Blue Eye Samurai Creative Team Celebrates Emmy Nominations, Talks Season 2 and More

Reacting to Emmy Nominations

NICK VALDEZ, OF THE COMIC BOOK WORLD: Even though I’ve likely been asked this numerous times today, my curiosity compels me to ask: How does it feel to receive these Emmy nominations for “Blue Eye Samurai”? I’m aware that this year has been exceptional for animation, yet also incredibly competitive.

AMBER NOIZUMI: It’s not terrible. In fact, we were quite taken aback, and honestly, we didn’t know how to react. I believe that’s our general reaction towards the show. People either adore it or dislike it, and surprisingly, people appear to adore it. If they dislike it, I’d rather not hear about it. And being recognized by the Academy was a significant honor for us. We are honored and thankful.

How is a particular episode selected for nomination decided? Is it solely Netflix personnel who submit the series, or does the team collaborate to choose the standout episode for highlighting?

MICHAEL GREEN: The series is like a dialogue among various characters. Each episode highlights diverse values to varying degrees. Particularly, [“The Tale of the Ronin and The Bride”] showcased all our favorite aspects of the show in a well-balanced manner. Essentially, it developed that way, but it was more about engaging in a conversation.

Directing The Emmy Nominated Episode

Remarkably, it was during that particular episode where the roles shifted, and I found myself sharing responsibilities with both Michael and Amber. Now, I’ve been around the block a few times in this industry, so I can tell you that stepping into the director’s chair is no small feat. But when did I make the decision to direct? Well, let me take you on a little journey back to the days of pre-production. After careful consideration and discussions with our team, I felt it was the right time for me to step up and give it a go. And boy, was I glad I did! Directing that episode taught me so much about leadership, collaboration, and the intricacies of filmmaking.

When I refer to “directing” the animation, it should be understood that this term is enclosed in large air quotes. I’m relatively new to this field, so my role was more of a collaborative effort with Jane. She guided me through the process, even when I wasn’t fully aware of it, serving as a pillar of support, much like the saying goes.

As a seasoned filmmaker with years of experience under my belt, I have learned the importance of trusting one’s instincts and taking risks when it comes to choosing the right talent for a project. In this instance, I knew that Amber was the perfect fit for a particular solo piece due to her unique sensibility and ability to bring something truly special to the table.

Writing The Emmy Nominated Episode

Initially, when I watched the episode, it seemed to me like a hypothetical situation. I felt that Mizu was experiencing such intense pressure at that moment that it appeared as though there were glimpses of another life. It wasn’t until everything came together thematically that it became clear to me: “Ah, this is actually a part of Mizu’s past.” So Amber, could you tell me when the concept of Mizu’s backstory was developed during the overall design process for Mizu in the episode’s scriptwriting?

NOIZUMI: Our intention was to depict a life that Mizu might have enjoyed, filled with happiness, if not for others discriminating against her due to her race or gender. We wanted to show that she yearns for happiness, that she’s not solely a vengeful monster driven by psychopathy. Rather, this is the internalized resentment borne from others’ cruelty. Mizu is broken, but perhaps, with healing, she can be mended. This complexity adds depth to her character.

In Episode 4, we witnessed Mizu taking a life, which was essentially that of a child. We’re left wondering how it is possible for us to empathize with someone like Mizu, who has become a monster driven by revenge, and accompany her on her journey. The question arises, how did this monster of revenge come into being? Delving into the background of Mizu, revealing the alternate paths her life could have taken if circumstances were different, only serves to make her story even more heart-wrenching, as it highlights the tragic consequences of a life that might have been.

On Directing Blue Eye Samurai’s Action

The story titled “The Tale of the Ronin and The Bride” stands out for its thrilling action scenes that seamlessly merge past and present. This is a consistent feature throughout the series as a whole. It’s packed with action sequences, particularly noteworthy for their visual appeal. Now, I’m curious to hear your thoughts, Jane, on how Blue Spirit Studios are managing to incorporate nearly live-action elements within this CG animated universe?

JANE WU: Essentially, our goal was for the overall feel of Blue Eye Samurai to seem more realistic, both in terms of its camera work and its martial arts scenes. Since I have a background in martial arts myself, I wanted the fight sequences to be as authentic as possible. To achieve this, we brought on board a stunt director, Sunny Sun, who is an expert in martial arts like me. Although he’s far superior to my skills, we could communicate effectively through our shared understanding of movements. This allowed us to develop action scenes that also conveyed the emotional aspects by working with Michael, Amber, and I.

In Episode 105, which has been nominated for recognition, our conversation centered around the Mikio and Mizu fight sequence. I suggested that the scene should resemble a dance of lovers, gradually intensifying as we observe it. He took this direction and created an exquisite outcome. For any animation studio working on complex choreographed movements, visual references are essential. To help illustrate these movements, we filmed everything in live action so they could understand our vision more clearly.

As a gamer with a passion for authenticity, I ventured off to France and shared some of my martial arts knowledge. This helped them appreciate where the body’s weight should be during fights, enhancing their understanding of it. After all, not every artist who crafts animations or storyboards is a martial artist, right? So, this was a unique opportunity to ensure the action depicted in our games remained as genuine as possible.

GREEN: Well, they are now. We fixed that.

NOIZUMI: Now they are all a team of animator assassins

Is Blue Eye Samurai an Anime?

Growing up as a hardcore animation enthusiast and having spent years working within the industry, I can certainly say that I’ve developed quite the soft spot for anime – its unique storytelling, captivating visuals, and rich cultural heritage have always left me in awe. Working on the anime side of things has allowed me to appreciate this art form even more, as I’ve seen firsthand how it resonates deeply with fans who share that same passion.

BLUE: It’s fantastic! As fellow anime enthusiasts, we understood our creation wasn’t exactly anime, but we hoped it would still resonate with fans as a close relative, yet distinct. And it has been a delight to see this happen. Anime fans are truly passionate; their love for anime is unparalleled, much like the fervor of the most dedicated sports fan for their team.

NOIZUMI: If they wanna call us anime, they can call us anime. We’re happy to be included.

RED: Initially, there was a concern that our work might be perceived as us playing in the sandbox of anime enthusiasts. However, we wanted to make it clear that our approach was one of respect rather than appropriation. We aimed to show them that we held their beloved world in high regard.

Absolutely! I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the inspiration behind this – you can see it in my hairstyle, which is a nod to anime. I’m an avid fan, and this isn’t about distancing ourselves from anything. It’s simply about honoring that vibrant genre.

Blue Eye Samurai Season 2 Update

Of course! Let me wrap up by asking if you can share some insight on the progress of Season 2, as we eagerly await any new developments.

NOIZUMI: We’re working on it.

BLUE: We’re thrilled with the progress! Everything is going smoothly. We have an exceptional team who are utilizing their skills and expertise to achieve the seemingly impossible once more. Not only that, but we’re also pushing boundaries by attempting some daring new ideas, celebrating our strengths, and improving on what we do best. Jane, could you verify or correct this summary?

Player: I can’t help but worry as I find myself voicing my concerns to the production team: “Nope, nope, nope. This isn’t the way it should be.”

PARAPHRASING: Absolutely. Jane is currently sending approvals or comments in real-time via text messages. After our conversation ends, we plan to review our emails to catch up on the latest design proposals or early drafts of the storyboard for our inaugural episode, as we’re taking a break from it at the moment.

Blue Eye Samurai is now streaming on Netflix.