American animation has greatly benefited from Asian influences. Martial arts and Samurai cinema and Japanese Anime have all had beneficial influences on storytelling, art styles and settings.
Two of the best American animated series of the past several years have been
Avatar: the Last Airbender and
Samurai Jack.
The two shows have a great deal in common; in each, a powerful warrior finds themselves lost in time, and must struggle against a mighty enemy to set right the world. Plus
Mako.
In Avatar, the hero is
Aang, the Avatar who possesses the power to master all four elemental martial arts styles. After being lost for a century, he returns to the world to find that the Fire Nation has struck out on a war of conquest. Samurai Jack's eponymous hero has been thrown forward through time by
Aku, an evil sorcerer who has conquered the world in his absence.
Each of these mighty warriors strives to bring order to a chaotic world, but in the cruel arena of Hoo'd Win, only one will be victorious!
Poll Hoo'd Win, Part Nik-toons Attack!