Netflix has unsheathed a thrilling full-length trailer for its visually striking adult animated drama Blue Eye Samurai, which premieres November 3 on the streamer.
Created by series executive producers and writers Amber Noizumi and Michael Green (writer of Logan and Blade Runner 2049), the eight-part series is set in Edo-period Japan and follows a mixed-race woman who turns her well-honed martial arts skills toward revenge.
In the new spot, blood sprays and flames rage as we learn about the violent origins of our antihero, Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine) and catch glimpses of her quest to find the man who made her ‘a monster.’ Along the way, her reputation as a demon with the sword precedes her, and strained alliances are forged…
- Masi Oka (Heroes) as Ringo, an overeager, loyal soba maker who leaves his father to apprentice with Mizu and guide her on her quest for revenge. He yearns to be a great samurai despite being born with no hands.
- Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever) as Taigen, achiseled samurai revered as an undefeated warrior until Mizu bests him at his dojo and ruins his engagement to Akemi. He vows to restore his honor by killing Mizu, but the two forge a complicated friendship.
- Brenda Song (Amphibia) as Akemi, the gilded yet determined daughter of Lord Daichi of the Tokonobu clan, Akemi dreams of controlling her own fate. After her engagement to Taigen is thwarted, she sets out on the open road.
- George Takei (Star Trek) as Seki, Akemi’s kind and wise attendant who spent years raising her.
- Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (The Last Emperor) as The Swordmaker, a renowned bladesmith, also known as Master Eiji. After losing his eyesight in a fire, he has learned to use fire to make fearsome blades. The Swordmaker takes Mizu in and becomes a father figure to her while training her to make swords.
- Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat) as Heiji Shindo, a trader of flesh, opium, and guns, and partner to Western trader Abijah Fowler. He plots to take control of the Shogunate with Fowler.
- Kenneth Branagh (A Haunting in Venice) as Abijah Fowler, Mizu’s potential father and main target. He’s an illegal trader from Ireland with perverse, violent tendencies and aims to kill the Shogun and break open Japan’s borders to Western influences.
Supporting voice cast includes Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) as sarcastic brothel employee Ise; Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian) as the business-minded yet wise and protective brothel owner, Madame Kaji; Harry Shum Jr. (Crazy Rich Asians) as the Shogun’s son, Takayoshi, who struggles with a stammer; and Mark Dacascos (Hawaii Five-O) as the fearsome assasin gang leader, Chiaki — among others.
Jane Wu is supervising director and producer for Blue Eye Samurai. writers include Noizumi, Green and Yana Billie-Chung; directors include Wu, Green, Ryan O’Loughlin, Earl A. Hibbert, Alan Wan, Sunny Sun and Alan Taylor. Executive producers are Green, Noizumi and Erwin Stoff.
