard and the roof at Aku's fortress gets blown up. Aku looks out and what does he see? ''[[TheBusCameBack Every single person]]'' Jack has helped over the years shows up in an attempt to save him!]]

** An added level? [[spoiler:Aku announcing to the world the original opening as part of his attempting execution of Jack meant ''all'' of the people who came to Jack's aid knew if Jack succeeded, they would cease to exist. Even without that, ''all'' of them came willing to die to help Jack end Aku once and for all.]]
** One more level? [[spoiler: For all intents and purposes, the people fighting Aku knew that they were fighting a HopelessBossFight against an EldritchAbomination. They had seen all previous resistance to Aku crushed under his feet. And yet, they continued fighting and putting their lives on the line, just to give Jack a chance to get his sword back and finally defeat Aku on his own.]]

* Aww, just look at the sweet smile on the Scotsman's face when Jack says he met someone! Always encouraging his best bro! [[spoiler: At least until he sees the EldritchAbomination Ashi's been turned into, but that just turns the scene from heartwarming to hilarious.]]

* [[spoiler:Jack and Ashi holding hands as they dive down the time portal Ashi created on behalf of Ashi's inherited powers. What really sells it is Jack's face. After 50+ years of non-stop torment and despair, he realizes he has finally succeeded in his goal to return to the past.]]
* [[spoiler:Ashi managing to break free of Aku's control at Jack's prompting before she can kill the man she loves]].
* [[spoiler:Jack has ''finally'' caught a break in managing to finally return to the past, defeat Aku, re-unite with his family and friends, and is about to marry Ashi. [[MoodWhiplash Then Ashi falls victim to]] NoOntologicalInertia and fades away in his arms on their WeddingDay. Distraught, Jack rides away and crouches under a tree before a ladybug lands on his hand, giving him hope for the future again]].
** [[spoiler:Also, notice anything about the tree Jack was standing next to in the final shot? It's the same tree Jack showed Ashi in Episode XCVI.]]
** [[spoiler: Ashi comforting Jack by putting her palm to his face before fading into nonexistence. Given everything she went through, she at the very least got to experience love and pass/fade away peacefully in the arms of someone who truly cared for her. She was born in an age of death, despair, hate, madness, war, chaos, and sorrow but died in an era of peace, joy, serenity, hope, love, life, and happiness.]]
** [[spoiler: Given that Ashi quickly understood what was happening to her when she faded away, it's implied that, like everyone else, she understood the consequences of what was going to happen once Aku was defeated and yet [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy still chose to sacrifice ''her very existence'' for Jack.]]]]
* Speaking of [[spoiler:Jack's wedding, it's sweet to see that everybody he learned from before facing Aku was invited. After how much their teachings helped him, him making sure to remember them and share his happiness with them is the least he could do to repay them]].
* Believe what you want, but [[spoiler: Jack changing the past means that all the suffering Aku and other villains did in the future was completely erased from existence. Also, it ''is'' quite possible that the people Jack helped could still exist in the alternate timeline, since [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong Jack vanquishing Aku in the past]] would likely give them a better existence.]] Think about it:
** [[spoiler: The Viking never became the Lava Monster and therefore continues his happy life with his family and their village.]]
** [[spoiler: Jack's village will continue to thrive instead of becoming forgotten ruins like we saw in "Jack Remembers the Past".]]
** [[spoiler: The Blind Archers never make a wish to the well, ensuring Aku's influence doesn't change them.]]
** [[spoiler: The Monkey Man's tribe is never enslaved by Aku's forces and thus he is never abandoned in the woods. This also means that there is no deforestation to fuel Aku's society, and thus, Tribe and the Red Gorillas never come into conflict over food and territory]]
** [[spoiler: There is no DJ Salvatore to enslave Olivia and the other teenagers. As such, the peaceful city is never disturbed]]
** [[spoiler: With no Aku, the Chrichelites never came to Earth, and the Woolies are never enslaved]]
** [[spoiler: There never was a Mad Machine, and without it, the Spartans kingdom, and their neighbors, never came under threat, and the sacrifice of the 300 And 1 never comes to pass]]
** [[spoiler: Non-HalfHumanHybrid versions of the Daughters of Aku (including Ashi) are born via non-{{Sociopath}}ic High Priestess and a different father, and into a much better, happier upbringing this time.]]
** [[spoiler:The Guardian and his time portal won't be destroyed by Aku. If Jack's feeling like meeting an old [[WorthyOpponent friend]] again...]]
** [[spoiler:There's still time before that demon hunts down Kuni's family. Jack can prevent that insane nightmare from ever hurting the family!]]
*** [[spoiler:Alternatively, much like Demongo, it's debatable how much its existence was tied to Aku in the first place, so it might have been completely erased from existence as well.]]
** [[spoiler:Scaramouche never slaughtered that town filled with men, women and children.]]
** [[spoiler:Given that Aku's rule has been completely erased from existence, it is likely that sadistic monsters such as the Dominator and the exiled extraterrestrial bandits were arrested (or possibly never existed in the first place).]]
*** [[spoiler: So yeah, the children in episode "XCVI" were never enslaved or brainwashed. Even better! their town could never have been massacred by this maniac.]]
** [[spoiler: None of the archaeologist dogs got crucified.]]
** [[spoiler: That four-eyed beast on the Imakandi's home world does not get burnt up because Aku wasn't there to make a meteoric impact on top of it...although [[MortonsFork that still means the Imakandi are going to bag their prey...]] but at least it has better prospects of survival now, as the Imakandi let their prey run free if they manage to put up a good fight (though the tranquilizer may have already sealed its fate). More to the point, Aku never visits them, and thus will never seek retribution against them.]]
** [[spoiler: If X-49 somehow got created under different circumstances, he will probably run into Lulu and enjoy a happy life with his "sweet thing".]]
** [[spoiler: The Scotsman won't die to Aku, and he and his wife [[TooMuchInformation could end up]] [[ExplosiveBreeder having even more]] [[BabiesEverAfter children...]][[{{Squick}} oh no, bad mental image]] [[PlayedForLaughs coming back...]]]]
** [[spoiler: Princess Mira's kingdom will go free and she won't have to resort to bounty hunting.]]
** [[spoiler: Demongo will never be summoned from the Pit of Hate to wreak havoc on the mortal world and steal essences for his collection. That is, unless he can somehow pass between realms at will. But at least he can be defeated much more quickly if one knows his weakness.]]
** [[spoiler: Remember that kid from "Aku Fairytales" whose hairstyle resembled Aku's horns? Hopefully, he won't be made fun of. As a matter-of-fact, his hairstyle may not even exist to begin with. Either way, he won't be bullied by the other children.]]
** [[spoiler: The robots won't have to build Mondo-bot to protect themselves from Aku, and thus won't be forced underground (and ultimatley destroyed in the final battle against Aku).]]
** [[spoiler: If Scaramouche somehow got created under different circumstances, he doesn't die a villain in the new future, and instead comes back as an anti-hero in the same league as, say, SelfDemonstrating/{{Deadpool}}. Or he's just a performer with no violent impulses.]]
** [[spoiler: Prince Astor and Princess Verbina will receive help for their people the next time they come to Earth.]]
** [[spoiler: The three little goats whom Jack accidentally killed in a rage will not meet their fates anymore, remaining as guides of the last remaining Time Gate should it ever be needed]]
** [[spoiler: Generally, none of Jack's allies who fought in this last episode were ever corrupted by Aku during the battle.]]
* On the flipside of the above, [[spoiler: returning and killing Aku has changed the future for Jack's loved ones in the past.]]
** [[spoiler: Jack's parents shall not face devastation of learning Aku sent their son to the future. Jack returned before anyone knew he was missing.]]
** [[spoiler: All of Jack's people, who were enslaved by Aku then, [[PlayedForLaughs don't have to go back to work tomorrow]]!]]
** [[spoiler: Everybody who ever trained Jack from boyhood and beyond, their efforts were not in vain!]]
** [[spoiler: That girl that gave Jack his first kiss in "Jack Remembers the Past" is probably still around (more on that below)--after all, Jack ''had'' told Ashi that there were lots of girls in his time period, so chances are very good [[HisHeartWillGoOn he'll eventually find a new love]] [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy (Ashi would probably want Jack to eventually move on).]] And this time, Aku won't be there to stand in the way of it or pretend to be a love interest in a female disguise.]]
* The implication that Jack [[spoiler: has a bright future ahead of him. BittersweetEnding or not, he's finally home, with his ''family'' after what feels like a lifetime. As future emperor, it's a new beginning for him, a new chapter. EarnYourHappyEnding indeed.]]

** [[spoiler: How the ending generally averts StrangerInAFamiliarLand. Instead of being unfamiliar with his home or his people or their customs, he takes to it like a fish to water. For all his ability to adapt to the future, the past-Japan is Samurai Jack's home.]]

* During [[spoiler: the preparation of Jack and Ashi's wedding]], we see [[spoiler: the Emperor]]. Last time we saw him, [[spoiler: he was this poor emaciated, sickly man enslaved alongside his people. One would think he would only live long enough to see his son liberate him and his people. And yet, after recovering for some time, he's returned to a healthy state. He's even alive to see his son get married.]]
* Some fans hope that, [[spoiler: even though he lost Ashi, the girl Jack met in "Jack Remembers the Past" will be the one to fill the hole in his heart. After all, she was the first person shippers really went after long before Ashi was even introduced to the story.]]
* The final shot of the episode. [[spoiler: Jack, having regained hope from the appearance of a ladybug, gazes outward as the grim and fogged area slowly transforms into a beautiful landscape of infinite and vibrantly colored hills. And as Jack looks at the land around him, we see that the tree he was under was the very one that he showed Ashi back in XCVI. A perfect image to close out the series.]]
* The end credits. [[spoiler: Instead of the hip-hop theme song, we're treated to classic Japanese music. It's as though it's the theme song of Jack being in the past where he belongs.]]

** On another meta-level, the comic could be looked at as a sort of alternate for some of the [[BittersweetEnding bittersweetness]] of season 5's ending. At the very least, [[spoiler: Jack's friends aren't possibly RetGone from existence.]]

* From Episode CI. [[spoiler: When announcing that he has captured Jack, Aku broadcasts a message to the world: the original Samurai Jack opening, voiced by the late Mako. After it had been gone the whole season, seeing it again was a great tribute, even if it was used for a DarkestHour situation.]]

* This artist's [[http://snowcloud8.deviantart.com/status/8543925 story]] of how they healed from [[spoiler: Ashi's death]].
* This particular fanmade [[http://nalemart.com/post/160941622948/wrote-a-silly-epilogue-comic-of-the-samurai-jack crossover comic]] between WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty shows a what-if ... of Rick teleporting in (referring to the April Fool's prank) and [[spoiler:bringing an Ashi from an alternate timeline who lost her Jack in the battle against Aku]]. Some fans are even considering it fanon.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoiVETkVvnQ Here]] is an alternate ending to the series where the gods decide to smile on Jack for all the good he's done and [[ThrowTheDogABone grant him]] [[EarnYourHappyEnding a happy ending]] after all. Followed by an adorable gif [[spoiler:of newlywed Jack and Ashi riding on his restored bike]].

* Let's not forget: ''The Valkyries come for him personally.'' Think about it. The gods of Valhalla have not had faithful followers in millennia. Ragnarok came and passed, and they were left alone, without scores of warriors willing to fight for them to enter Valhalla. The Lava Monster must have been a strong beacon of faith in their eyes for holding on for so long until his passing. So when he dies, as a warrior deserved to, they come to collect him, body ''and'' soul. It probably also doubles as a "Thank you" to Jack for fulfilling a dying man's wish.

* Let's not forget: ''The Valkyries come for him personally.'' Think about it. The gods of Valhalla have not had faithful followers in millennia. Ragnarok came and passed, and they were left alone, without scores of warriors willing to fight for them to enter Valhalla. The Lava Monster must have a beacon of faith in their eyes for holding on for so long until his passing. So when he dies, as a warrior deserved to, they come to collect him, body ''and'' soul. It probably also doubles as a "Thank you" to Jack for fulfilling a dying man's wish.

[[AC:The Tale of X9]]
* Generally, X9's affection towards Lulu. Out of context, one would think it was just another romance about a guy who softens up when a girl comes into his life. And a girl did come into his life, but in the form of an adorable little Pug dog. It's refreshing to see how love comes in many forms.
* X9's trumpet playing. It's so nostalgic and haunting.
* This episode is all about a retired robot assassin being forced to come out of retirement and fight Jack when his pet dog is abducted and used as a bargaining chip by Aku. [[spoiler:[[TearJerker After Jack inevitably slays X9]], his last words are to tell him to take care of his pet, and it is clear that Jack wasn't ignoring this statement, as can be seen by the sympathetic look he gives afterwards.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''X9:''' "[[FamousLastWords Please take care of Lulu, sweet thing.]]"]]

** [[spoiler: If X9 somehow got created under different circumstances, he will probably run into Lulu and enjoy a happy life with his "sweet thing".]]

** What's more, the entirety of the episode teaches it's not what you're against that will get others to see the light, but rather your actions and the mark they leave.

* While they turn in for the night, Ashi volunteers to keep watch over them. She does so because the night sky has caught her attention. So from a tree branch, she admires the night sky of the very world she's fighting to protect (even if she isn't fighting on the right side).

** In contrast to her horrific childhood of being forcibly dropped into a pit of burning magic, Ashi makes the symbolic choice of willingly diving into a pristine pool. It shows she's ready to wash away her past as "the Daughter of Aku" and start anew. Although the feat of scrubbing off her symbiotic-type suit takes all night, she succeeds.

* The High Priestess calling Ashi "my sweet Ashi." It's by far the closest thing to affection that she has ever displayed to her children.

* Although it's HarsherInHindsight almost to the point of being a FunnyAneurysmMoment, Jack's developing camaraderie with [[PaperThinDisguise "Ikra"]] is this. The last few episodes he's been very restrained, polite and expressionless (sans his ScreamingWarrior mode), and this is the first episode where we see him opening up emotionally and genuinely bonding with someone as a true equal rather than a victim who needs to be rescued. He seemed genuinely happy to be making friends with another warrior he could relate to, and even started developing a romantic attraction to her. In any other situation this [[Film/{{Casablanca}} would have been the beginning of a beautiful]] BattleCouple, but [[TheMole unfortunately for poor Jack...]]

-->'''Olivia:''' ''"[[AwesomeMusic We will never forget you till the day we die, Samurai!...]]"''

* Jack's mother and father coming to him in his hour of need, during his [[BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind internal fight]] to regain control of his body from [[TheCorruption the Aku infection]]. When Jack felt that he's losing to the evil inside him, the spirits of his parents reminded him of the goodness in him, and how it has been strengthened by those he helped since his coming to the future. In the end, he exorcised the demonic corruption and freed himself. This not only counts as an [[AwesomeMoment epic]] heartwarmer, but a joyful {{tearjerker}} as well.

* [[spoiler:Doubles as a CrowningMomentOfAwesome. It's the series' DarkestHour: [[BadassInDistress Jack is captured]] by Aku with Ashi fully under his control, and he's chained to a wall in Aku's fortress to be executed. All hope is indeed lost. As Ashi is about to deal the killing blow to Jack, a loud explosion is heard and the roof at Aku's fortress gets blown up. Aku looks out and what does he see? ''[[TheBusCameBack Every single person]]'' Jack has helped over the years shows up in an attempt to save him!]]

* The teenage girls who squee over how handsome Jack is is {{Funny}} and adorable. Even when a malevolent demon rules the world, teenagers are still teenagers.

* The teenage girls who squee over how handsome Jack is {{Funny}} and adorable. Even when a malevolent demon rules the world, teenagers are still teenagers.

** There's a very cute moment when Jack entertains the Baby by retelling the story of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momotaro Momotaro]], which he learned from his mom as a little boy.

** [[spoiler: The robots won't have to build Mondo-bot to protect themselves from Aku, and thus won't be forced underground.]]

** [[spoiler: The three little goats whom Jack accidentally killed in a rage will not meet their fates anymore.]]

* And by the end, in her own special way, the Scotsman's Wife proves she does care about her husband and is even boisterously happy at points. Apparently once her anger runs out, she's not so bad.

*** Ashi and her daughters (with some help from the Scotsman, apparently) decide to play a prank on Jack by braiding his beard, after seeing how the Scotsman's beard looks.

** [[spoiler:There's still time before that demon hunts down Kuni's family. Jack can prevent that insane nightmare from ever hurting the family! Alternatively, much like Demongo, it's debatable how much its existence was tied to Aku in the first place, so it might have been completely erased from existence as well.]]

** [[spoiler: The children in episode "XCVI" were never enslaved or brainwashed. Even better, their village could never have been massacred.]]