Revenge can be a kind of art, and Blue Eye Samurai takes it to heart.
The Storyline
In the 17th century, Japan was closed off from the world. Blue Eye Samurai tells the story of Mizu, a mixed-race samurai voiced by Maya Erskine. She hides her true identity while seeking revenge. “It’s an Edo-period tale of revenge — Kill Bill meets Yentl,” said Amber Noizumi, who created the show with her husband Michael Green.
Fans love epic tales of vengeance.
Noizumi and Green have worked on big projects like Logan and Blade Runner 2049. This series is now streaming on Netflix. “We want people to get lost in the story and forget they’re watching animation,” said Green. He believes Blue Eye Samurai has something for everyone, whether you like The Witcher, Game of Thrones, or even The Crown.
The Cast
Mizu’s journey is full of interesting characters. There’s Ringo, a soba maker who dreams big, voiced by Masi Oka. Taigen, played by Darren Barnet, is a proud samurai who ends up teaming with Mizu. Brenda Song voices Princess Akemi, who lives a lavish life. Together, they travel through Edo-era Japan in this captivating animated series.
Voice Actors
The voice cast also includes George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Stephanie Hsu, Ming-Na Wen, Harry Shum Jr., and Mark Dacascos. Representation was very important for Noizumi and Green. They made sure even background voices were Asian actors. “Representation was our top priority,” said Noizumi.
Artwork Sneak Peek
You can check out some teaser art from Blue Eye Samurai below. It shows just how serious Mizu is about her mission.
Is Mizu Real?
While Mizu isn’t a real person, her story feels very authentic. Noizumi and Green got the idea after their child was born with blue eyes. Noizumi, who is half-Japanese, started thinking about what it meant to have a baby with such features. The character and story developed over 15 years.
Jane Wu, known for her work on Mulan and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, was the supervising director. She connected personally with Mizu’s story. Wu said, “Describing Mizu is almost like describing myself in the way that her journey of self-acceptance was a journey I had to go on.”
Wu shared that working in a male-dominated industry meant hiding her gender to get noticed. Like Mizu, she had to disguise herself to achieve her goals. “I guess that’s what I’m doing — completing my revenge,” she added.
Research and Authenticity
Creating the world of Edo-period Japan took a lot of effort. The team paid close attention to history, culture, fashion, and more. If you’re interested, there’s a detailed guide available for further reading.
Not Your Typical Anime
Though inspired by anime, Blue Eye Samurai is unique. It uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation but retains a handmade feel. Green mentioned, “It’s a 2D/3D hybrid, utilizing technologies of both.” Wu designed the characters based on traditional Japanese Bunraku puppets, which are three feet tall and not meant for kids.
Music
If you love the music, you can find the official playlist online. The score, composed by Amie Doherty, blends Eastern and Western sounds beautifully.
Awards Galore
The show has won several awards, including six Annie Awards and a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. It also received individual awards for character design, production design, and storyboarding.
Watch the Trailer
Check out the official trailer below! You can also watch the Red Band trailer if you dare.
Release Date
Blue Eye Samurai premiered on Nov. 3 and is available on Netflix.