Netflix’s “Yasuke” anime series reveals first look images and release date

Netflix continues to flesh out its anime roster with the reveal of their coming anime Yasuke. As the name suggests, this anime series is based on the historical figure of the same name, the first black African samurai, renowned for his deft fighting ability and skill. Though be it the anime series will focus on a more fantasy version of Yasuke filled with mechs and magic.

The studio behind the project is none other than MAPPA. You may know them for their helming of prolific anime projects like Jujutsu Kaisen.

Yasuke story will follow the warrior as he forced to return to a past rife with violence as a samurai, when he crosses paths with a mysterious girl in need of his protection from a deadly evil force. So… Afro Samurai?

Atlanta and Judas And The Black Messiah actor LaKeith Stanfield will voice the titular character.

The anime series will consist of six episodes in total. The premiere of the series is slated to hit Netflix come April 29, 2021.

Netflix also released some teaser images of the project. Check them out:

LeSean Thomas, the creator of the show, also had this to say about Yasuke:

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.

Takeshi Koike is slated to direct alongside Flying Lotus who will be crafting the music for the series.

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