Netflix’s latest adult animated series, Blue Eye Samurai, dropped today on the platform created by wife and husband team Amber Noizumi and Michael Green (Logan, Blade Runner 2049). Set in Edo-period Japan, Blue Eye Samurai follows Mizu (voiced by PEN15‘s Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking the deliverance of revenge.
The voice cast also includes George Takei (Star Trek), Masi Oka (Hawaii Five-0), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat), Brenda Song (Amphibia), Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever), Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat), Kenneth Branagh (A Haunting in Venice), Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Ming-Na Wen (The Book of Boba Fett), Harry Shum Jr. (Crazy Rich Asians), and Mark Dacascos (Warrior).
With stunning visuals, epic battle scenes accompanied by a beautiful soundtrack composed by Amie Doherty (Star Trek: Discovery, Legion), Blue Eye Samurai truly immerses you in the world created by Noizumi and Green. After you’ve watched Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix, here are 9 other animated series to check out next.
Arcane (2021 – )
Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung, Jason Spisak, Toks Olagundoye, Harry Lloyd, JB Blanc, Reed Shannon, Miles Brown, Mick Wingert, Amirah Vann, Remy Hii, Abigail Marlowe, Yuri Lowenthal, Roger Craig Smith
Synopsis: “Set in the utopian region of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, the story follows the origins of two iconic League champions-and the power that will tear them apart.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Castlevania (2017-2021)
Cast: Richard Armitage, James Callis, Alejandra Reynoso, Tony Amendola, Graham McTavish, Jessica Brown Findlay, Lance Reddick, Theo James, Jaime Murray, Bill Nighy, Malcolm McDowell, Barbara Steele, Marsha Thomason, Jason Isaacs, Emily Swallow, Christine Adams, Matt Frewer
Synopsis: “A vampire hunter fights to save a besieged city from an army of otherworldly beasts controlled by Dracula himself. Inspired by the classic video games.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Castlevania: Nocturne (2023 – )
Cast: Edward Bluemel, Pixie Davies, Thuso Mbedu, Richard Dormer, Sydney James Harcourt, Nastassja Kinski, Zahn McClarnon, Sophie Skelton, Aaron Neil, Franke Potente, Elarica Johnson, Iain Glen, James Callis
Synopsis: “As revolution sweeps France, Richter Belmont fights to uphold his family’s legacy and prevent the rise of a ruthless, power-hungry vampire ruler.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Dota: Dragon’s Blood (2021 – )
Cast: Yuri Lowenthal, Lara Pulver, Kari Wahlgren, Troy Baker, Freya Tingley, Tony Todd, Josh Keaton, Alix Wilton Regan, Stephanie Jacobsen, Anson Mount, JB Blanc, Julie Nathanson, Doug Bradley, Victoria Atkin, Matthew Waterson
Synopsis: “A conflicted yet courageous Dragon Knight must use the power of the dragon within to stop a deadly demon in this epic fantasy based on the online game.”
Where to watch: Netflix
The Legend of Vox Machina (2022 – )
Cast: Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O’Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham
Synopsis: “They’re rowdy, they’re ragtag, they’re misfits turned mercenaries for hire. Vox Machina is more interested in easy money and cheap ale than actually protecting the realm. But when the kingdom is threatened by evil, this boisterous crew realizes that they are the only ones capable of restoring justice. What began as a simple payday is now the origin story behind Exandria’s newest heroes.”
Where to watch: Prime Video
Pantheon (2022-2023)
Cast: Katie Chang, Daniel Dae Kim, Rosemarie DeWitt, Paul Dano, Aaron Eckhart, Chris Diamantopoulos, Raza Jaffrey, Ron Livingston, Taylor Schilling, William Hurt, Scoot McNairy, Heather Lind, Krystina Alabado, Kevin Durand, Michael Kelly, Maude Apatow, Anika Noni Rose
Synopsis: “A young woman starts to get messages from an unknown number that claims to be her deceased father. Trying to uncover the truth, she stumbles upon a larger conspiracy involving the singularity.”
Where to watch: Apple TV, Spectrum
Record of Ragnarok (2021 – )
Cast: Miyuki Sawashiro, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Tomokazu Seki, Yu Kobayashi, Honoka Inoue, Rina Kawaguchi, Aya Kawakami
Synopsis: “Before eradicating humankind from the world, the gods give them one last chance to prove themselves worthy of survival. Let the Ragnarok battles begin!”
Where to watch: Netflix
Samurai Jack (2001-2017)
Cast: Phil LaMarr, Mako, Grey Griffin, Jeff Bennett, Sab Shimono, Kevin Michael Richardson, Tom Kenny, Daran Norris, Tara Strong
Synopsis: “A samurai, sent through time, fights to return home and save the world.”
Where to watch: Adult Swim, Max, Spectrum
Yasuke (2021)
Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Takehiro Hira, Maya Tanida, Ming-Na Wen, Gwendoline Yeo, Darren Criss, Paul Nakauchi, Dia Frampton, Julie Marcus, Amy Hill, William Christopher Stephens, Dan Donohue
Synopsis: “In a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, the greatest ronin never known, Yasuke, struggles to maintain a peaceful existence after a past life of violence. But when a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport a mysterious child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords.”
Where to watch: Netflix
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