From the moment he erupted onto the screen in Samurai Jack (2001), Aku established himself as one of animation’s most mesmerizing villains. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky and voiced by the legendary Mako Iwamatsu, Aku is a shape-shifting demon who embodies pure chaos — a being of darkness, deceit, and theatrical flair.
Equal parts terrifying and hilarious, Aku’s booming voice, expressive design, and unpredictable mood swings made him a villain like no other. He didn’t just want to rule the world — he already did — and his endless cat-and-mouse battle with Jack gave the series its emotional weight and mythic tone.
A perfect fusion of myth, menace, and absurd comedy, Aku became a masterclass in animated villainy — the kind of character who makes evil entertaining, unforgettable, and strangely human beneath all the fire and shadow.
