You may have heard of the anime series called Cannon Busters, which debuted on Netflix back in 2020. Well, did you know that the creator of that show, LeSean Thomas, was busy at work with a new anime series called Yasuke? Well, a few minutes ago, news broke that Yasuke will premiere on Netflix next month, on April 29th, 2021.
Yes, next month! The wait is almost here!
Yasuke is a six-episode animated series based on the history of the first Black Samurai, who changed the course of Japanese history. The show will focus on Yasuke, who has been charged with transporting a mysterious child, targeted for some reason. Yasuke also seems to be harboring a violent past and has been attempting to live a peaceful life. Though, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to be able to keep this up. What’s interesting to me is that while the show will take place in feudal Japan, it will be quite a different one we’ve learned about. This feudal Japan will be full of magic and mechs – so we’re getting a sci-fi samurai anime? How are you not excited about this?
Created by LeSean Thomas and starring LaKeith Stanfield, with the Japanese animation studio, MAPPA, handing the animation. You may have heard of this studio, thanks to several of their amazing works, including Granblue Fantasy the Animation Season 2, The God of High School, Yuri!! On Ice and, more recently, Jujutsu Kaisen.
Here’s what LeSean Thomas had to say about Yaksure getting a release date.
There is a serendipitous nature about this project, how an African-American man goes to Japan to live and work amongst the very best in Japanese anime to create an anime about an African who goes to Japan to live amongst the Japanese elite and become a warrior. Part of me deep down feels I was meant to create this adventure series with MAPPA, Flying Lotus, LaKeith & the rest of this talented team.
Yasuke is a fascinating, mysterious figure in Japanese history that’s drawn a growing interest in today’s media over the decades. I first learned of Yasuke’s role in Japanese history over a decade or so. The children’s book, Kuro-suke by Kurusu Yoshio, featured images that piqued my curiosity. To eventually learn that he wasn’t just a fictional character, but a real person, was exciting material for an adventure story.
I’m so excited for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy our reimagined take on this historical figure.
Yasuke will be the second anime based on the historical figure. The first being Afro Samurai’s main character, Afro, was based on Yasuke. While there isn’t a trailer available yet, we were treated to several images from the anime, and they look fantastic. I can’t wait to see this show in action. Heck, I can’t wait to hear the show’s score. I’m sure it’s going to be a banger.
Yasuke debuts on Netflix this April 29, 2021. Are you looking forward to watching it like I am?
