TV SHOW
Title: Blue Eye Samurai
Creators: Michael Green, Amber Noizumi
Cast (voice): Maya Erskine, Darren Barnet, George Takei
Year of release: 2023
What a sumptuous work of animation this is! Cinematic sets and effective action sequences set off a narrative that does not follow the typical path. When we meet Mizu (voiced by Erskine, recently seen in the flesh in the most engaging Mr and Mrs Smith), apparently a young swordsman out to revenge his slain mother, it feels the series will be following a well-blazed path just waiting for Clint Eastwood (or any other action hero who looks good in a poncho or, in this case, kimono) to ride into town. Mizu, of the striking blue eyes, has secrets that aren’t that surprising, further lulling the viewer into false expectations. Love interest, mentor, handsome villain, comedic sidekick all appear, made eminently watchable due to touches of humour and adept narrative control. But then come the plot swerves as Mizu finds himself embroiled in a story much larger than his simple desire to even a score. Sign me up for season 2!
