Blue Eye Samurai

Every now and then, Netflix gets it right and BOY did they get this one right!

Blue Eye Samurai is one of the best animated series I've seen in a long time. The first episode had me hooked and by the third, I was completely invested in the characters, the plot, everything.

It's hilarious, heartbreaking, dark, a little dirty sometimes, gory as heck and just straight up beautiful. It can go from a captivating scene with gorgeous landscapes and delicate emotions being put on display to quick and precise butchery with martial arts and swordsmanship on full display. The main character plays to their strengths when facing skilled opponents and creates advantages when facing overwhelming odds. It's somewhat grounded and not too over the top. Kinda like a samurai John Wick. The animation is truly a pleasure to watch. The fight scenes are just *chefs kiss*

On the surface, it's a classic revenge tale. Some might find that boring and overdone but I kid you not, It's so much more than that.

It's also refreshing to see an animated series of this particular style without a ton of fantasy elements.

It's a must watch for me.

Utterly brilliant. Perfect storytelling, great animation, fantastic action I can't praise this series enough. I don't bother rating things usually but had to show my apprecaition for this masterpiece the only way I can.

Such a compeling tale of a damaged hero struggling with reconcilling revenge with personal growth. Alll and I do mean all the characters are well developed and even the smalll parts give you enough material to imagine thier lives, loves and motivations mapped out. This is an absolute must see for anyone not just anime fans. Don't spoil the plot on this one people go in blind and enjoy the reveals.

The brilliant animation team, Blue Spirit Studios, based out of Montreal and Paris, is the same group that did "What If?" which was their first foray beyond French cartoons. Their captivating artwork complement a fluid story line with strong character development. Continuing to collaborate with "Heroes" producer, Michael Green, Masi Oka provides timely humor as Ringo. The soundtrack is invigorating, lending a pulse to, at times, predictable action sequences. The comparisons to Kill Bill have been made by some critics, which is spot on since it combines a traditional story with a modern vibe. Over eight tightly packed episodes, the series contains a considerable amount of pacing that allows it to breathe with meaning and purpose. There isn't a better animated series IMHO and is perfect for fans of "Warrior" on MAX. You won't be able to tell how satisfying this show is till you start it.

Blue Eye Samurai is a captivating show that truly exceeded my expectations. The animation alone is a visual feast for the eyes, with stunning attention to detail and fluid movements that brought the characters and their world to life. Every frame felt meticulously crafted, showing the dedication and talent of the animators. Not only was the animation top-notch, but the story was equally compelling. From start to finish, Blue Eye Samurai kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to see what would happen next. It cleverly weaved together elements of action, drama, and mystery, creating a truly engaging narrative that captivated both my imagination and emotions. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engrossing anime.

The first five episodes of this animated story of vengeance (and love) set in 17th C Japan are superb. The characters are lively, the aesthetics are spot on and the story is compelling. But as it reaches towards the climax, the level of "suspension of disbelief" required to swallow the story become almost untenable. It's not the superheroic endurance of the main characters that got me, it was the stupid lazy errors in the writing. No Irishman in 17th C would have described himself as British. Guns were already in Japan (it's how Tokugawa got to power). The assault in the final episode is just daft.

Still it's a stylish and entertaining story regardless of its flaws and I hope they make more.