And it’s not just the tame stuff he’s into either.
Sift through the lengthy resume of Samuel L. Jackson, and you’ll get the impression that the guy has a soft spot for American comics and science fiction. Aside from his recurring role as Nick Fury in the Marvek Cinematic Universe, he also famously played Jedi master Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequels.
But how does the lauded thespian feel about the fantastic fiction being pumped out on the other side of the Pacific in the form of anime?
Jackson recently participated in Wired’s Auto-Complete Interview series, in which celebrities Google their names plus an interrogative lead-in, and answer the top queries that the search engine puts together from the prompt.
Google asks the actor if he’s a vegan, what’s engraved on his lightsaber, and how many movies he’s been in (to which he answers “Not anymore,” “BMF,” and “I’m not really sure”). Once he gets to questions beginning with “Does,” the first is “Does Samuel L. Jackson play guitar?” Second on the list, though, is, “Does Samuel L. Jackson like anime?”
Jackson’s answer?
It turns out he can indeed appreciate the artistic stylings of Japanese animation. “Yes I do,” he responds, before adding “Hentai too,” referring to anime of a sexual or pornographic nature. He then gives out a hearty laugh and sticks out his tongue, displaying either his polished acting skills by portraying a creepy otaku, or his well-documented attitude of not being at all concerned about what others think of him.
Actually, Jackson isn’t just a fan, as during the course of his career he’s been professionally involved with projects that have either a direct or indirect connection to the Japanese animation industry. He voiced the titular character and served as a producer on the Afro Samurai anime TV series, and also voiced a character in the 2009 non-Japanese-produced Astro Boy film, based on Tetsuwan Atom, the seminal work of Japan’s “God of Manga” Osamu Tezuka. More recently, Jackson appeared in Kite, a 2014 liv-action adaptation of the then-15-year-old anime of the same name.
Unfortunately, Jackson doesn’t expand on which particular anime he’s fond of, although you can’t blame a guy for wanting to keep some semblance of privacy regarding which specific hentai titles scratch his personal itches.
Source: YouTube/WIRED via Lynzee Loveridge at Anime News Network

Star Trek’s William Shatner picks best girl in idol anime Love Live!, sets off fan debate
X Japan’s Yoshiki, L’Arc-en-Ciel’s Hyde preview co-op theme for Attack on Titan Season 3【Video】
Cheeky seal gets sled ride at Japanese zoo, decides he’s pretty much done with walking 【Video】
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s revolving sushi restaurant king Sushiro coming to U.S. this fall with high prices, no tipping
The mystery of Port Store, the Japanese convenience store that looks like a Lawson rip-off
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Elderly couple donates 400 million yen to erect Myaku-Myaku statue in Osaka
Japan Railways announces unlimited-ride train pass for fall travel
Lawson convenience store opens its first mobile, trailer-style location in Japan
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Mister Donut releases new doughnuts that look and taste like Japanese sweet potatoes
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Tiger & Bunny coming to Hollywood, fan matches each character with perfect actor
SoraNews24’s Mr. Sato reveals the shocking truth: He’s not really Mr. Sato!
Barack Obama tells the world he doesn’t care about Pokémon【Video】
Japanese kid says shadows move because the earth rotates, teacher tells him he’s incorrect
Conan O’Brien lays out his case that anime’s Detective Conan is just a copy of him【Video】
Japanese dad/otaku worries he’s an embarrassment to his kids, son tells him exactly how he feels
Anime’s top 10 gross but compelling series, as chosen by fans
Jaden Smith’s new song is about how he feels like Dragon Ball’s anime hero Goku
Chinese man’s public proposal takes a sudden turn when he’s asked to jump 【Video】
Hayao Miyazaki reveals the kind of otaku he hates the most
Adorable Japanese kitty is hungry, and he’s not going to take things sitting down【Photos/Videos】