Renowned director of Death Stranding and a leading figure in the gaming industry, Hideo Kojima, showered praises upon Netflix’s latest anime series, Blue Eye Samurai. In a statement on his Twitter account, Kojima described the series as the ‘best anime of the year,’ expressing his admiration for its quality and visual storytelling.
According to Hideo Kojima, Blue Eye Samurai is the best anime of the year!
Known for his discerning taste, Kojima suggested that the creators, Michael Green and Amber Noizumi, might have drawn inspiration from groundbreaking animation works like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane, pushing the boundaries of the medium.
Kojima emphasized the series’ departure from traditional animation norms, marveling at its ‘beauty’ and ‘excellence.’ He raised intriguing questions about the main character, Mizu, pondering whether the vengeful spirit is truly a demon or a samurai, mocking the complexity of the narrative.
Highlighting well-crafted characters like Ringo, Taigen, and Akemi, Kojima lauded the simplicity of the theme and message, praising how these characters’ backgrounds increasingly evoke sympathy and interest.
Blue Eye Samurai is set in Japan’s Edo period of the 17th century, focusing on Mizu, a mixed-race rōnin with extraordinary swordsmanship. The narrative follows Mizu’s quest for revenge against four white men, one of whom might be her rapist father, as she continues to illegally reside in Japan despite the Tokugawa shogunate’s closure of the country’s borders. The series tackles themes of revenge, justice, and clashes of cultures against the historical backdrop of a secluded Japan.
Featuring a voice cast including prominent names like Stephanie Hsu, Darren Barnet, Kenneth Branagh, Brenda Song, George Takei, Randall Park, and Maya Erskine, the series captivates both anime enthusiasts and a broader audience by breathing life into complex characters and an engaging storyline.
As Kojima urges viewers not to miss this visual masterpiece, his endorsement adds significant weight to Blue Eye Samurai’s acceptance within the anime community. Currently available on Netflix, the series stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of animation storytelling, blending historical settings with intense drama and garnering acclaim from influential figures in the entertainment industry.
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