Netflix’s 8-Part Action Series Is So Good, You’ll Finish It In One Sitting

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Netflix has an action-adventure show so good, you’ll likely watch the whole season without stopping. The series, Warrior Nun, demonstrates that despite some missteps, Netflix is willing to take big chances with unique and creative stories. While not every risk pays off, Netflix occasionally funds truly surprising and bold projects.

It’s no surprise that Netflix has led the way in bringing martial arts shows back to popularity, with successful series like Cobra Kai and Bloodhounds. While AMC’s Into the Badlands came first, Netflix has released many excellent martial arts dramas, including Wu Assassins, and has been key to making the genre widely popular.

Following the success of Cobra Kai, several shows like Gangs of London, Warrior, and Kung Fu have helped bring martial arts action back to television. But Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai, released in 2023, stood out by taking a unique approach with its animation style. The show quickly became a critical favorite, even earning praise from renowned game developer Hideo Kojima.

Blue Eye Samurai Is A Visually Sumptuous Revenge Story

The animated series Blue Eye Samurai is set in Japan’s Edo period and follows Mizu, a skilled warrior of mixed heritage. Haunted by a difficult past, Mizu hides her identity as a woman and relentlessly pursues revenge against four white men. Featuring a fantastic voice cast including George Takei, Brenda Song, Randall Park, and Stephanie Hsu, the show is a visually beautiful and captivating story of vengeance.

The animated series Blue Eye Samurai draws visual inspiration from classic films like Zatoichi, Sergio Leone’s Westerns, and Akira Kurosawa’s samurai movies. It features beautiful scenery and doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of its main character’s life. Critics loved the first season, giving it a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but the highest praise came from renowned game creator Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid). He called Blue Eye Samurai “beyond animation” and declared it the best anime of the year.

Blue Eye Samurai’s Brevity Makes It A Perfect Binge Watch

Even if you only knew the talented actors in Blue Eye Samurai, it would be a show worth checking out. But the stunning animation makes it even better. The series expertly balances incredible action with a deep, well-developed story, especially focusing on the complex journey of the main character, Mizu. Despite all the stylish fights and impressive martial arts, the show never loses sight of its characters and their emotional depth.

The series is fast-paced, with only eight episodes. Knowing that season 2 of Blue Eye Samurai will be released in 2026 makes it a great time to start watching. Plus, with just eight short episodes, it’s easy to stay engaged in this visually stunning and suspenseful story.

Live-action martial arts shows are popular, but anime has consistently delivered great stories in this genre for decades. Though not every anime reaches the same level of success as Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai, this excellent series demonstrates that stunning animation, interesting characters, and talented voice actors can make an animated martial arts show truly exceptional.

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2026-05-13 02:09