never have existed in the first place, before fading away. Later, a grieving Jack mourns Ashi's passing in the forest. Seeing a ladybug and is reminded that the future will be bright now that Aku is gone. His hope renewed, Jack watches the sun shines over the forest, revealing its beauty. Although in Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, If the player defeats Aku after destroying all 50 Corrupted Emperor's Kamon medals, they will be treated to a unique scene similar to but separate from the original finale's conclusion. Rather than Ashi fading away and Jack standing alone (as the show had ended), Ashi and Jack are able to finally marry in his liberated homeland, happily embracing near fields and mountains of cherry-blossoms, Jack and Ashi are finally together in the final scene enjoying a future without Aku thanks to the time pocket copy of the future preventing Ashi's nonexistence. Cultural impact Critical reception The depiction of Jack in the series' fifth season has been praised for its exploration of the hero's journey and the identity of the hero when their journey stagnates. Choice and lack of choice are explored: in Jack's introspections and actions; in the actions of Jack's enemies; in the contrast between humans who choose their actions and machines which are programmed; and in destiny and fate which offer no choice. Of the distinction and parallel between robots and humans, Tartakovsky said: "I wanted to show the human side that's been treated like a machine. Aku builds robots and all these robots are singularly programmed to kill Jack. What if it's humans? What if the one purpose in your whole life is to kill this one person and you're raised from birth that way?" Angelica Jade Bastién of New York magazine writes that there is a "distinctive undercurrent of loneliness stretching through the series from start to finish." Jack is often alone, dwarfed by the "grand solemnity of nature." He has lost his home and his relationship with his family, and in the final episode he loses his relationship with the woman he is about to marry. Merchandise Several toys and merchandise works of Samurai Jack have been released. A Funko Pop figurine of the character was announced on October 3, 2019. Hot Toys released a sixth scale action figure of Samurai Jack, and Hasbro released a six-inch action figure of the character as promotion for the series'