Netflix has revealed the official trailer and soundtrack for Blue Eye Samurai ahead of the animated series’ November 3 debut on the streaming service. The provocative and visually-stunning cinematic series immerses the viewer in a world of vivid adult animation with a live-action edge.
Set in Edo-period Japan, Blue Eye Samurai follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking the deliverance of revenge. The animated is by Blue Spirit.
The series is created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, who also serve as executive producers and writers. Erwin Stoff is the executive producer. Jane Wu is the supervising director and producer.
The voice cast includes Maya Erskine (Mizu), George Takei (Seki), Masi Oka (Ringo), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (The Swordmaker), Brenda Song (Akemi), Darren Barnet (Taigen), Randall Park (Heiji Shindo), and Kenneth Branagh (Abijah Fowler).
The supporting voice cast includes Stephanie Hsu (Ise), Ming-Na Wen (Madame Kaji), Harry Shum Jr. (Takayoshi) and Mark Dacascos (Chiaki), among others.
Consisting of eight episodes, the directors also include Ryan O’Loughlin, Earl A. Hibbert, Alan Wan, Michael Green, Sunny Sun, and Alan Taylor.
The soundtrack is now available and can be listened to via this link. The score features music by Amie Doherty, who commented: “Blue Eye Samurai is an extraordinarily beautiful and creative show that I feel so privileged to have written the music for. Our showrunners, Michael & Amber created such an open and welcoming environment for ideas and working with them over the past two-and-a-half years has been one of the best collaborations of my career.
“The score called for lots of opposites – epic, orchestral moments to intimate, solo instrumentals; driving action sequences to sweeping and lush melodies; a musical East-meets-West blending Japanese scales & tonalities with the more traditionally Western orchestra and vice versa.
“I had the opportunity to record some authentic Japanese instruments for the score – namely Shakuhachi, Shamisen, Taiko and Hichiriki – as well as our stellar orchestra in Budapest. It has been a wonderfully creative and collaborative experience for me.
“The best gigs are the ones where I’m always learning something new and this one was an education. I hope I have done this sensational story justice with my score and I’m excited for it to finally be out in the world for others to experience and enjoy as much as I have working on it.”
BLUE EYE SAMURAI TRACK LIST
Blue Eye Samurai (Mizu Suite)
Stranger In Town
The Heavens Throw Treasure
A Young Edo Bride
Thank You For My Ember
Akemi’s Theme (Suite)
The Art of Seduction
Yaki-Ire Meditation
Mind Our Own Soul
Reborn
Four Paths To Greatness
Madame Kaji’s Teahouse
Kinuyo’s Promise Fulfilled
A Beautiful Beast
Journey to the Ninth Level
Flower Dust
Fowler’s Conquest
Melted Metal & Mizu’s Rebirth
Revenge At All Costs
Tedium of a Siege
Floodgates of the West
Guns to a Sword Fight
The Great Fire of Edo, 1657
From the Embers of Edo to the New World
Click here or on the image below to watch the new trailer!
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.