Table of Contents
Blue Eye Samurai is a French-American animated series set in Japan’s Edo period, focusing on Mizu, the daughter of a Japanese mother and a European father. Living in a time when Japan is isolated, Mizu faces discrimination due to her blue eyes. Driven by a desire for revenge, she embarks on a quest to find her potentially estranged father among four men, intending to kill him. While Mizu isn’t a traditional samurai, she adopts the title as she pursues her vendetta.
Fans of Blue Eye Samurai might also appreciate similar themes in Japanese anime. Despite Mizu not being a true samurai, the series draws on the iconic imagery associated with the warrior class. Many anime explore stories of anti-heroes seeking revenge and uncovering their mysterious pasts. Additionally, several popular anime incorporate Japan’s history, sometimes taking creative liberties with the Edo period setting.
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10 Anime to Check Out if You Loved Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai
Dororo (1969, 2019)
“Dororo” follows the story of an orphaned thief and a ronin named Hyakkimaru, whose father struck a deal with 48 demons, sacrificing his son’s limbs, facial features, and internal organs in exchange for power. Hyakkimaru, equipped with prosthetic parts, embarks on a quest to reclaim his stolen body parts and defeat the demons. The series, created by renowned mangaka Osamu Tezuka, blends dark historical fantasy with themes of revenge and the consequences of parental actions. Set in Japan’s Warring States period, “Dororo” explores the complexities of its characters’ journeys, drawing parallels with the blue-eyed samurai genre. The show is also noted for its 2019 adaptation and features a character, Mizu, who, like others in the blue-eyed samurai genre, disguises themselves as the opposite gender under unique circumstances. Viewers can stream “Dororo” on HIDIVE.
Gintama (2011-2013, 2015-2016, 2017-2018)
Gintama is set in an alternate Edo period where humans coexist with aliens. Originally, samurai fought against the extraterrestrial beings until the shogun permitted their entry into Japan. Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai turned freelancer, rescues his sister from aliens and gains an apprentice, Shinpachi Shimura. Alongside an alien girl named Kagura, they establish the “Yorozuya Gin,” or “The Anything Store.”
The series explores the theme of foreign influence in Japan, portraying Gintoki as an anti-hero driven by a desire to protect others. Once known as the “White Demon” from the Joi War, he believes that samurai are obsolete in the current world. Despite his flaws, Gintoki is fundamentally a good person, offering a unique perspective on the impact of foreign elements in Japanese society, albeit in a fantastical setting.
Katanagatari (2010)
Katanagatari, an anime series based on the eponymous light novel series, follows the story of Kiki Shikizaki, a renowned swordsman whose legendary blades once determined the outcome of wars. Togame, a shogunate agent, is tasked with recovering the remaining twelve swords. After being deceived, she turns to Shichika Yasuri, a unique fighter from a distant island who doesn’t rely on conventional swords.
Katanagatari stands out for several reasons, including its simplistic character design that stays true to the original light novel illustrations. Each episode has an extended runtime of approximately fifty minutes. Similar to Blue Eye Samurai, characters in Katanagatari often have origins rooted in isolation, and a theme of seeking revenge for a father’s death is present in the narrative.
Yasuke (2021)
Yasuke is an anime series of Japanese-American origin that draws inspiration from the historical figure of Yasuke, an African-born samurai in the Sengoku period. However, the show ventures into an alternate history with supernatural elements. Originally a servant, Yasuke rises to prominence within the inner circle of the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Following Nobunaga’s demise and the rise of the malevolent Yami no Daimyō, Yasuke seeks a new life until he is entrusted with safeguarding a young girl possessing supernatural abilities.
The series uses historical events as a foundation but intricately blends in elements like mages and robots. Even seemingly fictional characters might have historical counterparts. Noteworthy aspects include the series’ captivating music by Flying Lotus and a notable voice cast, including LaKeith Lee Stanfield and Ming-Na Wen in the English version.
Bright: Samurai Soul (2021)
“Bright: Samurai Soul” is an anime film derived from the 2017 movie “Bright,” kicking off in the Bakumatsu period at Edo Castle. It follows the story of Izou, a former samurai working in a brothel during the Meiji Reservation. There, he encounters an elf child named Sonya, and with the help of an orc, sets out to return her to an elf colony.
The anime leverages animation to explore supernatural elements more than the original film. It takes some historical liberties but incorporates a few real historical figures and events. While Sonya initially seems like a character in need of rescue, she evolves into a powerful force akin to Mizu as the narrative unfolds. This adds depth and intrigue to the story, making “Bright: Samurai Soul” a compelling watch.
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Blade of the Immortal (2008, 2019-2020)
Blade of the Immortal centers around Asano Rin and her guardian, Manji, set in an alternate Edo period. Manji, rendered immortal by sacred worms, views his immortality as a curse with three potential remedies: beheading, a rare poison, or defeating 1,000 evil men as penance for his past killings. Rin, driven by a thirst for vengeance, aims to kill Anotsu Kagehisa, the leader of the Itto-Ryu sword school, whom she holds responsible for her father’s murder.
The narrative explores themes of revenge and redemption, mirroring Mizu’s story. Rin, a heroine in this Edo period tale, seeks retribution, while Manji, a former samurai burdened by guilt for taking innocent lives, strives to break his immortal curse. Blade of the Immortal has been adapted into two anime series in 2008 and 2019.
Onimusha (2023)
“Onimusha” brings the beloved video game series to life in an anime adaptation set during the early Edo period. The story follows Miyamoto Musashi, a renowned but aging swordsman, who embarks on a mission to combat evil entities using the legendary “Oni Gauntlet.” However, the use of this powerful device poses a constant threat, as Musashi risks succumbing to the darkness within himself.
Netflix delivers another masterpiece for fans eagerly anticipating the anime adaptation. Enthusiasts of the Blue Eye Samurai can revel in the captivating portrayals of swordsmanship showcased in the series. An intriguing aspect is the character Musashi Miyamoto being based on the iconic actor Toshiro Mifune, known for his roles in “Rashomon,” “Seven Samurai,” and the NBC miniseries “Shōgun.” Notably, Mifune previously portrayed Musashi Miyamoto in Hiroshi Inagaki’s Samurai Trilogy, adding an extra layer of connection to the source material.
Rurouni Kenshin (1996-1998, 2023)
Rurouni Kenshin, also known as Samurai X, unfolds in the aftermath of the Meiji Restoration, featuring Kenshin Himura, a former assassin striving for a fresh start in life. His path crosses with Kaoru Kamiya, the head of a kendo school, who provides him shelter after he defends her dojo. Despite his notorious past, Kenshin proves to be more amiable than expected, forging new alliances in the region. However, looming threats from both new and old adversaries keep the tension high. An intriguing twist in the series is that Kenshin, inspired by the historical figure Kawakami Gensai, is an inverse of the Blue Eye Samurai concept. Gensai, much like Mizu in the other narrative, was frequently mistaken for a woman. Despite the alternate title suggesting Kenshin as a samurai, he technically never held that title. Rurouni Kenshin stands as a shonen classic, challenging conventions with its mature protagonist seeking to leave his violent past behind.
Afro Samurai (2007)
The anime miniseries “Afro Samurai” unfolds in a futuristic version of Feudal Japan, where the protagonist, Afro, seeks vengeance for his father’s death by aiming to defeat the world’s strongest warrior, the one who possesses the “Number One Headband.” Afro himself wears the “Number Two” headband, making him a constant target for challengers. The series is noteworthy for Samuel L. Jackson voicing both the titular character and Afro’s companion, Ninja-Ninja.
In drawing a parallel with “Blue Eye Samurai,” Afro Samurai and Mizu share similarities as characters on quests for revenge linked to their fathers, although Afro witnessed his father’s demise as a child. Despite its focus on revenge, “Afro Samurai” doesn’t present this pursuit in a positive light. The show portrays many of Afro’s adversaries with sympathetic and tragic backstories. Even upon confronting his father’s killer, Afro doesn’t necessarily find the closure he had hoped for. The nuanced exploration of revenge and its consequences is a common theme that both series share.
Samurai Champloo (2004-2005)
“Samurai Champloo is set in an alternate Edo period, uniquely infused with hip-hop culture. The story kicks off as three individuals—Jin, a ronin; Mugen, a vagrant; and Fuu, a waitress—cross paths in a tea house brawl. Fuu persuades Jin and Mugen to join her quest to locate a mysterious samurai with a sunflower-like scent. The series stands out for its innovative soundtrack, merging hip-hop and traditional Japanese music, including the shamisen. It skillfully blends the two cultures in an anachronistic fashion, incorporating breakdancing and Capoeira into the fight scenes. The title ‘Champloo’ originates from an Okinawan term signifying mixing and blending. Noteworthy for fans of Blue Eye Samurai, the narrative unfolds Fuu’s shared goal with Mizu: the search for her missing father.”
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