Blue Eye Samurai

''Blue Eye Samurai'' is an adult animated action television series created and written for Netflix by wife-and-husband team Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, with supervising director and series producer Jane Wu. It was animated by French studio . The first season premiered on November 3, 2023. In December 2023, the series was renewed for a second season with a release set for 2026.

Synopsis

During Japan's Edo period, half-white half-Japanese (female warrior) Mizu (meaning water) quests for vengeance against four white men, one of whom is her father, who illegally remained in Japan during the closing of its borders by the Tokugawa shogunate.

Voice cast

Main

* Maya Erskine as Mizu, a female mixed-race blue-eyed . Her experiences of discrimination as a mixed-race Japanese child have left her cold, bitter and vengeful. Forced by her mother to disguise herself as a boy so as not to be found, she chooses to maintain her disguise into adulthood to pursue her path of revenge more freely.
* George Takei as Seki, Princess Akemi's male tutor. He sympathizes with Akemi's situation and later takes steps to ensure her freedom.
* Masi Oka as Ringo, an optimistic, handless male cook who idolizes Mizu. Despite Mizu initially not wanting a companion, she later tolerates Ringo. He proves surprisingly helpful and loyal to Mizu.
* Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Master Eiji, a blind swordsmith who raised Mizu. He was the first person to show Mizu kindness, partially because he cannot see her. As a result, Mizu holds deep respect for him, referring to him as "Swordfather".
* Brenda Song as Princess Akemi, the pampered but strong-willed daughter of a ''nouveau riche'' lord. She harbors feelings for Taigen and, resentful of her father's control, desires a life of independence.
* Darren Barnet as Taigen, a promising but arrogant male swordsman of humble origins. He is in love with Princess Akemi and harbors a strong resentment towards Mizu, which has lasted since their childhoods. He later seeks revenge after being humiliated in a duel, which cuts off his engagement with Akemi.
* Randall Park as Heiji Shindo, Fowler's nominal jailor and accomplice.
* Kenneth Branagh as Abijah Fowler, an Irish smuggler who is allied with the Shogun, in secret defiance of Japan's closed-door policies. He plans to overthrow the current Shogun and replace him with a leader who will open Japan to outside influence.

Supporting

* Stephanie Hsu as Ise, a prostitute.
* Ming-Na Wen as Madame Kaji, a cunning and savvy madam.
* Harry Shum Jr. as Takayoshi, the Shogun's second son.
* Mark Dacascos as Bloodsoaked Chiaki, an assassin and the leader of the Four Fangs gang.
* Orli Mariko Green as Young Mizu
* Judah Green as Young Taigen
* Patrick Gallagher as Lord Daichi, Akemi's father.
* Ann Harada as Mama, Mizu's unnamed adoptive mother. Although Mizu initially believed she was her biological mother, it's later revealed she was merely her maid who was paid to care for her.
* Byron Mann as Mikio, a disgraced samurai who was married to Mizu.

Dacascos, Gallagher, and series co-creator Amber Noizumi also voice additional minor characters. Other supporting voices are provided by Gedde Watanabe, Eric Bauza, Clyde Kusatsu, Keone Young, Brittany Ishibashi, Holly Chou, Marcus Choi, Matthew Yang King, Jane Wu, West Liang, Alain Uy, Takaaki Hirakawa, Sherry Cola, and Christine Ko.

Episodes

Season 1 (2023)

Production

In October 2020 it was reported that Netflix had greenlit production of the series, with creators Green and Noizumi acting as writers, executive producers and showrunners. The series features 2D/ 3D-hybrid animation produced by French studio Blue Spirit. They wanted it to "look like a moving painting" with character design drawn from puppets. Inspiration was taken from the character Zatoichi, the "Man with No Name", and the works of Akira Kurosawa. The creators have stated their aim to make three or four seasons, and possibly a spinoff featuring Ringo.

Episodes 1-7 have an aspect ratio of 16:9, with episode 8 changing to a more cinematic 2.35:1.

On December 11, 2023, the series was renewed for a second season. Season 2 will consist of six episodes and is scheduled to premiere in 2026.

Release

The first episode was released as a "sneak peek" on Netflix's YouTube channel on November 1, 2023. The entire series, consisting of 8 episodes, premiered on Netflix on November 3, 2023.

Netflix released a special version of episode 6 on its YouTube channel on November 14, 2023, featuring a largely black-and-white palette and an altered soundtrack.

Reception

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 97% critic rating with an average rating of 8.30 out of 10 based on 29 reviews. The website's critics' consensus says, "Visually dazzling while paying deft attention to character, ''Blue Eye Samurai'' is a masterfully rendered animated adventure." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 88 out of 100 based on 6 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Renowned video game creator, Hideo Kojima, praised ''Blue Eye Samurai'' as the "best anime of the year," describing it as "a visual work that transcends the common sense of animation".

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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''Blue Eye Samurai''
at Tudum

{{Netflix original animated series and films

2023 American television series debuts
2023 animated television series debuts
2023 French television series debuts
2020s American adult animated television series
American adult animated action television series
American adult animated adventure television series
American adult animated drama television series
American anime-influenced animated television series
American English-language television shows
Fictional female warriors
Fiction set in 17th-century Edo period
French adult animated television series
French anime-influenced animated television series
Japan in non-Japanese culture
Television shows set in Japan
Television series set in the 17th century
Television series by 3 Arts Entertainment
Animated television series by Netflix
Annie Award–winning television shows
Emmy Award–winning programs