Netflix has once again proven to be a treasure trove for anime enthusiasts with the release of Blue Eye Samurai, a show that’s stirring up quite the buzz. Blending multiple genres together, the historical drama is set in 17th-century Japan, a period when the sight of a foreign face was a rarity.
Here is where we meet Mizu, a character whose quest for vengeance is as complex as her identity. Portrayed by Maya Erskine, Mizu is an expert swordswoman in a time and place where her gender and racial background must be cloaked in secrecy in order to exact revenge in a society that’s not quite ready for her brand of justice.
Blue Eye Samurai is the brainchild of the dynamic duo, Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, who have previously given us cinematic jewels like Logan and Blade Runner 2049. Green has thrown down the gauntlet, claiming that if your tastes range from The Witcher to Game of Thrones, or from The Crown to Shakespeare in Love, then Blue Eye Samurai has got something special for you.
Joining Maya Erskine is a stellar cast that includes Masi Oka, Stephanie Hsu, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and George Takei, with Kenneth Branagh adding his gravitas to the mix. The showrunners have been meticulous in assembling an Asian-led cast, ensuring authenticity and representation that resonates with the story’s cultural backdrop.
Interestingly, Blue Eye Samurai isn’t your typical anime. It’s described as a 2D/3D hybrid, a creative choice that aims to give it a handcrafted feel, setting it apart from the conventional animation styles we’re accustomed to. This artistic decision is a testament to the show’s ambition to stand out in the ever-growing library of Netflix’s anime offerings.
The first episode of Blue Eye Samurai is available for free viewing on YouTube, a move that’s sure to entice anime fans. With the rest of the series set to release on Netflix (though we doubt the service will see an uptick in subscriptions because of this), it’s not a stretch to imagine that this could be the next big hit on the platform, joining the ranks of the best Netflix animated shows.
Today also marks a momentous occasion for anime fans worldwide as the beloved Attack on Titan anime prepares to reach its climactic conclusion. The highly anticipated Part 2 of the Final Chapter will draw the curtain on the epic 10-year journey that has ensnared the hearts of die-hard fans and casual viewers alike, solidifying its status as one of the most iconic anime series of all time.
You can catch the final episode as it becomes available for streaming on Crunchyroll at 5:00 p.m. PT in North America, Central America, South America, and Europe.
