Season 1 - 8 episodes
Watch Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix
Created by: Amber Noizumi, Michael Green
Starring: Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka, Brenda Song, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Darren Barnet
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
Driven by a dream of revenge against those who made her an outcast in Edo-period Japan, a young warrior cuts a bloody path toward her destiny.
Verdict
It's absolutely amazing from the art style and visuals to the characters and story. Creativity abounds in every facet of this series as we follow a warrior intent on revenge. That generates many questions, chief among them, is it worth it? While it's made her fierce, she's also cold and unfeeling. It's just a joy to watch this show as it does everything well. This is also a show about oppression and a culture where women have no autonomy. The female samurai defies that in standing and intent as we watch her and a princess an an analogous story defy the artificial bounds placed upon them. While blood-lust pervades every violent scene, this show excels.
Watch It.
Review
Mizu (Maya Erskine) is the blue eye samurai, but her blue eyes are a mark that her father was white. Everyone frowns upon her parentage and children ostracize her. She's disguised herself as a man to make life easier in her goal for revenge.
Mizu's plight is mirrored by Princess Akemi (Brenda Song) who has no control of her future or who she will marry while Akemi's infant brother is allowed to do anything without reproach. Mizu and Akemi are both imprisoned by culture, and both of them are under estimated and ignored. This show is as much about both of them forging a path and defying culture as it is about Mizu seeking revenge. The first episode is great, from the pacing to how it reveals information. We're introduced to a warrior on the path of revenge, and at the end it's revealed why. It's a simple reason but it's guided Mizu's life. Not to mention, the animation is beautiful.
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| Episode 1: Maya Erskine voices Mizu |
The mountainside fight of the second episode is creative and visually stunning. I liked everything about this show, from the concept to the intersection of Mizu with the various characters. Many of the people she encounters, she's met before. In episode three Mizu forms an uneasy alliance with Taigen (Darren Barnet) to further her goal. She later faces an uncomfortable choice as the show asks us to consider what is mercy. Is mercy ending suffering? Is it mercy when the underlying motives are selfish?
We've seen this type of story before, a woman posing as a man due to society's restrictions. Mulan did something similar, but this stands out for feeling authentic. It's a brutal and tragic world, with the dark streak of revenge pervading every scene. Each of these characters have a goal, a drive, and that gives the series energy.
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| Episode 2: Maya Erskine voices Mizu |
Mizu's past is more complicated than we expect. Just when we think we see a past where she was happy, as we've come to expect in this show happiness is fleeting or false. Mizu has faced hardship since birth. Most of that is rooted in the lack of self confidence those around her possess. They put her down to boost up themselves. In spite of or because of her past, she's become a ronin.
In so many shows, the big showdown comes in the last episode, but here it comes earlier. It's a step on Mizu's journey. Nothing ever goes expected. Despite the outcome Mizu's spirit is strong and her goal clear.
This reminds me of Primal, though I'm not sure why. They share outstanding stories and animation, both shining examples of fully satisfying storytelling. They're also both incredibly violent and brilliant.
This is an incredible series. It's not impressive just for an animated show, I'd put it up against nearly any other series. It has a focus few shows possess. Was Mizu's quest for vengeance worth it? While it's pushed her beyond all restrictions, making her a fierce warrior, it's also isolated her and made her unemotional. Her desire has made her dark, but it's kept her alive.
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