After revealing its first look at Netflix’s first DROP 01 event, the streamer has released the official trailer for its new animated series, Blue Eye Samurai. True to its theme, the preview features Mizu’s bloody revenge that will quickly remind viewers of the 2003 action thriller Kill Bill.
Compared to the other animated series on Netflix, Blue Eye Samurai was originally made by the couple Michael Green, who’s behind Logan and Blade Runner 49, and Amber Noizumi. And though many believe it’s an anime, the creators stressed it has a “very different aesthetic,” describing it as a 2D/3D hybrid that uses both technologies.
The over-two-minute trailer starts with Mizu asking the light to brighten her path to see the men she seeks and guide her steps until she finds and kills them. A samurai’s slash then draws out a splash of blood, giving Kill Bill feels. She then mentions the name of Abijah Flower, one of the four white men who took her mother when she was born in Japan and made her a monster.
Mizu later swears this guy “deserves to die.” As Mizu starts a fight, someone describes her as "no human" after seeing her blue eyes. From there, an intense action begins.
You can watch Blue Eye Samurai’s trailer below:
What is Blue Eye Samurai about?
Set in 17th-century Japan, Blue Eye Samurai follows the story of Mizu. She’s looking for the four white men who were there at the time of her birth, swearing to kill them all. One of these guys may even be her father, who she said made her a “creature of shame.” But as revenge is not a thing for women, Mizu begins her journey to get vengeance by hiding her gender and blue eyes.
You can read the synopsis below:
In 17th-century Japan, when borders are closed to the outside world, citizens would never see a face that was not Japanese, except in rare cases of illegal trade. Our hero, Mizu (Erskine), knows there were only four white men in Japan at the time of her birth and sets off to kill these men, one of whom might be her father, who made her a “creature of shame.” But revenge is not an option for women, so Mizu must forge her revenge quest while hiding her gender as well as her blue eyes.
Who are the cast members of Blue Eye Samurai?
When choosing their cast members for Blue Eye Samurai, Noizumi and Green told Tudum that representation was of utmost importance. They weren’t after the voice actors who had the most experience. They instead opted for Asian artists, with Noizumi saying, “We didn’t want to cast anybody who wasn’t.”
For the cast members, you can check the list below:
Maya Erskine as Mizu
Masi Oka as Ringo
Darren Barnet as Taigen
Brenda Song as Princess Akemi
George Takei as Seki
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as The Swordmaker
Randall Park as Heiji Shindo
Kenneth Branagh as Abijah Fowler)
Stephanie Hsu as Ise
Ming-Na Wen as Madame Kaji
Harry Shum Jr. as Takayoshi
Mark Dacascos as Chiak
Blue Eye Samurai will be released on November 3 on Netflix. This one will be worth watching with great writers and cast members in tow.
