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Wu-Tang Clan's RZA has a long, storied history with anime stretching back decades – including a memorable turn providing the eclectic soundtrack for legendary cult series Afro Samurai.
Now, he's cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of why Japanese animation reigns supreme over the entertainment industry in the west.
"Hollywood has made it into cookie cutters. Hollywood waffle comes in a frozen box now," RZA tells GamesRadar+ ahead of Crunchyroll's 10th Anime Awards.
"Anime is like getting it fresh, you know what it's gonna be – and that's [using the] mind and entertainment. You want to be stimulated."
RZA adds, "Hollywood is pretty formulaic. It goes through cycles."
For the artist, that extends to Japan's passion for creativity compared to, in his mind, a love of the green stuff in America.
"I'm fascinated when you come to a city like Tokyo, and you go into some of these buildings. Inside these buildings are anime studios where every floor [has] young people crafting their work. Whereas I'm from New York, and you go into the buildings, and every floor, someone is doing business or stock or moving money or moving different types of commerce."
Afro Samurai, a 2007 adaptation of Takashi Okazaki's manga, follows Afro (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), a samurai on a quest for revenge after the death of his father. The miniseries received acclaim for its inimitable sense of style, brutal fight scenes, and relentless momentum.
Crunchyroll's Anime Awards took place this past weekend. For more, check out the list of 2026 Anime Awards winners.
In need of some viewing inspiration? Here are the best anime shows you should be watching right now, plus a look ahead to the new anime arriving this summer season.
