I recently came across Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix. And you may be asking: Is “Blue Eye Samurai” worth watching? I have an opinion on that. The story is a revenge plot with lots of extra side plots. Here’s a non spoiler review of “Blue Eye Samurai.”
A historical, adult animated series.
This series is edgy, graphic and not for children. This series checked a lot of boxes for me. It’s like “Ninja Scrolls” meets “Shogun novel by James Clavell”. Japan in the late 17th century was a nationalist, ethnically homogeneous racist society. No European or non-Japanese people were allowed into the country. Historically, Europeans were killed on the spot if they tried to enter Japan at this time.
If an outsider had relations with a Japanese woman and a mixed-race child was born, it would be considered a monster. This is where the “Blue Eye,” part of the plot. Our Blue Eye Samurai was born to an unlucky peasant girl.
A strong FMC.
Our protagonist is a strong female. For her safety, she has to hide her blue eyes and masquerade as a man. I have been vocal about my criticism of Hollywood and the woke agenda. Modern films not allowing strong main male characters is a trend, but I have no problem with a strong female main character if the writing and plot is good. And they are both great in “Blue Eye Samurai”.
The strong female main character is believable. Because, women have few rights and can’t even travel freely without a male in the Edo Period of Japan. Mizu has to be strong and hide her feminine form to get revenge on the white men who created her. A blind sword master trains her from a young age as he encounters her as an orphan. He is unaware of her racial impurity, as he cannot see her face or the color of her eyes. In the first season, they made us to believe he does not know that she is a little girl and not a boy. I have my suspicions about the second season if we find out that he knew all along she was a female, but we shall see.
Great character development.
The character development is superb. We see development in the character arc of her companions. Yes, she picks up a few friends who follow her for different reasons. Ringo is her handless apprentice who follows Mizu because he desires to learn to be great like she is. Ringo is the only character that learns of Mizu’s secret.
Side characters are not one demensional.
Taigen initially follows Mizu to kill her and regain his honor and status in society. Mizu humiliated Taigen in battle, while she was seeking to find the white men. We learn later that Taigen and Mizu met earlier. When he was a child, he was one of the many children who bullied her. As the story develops, their relationship changes.
The relationship between the sword smith, Sword Father, Master Eiji, and Mizu is one of a mentor and apprentice. The villains are believable evil. Even the side characters are enjoyable, duplicitous and dark. The characters all of their own ambitions and motivations. They keep the story interesting.
Revenge doesn’t hesitate.
Celebrity Voice Actors.
Firstly, George Takei, Randall Park and Masi Oka are among the most recognisable celebrity voice actors in this series. Randall Park does a great job of voicing Heiji Shindo, a more sadistic character than his usual comedic acting roles. George Takei’s voice acting was excellent because I honestly did not recognize him at first. Takei is best known as Star Trek’s Lieutenant Sulu, but he was emersed in the role of Seki, Princess Akemi’s old tutor.
Secondly, Maya Erskine voiced Mizu our vengeful protagonist and is very believable. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa voices master Eiji, the blind sword smith. Brenda Song as Princess Akemi, the strong-willed princess. Darren Barnet voices Taigen. And Kenneth Branagh voices the villain, Abijah Fowler an Irish Smuggler, who is allied with Heiji Shendo to overthrow the Shogun and open Japan up to the foreign devils..
Samurai Lore and kink.
All metal wants to become a sword!
-Master Eiji
This animated series didn’t pull any punches with bloody battle scenes and eroticism. But everything is portrayed tastefully, with brief animated depictions of nudity and decapitations. The episodes are all very engaging and full of action, and the story is well written with a strong plot.
Japanese History.
This story alludes to actual Japanese history. The Edo Period of Japan from1603 AD to1863 AD when Japan was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Tokugawa Shogunate brutally outlawed all foreign interference in the culture. Thousands of people were purged from the country. Most of those killed were catholic and protestant missionaries.
Leaves you wanting to watch more…
This series from episode one to the finale of season one will leave you wanting more. Most episodes end on a cliffhanger that is usually resolved in the next episode. This series is binge worthy. I Thoroughly enjoyed it and have nothing negative to say about it. 5 out of 5 stars. I only hope Season 2 is as good. The animators deserve credit too, because it is a visually stimulating series.
