News

The anime streaming landscape is shifting rapidly, and Netflix has emerged as a surprising leader in an industry long dominated by niche platforms like Crunchyroll and Hulu. According to recent reports, Netflix’s strategy of diversifying its anime library and leveraging its global reach is paying off, with the platform generating more anime revenue than its rivals combined.

Netflix’s Dominance in Anime Streaming Revenue

A report by Parrot Analytics and the Association of Japanese Animations (Aja) highlighted some eye-opening figures for the anime industry in 2023. The global anime market raked in a total of $19.8 billion, with streaming services contributing $5.5 billion—a 41% share of which originated from North America. Netflix alone accounted for 38% of the global anime streaming revenue, bringing in an impressive $2.074 billion.

In contrast, Crunchyroll—widely regarded as the go-to platform for anime purists—focused more on merchandising and community-driven initiatives. While Crunchyroll reported $1 billion in retail sales...

Why Did Yasuke Feature Mech Suits Despite Historical Inaccuracy? Director Defends Controversial Decision - Main Image

Fans have criticized Netflix's original anime series Yasuke for featuring fantastical elements such as mech suits despite being based on a historical figure.

While the series was praised for celebrating the legacy of the first black samurai, some of the creative decisions have become controversial and fans felt that it did not live up to the full potential of the concept.

Yasuke Director Defends the Show's Fantastical Elements

While appearing recently at the Japan Society in New York City, Yasuke director LeSean Thomas addressed the backlash that the series has been receiving since it premiered three years ago.

"Nobody’s seen anything like this before, and they’re already telling me how to make it," he said.

Thomas noted that the criticisms did not bother him as "those fans are passionate," but he...

As the home of the samurai profession, Japan has an understandable love for the genre and thus many samurai anime and manga series exist. These series transport viewers to feudal Japan or imaginative worlds inspired by its rich culture, where skilled swordsmen uphold justice, navigate intricate political landscapes, and embark on journeys of personal growth.

Although many have faithfully depicted the life of a samurai, there are just as many that take their own route and blend genres while staying true to the spirit of the swordsmen. This makes the samurai genre an extremely diverse and exciting one, and there's bound to be one or two that strike a chord with anime fans.

Yasuke Produced by Mappa Studios

Yasuke

Directed by LeSean Thomas and Takeru Sato, Yasuke is a Netflix-based Anime that stars the voices of Lakeith Stanfield in the lead role. The premise revolves around an African man...

“You just couldn’t die, could you?”

There are certain anime evergreen customs that are omnipresent in the medium, with ninja and samurai right at the top of the list. Audiences have their share of options when it comes to such content, whether it’s established classics like Rurouni Kenshin, Jubei-chan: The Ninja Girl, and Ninja Scroll, or newer modern hits like Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku, Yasuke, and Blue Eye Samurai. It’s harder to stand out in a genre that’s done it all before, but this only makes Ninja Kamui’s success even more significant. Adult Swim is not one to chase trends, but they’ve tapped into an electric energy here and produced a powerful series that confidently slices its way through the competition.

The danger of a show like Ninja Kamui that prides itself in vicious violence is that characters can feel more like caricatures and...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Blue Eye Samurai season 1.

Fowler's plan to overthrow the Shogunate failed as Mizu intervened and he saved his own life despite killing the Shogun. Mizu leaves Japan and heads to London for Season 2, seeking revenge on the other potential fathers who cursed her life. The show is based on a fictional story set in an accurate historical context, with elements of real events and figures like the navigator William Adams.

The Netflix original Blue Eye Samurai ended on a promising note, offering a slew of interesting possibilities within its medieval Japan setting. Be it with the case of cult classics like Samurai Champloo or feudal reimaginings like Samurai 7, the legends of these Japanese warrior clans have fascinated anime fans for a long time. The nail-biting season finale keeps the viewers rooting for Mizu as she finally gets a step closer to exacting...

Lakeith Stanfield has showcased his versatility as an actor through his diverse roles in both film and television, playing absurdly hilarious and morally ambiguous characters. Stanfield's performances in acclaimed projects like Short Term 12 and Judas and the Black Messiah have garnered critical praise and recognition, including an Oscar nomination. From his work in popular shows like Atlanta to his appearances in major films like Get Out, Stanfield has consistently demonstrated his ability to captivate audiences and deliver powerful performances.

Lakeith Stanfield has been one of Hollywood’s most charismatic rising stars since the 2010s, as is evident from his diverse work in both film and TV. The Oscar nominee has proven his worth in acclaimed indie hits like Short Term 12 as well as major studio films like Judas and the Black Messiah. As a television actor, the California native has appeared in diverse projects like Donald Glover’s...

Exclusive: Actors Iko Uwais, Beulah Koale, and Kate Elliott have signed on to star in Ash, the sophomore feature from producer, rapper, and filmmaker Flying Lotus (Kuso).

The trio round out the cast alongside Flying Lotus, who will now also act in the pic alongside serving as director. As Deadline previously revealed, Eiza González (Baby Driver) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) lead the project, which comes from an original screenplay written by Jonni Remmler.

Production on the pic began this week in New Zealand, with Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films and Matthew Metcalfe of Gfc Films producing. Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and Echo Lake are onboard as exec producers. XYZ Films is co-financing alongside Ipr.Vc. Flying Lotus is also set to compose an original score for the film.

Plot follows a woman (González) who wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed.

Released in 2021, "Yasuke" is an anime miniseries created by LeSean Thomas for Netflix. Based on a legendary figure from Japanese history, the titular Yasuke is an African man who comes to Japan with some Jesuit missionaries and eventually becomes a samurai in the service of Lord Oda Nobunaga. When Nobunaga and his forces are destroyed by another warlord, Yasuke flees and finds a quiet retirement as a boatman outside a small village. When he's asked to help a sick little girl get to a doctor, he soon finds himself called on to fight once again.

With only six episodes, it's entirely likely that "Yasuke" will leave you wanting more. Fortunately, there are lots of other anime series out there for you to watch, and quite a few of them have similar settings and themes. We've put together a list of anime you should check out once you've watched Yasuke, and...

Guess who's drunk — er, starring in his own animated show? More than a decade after hitting theaters in 2010, Edgar Wright's commercial failure turned cult classic "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" is getting an official continuation in the form of an anime series. The original movie, which adapts Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim" comic books, centers on the eponymous Mr. Pilgrim (Michael Cera), a 22-year-old under-achieving Toronto musician who falls head over heels for the enigmatic Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The only catch? To date Ramona, Scott must first battle her seven "evil" exes, who range from egotistical film stars to bassists with vegan superpowers.

One could call "Scott Pilgrim" the "Short Term 12" of comic book films in that it features many actors who've gone on to become far bigger names since its release ... including, amusingly enough, the star of "Short Term 12" itself, Brie Larson. It's also...

Exclusive: Eiza González (Baby Driver) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) are attached to star in sci-fi thriller Ash, the sophomore feature from producer, rapper and filmmaker Flying Lotus (Kuso).

Paul and González will replace Tessa Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt who were previously announced last summer.

Gonzalez will play a woman who wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed. She must decide whether she can trust the man (Paul) sent to rescue her.

Flying Lotus is also set to compose an original score, with production due to start in New Zealand in May.

Based on an original screenplay by Jonni Remmler, XYZ Films and Gfc Films are producing, with Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and Echo Lake onboard as exec producers. XYZ Films is co-financing alongside Ipr.Vc.

Baby Driver and Ambulance actress González will next be seen in Benioff and Weiss series Three...

Stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski is keeping awfully busy these days. The "John Wick" creator is set to release the fourth installment of the action-packed franchise, and according to The Hollywood Reporter he has just been tapped to direct the upcoming "Black Samurai" movie for Netflix. Stahelski is teaming up with Leigh Dana Jackson, one of the co-executive producers of the superpower series "Raising Dion" to write the script, which will be an adaptation of Marc Olden's "Black Samurai" novel series.

Netflix hasn't provided much information regarding the film, but the "Black Samurai" book series is comprised of eight novels, all Blaxploitation stories set in the 1970s and centered on American soldier Robert Sand, who is on leave in Japan and learns the most powerful forms of martial arts to become the Black Samurai. It seems safe to assume that the film will focus on the vengeance plot of the first...

“Band of Brothers” writer Bruce McKenna is teaming with David Broyles (“Six”) and Nick Jones Jr. (“Yasuke”) to write and produce a limited TV series “Buffalo Rangers” about the 2nd Ranger Company, the only all-Black special operations combat unit in U.S. history. They were notable for their efforts in the Korean War.

The series is being produced by South Korea-based Moving Pictures Company, which has a growing English-language slate. No broadcaster or streamer has been announced.

Producing alongside Broyles, Jones and McKenna are Thomas Suh (through his production company Système D Entertainment), Paul Merryman (“The Outpost”), Debra Martin Chase and Jariko Denman (“The Outpost”), a retired master sergeant with 15 combat deployments.

Tim McCoy, a 2nd Ranger company historian for many years, will serve as a consultant to the project.

The 2nd Rangers were made of volunteers from other army regiments and were commanded by Black officers. Their nickname stems...

Historians and pop culture aficionados alike have been fascinated with the story of Yasuke for centuries - -the real life tale of the first Black Samurai, first gaining notoriety in 16th century feudal Japan. As the story goes, an African slave named Yasuke arrived and rewrote his destiny from being a serviceman of Jesuit missionaries during the Nanban trade to becoming a great warrior and eventually a legendary ronin.

Yasuke was a real person who existed, but the lore surrounding him has been told and retold countless times across a variety of manga, anime, and video games. Netflix debuted an anime series in 2021 featuring the voice of Lakeith Stanfield in the titular role. Now the streaming giant is pursuing a new adaptation starring Omar Sy of "Lupin" fame, who has an overall deal with the streamer. The series will be a five-part event from Nick Jones Jr., the head writer of the anime,...

Click here to read the full article.

Netflix is producing another version of Yasuke and teaming up with some familiar collaborators to do it.

The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned that Lupin star Omar Sy will play the real-life legend, an African man brought to feudal Japan under enslavement who became the country’s first non-Japanese samurai, in a new live-action series. The five-part event series will be penned by military vet-turned-screenwriter Nick Jones Jr., who served as head writer for the streamer’s Yasuke anime adaptation last year.

“Getting a chance to finally bring Yasuke’s legendary true story to life has been a dream of mine ever since I served in Japan as a Marine,” Jones said in a statement.

Jones and Sy will both serve as executive producers alongside 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy and Josh Barry as well as Significant Productions’ Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi.

Tessa Thompson and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are teaming up for “Ash,” a sci-fi thriller directed by filmmaker and musician Steven Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus.

Written by Jonni Remmler, the film follows an astronaut (Thompson) who wakes up on the distant planet she’s stationed on to find that the rest of her crew has been brutally murdered. After another astronaut (Gordon-Levitt) comes to rescue her, they begin to investigate what happened, setting into motion a horrifying series of events that leave them wondering if they can really trust each other.

Flying Lotus will compose an original score. XYZ Films and Gfc Films are set to produce. XYZ is handling worldwide sales at next month’s TIFF, where Flying Lotus’ anthology horror film “V/Hs/99,” will premiere in the Midnight Madness program. Executive producers on “Ash” are “District 9” writer-director Neill Blomkamp and Echo Lake.

Also Read:

Tessa Thompson and...

In February, the most in-demand show on Netflix was “Attack on Titan.” “The Walking Dead,” “Stranger Things,” “The Witcher,” and “Cobra Kai” round out the top five most in-demand series last month on the streaming giant. “Attack on Titan” had 57.85 times the demand of the average series for the month — as measured by Parrot Analytics‘ patented platform, which takes into account consumer research data, streaming, downloads and social media, among other consumer engagement. The anime series had the highest global demand of any series in 2021 in addition to being the most in-demand series in the United States. This show is a smart addition to Netflix’s platform as it capitalizes on a growing demand for anime while Netflix works on making the next must-see anime for itself. The streamer’s original anime series like “Yasuke” and “Castlevania” have already caught audiences’ attention, but not to the same degree as a...

Multi-hyphenate Flying Lotus and his company Brainfeeder Films has linked with Paris-based Logical Pictures and XYZ Films for a multi-picture development deal covering a slate of films that the artist will produce and direct.

Logical Content Ventures, the co-production fund backed by Logical Pictures, will finance the development of the films, which will focus on genres in the horror, thriller and sci-fi universe. Logical also secured a first-look agreement to finance and produce. The slate will span multiple projects, with XYZ Films set to produce and handle sales.

The deal was negotiated by Frédéric Fiore and Grace Adams from Logical Pictures, and by Nate Bolotin, partner at XYZ Films, on behalf of Brainfeeder Films.

Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, is a genre-bending, Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, filmmaker and rapper. He founded Brainfeeder Records in 2008.

Since 2006, Ellison has released six studio albums and composed much of the music heard...

Exclusive: Musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus has set the sci-fi horror film Ash as his second feature, on the heels of his body horror anthology Kuso, which made its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

The new film, for which the multi-hyphenate will also compose an original score, watches as a woman wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed, her investigation into what happened setting in motion a terrifying chain of events.

Jonni Remmler penned the original screenplay. XYZ Films and Gfc Films will produce, with Echo Lake on board as exec producer. XYZ is also financing and handling worldwide sales. Casting will get underway later this month, with production slated for this summer.

Ash follows XYZ’s collaboration with Gfc on Toa Fraser’s New Zealand Oscar entry The Dead Lands, which was presented to the U.S. market by James Cameron,...

Platforms are flooding the market with episodic content, vying for a slice of a vast global television landscape. It’s a landscape that’s been forced to evolve in order to survive a chain of likely irreversible transformations. And audiences are understandably overwhelmed. The search for what to watch that suits any given mood has become an increasingly taxing process that can frustrate even the least flustered.

IndieWire is here to help carry some of the burden with monthly recommendations of films and television series to watch. For this feature, stories that foreground Black lives in a serial format are in focus. It’s a selection of eight shows, all from the last decade, crossing three continents, dominated by the onscreen talents of Black women. From soap opera (“Greenleaf) to action (“L.A.’s Finest”), science-fiction (“Nightflyers”), animation (“Yasuke”), and crime (“Top Boy”), there’s something here to suit almost every palate on earth and in space.

Netflix has moved fast to roll out official merchandise for “Squid Game,” in a bid to capitalize on the unexpected success of the Korean survival thriller.

The streamer’s merch for “Squid Game” (at this link) includes T-shirts with the show’s logo and key images from the series ($34.95), a shirt that lets you pick a custom player number ($39.95), and a customizable hoodie that lets you pick a square, triangle or circle icon — which represent the three different guard ranks — along with show logo in English or Korean ($49.95).

“Accept the invitation at your own risk,” the Netflix.shop site says about the new apparel. “If you’re like us and love ‘Squid Game,’ you’ve come to the right place — and the stakes aren’t as high.”

Alas, there are no “Squid Game” player tracksuits or red guard jumpsuits in the Netflix online store. To find those (unofficial) garments, you...

Lakeith Stanfield will star in an adaptation of the Victor Lavalle novel “The Changeling,” which has been ordered to series at Apple, Variety has learned.

The series is described as a fairytale for grown-ups. It is further described as a horror story, a parenthood fable, and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed.

Kelly Marcel will write the adaptation in addition to serving as executive producer and showrunner on the series. Melina Matsoukas will direct and executive produce. Stanfield will also executive produce in addition to starring. Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, Patrick Chu, and Ali Krug will executive produce on behalf of Annapurna. Matsoukas will executive produce through her De La Revolution Films, and Khaliah Neal will co-executive produce. The series will be produced by Apple Studios and Annapurna.

Stanfield broke out with his role on the critically-acclaimed FX series “Atlanta,” with the third...

(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they’ve been watching, why it’s worth checking out, and where you can stream it.) The Series: Yasuke Where You Can Stream It: Netflix The Pitch: A Black ronin finds himself tasked with protecting a young girl in a fantasy-tinged, alt-history version of 16th-century […]

The post The Daily Stream: Lakeith Stanfield Voices the Anime ‘Yasuke’ in a Feudal Japan with Magic and Mechs appeared first on /Film.

In 1987, Disney was on a roll. Profits were up almost 80 percent and the company had 8,000 licensed products on shelves around the world. But then-ceo Michael Eisner wanted more. So he opened the first Disney Store, as a “natural extension of our company.”

“Every time there’s a new release of our classic movies, there’ll be something in the stores to remind you of that. I would hope that when we put out a new video of Mickey Mouse cartoons or of a Disney movie, the video will be sold in the stores. And when something is happening of some importance in the Disney Co., it will be reflected in the stores,” he told the Los Angeles Times at the time. “The stores are a great image … Especially if we have a lot of them around the country.”

The retail business has changed a lot in three decades, but Disney...

Comic book properties are currently very popular with streaming platforms, and looking for new IP to adapt, Netflix acquired the works of Mark Millar. One of the first projects from his catalog was that of Jupiter's Legacy, which is currently available to watch in its entirety. It appears that the show will only receive one season for the time being.

Related: 10 Best Anime Like Netflix's Yasuke

While the incredible $200 million budget might be a huge factor in Netflix choosing to pass on a second season, the entertainment brand does have its eye on a spin-off show. With Super Crooks now in development, there's a lot of questions about the fate of Jupiter's Legacy as well as the plan moving forward in regards to a new set of anthologies from MillarWorld.

Netflix's recent anime series, Yasuke, is notable for featuring a Black character as a ninja in Japan of the 16th century. While the show deals with science-fiction and fantasy elements, the titular protagonist also deals with issues around race while carving an identity of his own.

Related: 10 Best Anime Like Netflix's Yasuke

Anime like Haikyu!!, Bleach, and My Hero Academia have featured notable Black supporting characters. Otherwise, Black characters are limited in conventional anime series and often involve stereotypical portrayals that did not age well. At the same time, a few modern classics feature notable Black protagonists, including the likes of Michiko & Hatchin, Afro-Samurai, and Neo Yokio.

After Castlevania, based on the classic Konami video game, came to an end, the world it created is living on. As Deadline reported in April, Netflix is going forward a new anime series set in the same Castlevania universe with an entirely new cast of characters.

Today, as part of Netflix Geeked’s inaugural Geeked Week, the team behind Castlevania unveiled the new series, created in partnership with Kevin Kolde’s Project 51 Productions with showrunner and executive producer Clive Bradley.

Serving as executive producers, Kolde and Bradley will lead the new series centered on Richter Belmont — a descendant of Castlevania characters Trevor and Sypha — and set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.

Powerhouse Animation will continue to partner on the new Castlevania series as the animation studio with Sam and Adam Deats directing.

The 10-episode fourth and final season of Castlevania, which launched in 2017 as the streamer’s...

Netflix is getting into the retail business.

The streaming giant has unveiled today Netflix.shop, an online storefront where fans will be able to buy a wide array of products -- from apparel to toys to events and games -- inspired by their favorite Netflix series and films.

In a blog post, VP of consumer products Josh Simon said the company would “drop exclusive limited editions of carefully selected high-quality apparel and lifestyle products tied to our shows and brand on a regular basis.”

At launch, the company is introducing streetwear and action figures inspired by two anime series, Eden and Yasuke (pictured above). The company is also releasing limited-edition apparel and decorative items inspired by French spy drama Lupin, in collaboration with the Louvre museum. Netflix says it is working with up-and-coming designers on products, including Nathalie Nguyen, Kristopher Kites, and Jordan Bentley, who created the Eden and Yasuke launches.

Netflix is diving into ecommerce with the launch of its first branded merchandise shop on Thursday.

Featuring streetwear collections, home decor, jewelry and other merchandise, the shop will allow Netflix — which does not run ads on its services — to access another revenue stream that capitalizes off the streamer’s popular shows like Stranger Things, The Witcher, Bridgerton and others.

As of the Thursday launch, customers can purchase items from collections designed by Nathalie Nguyen, Kristopher Kites and Jordan Bentley that are inspired by the anime series Yasuke and Eden. Later this month, merchandise inspired by the hit series Lupin will feature heavily on the shop and include products ...

Netflix is diving into e-commerce with the launch of its first branded merchandise shop on Thursday.

Featuring streetwear collections, home decor, jewelry and other merchandise, the shop will allow Netflix — which does not run ads on its services — to have access to another revenue stream that capitalizes off the streamer’s popular shows like Stranger Things, The Witcher, Bridgerton and more.

As of the Thursday launch, customers can purchase items from collections designed by Nathalie Nguyen, Kristopher Kites and Jordan Bentley that are inspired by the anime series Yasuke and Eden. Later this month, merchandise inspired by the hit series Lupin will feature heavily on the shop and include ...

You know what everyone could use in the sweltering summer months? A nice, cold glass of…anime. At least that’s the particular theme that comes up in Netflix’s list of new releases for June 2021.

Netflix has been quietly expanding their anime offerings for awhile now but June is a particularly anime-heavy month. The absolutely metal sounding Record of Ragnarok arrives this month. So too do parts 1 and 2 of the newest Sailor Moon film on June 3 and Godzilla Singular Point on June 24.

Read more TV Yasuke Review: Netflix Anime Reclaims The Story of a Black Samurai By Caroline Cao TV Anime For Beginners: Best Genres and Series to Watch By Daniel Kurland

But for those who aren’t ready to dip their toe in the anime pool yet, Netflix has some other originals of note in June. Sweet Tooth, the ambitious comic adaptation starring Will Forte premieres on June 4. Then,...

Lakeith Stanfield has stepped forward to denounce hate speech, after getting caught up in controversy involving anti-Semitic comments on Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse chat reportedly centered on the legacy of Louis Farrakhan, the American religious leader who is known for his anti-Semitic views. While Stanfield did not engage in hate speech himself, he was widely criticized for his presence at the virtual event, where he at one point was designated as a moderator.

In a recent interview with The Daily Beast, the Oscar-nominated actor explained that he was only at the Clubhouse chat to educate himself on Farrakhan and his views. “I definitely don’t align myself with Louis Farrakhan, I don’t stand by him,” he said. “Any kind of hate speech, I vehemently reject. That’s not up for debate, hate is not up for debate.”

The 29-year-old took the opportunity multiple times to make his stance on hate speech clear.

After scoring an Academy Award nomination for his commanding performance as Bill O'Neal in Judas and the Black Messiah, acclaimed actor Lakeith Stanfield voiced the lead role in Netflix's new six-part anime series, Yasuke. Created by Lesean Thomas, the historical samurai anime draws inspiration from the real-life titular hero who arrived in Japan in 1579 from Africa and become one of the most formidable fighters in all the land.

Related: 10 Anime Time Skips That Skimmed Over Important Moments

Yasuke joins a rich lineage of action-packed samurai anime to be created in the past two decades, many of which blend the history of Feudal Japan with futuristic artwork. Here are the absolute best to watch.

As the Covid-19 pandemic, Oval Office hysteria and racial tumult raged outside his studio walls, Flying Lotus spent 2020 with a laser focus on, of all things, anime. The acclaimed musician/producer, whose real name is Steven Ellison, created more than 200 tracks for the score of Netflix’s new anime series “Yasuke,” which premiered April 30 on the streamer; an accompanying soundtrack is out now via Warp Records. Beyond its stellar animation, “Yasuke” has drawn attention for its title character, a real-life 16th century samurai of African descent — a truly rare showing in anime. In much the same way, Flying Lotus has spent his career breaking down barriers between genres, from his jazz-influenced work with Kendrick Lamar to strategically dropping the “Twin Peaks” theme song into his psychedelic DJ sets. Variety spoke to the artist about his creative process for “Yasuke,” his recent Grammy win as co-producer of his friend Thundercat’s...

Yasuke is the latest anime series from maverick creator LeSean Thomas. With the voice talents of Oscar-nominated Lakeith Stanfield (Sorry To Bother You), Ming-Na Wen (The Mandalorian), Darren Criss (Glee), and Keone Young (Men in Black 3) to name a few, plus a soundtrack by Grammy-nominated artist Flying Lotus, Yasuke is an imaginative fantasy world of mechs and demons, set against the backdrop of feudal Japan. The titular character of Yasuke is based on a real historical figure, the first known Black samurai who lived in the mid-sixteenth century.

Previously in 2019, Thomas delivered another well-regarded Netflix anime titled Cannon Busters. That was a crazy mashup of Wild West towns, transformer mechs, aliens, and droids. It’s just the sort of genre bending fare that only comics and anime can provide. Cannon Busters has a nod to samurai folklore too. There is a drunken ronin named 9ine who is connected to the legend of the 47 Ronin.

Yasuke is a groundbreaking new anime that fuses fact and fiction. The six-episode original series streaming on Netflix now is the brainchild of comic artist and animation director LeSean Thomas. The titular role in Yasuke is voiced by Oscar-nominated Lakeith Stanfield who is also one of the producers. Yasuke comes from Japan’s animation house Mappa (Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association) who also produced noteworthy animes like Attack on Titan, Rage of Baphomet, and Punch Line. Grammy-nominated artist Flying Lotus (a.k.a. FlyLo) provides the soundtrack and is also another producer.

Yasuke is somewhat in the same vein as Afro Samurai or Samurai Jack in propelling an iconic Samurai figure into a rich fantasy world.

“It just sits right alongside Afro Samurai and Samurai Jack,” acknowledges Thomas, “They’re going to be compared regardless because those are the only three that are being pushed to the Western entertainment. So,...

[Editor’s Note: The following review contains spoilers for “Yasuke”]

“Yasuke” is purportedly a show about history’s first Black samurai. When the Netflix adult animated series sticks to that idea, it’s pretty good. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the six-episode series to lose sight of its compelling protagonist in favor of increasingly outlandish fantasy elements.

The series, which hails from animation veteran LeSean Thomas (whose credits range from “The Legend of Korra” and “Black Dynamite” to “The Boondocks”) is very loosely based on Yasuke, who served Oda Nobunaga, the “Great Unifier” of Japan, as a samurai in the 16th century. “Yasuke” begins near the end of the real samurai’s recorded history: Records state that Yasuke was captured shortly after the defeat of Nobunaga’s forces and his ultimate fate is unclear; in the Netflix show, Yasuke (voiced by Lakeith Stanfield) eventually escapes and spends the later part of his life as a peaceful boatman...

Recent Oscar nominee Lakeith Stanfield is heading into the world of animation – and the result is unlike any anime project I’ve ever seen. The Judas and the Black Messiah and Atlanta actor lends his voice to the lead character in Yasuke, a new Netflix anime series that he’s executive producing alongside Grammy-winning artist Flying […]

The post ‘Yasuke’ Trailer: Lakeith Stanfield Voices a Black Samurai in a Mystical Anime World appeared first on /Film.

If fate has cruelly robbed us of the chance to see the late Chadwick Boseman play the African samurai known in history’s annals as Yasuke, then hearing Lakeith Stanfield give him a voice and a mood makes for a good consolation prize. Granted, the Boseman film, in stasis after his passing, sounded more factually inclined on paper, telling of how Yasuke went from serving Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano to serving Japanese Daimyo Oda Nobunaga.

Continue reading ‘Yasuke’ Is A Violent, Haunting & Beautiful Animated Series Led By A Captivating Lakeith Stanfield [Review] at The Playlist.

Typically, we don’t feature many anime films on this site. Why? Well, speaking for myself, at least, I’m not someone that has dove deep into the genre outside of the massive crossover hit films and series. But when you have a new anime series coming to Netflix, such as “Yasuke,” with a star like Lakeith Stanfield attached, you definitely have my attention.

As seen in the trailer for “Yasuke,” Stanfield provides the voice for the title character, a servant that is being trained as a samurai in feudal Japan.

Continue reading ‘Yasuke’ Trailer: Netflix’s Anime Series With Mechs & Magic Stars Lakeith Stanfield at The Playlist.

"We are close to achieving real power." Netflix has revealed the full official trailer for their anime series titled Yasuke, from artist / creator LeSean Thomas. After posting the first teaser, we have to follow-up with this full trailer because hell yes this looks very cool. The story is about a samurai warrior who must return to his life of violence in order to protect a mysterious girl. When a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport the child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords. The story of Yasuke, the first African samurai who actually served with the legendary Oda Nobunaga. Featuring the voice of Lakeith Stanfield as "Yasuke", and he is joined by Takehiro Hira, Maya Tanida, Ming-Na Wen, Paul Nakauchi, Darren Criss, and Julie Marcus. This looks like it's going to be a...

"Yasuke", the new six episode Japanese original anime series, directed by LeSean Thomas for Studio Mappa, stars Lakeith Stanfield, as the first African samurai who served the 'Oda Nobunaga', streaming April 29, 2021 on Netflix:

"...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 warlords..." 

Click the images to enlarge...

“Yasuke,” the upcoming Netflix series from creator LeSean Thomas, has released its first trailer ahead of an April 29 release. The streaming giant provided the following synopsis along with key art Monday afternoon.

The tale is set in a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, and 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.

All of that is found within the first trailer as the audience meets Yasuke, voiced by Academy Award nominee Lakeith Stanfield. Yasuke stands up for others despite being an outsider due to his former status as a slave. The animation looks beautiful — a mix of anime and light tones generally...

Lakeith Stanfield brings the legend of Yasuke, the real-life Black samurai in feudal Japan, to screen in the trailer for Netflix and Mapaa’s latest anime series that premieres this week.

The Oscar-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah actor takes on the titular character, a servant-turned-fierce hero in the series created by LeSean Thomas. Set in a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, the series follows the greatest ronin never known, Yasuke, who 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.

The trailer teases Yasuke’s closest circle, his gory past, the series’ big bad and a fresh track from Grammy-nominated music producer Flying Lotus. The voice cast also features Ming-Na Wen,...

Starz announced that “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” will premiere on July 18.

Set in ’90s South Jamaica, Queens and serving as a prequel to the original Power franchise, the series stars Patina Miller, Mekai Curtis, Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Hailey Kilgore, Joey Bada$$, Tony Sandeman, Shanley Caswell, Lovie Simone and Quincy Brown.

Creator and showrunner Sascha Penn executive produces alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Courtney A. Kemp, Mark Canton, Chris Selak, Danielle De Jesus, Shana Stein and Bart Wenrich.

Also in today’s TV news roundup:

Dates

ABC announced that the special tribute episode of “General Hospital,” which will celebrate actor John Reilly, will air on May 21. The episode features “General Hospital” fan-favorites Kristina Wagner, John J. York, Finola Hughes, Genie Francis and Jon Lindstrom reprising their respective roles as Felicia Scorpio, Malcolm “Mac” Scorpio, Anna Devane, Laura Collins and Kevin Collins. While mourning the death of World Security...

The longest awards season in modern times will be remembered for featuring one of the best lineups of acting nominees in Oscars history. This year’s Best Actor and Best Actress races came down to the wire with Anthony Hopkins and Frances McDormand pulling off unexpected wins on Sunday night over favored nominees such as Chadwick Boseman in Best Actor and Viola Davis and Carey Mulligan in Best Actress. In the supporting categories, the results ended up being a little more obvious, but the crop of talent was incredible.

What do the 20 acting nominees at the 2021 Oscars have coming up next? Read on to find out.

Best Actor

Riz Ahmed has a number of projects in the works, including a long-discussed adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” He will also serve as executive producer and voice actor in “Flee,” an animated documentary that debuted at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

Flying Lotus has released a pair of new songs, “Black Gold” and “Between Memories,” which he wrote for the upcoming Netflix anime series, Yasuke, out April 29th.

“Black Gold,” which features Thundercat, serves as the show’s opening theme, and it captures a mystical mood with its thumping drums and winding synths. “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness,” Thundercat sings in his falsetto, “Because I’m strong, you see/Stronger than you’ll ever be/Loyal to the end/Someone to call my friend/Whenever you need me, I’ll be right there.

Too Hot to Handle‘s Chloe has entered The Circle, for Season 2 of Netflix’s other reality competition.

The trailer for The Circle‘s second revolution, shown above, also at one point finds Chloe, a Brit, asking, “What is N-s-y-n-c?” when it appears that Lance Bass is about to join the mix.

More from TVLinePrince Harry, Meghan Markle Announce First Series Under Netflix Deal -- Will the Duke and Duchess Appear?General Hospital Adds All My Children's Cameron Mathison in Mystery RoleBridgerton Adds 2 New Cast Members in Wake of Regé-Jean Page's Exit

Season 2 of The Circle, premiering Wednesday, April 14 and releasing four episodes weekly,...

"A true warrior, above all else, prays for peace... But today we fight for the future of Japan!" Netflix has unveiled a teaser trailer for a new anime series titled Yasuke, from artist / creator Lesean Thomas. Yasuke is a six-episode series set in alternate fantastical Japan during the feudal era. The story is about a samurai warrior who must return to his life of violence in order to protect a mysterious girl. When a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport the child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords. The story of Yasuke, the first African samurai who actually served with the legendary Oda Nobunaga, will be released to the world. Featuring the voice of Lakeith Stanfield as "Yasuke". This is a first look teaser but it's awesome introduction to this new creation, and...

"Yasuke" is a new six episode Japanese original anime series, directed by LeSean Thomas for Studio Mappa, starring Lakeith Stanfield, as the first African samurai who served the 'Oda Nobunaga', streaming April 29, 2021 on Netflix:

"...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 warlords..." 

Click the images to enlarge...

Netflix is betting big on anime in 2021, but there’s arguably no title as highly anticipated as “Yasuke.” This project takes the true story of a legendary Black samurai of the same name, voiced by Lakeith Stanfield, and adds in a whole lot more magic than you’d expect. Ahead of its release at the end of the month, Netflix has finally released the first trailer for the anime.

Continue reading ‘Yasuke’ Trailer: Lakeith Stanfield Is A Black Samurai In Netflix’s Epic New Anime at The Playlist.