Since Samurai Jack has made its epic return to Television, I’ve noticed several comments and posts about how “This is how Cartoon Network should do reboots” or the show ending up a flop like a certain few series airing on the network. Thankfully, the latter isn’t happening since after two episodes it feels like Genndy and the crew haven’t missed a beat. There’s a few who know the difference, but I’m just typing this out to get it off my chest and share with those who don’t.

Now, by definition a fictional Reboot discards all continuity in an established series in order to recreate its characters, timeline and backstory from the beginning.

A Revival is an attempt to revive a defunct series by producing new episodes created for broadcast.Network executives may decide to attempt to revive a television program when they feel that a market once again exists for it.

This doesn’t work for Samurai Jack, as this run is labeled as the Fifth Season, set 50 years after the events of original run. None of the continuity is thrown out,  the characters are as they are.  So, in other words not a reboot.

When Family Guy was brought back to due to fan support, I remember people using the term it was revived or the other term un-canceled. Same thing with Futurama when the three DTV movies were coming out, followed by the new seasons that Comedy Central ordered.

I know that cartoon reboots are becoming more frequent, hence people tend to group revivals along with them. But unless the creators say it doesn’t follow the original’s continuity, don’t label it as a reboot.