[Ryzorian]

I also thought Ken's Character was "The Last Samurai" Tom's character might have tried to emulate that tradition but I never saw him as the last Samurai. I do see the irony of haveing the American sitting in front of the Emperor in Ken's place. Essentially showing what the Emperor has allready lost.

As to wether anyone could be Samurai, I suppose that would depend on the times. Currently it's as likely as anyone becomeing a Knight, wich is a similer type of warrior. ( You will note I didn't say the same.) I'm also sure you will have purest who believe in strict adherance to bloodlines.

I always have some problems with that attitude, no matter what it's based on or where it's at. You cut yourself off from so much potential when you restrict yourself to just a certain bloodline, just a certain gender or just a certain race.

Honestly, perhaps the best Knight in history could be a Japanes woman or the best Samurai a Poverty stricken hillbilly from West Virginia. To restrict things is to never know the possabilities. Course, maybe deep down, that's the point...no one really wants to know the possabilities.