Netflix has a lot of great anime and the most recent addition, Yasuke, is filled with blood, gore, and a great plot that will have viewers begging for more.
Netflix’s Yasuke is a must watch for anime fans for several reasons. It is bloody, filled with gore, and does a great job telling the story of a character many people know about named Yasuke. The show has a fantastic voice cast that makes all of the characters believable. With just six half hour episodes, this is an easy binge.
The story takes place in Japan when the country is completely torn apart by war. A black boatsman is quiet and keeps to himself in a small village, but quickly discovered to be so much more — the greatest ronin who ever lived. He has put aside his sword but once again pick it up to protect a sick young girl who needs him. As he transports her to a special doctor, he must fight dark forces and warlords, giving audiences an epic show in the process.
What Works With Yasuke
Yasuke boasts and incredible voice cast, many of which I recognized instantly upon hearing their voices. LaKeith Stanfield is one of my favorite actors, and I was a bit shocked to hear him as the main character in this show. That being said, his voice fits perfectly. It is subtle enough to really work. He is quiet, calm, and collected most of the time, but aggressive when he needs to be.
Ming-Na Wen is also a voice in this show that I instantly recognized, and of course, she does a fantastic job as well. Her character is exactly how I imagine her to be. Strong and powerful, yet gentle as well. Every voice in this show seems to fit perfectly, making all of the characters very believable. Honestly LaKeith seemed a bit flat at first, but as the show went on, it all made sense to me.
I love the animation style of Yasuke, especially when it comes to the fight scenes. There are some pretty epic battles in the short three hours of show, but each and every one is sure to keep the attention of the viewers.
What Doesn’t Work With Yasuke
There is not much to complain about when it comes to this show. Yasuke is a great length, with a compelling story, and a fantastic voice cast. As a fan of blood and gore in my anime, there is the perfect amount of that too.
However, when it comes to the backstories that we see, while appreciated, they sometimes mess with the pacing of the show. Throwing it off a bit much and causing a disconnect with the audience. Give it a few minutes though, and we are pulled right back in. Something silly but that really annoyed me while watching was the theme music. It just did not seem to fit with the show at all. When it would come on at the start and end of an episode, it immediately jerked me out of the world of Yasuke.
Overall Thoughts
Yasuke is a show that most anime fans are sure to enjoy. From the gorgeous action scenes, to the animation style, to the fantastic voice acting, to the intriguing story — it knows what it is doing. There is so much to love about this series, and the fact that season one can be watched in just three hours makes it a quick binge-watch.
About Yasuke
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.
Yasuke is created by LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters) who also serves as executive producer and director, revered Japanese animation studio MAPPA (Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen), with director and animator Takeshi Koike (Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine) responsible for character designs, music by Grammy Award-nominated artist Flying Lotus and award-winning actor LaKeith Stanfield serving as executive producer and the voice of Yasuke.
Yasuke hits Netflix on April 29th!
