Blue Eye Samurai: A blend of drama and animation featuring emotional samurai and bloody vendettas. A show that playfully embraces clichés. Director: Jane Wu (no, not the take-away one).
Data Sheet
- Director: Jane Wu (no, not the one from the take-away)
- Genre: "Cartoons" for those who never outgrew childhood
- Duration: Longer than an Oscar thank-you speech
- Year: 2023 (yes, samurais still exist)
- Based on the Novel: [Classified top secret]
- Main Actors: Anyone famous who can swing a plastic sword
Where to Watch
"Blue Eye Samurai" on Netflix, because where else can you watch while eating sushi on the couch?
Plot
Meet Mizu, our heroine with more emotional baggage than a troubled teen, living in a Japan where samurais are still trying to make history. The story kicks off as she, guess what, encounters a human trafficker in a noodle shop. Because obviously, where else should a revenge epic start but over a bowl of soba?
Mizu, with a knack for finding trouble, decides to chase the trafficker's brother, Heiji Shindo. I usually stop at the first enemy, but hey, this is a TV series, not real life. Along the way, she meets Ringo, a cook who's clearly watched too many Kung Fu movies and decides to follow her. Because, you know, every hero needs a sidekick.
Meanwhile, there's a love story brewing in the background between a princess and a samurai, because what's better than mixing love and sharp swords? Princess Akemi wants to marry Taigen, the samurai, but her father has other plans. Seems like in this show, everyone has a secret agenda, except maybe the cook.
Mizu, between training on cliffs and battling assassins named "The Four Fangs" (seriously, who names these guys?), finds out she's being chased by an old enemy, Chiaki. And as if that wasn't enough, she gets seriously wounded. Because obviously, what's better than a near-death heroine for a bit of narrative tension?
There are also stories of intrigue at the castle, plans to assassinate the shogun, and Taigen trying to reclaim his honor. Mizu makes her way through traps and fights, saving Taigen and confronting the evil Fowler, the white guy behind all the chaos.
The series concludes with Mizu facing her demons (and some real enemies) in an epic finale, full of twists and, of course, sharp one-liners. Because, after all, what would a samurai series be without a good old final duel?
Review
"Blue Eye Samurai" is like that high school chemistry experiment where you're not sure if it's going to end in an explosion or a groundbreaking discovery. The series mixes animation and historical drama with a dash of oddity that leaves you wondering, "Really?". Starting with the narrative structure: it's like a sushi roll, layered and complex, but sometimes you wonder if avocado really goes well with tuna.
Jane Wu's direction is like that aunt who tells stories at Christmas dinner: sometimes she rambles, but when she hits, she hits hard. The cinematography is so beautiful you forget you're sitting in pajamas on the couch while it's raining outside. Each scene looks like a painting, with colors so vivid you'll wonder if your TV suddenly became more high-tech.
Moving on to costumes: they're a mix of "I want that armor too" and "Who chose them, a drunk cosplayer?". Yet, they work. They add that touch of authenticity that makes you think, "Eh, maybe medieval Japan was really like this". But then you remember you're watching a cartoon and laugh.
And now, the final blow: the cinematic rendering. If the series were ice cream, it would be a strange but surprisingly good flavor, like wasabi and chocolate. There are moments when you think, "Wow, this is pure art", and others when you wonder if the writers were inspired by a costume party.
Lastly, if it were based on a book, it would be the kind of adaptation that makes you say, "Not like the book, but hey, at least they tried". But since it's not from a novel, we can only imagine the author of the unwritten book, probably somewhere, scratching his head and thinking, "I could have written this?"
In conclusion, “Blue Eye Samurai” is like one of those roller coasters that leave you slightly queasy yet oddly fulfilled. The final verdict? Let’s boldly assign a 7.5/10, with a cherry on top for sheer audacity. Because in the end, who doesn’t relish a good old samurai show sprinkled with a dash of eccentricity?
Why I Recommend It
Because watching "Blue Eye Samurai" will make you feel better about your oddball neighbors. It's a plunge into a world where human flaws are not just accepted but celebrated with a laugh.
Why I Don't
Don't watch if your idea of a perfect evening is a romantic comedy with Hugh Grant. Here, the only love is for sharp swords and twisted vendettas.
