Hideo Kojima, the famous director of Death Stranding and one of the leading names in the game industry, praised Netflix’s latest anime series, Blue Eye Samurai. In his statement on his Twitter account, Kojima described the series as “the best anime of the year” and expressed his admiration for its quality and visual storytelling.
According to Hideo Kojima, the best anime of the year is Blue Eye Samurai!
Known for his discerning taste, Kojima suggested that creators Michael Green and Amber Noizumi may have been inspired by groundbreaking animated works such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane, pushing the boundaries of the medium.
Just finished watching all 8 episodes of BLUE EYE SAMURAI! Well, everything is wonderful! Everything is all beautiful! Without a doubt, the best anime of the year! It is a visual work that transcends the common sense of animation!
The new generation of CG-based animation reached… pic.twitter.com/pQT9eEIkdh
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) November 23, 2023
Kojima admired the “beauty” and “perfection” of the eight-episode series, emphasizing that it had moved away from traditional animation norms. It asked intriguing questions about the protagonist Mizu, pondering whether the avenging demon was really a demon or a samurai, and poking fun at the complexity of the narrative.
Kojima praised the simplicity of the theme and message, highlighting well-designed characters such as Ringo, Taigen and Akemi, and stated that the backgrounds of these characters arouse increasing sympathy and interest.
Blue Eye Samurai is set in the Edo period of Japan in the 17th century and centers on Mizu, a hybrid rōnin with extraordinary swordsmanship. The narrative follows him on a vengeful quest against four white men, one of whom may be his rapist father, who remain in the country illegally even though the Tokugawa shogunate has closed Japan’s borders. The series deals with themes of revenge, justice and the clash of cultures against the historical backdrop of a closed Japan.
The voice cast of Blue Eye Samurai includes important names such as Stephanie Hsu, Darren Barnet, Kenneth Branagh, Brenda Song, George Takei, Randall Park and Maya Erskine. With such a star-studded ensemble, the series brings complex characters and gripping story to life, attracting the attention of both anime enthusiasts and the wider audience.
His support adds significant weight to Blue Eye Samurai’s reception in the anime community, as Kojima urges viewers not to miss this visual masterpiece. The series, available now on Netflix, stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of animated storytelling, blending historical settings with intense drama and earning praise from influential figures in the entertainment industry.
Whether or not anime is your usual go-to, Blue Eye Samurai has already emerged as a must-watch, showcasing the diversity and innovation in animated content.
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