Blue Eye Samurai Review (2023) - A gripping, evocative, and exhilarating ride through the clash of swords, identity, and honor in feudal Japan!
Anime month continues!! In the spirit of exploring the vast and colorful world of anime, we potatoes are absolutely ecstatic to dive into the heart-pumping, action-packed Netflix show, “Blue Eye Samurai!” This show is a whirlwind of sharp swords, gripping storytelling, and a hearty sprinkle of historical intrigue!
Before we get into it, it's important to note that "Blue Eye Samurai" delves into some intense themes. The show doesn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of feudal Japan, including sexism, racism, graphic violence, nudity, betrayal, and the quest for vengeance. Please proceed with caution and always remember that your well-being is what is most important!
We will do everything we can to not give too many spoilers in this review but there is likely to be some so please take that into consideration and read cautiously. We would also like to add that the episodes are rather long so we will just be giving a glimpse of the first episode and wrapping up from there.
Onto the show!
The show begins with crackling sparks, and a spike of large flames, fading into a close up of snow falling. Black words appear on the screen, “In 1633, Japan closed its borders to the outside world. Completely.” We fade back to that fire, and some unseen metal worker using the fire to make something…
Back to the falling snow and more words appear on screen, “Citizens would never see a white face, nor any face that was not Japanese.” Cut back to the metal worker…and back to the snow…but this time we are seeing snow falling in a beautiful forest as an unknown person walks through the snow, cape billowing in the wind, large hat pulled over their eyes… “A child born mixed race would be considered less than human…Pitiable. Impure. Monstrous.”
The young man, our main character Mizu (Maya Erskine), proceeds through the snow walking through a small town. We cut back to the unseen metal worker, and see “Blue Eye Samurai” on screen! Already so intrigued! So many questions!
Cut back to Mizu walking into a noodle establishment supposedly to eat… he sits down at a table, and waits. This is where we meet one of our favorite characters: Ringo (Masi Oka)! Ringo is a noodle maker that works at the shop. The owner of the establishment demands that Ringo see to the new customer.
Ringo walks over to where he is seated, he talks up the food, and tells him what he is going to bring him. Mizu nods in acknowledgment.
Ringo gets up and moves to another table to collect some of the dishes, the man sitting at this table rudely demands more noodles. There are two women sitting with him. Their eyes are cast down, and they appear to be afraid of the man. The man demands that the two women, “finish their bowls! I paid your fathers good money for you. The brothels will pay me even more once you get some curve on, you skinny country nothings. EAT!”
EEEEEWE. This made us potatoes want to reach through the screen and slap the man so hard that his teeth bleed…luckily we do not have to do anything…as Mizu takes care of the horrid piece of shit for us!
We see Ringo cooking up some more noodles, and bringing them to the young man with the wide brimmed hat. He eats heartily and appreciatively. Ringo is pleased as he stands to go to the next table with the awful “flesh trader.”
We hate this…we hate everything about it… people are not things. We are not objects to be sold. We are all people, and we are all human. These young women deserve so much better.
Back to the show! Ringo steps up to the table and the man seated at the table says, “Finally! Eat up girls. Eat it all!” He grabs the face of one of the women roughly as he yells this at them.
When he pulls his arm back from physically assaulting the young woman, he knocks into Ringo and causes one of the bowls of noodles to spill all over him. Enraged the awful man stands up and shouts at Ringo!
Ringo turns to try to walk away but slips on the spilled noodles and spills the second bowl. The grotesque man, enraged, pulls out a gun! He points the gun at Ringo and asks him if he knows who he is!
Ringo of course does not, so the man says, “I am Hachiman the Flesh-Trader. No one messes with Hachi!”
Mizu pushes his table out loudly so that he can stand. He approaches Hachi (West Liang), making some small talk about the gun not being Japanese.
Hachi is proud of his foreign weapon, but does not admit that it is imported. Mizu continues to comment on the gun, and he asks who sold him the gun…Hachi is defensive. Tells him to “fuck off.”
Mizu pushes…”Tell me who sold you the gun…”
Hachi points the gun in his face and threatens him. Mizu smiles, and using a cooking knife left on a table cuts two of Hachi’s fingers off! Hachi screams and moans, with blood dripping down his hand.
Hachi thinks Mizu wants to take his gun, but Mizu could not have less of an interest in the actual gun…he wants to know WHO SOLD the gun. “Heiji Shindo! I bought it from Heiji Shindo!”
“Where is Heiji Shindo?”
“I don’t know! I swear!”
Mizu lowers his glasses…to reveal blue eyes and tosses Hachi aside. He turns to walk out of the shop…but Hachi is disgusted…”You dead eyed, half-blooded, bastard. You look like an onryo!”
Turning quickly…and with a quick SLICE of his sword, he removes several more of Hachis fingers, and with a dramatic swoosh leaves the shop. Mesmerized by his skill Ringo impulsively packs up his things and follows him!
Ringo has decided that he wants to be a samurai! He wants the man to train him! But of course…Mizu does not want to train anyone. He has his own agenda…and believes that Ringo will likely get in the way of that. So…he ties Ringo up to a tree and walks away.
As he walks he comes across a small temple and decides to take a moment to pray. He lights a stick of incense, and kneels before it. “To a man lost in the dark, an ember can light the way. Thank you for my ember. I was lost without course so long. Please. Let this ember’s light brighten a path from this Heiji Shindo to the men I seek. Please guide my steps until I find them. Please give me the strength to kill them. Or let me die. Please protect sword father from time and harm.”
We are going to wrap up from here, but this show is complex, and truly an absolute masterpiece! As you may have already guessed, it follows the journey of a mixed-race master samurai named Mizu (Maya Erskine). Set in a beautifully animated version of feudal Japan, Mizu navigates the complexities of identity, honor, and revenge. The show seamlessly blends historical elements with modern storytelling, creating a story that's as enchanting as it is thought-provoking!
Mizu, with his striking blue eyes, stands out in a sea of traditional samurai warriors! This distinction is more than just his eye color, it symbolizes the cultural and personal struggles he faces on a daily basis. As a mixed-race warrior in a rigidly structured society, he battles not just physical foes, but also societal prejudices, trauma, and his own internal conflicts.
The action sequences in “Blue Eye Samurai” are a spectacle to behold! The animation is so fluid and beautifully captures the swiftness and precision of samurai combat. Each battle is a dance that is choreographed with such finesse that you can't help but be on the edge of your seat!
But what really sets “Blue Eye Samurai” apart is its deep dive into the emotional and psychological landscapes of the characters. Mizu’s journey is a tumultuous one, filled with challenges that test his honor, loyalty, and the very essence of his being. Through his eyes, we explore themes of identity, acceptance, and self-sacrifice.
The show also does a fantastic job of fleshing out its supporting characters! We potatoes have to give a few shout outs to a couple of our favorites, Akemi (Brenda Song) and Ringo (Masi Oka)! Taigen (Darren Barnet), while an important character...we potatoes found him to be relatively obnoxious overall.
But! Each one, from the loyal side-kicks to the cunning enemies, is layered and complex, adding depth to the story and providing various perspectives on the era, which we absolutely loved! This is truly wonderful storytelling that is completely character driven and so entertaining that we felt as though we were glued to the couch!
As fantastic as this show is, it touches on some incredibly heavy issues. We potatoes appreciate entertainment that is not afraid to show the darker side of things. Feudal Japan's rigid patriarchal structure had a profound impact on women's lives which is a big part of the overall story. We, of course, being the potatoes that we are, feel that it is important to discuss! “Blue Eye Samurai” sheds some light on not only what being a woman meant back in that time frame…but how these harmful and patriarchal ideas still exist to this day.
This era wasn't just a dramatic backdrop, it was a time when women, were boxed into domestic roles, their autonomy and person-hood sacrificed. Their lives relegated to supporting roles.
Marriage in this period was a mess as well, typically considered a political chess game, where women's romantic lives and fidelity were tightly controlled. The rights of women were further clipped by property and inheritance laws, leaving their contributions in fields and businesses often overlooked and undervalued.
The arts and literature of the time? Well, they often echoed these sexist attitudes, typically casting women, once again, in secondary roles. Le sigh…Education for women was limited, mostly focusing on domestic and moral teachings, keeping them subservient.
Fast forward to today, and we can still see the lasting impacts of historical gender roles still profoundly affect women worldwide. Despite strides in education and political representation, women grapple with the 'double burden' of careers and domestic responsibilities, face persistent workplace challenges like pay gaps, under-representation in modern leadership, and career advancement barriers due to societal biases and stereotypes.
Economic struggles, amplified by issues like poverty and the extra burden of childcare, persist. Additionally, women disproportionately endure domestic violence, sexual harassment, general objectification and insufficient legal protection. In healthcare, especially in reproductive health, services often fall short of women's needs. Moreover, media portrayal continues to perpetuate stereotypes, further entrenching societal inequality and affecting women's self-perception and general treatment.
“Blue Eye Samurai” showcases a lot of these issues in a period appropriate manner. It can be difficult to watch at times, but it does not shy away from the realities that women faced then, and unfortunately still face in varying degrees today. We potatoes hope that with more progress we as a species can recognize the humanity in each other. That we can grow as a species, together, to be more compassionate, kind, emotionally intelligent, and wise.
Getting back to the show! Let's talk visuals! “Blue Eye Samurai” is stunning! The animation style pays homage to traditional Japanese art while infusing it with some fun modern flair. The landscapes are lush and incredibly vivid, immersing you in a world that feels both ancient and lively. The attention to detail in the settings, from the bustling market streets to the serene cherry blossom groves, is absolutely gorgeous!
Of course, as amazing as this show is! There were a few minor flaws. “Blue Eye Samurai"” can feel a bit rushed, like it is trying to pack too much story into too little time. Some plot points could have benefited from more development, and certain character arcs feel a tad incomplete.
But, overall! "Blue Eye Samurai" stands as a bold and captivating show that takes you on an epic journey! The acting is phenomenal. The storytelling is gripping and action packed. We love the inclusivity that we see in the show as well! It's a show that not only entertains but also invites you to ponder deeper questions about identity, honor, society and what it truly means to truly accept yourself for who you are.
We potatoes wholeheartedly recommend giving “Blue Eye Samurai” a watch! If you are someone who enjoys action-packed samurai tales or just love a good story rich in historical context and emotional depth, this show is 100% for you! Let us raise a glass to “Blue Eye Samurai” an extremely thrilling ride through the depths of history, culture, and the human spirit! Cheers!
We give this show 5 out of 5 cups of sake!
The Blue Eye Samurai Drinking Game
Take a sip anytime:
1. Anyone calls Mizu a monster, demon, or implies in any way that they are impure
2. Mizu kicks ass or does something badass
3. Mizu ignores someone in need or does something crappy for the sake of revenge
4. Mizu does something good, kind, or altruistic
5. Mizu removes glasses or lowers glasses to show eyes
6. Mizu gets injured
7. Ringo talks about food
8. Ringo goes on a rant
9. Ringo mentions being an apprentice or a samurai
10. Ringo saves the day!
11. Akemi makes an impulsive choice
12. Akemi is sassy
13. Akemi is a badass
14. Taigen is arrogant or smug
15. Taigen is an idiot
16. The sword father shares words of wisdom
17. The sword father talks about the process of making swords
18. There’s nudity on screen
19. There's an act of senseless violence
20. There's a flashback
21. Gratuitous gore or dismemberment
22. Anyone says or does something blatantly sexist or treats women like objects
23. Anyone says "Revenge"
24. Anyone mentions "The White Man", or says “Fowler.”
25. Anyone says or mentions “Guns”
What did you think? Did you like the Show? Did you hate it? What show or movies should we watch? Any and all thoughts are welcome! Let us know here in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly!