‘Blue Eye Samurai’; a violent, immersive series
Half-Japanese woman’s quest for revenge engages viewers through impressive storytelling
“Blue Eye Samurai” is an eight-episode series that captivates audiences with its engaging plot and beautiful animation.
Created by TV writers Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, the Netflix series was released on Nov. 3, 2023, and was animated by the French studio Blue Spirit.
The series follows a half-Japanese woman named Mizu (Maya Erskine) who disguises herself as a male Samurai during the Japanese Edo period, a time known for its extreme national isolation and racial homogeneity.
Mizu’s striking blue eyes reveal the shame of her European descent to people who encounter her. In order to enact revenge for her existence and suffering, Mizu plans to kill all four white men who were present in Japan at the time of her birth.
Despite having a relatively slow-paced plot, “Blue Eye Samurai” never feels boring. The series spends careful time establishing characters and their motives through long yet captivating sequences. The audience is presented with multiple lengthy flashback scenes that take their time to present Mizu’s troubled childhood.
The series successfully incorporates visually pleasing colors into its historical setting. Scenes that present the vast, colorful landscapes of Japan are very soothing to the eye.
Despite being very violent, fight scenes are well-choreographed and satisfying to witness. Mizu’s smooth, well-planned fighting style is best demonstrated during her fights against the students at the Shindo Dojo.
Side plots never detract the focus from “Blue Eye Samurai’s” main storyline. Viewers follow Japanese Princess Akemi (Brenda Song) and her struggle for independence as a woman during the Edo period. Every now and then, her story arc will intersect with Mizu’s in a way that never feels forced.
The series succeeds in presenting flawed characters, helping them feel more human. Mizu’s goals often fail to make logical sense, but it becomes apparent that she is simply too blinded by her own rage and thirst for revenge.
“Blue Eye Samurai” is a visually stunning series that successfully presents an engaging plot within a captivating setting. The series is rated TV-MA for gore, language, nudity, sexuality, smoking, and violence.
