Line #173 Heartwarming/SamuraiJack


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Recap/SamuraiJackS5E10CI https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_5039.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[MeaningfulEcho Back in the past]], [[EarnYourHappyEnding at long last]].]]
3	Administrivia/SpoilersOff applies to all Moments pages, so '''ALL spoilers are unmarked'''! [[Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned Proceed with caution.]]
4	----
5	[[index]]
6	* ''Heartwarming/SamuraiJackBattleThroughTime''
7	[[/index]]
8
9	[[foldercontrol]]
10
11	[[folder:Season 1]]
12	[[AC:The Beginning]]
13	* The montage of Jack slowly moving from country to country, learning not just the martial arts but also the different cultures and values of each land he visits and pretty much fully integrating himself into each civilization before moving on. Becomes even more heartwarming when you remember that Aku's existence literally threatens the world and Jack is being trained by teachers all over the world in preparation for him to defend it. Summed up well in this comment from Website/YouTube.
14	-->''"When you fight to save the world.... It's best if you know what it is you're fighting for."''
15	* Better still, there's how his journey to each country helps Jack overcome the grief of losing his home, if not forget what's at stake.
16	* After years of traveling the world, who should Jack meet near the end of his training? His mother. The Empress and her son tearfully embrace for the first time in years. It's like a small shred of the home he lost, and [[EarnYourHappyEnding what's awaiting Jack once he returns to his time and achieves his destiny]].
17	* When Jack returns to Japan, he fights his way through a bunch of Aku's demonic minions, and (very briefly) gets to reunite with his father. While the Emperor has clearly [[TearJerker been broken in body and spirit]] after [[FateWorseThanDeath being Aku's slave for too many years]], he tears up at the sight of his son, [[HeroicLineage grown to be the stuff heroes are made of]].
18	* When the Emperor smacks the sword out of Jack's hand for saying that it, alone, will take vengeance on Aku, Jack drops to his knees and bows his head without a second thought, establishing right away that he doesn't have a shred of arrogance before the Emperor reminds him that he must fight for justice and honor, not revenge.
19
20	[[AC:The First Fight]]
21	* Jack has destroyed every single Beetle Drone, thus saving the [[CivilizedAnimal talking dog people]]. This marks his first ''successful'' act of heroism to protect the innocent against Aku's tyranny. The dogs thank him and give him some clues on how to travel back to the past...
22
23	[[AC:Jack, the Woolies, and the Chritchellites]]
24	* Likewise, Jack rescues [[WoobieSpecies the Woolies]] from decades of [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil enslavement by the Chritchellites]]. The Woolies thank him and give him some more directions for his quest.
25
26	[[AC:Jack and the Warrior Woman]]
27	* Although it's HarsherInHindsight, 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...]]
28
29	[[AC:Jack Under the Sea]]
30	* When Jack gets to the underwater city, the Triseraquins throw a feast to welcome him. It's hard not to smile at his Jack's excitement seeing the mountain of [[TrademarkFavoriteFood sushi]] or how much he clearly enjoys the meal. Anyone who knows anything about comfort food knows that feling. After so long being in this [[FishOutOfTemporalWater strange time and place]], it's nice seeing him enjoy a little taste of home. They even give Jack a bag of it to take with him at the end.
31	* Even after the Triseraquins betray Jack to Aku, he still saves them and helps their city to return to the ocean surface. The Triseraquins are deeply [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone shamed]] and feel their actions are unforgivable. Jack still forgives them, knowing how hard life is under Aku's evil.
32
33	[[AC:Jack and the Lava Monster]]
34	* The ending, when the Viking warrior finally gets his wish: to die at the hands of another great warrior (Jack), thus freeing him from his curse, and earning him passage into [[WarriorHeaven Valhalla]]. For his part, Jack also makes sure to engrave [[IDieFree FREE!]] with the warrior's image on his stone, ensuring that the end of his long hardship will forever be remembered.
35	-->'''Viking:''' Please. Hand me my sword... [[GoOutWithASmile Thank you...]]
36	* Let's not forget: ''The Valkyries personally come for him.'' 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 such a strong beacon of faith in their eyes for holding on so long until his passing. So when he dies, as a warrior deserved to die, they honor him by personally coming to collect him, body ''and'' soul. It probably also doubles as a "Thank you" to Jack for fulfilling the dying man's wish.
37
38	[[AC:Aku's Fairy Tales]]
39	* If not for Aku's {{narm}}y attempt at fairy tales, the children prove their faith in Jack as a hero is unyielding. At the end, after Aku [[RageQuit stops his storytime and leaves in anger]], the children begin telling their own collaborated story of how Jack will defeat Aku.
40	** This also [[AudienceSurrogate embodies what fans have been dreaming of]]: [[EarnYourHappyEnding a happy ending to Jack's long journey]]. Especially with Season 5's premiere more than a decade later.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Season 2]]
44	[[AC:Jack Tales]]
45	* Jack tries to rescue a fairy trapped in a magical orb, who will grant one wish in her lifetime. He doesn't realize that what ''enters'' the orb cannot ''leave'' it, and gets his hand stuck with the fairy (who's trying to give him advice). She explains that he needs the control orb from the gargoyle, and Jack, after much butt-kicking, gets it. Before it expires, the gargoyle looks at Jack's trapped hand and laughs. The fairy explains that the orb will only work with the control word, which only the recently-deceased gargoyle knew, and "Now we'll never be free." Cue pained look from Jack, a moment of despair, and then:
46	-->'''Jack:''' "I wish we were free."
47
48	[[AC:Jack and the Scotsman II]]
49	* The Scotsman beckons Jack to help him rescue his wife. All throughout the adventure, the Scotsman does nothing but talk about his wife with fondness and joy, showing us how much he misses her. Even when it turns out she's ''a bit exaggerated'', the Scotsman still sees her as the most beautiful creature on the planet.
50	* When the other Scots start insulting some of the same things about Jack that the Scotsman himself has insulted in the past, the Scotsman steps up ''immediately'' and puts in no uncertain terms that Jack is a great warrior, his friend, and will hear no words against him.
51	* 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 once her anger is sated. She quickly proves that despite being rather ugly, her personality more than makes up for it and showers praise on both her husband and Jack for coming to save her, and even gives Jack a BearHug and promises to feed him once they're home safe.
52	--> '''Wife''': (''glare'') You sweet-talkin' me?
53	--> '''Scotsman''': Aye!
54	--> '''Wife''': (''smiles and gives him a bone-crunching hug that actually '''bends his sword''''') Don't ever stop, Love, don’t ever stop!
55
56	[[AC:Jack Remembers the Past]]
57	* In general, this episode is both Heartwarming and a TearJerker, as it deals with Jack's nostalgia for his bygone childhood.
58	** The entire flashback where Jack remembers his first kiss from a cute little girl he was playing with, [[ChildhoodFriendRomance and its]] [[MyGirlBackHome potential implications]].
59	** In another flashback, Jack gets some advice from his father on how to deal with some bullies who stole his ball.
60
61	[[AC:Jack is Naked]]
62	* After getting his sword and gi back from the orphan girl who stole them while he was bathing, Jack returns to the swamp from the beginning of the episode to retrieve the very valuable tusks from the robot slug he defeated. He gives the little girl the tusks, and she says, "[[Film/GoneWithTheWind I'll never go hungry again]]."
63
64	[[AC:Jack and the Spartans]]
65	* Jack quickly becomes [[FireForgedFriends a respected comrade]] for the Spartans and their King:
66	** When the King first addresses him after he aided his commander against the machines, his tone is gruff and wary. But Jack remains polite while explaining he only wanted to help a fellow warrior. The King in turn apologizes for his initial harshness. Considering the commander is also his son, no doubt this earned friendship points.
67	** None among the Spartans doubt Jack's explanation of a path through the mountain range. The King in particular sees this as the best chance to end the war with the machines.
68	** In the FinalBattle with the giant machine, the King's [[WreckedWeapon sword is shattered]]. Jack quickly throws him his own sword. Badass, but also an impressive moment of trust between the two warriors. That sword is the only weapon that can destroy Aku and, maybe more poignantly, something Jack's father entrusted to him. And Jack doesn't hesitate for a second to pass this very precious sword to the King. The King in turn gives him his shield in turn, but it's the smile underneath his helmet that really shows how much he appreciates the help from this heroic stranger.
69	** Jack quickly rushes over to [[TakingTheBullet shield the King]] from [[DefeatEqualsExplosion the machine's self-destruction]], seemingly perishing in the blast. Years later, the King's monologue is just as heart-wrenching as his face in the recollections.
70	--->'''The King:''' The war was ''finally'' over. But the warrior was gone. His shield was all that was left. This... stranger... [[BashBrothers who became a brother]], aided us in our time of need, and made a difference. [[HeroicSacrifice His sacrifice]], and that of the others, defeated our enemy and saved our lands and ensured our freedom. They will be honored and remembered forever. The three-hundred... plus one.
71	** And even on his deathbed, the King still believes (correctly) that Jack survived...
72
73	[[AC:Jack's Sandals]]
74	* After a very rough day involving a robotic biker gang, Jack stumbles upon a Japanese family who welcome him in with their traditional style of hospitality. Jack gets to see that his perpetual struggle ''is'' paying off, that the people suffering under Aku's rule have learned to hope again because of him.
75	* The teenage girls who squee over how handsome Jack is are SugarWiki/{{Funny\|Moments}} and adorable. Even when a malevolent demon rules the world, teenagers are still teenagers.
76	* The sheer normalcy of the family is what's really heartwarming, as Jack finally gets a much needed respite from his struggle with Aku. They aren't cultists devoted to his place as the chosen hero, or robot assassins trying to lure him into a false sense of security, just a very appreciative group of citizens of Aku's hellish world who all love each other very much.
77	[[/folder]]
78
79	[[folder:Season 3]]
80	[[AC:Jack and the Rave]]
81	* When Jack frees a bunch of teenagers from Aku's mind-controlling rave music, Olivia and her father reunite.
82	-->'''Olivia:''' "Father?"\
83	'''Olivia's Father:''' "Olivia?"\
84	''(Cue waterworks)''
85	* As Olivia and her father tearfully embrace, the latter thanks Jack for rescuing her.
86
87	[[AC:Jack and the Creature]]
88	* After it [[ItMakesSenseInContext unwittingly ate a time-travel artifact]], Jack is so angry at the Creature that he promises first thing in the morning they are parting ways. [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap Only, the Creature is truly sorry for upsetting Jack]]. As the night wears on, the Creature finally nods off to sleep after faithfully watching over its friend. But not before it smiles lovingly at the Samurai, certain Jack will forgive it in the morning.
89	* The chirping/dolphin noise the Creature makes when it calls out to an absent Jack the next morning. It's too cute!
90	* After seeing the Creature saved his life, Jack lets the Creature know he's okay, and that he's forgiven it for yesterday's mishap.
91
92	[[AC:Jack and the Haunted House]]
93	* The ending of this [[NightmareFuel horrifying episode]], when the little girl is finally reunited with her family thanks to Jack defeating the demon.
94
95	[[AC:The Birth of Evil, Part 1]]
96	* Shortly before he sets off to fight the evil swamp monster, the Emperor wordlessly comforts the crying Empress. It's his way of telling her that though he's doing this because "[[AFatherToHisMen his subjects are also family]]", he'll always love her most of all. He puts a gentle hand upon her pregnant belly, wishing he could stay for the birth of their unborn son. She reciprocates the gesture by putting her hand on his.
97	** Before this, the Empress begs him to not go. It might be seen as selfish but remember that this is a pregnant wife afraid for her husband and father of her unborn child. She's afraid for him.
98
99	[[AC:The Birth of Evil, Part 2]]
100	* [[https://youtu.be/Kyj998-KnoA The ending]]. As (formerly) pictured above, the image of the young Emperor holding newborn Jack after everything he went through is as powerful as it is beautiful.
101	** The lead-up to the image: as Aku is imprisoned in the tree, the sun comes out, and all goes quiet. Suddenly, a baby's crying is heard, and the Emperor follows the sound to find his frazzled and exhausted but otherwise unharmed wife and their newborn, crying son. As the Emperor approaches, the baby immediately stops crying and smiles up at him, as if recognizing that this man is his daddy.
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Season 4]]
105	[[AC:Samurai vs. Samurai]]
106	* Just when they start to fight, Jack clearly did not see Da Samurai as a real opponent. However Jack still humors him, and between the beatings gives Da Samurai life advice, telling him to first understand his own strengths and weaknesses, to not hide behind this built-up facade of a personality, and to let his true self shine through.
107	** When Jack wishes to fight outside, Da Samurai smugly assumes Jack doesn't want an audience in order to maintain his reputation. In actuality, it's the opposite; even though he could have easily demolished the arrogant blowhard in the bar he deliberately brings the fight to the outside without spectators to allow Da Samurai to preserve a little dignity.
108	** We have Jack telling Da Samurai that he has taken the first step towards becoming a true samurai after the man, up to this point an obnoxious blowhard until Jack deflated him, pushed Jack out of the way and [[TakingTheBullet took an energy blast]] for him.
109	** Then at the end of the episode, he runs off after Jack, calling him "sensei" and practically begging him to give him more advice and training. It just goes to show how much he took his lesson at heart and is motivated to become a better person and a ''true'' samurai. The look of sheer shame on his face shortly before that only drives the point home further.
110	---> '''Jack''': You have taken your first step toward the true path to the Way of the Samurai...
111
112	[[AC:The Aku Infection]]
113	* 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 [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome epic]] heartwarmer, but a joyful {{tearjerker}} as well.
114	** When they show the panorama of dozens of minor characters whom Jack had saved or helped. You ''know'' that every single one of them would wish for Jack to prevail.
115
116	[[AC:The Scotsman Saves Jack]]
117	* Everything that the Scotsman went through to help an amnesiac Jack. It must have taken days, maybe even weeks to find the source of the problem, but that didn't matter to the Scotsman. All that mattered to him was that a friend of his was in trouble.
118	* Add to this was how amnesiac Jack is vastly different in personality and ability to how he was before, ending with the Scotsman doing what he can to keep him from harm's way. The clincher? He always tries to make an excuse as to why amnesiac Jack is messing up. Remember when they first met? He was almost always finding ways to humiliate or insult Jack. Now? He's thinking of any excuse he can to defend and preserve Jack's honor.
119	* 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 up. 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.
120	* Then, when he finally finds the Sirens who enchanted Jack in the first place, he demands an explanation for what they did to his friend, to which the sirens smugly confirm they were the ones who wiped Jack's memories and even show him Jack's kimono and sword which they kept as a trophy. Cue the Scotsman going utterly ''[[UnstoppableRage ballistic]]''.
121	-->'''The Scotsman:''' [[ThisMeansWar That's it!]] She-dogs ''[[RoaringRampageOfRevenge must pay!!]]''
122	* Also both Heartwarming and Awesome is fact that the Scotsman is actually capable of resisting the Sirens' spell. Because there's [[HappilyMarried only one woman's voice]] that can beguile him.
123	* During the fight itself, when the sirens sic their brainwashed slaves on him (including Jack), he refuses to hurt them and instead plays a loud song with his bagpipes to break the spell; unfortunately he needs both hands to do this leaving him defenseless when the Sirens [[OneWingedAngel merge together into a three headed serpent]] and tries to crush him to death. Even then he refuses to stop playing in order to keep everyone free, which leads to Jack coming back to his senses and saving him in return.
124	* When the adventure is done, they spend what is implied to be a very long time just laughing and reminiscing together; the kind of thing Jack barely gets to do while trapped in the future. So much time, in fact, that they miss the boats off the island they're trapped on.
125	* The rest of the episode is dedicated to Jack and the Scotsman engaging in a competition of various physical tasks declared by the Scotsman for the privilege of rowing the boat off of the island, showing that the two respect each other so much that they would refuse the other go through the effort of doing so. If that wasn't funny and heartwarming enough, Jack gets a rare moment in the series where he can truly relax and get his mind off of his current hardships, playfully besting the Scotsman in all his proposed contests and being uncharacteristically ''smug'' while doing so. He's clearly relishing his time spent with one of the few beings in the future he can truly consider a real friend, and it is very refreshing to see.
126
127	[[AC:Jack and the Flying Prince and Princess]]
128	* At the end, when he gave up a opportunity to slay Aku to help the kids get to their ship (so that they help their people save their home from enemy invaders), he told them how he knew what they're going through and couldn't allow them to fail. At the end they won their war and built a statue to honor and remember Jack.
129	** When the alien Prince and Princess find out that Jack is also a prince, they bow to him just before they leave and call him "Your Majesty", acknowledging his royal heritage as a form of respect.
130	* Jack clearly relates to them and sees his story in their mission. After they refuse to take the chance to escape when he's surrounded by enemies and help him fight - just as he's done before himself, and which almost never happens otherwise - he opens up a little to the flying children, and they reassure him. In the last scene he seems genuinely happy.
131
132	[[AC:The Four Seasons of Death]]
133	* Spring, speaking in comforting tones, telling Jack that he is a selfless servant, a hero, who has fought for far too long, and [[KnightErrant needs to rest and be at peace]]. The whole scene has an unusual amount of bloom, and the music is very emotional. Seeing Jack get a moment's reprieve in a woman's arms is very refreshing, even considering her true nature.
134
135	[[AC:The Tale of X-9]]
136	* Generally, X-9'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.
137	* X-9's trumpet playing. It's so nostalgic and haunting.
138	* 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. [[TearJerker After Jack inevitably slays X-9]], 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.
139	-->[[spoiler:'''X-9:''' "Lulu. Take care of Lulu...sweet thing."]]
140
141	[[AC:Young Jack in Africa]]
142	* The African Chief welcomes young Jack with open arms, informing him that he looks just like his father.
143	* The Chief's son is initially very disrespectful towards Jack, but it isn't long until he accepts him as his temporary surrogate brother and starts bonding with him.
144	* After Jack saves the African tribe from the men sent by Aku to capture him, the Chief decides that Jack has completed his training and tells him he's ready to continue his long journey to prepare to defeat Aku.
145
146	[[AC:Jack and the Baby]]
147	* Pretty much the entirety of this episode, which proves that Jack would be a great dad if he ever got the chance to settle down.
148	** There's a very cute moment when Jack entertains the Baby by retelling the story of {{Literature/Momotaro}}, which he learned from his mom as a little boy.
149	[[/folder]]
150
151	[[folder:Season 5]]
152	[[AC:XCII]]
153	* The blue alien "[[FanNickname Emoji Family]]" whom Jack saves at the beginning are all very cute and lovable, especially when the daughter thanks Jack for saving them.
154	** The entire opening fight shows that even though Jack may have fallen into disgrace and despair, there's still a part of the friendly, loyal, all-caring samurai warrior we all know and love inside of him.
155	* Similar to the above, when Jack 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, he still doesn't have it in him to just let an innocent village burn.
156	** [[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]].
157	* A minor one during the Daughters of Aku's training, when one sister tries to help Ashi up after she [[LiteralCliffhanger falls off and hangs from a platform]]. It's a small sign that there is some inherent compassion and [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes familial bond]] in them, even though the rest of [[ReligionOfEvil the cult]] is doing everything they can to [[CorruptTheCutie stomp it out of them]], as evidenced when [[AbusiveParent their mother]] stops her to use the situation as an opportunity to teach them [[SocialDarwinist never to help the weak]].
158
159	[[AC:XCIV]]
160	* Jack's childhood flashback. While traveling with his mom and dad, their carriage is ambushed by several assassins. [[PapaWolf The Emperor]] comes to his family's defense and kills all the thugs. [[BloodSplatteredInnocents Jack]] is shocked by the carnage, so his father has to explain his actions with some martial wisdom while gently cleaning the blood from his son's face.
161	** The Emperor's [[BlackComedy awkwardness]] and look of guilt as he's cleaning up his son, showing that even though he wants to use this as an opportunity to teach Jack an important lesson, he doesn't want his son to be any more frightened than he already is.
162	** It's also a small comfort to the audience that the battered, shell-shocked beardo we've been with for the last few episodes is, indeed, still the hero we know and love.
163	* [[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.
164	** This is the first time in [[DarkerAndEdgier Season 5]] where we see [[WhenHeSmiles Jack smile]]. It's so nice to see this poor soul get a moment of rest and relief, however brief.
165	* 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 Heavens of the very world she's fighting to protect (even if she isn't fighting on the right side).
166	* Although it's a [[TearJerker sad indication]] of [[EvilCannotComprehendGood how little they know about the world]], the Daughters of Aku get one when 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.
167	* Jack, despite having lost most of his idealism, actually tries to 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]].
168
169	[[AC:XCV]]
170	* Although Jack has 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]].
171	* While traversing through the giant creature that has swallowed the two, Jack and Ashi end up finding themselves in a large cavernous part of the beast, where many smaller [[BioluminescenceIsCool luminescent creatures]] are floating above them. The sight is not only beautiful to the audience, but it is one of the few times that Ashi is awed by the sight, and Jack delivers a line that is likely what she has going through in her own mind.
172	-->'''Jack:''' "Even in the bowels of the darkest creatures, there is beautiful light."
173	* 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. 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.
174
175	[[AC:XCVI]]
176	* [[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''.
177	** 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.
178	** 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:
179	--->'''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!"
180	* Jack tells Ashi of the story his mother told him as a child, about the origin of the stars. The [[WhenSheSmiles smile]] on her face makes it clear that she's finally experiencing some of the childhood that she was denied for so long.
181	** Given Ashi has been raised by an {{abusive mom}}, the story Jack tells her is like she's receiving a small shred of what a true, loving mother is supposed to be.
182	** This is also a nice [[ContinuityNod reference]] to "Jack and the Baby", when Jack also entertained someone younger than him with a Japanese fairy tale.
183	* Jack thanking the ''sea monster'' that brought him and Ashi to the mainland.
184	* The hope that appears on the villager's face when he realizes who he's talking to. Jack might have lost faith in himself, but he'll always be a hero to others.
185	-->'''Villager''': You've come back at last. Samurai Jack, you've come.
186	* 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.
187	** 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:
188	--->'''Ashi:''' "SAMURAI JACK!!"
189
190	[[AC:XCVII]]
191	* The whole episode overall. Ashi, now firmly on the side of good, travels through the world in search of Samurai Jack. Along the way she encounters many old allies (and a few enemies) whom Jack had met many years before, and Jack's friends are forever grateful for how he saved them from the forces of evil. Despite the past few decades of non-stop fighting being [[TraumaCongaLine pure hell for Jack]], this episode made clear that his actions were '''not''' [[AllForNothing completely in vain]], and that he has still [[HopeBringer brought some amount of hope and joy]] [[AWorldHalfFull to Aku's dystopian world]].
192	** What's more, this episode succeeds where Jack failed 2 episodes ago: convincing Ashi that Samurai Jack is a [[BigGood good man and the hero of this story]], as opposed to the [[DarkMessiah world destroyer]] her mother painted him as. Just goes to show, it's not what you're against that will get others to see the light, but rather your actions and the mark they leave.
193	* In the beginning, Ashi bumps into two of the Woolies. The two Woolies have apparently heard about Ashi, and they believe that she still wants to kill Jack for Aku, and they prepare for a fight. Ashi clears up the confusion, so the Woolies tell of their past with Jack.
194	-->'''Woolie:''' "We will not let you hurt the Samurai!"
195	** In the first flashback, when we see Jack saving the Woolies from the Chritchellites' slavery, the audience is treated to a slow pan-up shot of Jack in his prime. For the first time in Season 5, we get to see Jack as he's supposed to be, a noble defender of the innocent. When contrasted with how we had only seen him in his old garb was whenever his inner demon was taunting him, it's a very heartwarming sight.
196	* Next, Ashi meets the Three (no longer Blind) Archers. The Archers have been protecting their hometown from a swarm of Beetle Drones, and when they confirm that they and Ashi have a common friend, they show her a statue built in Jack's honor, recalling how he had saved them from the curse of the Well of King Ozric.
197	-->'''Archer:''' "A friend of Samurai Jack, is a friend of ours."
198	* 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhwYA2g3fO8 a special musical number]] in Jack's honor.
199	-->'''Olivia:''' ''"[[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic We will never forget you till the day we die, Samurai!...]]"''
200	** Everyone makes an [[IconOfRebellion S-salute with their hands]] while performing the same dance that Jack created to blend in at the time. Ashi eventually joins in, and she clearly had fun doing so.
201	** This song also bares a faint similar tune to "We Found Love" by {{Music/Rihanna}}.
202	* Ashi's GoodCostumeSwitch from her suit of dark magic, to a pretty dress made from leaves and foliage.
203	** In contrast to her horrific childhood of being forcibly dropped into a pit of burning dark 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.
204	** GeniusBonus when you remember the ancient Japanese used to worship and honor nature; Ashi now embodies that culture to its fullest. Also, Ashi was inspired to fight for Aku because she thought he created nature; but now, she wears nature because she knows Samurai Jack is trying to protect it.
205	** One more: Ashi's new hairstyle resembles that of the first of her sisters who died. It could hint that she's trying to honor her late sister's memory by taking on a likeness of her, as opposed to unceremoniously calling her death a "failure".
206	* One of the last places Ashi finds is a (retired) BadGuyBar run by Da Samurai, now a cranky old bartender. When she asks where to find Jack, everyone assumes she wants to fight him and they laugh, thinking she's asking for a beating. These guys were former bounty-hunters who were pretty badly maimed and defeated by Jack, and thus they have no love lost for Jack, but they [[VillainRespect give credit where it's due, admitting that Jack was the toughest, most badass SOB ever]].
207	** Da Samurai recalls how in his youth he was quite arrogant and considered himself to be awesome, until Jack stepped in and proved him otherwise. Da Samurai begrudgingly learned humility for himself the hard way, but also found a lot of genuine respect for Jack, so he gave up his sword and stopped trying to be a wannabe-badass.
208	** [[BackFromTheDead Demongo]] also returns in this scene. While it's great to see that such a fan favorite bad guy ''wasn't'' atomized by Aku, he appears to have taken a level in kindness since he [[PetTheDog looks upon the defeated warriors and decides not to steal their souls]] when before he probably would've done it regardless.
209	* Ashi meets a mysterious female stranger who gives her the directions she needs to find Jack. The woman's identity is not apparent, but she was definitely helped by him in the past.
210	** When the Woolies asked if Ashi was a friend of Jack, she hesitated. When the stranger asks Ashi if she's Jack's friend, this is Ashi's answer, short and simple: "Yes."
211	* When Ashi finally finds Jack, 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.
212	** 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.
213	** 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.
214	** After defeating the Omen, Jack compliments Ashi's [[GoodCostumeSwitch new dress and hairstyle]], and the quiet smile she gives him is rather adorable.
215	** 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.
216
217	[[AC:XCVIII]]
218	* The three little mountain rams who followed Jack were very adorable. They follow him like ducklings.
219	* The giant bird coos and snuggles Ashi's chest after she and Jack thank it separately.
220	* 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 Ashi fighting her wicked mother to defend Jack again.
221	** 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.
222	*** 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.
223	*** 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.
224	* 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]].
225	** In an added touch, 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.
226	* When he wakes up, Jack cares for Ashi after she was knocked unconscious. This is also the first time that Jack calls Ashi by her name, even though she has not told him her name onscreen.
227	* Ashi noting that Jack 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.
228	** Ashi's words to Jack at the end of the episode. That tone and expression are ''darling''.
229
230	[[AC:XCIX]]
231	* Jack's happier demeanor overall. He spends a lot of the first half of the episode smiling, which is a far cry from [[DespairEventHorizon the sad state he was in]] for most of the season.
232	** To top it off, he's walking again, as opposed to the first episode of Season 5 where he was riding a motorcycle. The Samurai Jack we knew preferred walking over modern transportation, and it seems he's resumed his past-time mode of transportation.
233	* While wandering through the desert, Jack and Ashi stop at an oasis. Jack is seen making himself a straw hat from red leaves. After putting it on and showing Ashi, he reveals that he made one for her too. [[HeldGaze They then gaze at each other for several seconds]].
234	** The hat becomes even more heartwarming when you realize that it might be the first gift that Ashi has ever received from anyone.
235	* 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.
236	** 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.
237	** The song that plays during that scene ("[[Music/DeanMartin Everybody Loves Somebody]]") is actually quite adorable, especially from Jack's point of view.
238
239	[[AC:C]]
240	* Jack's and Ashi's [[{{Adorkable}} adorably awkward]] interactions after they kissed.
241	** Jack reminiscing on his childhood to Ashi when she asks if he thinks about home, to which he replies all the time. 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.
242	* Aku actually [[PetTheDog restoring Scaramouche's body]]. It seems like Scaramouche wasn't lying when he said that ''[[BadBoss Aku]] of all people'' would reward him. Both of them then break out into celebratory dancing together, and you'd think even for a second that they were best friends.
243	** 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]].
244	* Second time you watch it, Aku finding Ashi's scent familiar and (initially) not knowing why is comparable to a father dog meeting his puppies for the first time and being confused as to why they look and/or smell just like him.
245	* 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]]...
246	** 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]].
247
248	[[AC:CI]]
249	* 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!
250	-->'''Rothchild III:''' "We're here Jack! We're here to rescue you!"
251	** What makes the moment sweeter is Jack smiling upon seeing all those he helped coming to save him. You can tell from this facial expression alone how touched he is by their rescue.
252	** An added level? 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.
253	** One more level? 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.
254	** Look at Flora during the battle. She's using her father's broken sword now that he can't anymore.
255	** The rave kids are arguably the best of all--aside from Olivia, most (if not all) of those current ravers are probably either the children or even the grandchildren of those original ravers that Jack saved, so they (presumably) never met Jack in person. His impact on that town was ''generational''.
256	*** In the same vein, the Spartans: Jack only met their warriors 50 years earlier, and the Spartan king that met Jack has long died-meaning that none of them ever helped Jack, they only heard the tales of when he saved their predecessors, yet when he needs help "The Three Hundreds fight for The One!".
257	* Aww, just look at the sweet smile on the Scotsman's face when Jack says he met someone! Always encouraging his best bro! At least until he sees the EldritchAbomination Ashi's been turned into, but that just turns the scene from heartwarming to hilarious.
258	** Heck, just Jack and Scotsman in general. Not only do they talk like no time has passed (despite 50 years having done so, as well as Scotsman being dead, a thing Jack did take note of), but Scotsman outright tells Jack to take his pick of any of Scotsman's daughters, and he'd be mighty proud--meaning Scotsman was not only okay with, but outright encouraging of, his best friend [[BestFriendsInLaw marrying]] into his family.
259	** In fact when they reunite, the Scotsman takes his time to name ALL his daughters and happily tell Jack that they're his pride and joy.
260	** The very fact that, upon reuniting after so long, the first thing they do is [[https://youtu.be/fncEG-opjaw?t=42 give each other a]] ManHug (only stopped by the Scotsman being a ghost). After which, they proceed to have a SeinfeldianConversation that involves [[ShipperOnDeck the Scotsman offering the hand of one of his daughters]], and Jack denying because he has a girlfriend. Then the Scotsman quickly changing his tune from being angered that Jack is rejecting his girls to being eager to meet his friend's new lover.
261	*** As a FreezeFrameBonus, right before the failed hug, Jack's expression goes from total confusion to '''''absolute joy.'''''
262	* 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.
263	* Ashi managing to break free of Aku's control at Jack's prompting before she can kill the man she loves.
264	* 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 wedding. Distraught, Jack rides away and crouches under a tree before a ladybug lands on his hand, giving him hope for the future again.
265	** 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.
266	** 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.
267	** 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]] ''[[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy her very existence]]'' [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy for Jack.]]
268	* Speaking of 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.
269	* 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:
270	** The Viking never became the Lava Monster and therefore continues his happy life with his family and their village.
271	** Jack's village will continue to thrive instead of becoming forgotten ruins like we saw in "Jack Remembers the Past".
272	** The Blind Archers never make a wish to the well, ensuring Aku's influence doesn't change them.
273	** 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
274	** There is no DJ Salvatore to enslave Olivia and the other teenagers. As such, the peaceful city is never disturbed
275	** With no Aku, the Chrichelites never came to Earth, and the Woolies are never enslaved
276	** 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
277	** 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.
278	** The Guardian and his time portal won't be destroyed by Aku. If Jack's feeling like meeting an old [[WorthyOpponent friend]] again...
279	** There's still time before that demon hunts down Kuni's family. Jack can prevent that insane nightmare from ever hurting the family!
280	*** 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.
281	** Scaramouche never slaughtered that town filled with men, women and children.
282	** 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).
283	*** So yeah, the children in episode "XCVI" were never enslaved or brainwashed. Even better! their town could never have been massacred by this maniac.
284	** None of the archaeologist dogs got crucified.
285	** 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.
286	** If X-49 somehow got created under different circumstances, he will probably run into Lulu and enjoy a happy life with his "sweet thing".
287	** 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...]]
288	** Princess Mira's kingdom will go free and she won't have to resort to bounty hunting.
289	** 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.
290	** 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.
291	** 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).
292	** 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, ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}. Or he's just a performer with no violent impulses.
293	** Prince Astor and Princess Verbina will receive help for their people the next time they come to Earth.
294	** The Minions or Set will remain trapped in their tomb, never to threaten anyone in Egypt ever again.
295	** 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.
296	** Generally, none of Jack's allies who fought in this last episode were ever corrupted by Aku during the battle.
297	* On the flipside of the above, returning and killing Aku has changed the future for Jack's loved ones in the past.
298	** Jack's parents shall not face devastation of learning Aku sent their son to the future. Jack returned before anyone knew he was missing.
299	** All of Jack's people, who were enslaved by Aku then, [[PlayedForLaughs don't have to go back to work tomorrow]]!
300	** Everybody who ever trained Jack from boyhood and beyond, their efforts were not in vain!
301	** 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.
302	* The implication that Jack 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.
303	** In the end, Jack regains hope for the future in the same way Ashi did; by finding inspiration in the beauty of the world around them.
304	** 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.
305	* Aku, one of the most iconic villains in recent memory, goes out with a literal bang, so much so that nothing short of a massive crater is left behind. A fitting sendoff to the character.
306	* During the preparation of Jack and Ashi's wedding, we see the Emperor. Last time we saw him, 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.
307	* Some fans hope that, 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.
308	* The final shot of the episode. 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.
309	* The end credits. 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.
310	[[/folder]]
311
312	[[folder:Comics]]
313	* The final issue of the Creator/IDWPublishing comic series. An aged and experienced Jack leads a hidden resistance army composed of all the people he's met and helped throughout the years. At his side stands an equally older Scotsman, and it's revealed that they've uncovered the secret to Aku's teleporting fortress, and are about to unleash the deciding battle. The story ends on a hopeful note as the assault finally begins. Here, Jack realizes that the answer is not in travelling back to the past, and comes to terms with the fact that his kingdom's and family's time is over, and ultimately decides to fight for the future of the world and those in it.
314	** Remember when the Guardian of the time portal said it's not yet time, and revealed an aged Jack with a crown of sorts on his head? This is the time he was referring to, when Jack finally confronts Aku. Hopefully, his decision to fight for the future would allow him to save the past as well.
315	** What is more: among other things, Jack had been lamenting (albeit not explicitly) the fact that he was done out of his legacy and lost his honor as a prince when he failed to defeat Aku. At the end, we see him as a king, leading his own people. After a long, hard struggle, he finally stepped in his father's footsteps and became a true leader.
316	** We also see snippets of the lives of those that Jack has touched; Da Samurai who took up the fight for justice, the Baby he once rescued and learned from him, the Three Blind Archers he saved, the mer-people who's kingdom he's liberated, and so forth. Each of them now appears in the camp and each has a story to tell, but the one thing they all had in common was that Jack, through his simple deeds, had brought them all together to fight for what is right.
317	[[/folder]]

Context Heartwarming / SamuraiJack