RZA Unveiled: Animated Prequel for ‘The Man with the Iron Fists’ Released (VIDEO)

RZA has a lot riding on The Man with the Iron Fists. For one, he's directing. He also happens to be the man with the iron fists: a blacksmith in feudal China who will stop at nothing to protect his village and the people in it.

But who is he, really? We all know he's a lean, mean, ass-kicking machine, but where'd he come from and what the heck was he doing in China, anyway? This newly-released animated prequel entitled The Encounter answers this most pressing question in the most creative way possible.

The animated short is told from the point of view of the Wu-tang chess master. Even when he's just being drawn, RZA looks just as mighty and imposing as ever.

The Man with the Iron Fists hits theaters on November 2nd.