By Jonathan Klotz
| Published
In 2023, Netflix shocked anime fans with the release of Blue Eye Samurai, a gorgeous series that isn’t technically an anime, since it was made by Blue Spirit, a French studio, but having a foot in two worlds is perfect for the story it tells. Mizu, the half-Japanese samurai at the center of the story, lived most of her life hiding that she was a girl, is out for revenge on a quest that takes her across Japan. It’s a classic tale of honor and revenge, but it’s never looked this good.
Blue Eye Samurai Is A 16th-Century Kill Bill
Blue Eye Samurai may not technically be a Netflix original anime, but it’s easy to see the use of countless tropes from the medium, mixed in with some American action influences, most obviously, Kill Bill, right down to individual scenes being recreated. Mizu herself is shown as a cold killing machine who, running against the Shonen standard, makes a few horrifying decisions in her quest for vengeance. Set in the Edo period of 16th century Japan, during the “closed door” policy in which foreigners were not allowed in the country, Mizu’s “otherness” is emphasized, and her reaction to being shunned as an outcast is understandable.
In keeping with current anime tradition on the streamer, Blue Eye Samurai boasts a voice cast worthy of a live-action Netflix series, with Pen15’s Maya Erskine absolutely shining as Mizu. Joining her is Brenda Song as Princess Akemi, the annoying rich girl who also yearns for her personal freedom, George Takei as her tutor, Heroes’ breakout star Masi Oka as Ringo, Mizu’s adorably optimistic friend and ally, and amazingly, Kenneth Branagh as the villainous Fowler, an Irish smuggler.
The Emmy Award-Winning Episode
Though the historical setting and perspective of a half-Japanese/half-white (no spoilers here as to who Mizu’s father is) sets Blue Eye Samurai apart from the typical Shonen, it‘s right up there with Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra among cartoons perfect for anime fans. It’s also not a traditional hand-drawn series, relying instead on CGI, but much like Netflix’s other award-winning series, Arcane, the CG is breathtaking. Both shows have also won Netflix multiple Emmy Awards, with Samurai earning the Outstanding Animated Program award for Episode 5, “The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride.”
The episode sticks out among the short, eight-episode season by being a bottle episode that’s mainly told as a flashback. It reveals part of Mizu’s past with a mix of the usual animation and segments shot as if it were a puppet theater, lending an air of classic storytelling to the modern series. It’s also the best episode of Blue Eye Samurai and one of the best anime episodes available on Netflix.
Though it’s barely a year old at this point, Blue Eye Samurai is already considered to be one of the best anime available on Netflix and, to some, a contender for one of the best of all time. To truly earn that title, though, it remains to be seen if the upcoming Season, coming in 2026, can match the promise made by the ending of Episode 8. If it retains the excellent level of animation, and the team at Blue Spirit decides to have some fun with the upcoming season’s new setting, Season 2 could easily surpass the Emmy-winning first season.
Blue Eye Samurai is only available on Netflix.
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