Sam Jack, was everything up to this point filler?

[Floydical]

Considering the time skip between seasons 4 and 5, was everything prior to this new season filler?

Now obviously some episodes were essential to the storyline and could be considered cannon, but the vast majority of episodes had plots that were originated and finished in the same episode. Most of these revolved around some method of getting home that was thwarted in some way or another. In an anime sense, this kind of episode would classify as filler since it had no affect on the story.

Most notable is episode XXXII, where Jack passes trials to get access to a time portal (one of roughly a dozen episodes that is based on using a similar time portal). At the end of the episode, he fails to defeat the defender of the portal. His life is spared when the portal reveals the future, showing a conquering Jack who is now worthy of using the time portal. The problem is, Jack is old in this image. He's clearly aged and has a partially grey beard.

Knowing this, and knowing Jack does not age, one of three things must be true:
1. This and all similar episodes must be considered filler
2. Genndy decided against this future when he finally wrote the 5th season (ie the author changed it)
3. The future predicting portal was wrong

Now I find it hard to believe the ending to this episode would be so direct with its final message (that being that Jack would eventually get access to a time portal) just to be changed by the author later. So what do you think? Were most episodes up to this point just filler? Did Genndy change the story when he wrote season 5? Or was the future predicting portal wrong? Let me know your thoughts on the matter, thanks.

 

[CosmicPlayground]

It's all cannon
Many of the episodes are stand alone tales of jacks adventures in the future
The first 4 seasons is an oddesy
The fifth season Being on adult swim gives gen the platform to increase the mature elements and themes that were always present within the story.

 

[123fire]

There's no filler or canon in cartoons bakaa

 

[chopstickchakra]

There's no filler or canon in cartoons bakaa

Do you think canon is a Japanese term?

 

[Yeah right]

Do you think canon is a Japanese term?

Obviously, canon is not a Japanese term.

We all know that canon means authorized text. But where in western cartoons have you seen it in action. I can name one, Uncle Grandpa crossover with Steven universe , where uncle grandpa states " don't worry, none of this is canon".

There is a huge difference in how western cartoons are presented than say, adapted from manga anime. So 124fire is correct to say that canon doesn't exist in the west. Besides canon over here means something different but close to the way you guys use it. Shakespear is canon, the simpsons is canon, Teen Titans Go is canon... jk. The most important literature that has been levitated is canon.

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

'Filler' is a bullsh*t concept misused to try invalidate entertainment.

Did you enjoy Samurai Jack seasons 1-3? Well then that's what mattered. Samurai Champloo, Doctor Who, Cowboy Bebop would technically be 90% filler under this logic?

Roland Barthes wants a word with all of you.

 

[Floydical]

It's all cannon
Many of the episodes are stand alone tales of jacks adventures in the future
The first 4 seasons is an oddesy
The fifth season Being on adult swim gives gen the platform to increase the mature elements and themes that were always present within the story.

There's no filler or canon in cartoons bakaa

'Filler' is a bullsh*t concept misused to try invalidate entertainment.

Did you enjoy Samurai Jack seasons 1-3? Well then that's what mattered. Samurai Champloo, Doctor Who, Cowboy Bebop would technically be 90% filler under this logic?

Roland Barthes wants a word with all of you.

My point here was episode XXXII shows a future with Jack as an old man. Season 5 clearly shows this future is not possible as he doesn't age. This clearly implies something is wrong. Either the episode, and logically similar episodes, are not cannon or the author changed his mind with the story.

 

[Bad Touch Yakushi]

My point here was episode XXXII shows a future with Jack as an old man. Season 5 clearly shows this future is not possible as he doesn't age. This clearly implies something is wrong. Either the episode, and logically similar episodes, are not cannon or the author changed his mind with the story.

I'd say the latter, revisiting an old series likely means there's a new burst of inspiration to bring such an old show back. Or maybe it's just a new jumping on point. With western cartoons I tend not to pay it too much attention personally. Like Samurai Champloo, vague episodic storytelling.

 

[chopstickchakra]

Obviously, canon is not a Japanese term.

We all know that canon means authorized text. But where in western cartoons have you seen it in action. I can name one, Uncle Grandpa crossover with Steven universe , where uncle grandpa states " don't worry, none of this is canon".

There is a huge difference in how western cartoons are presented than say, adapted from manga anime. So 124fire is correct to say that canon doesn't exist in the west. Besides canon over here means something different but close to the way you guys use it. Shakespear is canon, the simpsons is canon, Teen Titans Go is canon... jk. The most important literature that has been levitated is canon.

There's only a difference because most western cartoons aren't based off of a source material but any cartoons that are have canon. Canon means religious text, the use of the word canon has been co-opted to call any source material an adaptation is based on "canon" as it is in a sense the "religious texts" of that work.

 

[BenjerminGaye]

There's only a difference because most western cartoons aren't based off of a source material but any cartoons that are have canon. Canon means religious text, the use of the word canon has been co-opted to call any source material an adaptation is based on "canon" as it is in a sense the "religious texts" of that work.

.
a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
"the formation of the biblical canon"
the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine.
"the Shakespeare canon"
synonyms: list of works, works, writings, oeuvre
"the Shakespeare canon"
the list of works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality.

'Filler' is a bullsh*t concept misused to try invalidate entertainment.

Did you enjoy Samurai Jack seasons 1-3? Well then that's what mattered. Samurai Champloo, Doctor Who, Cowboy Bebop would technically be 90% filler under this logic?

Roland Barthes wants a word with all of you.

no filler is when the adapted material is different than source material.

The thing here is the 5th season is still source material much like the other 4. there's no adaption. Therefore it's all canon.

 

[Floydical]

.
a collection or list of sacred books accepted as genuine.
"the formation of the biblical canon"
the works of a particular author or artist that are recognized as genuine.
"the Shakespeare canon"
synonyms: list of works, works, writings, oeuvre
"the Shakespeare canon"
the list of works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality.



no filler is when the adapted material is different than source material.

The thing here is the 5th season is still source material much like the other 4. there's no adaption. Therefore it's all canon.

If its all canon, then how do you explain episode 32 where jack is shown as an old man in the future? Considering Jack does not age, this future cannot be true. Do you suggest the author changed his mind on that idea?

 

[BenjerminGaye]

If its all canon, then how do you explain episode 32 where jack is shown as an old man in the future? Considering Jack does not age, this future cannot be true. Do you suggest the author changed his mind on that idea?

retcon. hurr durr. Does Not change cannon.