A new report from What's On Netflix, states that Michael Green (Jungle Cruise, Blade Runner 2049) and Amber Noizumi's Blue Eye Samurai will premiere on Netflix this November. It seems the report from What's On Netflix stems from some social media sleuthing where Green and other cast members have revealed that the debut season will be released on November 3.
That seems a bit odd, as Netflix has done virtually no promotion for the series which will feature the voice talents of Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka, Randall Park, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Song, Darren Barnet, and Sir Kenneth Branagh.
A sneak peek for the series was screened this past June at the Annecy Film Festival, where producer Erwin Stoff stated, "Animation has always been a great medium for storytelling and Annecy is the best global stage to introduce audiences to Blue Eye Samurai. Michael Green and Amber Noizumi have assembled a tremendously talented team of artists and actors to bring their spectacularly creative and distinct vision to life."
Supervising director Jane Wu added, "With Blue Eye Samurai, we are setting out to tell an ambitious new story and we can't wait for audiences around the world to be introduced to this emotionally grounded animated drama with a live-action attitude."
The project was first announced back in October 2020 so it's been a long wait for the series' debut. Still, we'll have to classify the November 3 release date as a rumor as we still don't have any official footage released for Blue Samurai. The only imagery provided to date has been the promo poster below which was used at Annecy.
However, it seems the project was impacted by workplace COVID protocols that forced most of the cast and crew to animate and record voice lines from home.
The series protagonist is named Mizu, a mixed-race, female samurai warrior who masquerades as a man. Joining Mizu is Akemi, a young noblewoman who on the surface, appears to conform to Edo-period societal standards for women but has a tougher interior underneath.
A character named Taigen also plays an important role in the series. Though not of noble blood, his skill with the sword allowed him to rise in Japan's ancient feudal system but Mizu's arrival threatens to upset all that he's achieved. There's also the Swordmaker, Mizu's care provider who raised her after tragedy.
Netflix has not revealed who any of the actors are voicing but it's thought that Maya Erskine is portraying Mizu.
In JAPAN in 1633 MIZU is branded as an outsider due to piercing blue eyes and sets out on a journey of revenge, coming into contact with the young noblewoman, AKEMI…