As a longtime anime enthusiast and a connoisseur of historical narratives, I found myself drawn to the unique blend of history and fantasy that is Netflix’s Yasuke. Initially, I was as perplexed as many fans when the first trailer revealed a towering mech suit in a series based on a real-life historical figure. However, after delving deeper into the creative process behind this animated masterpiece, I found myself standing alongside LeSean Thomas, the brave director who dared to reimagine history through a fantastical lens.
Three years since the debut of “Yasuke” on Netflix, I, as its creator LeSean Thomas, continue to advocate for my vision amidst criticism from some dedicated viewers. The series is inspired by a genuine historical figure, Yasuke, who was the world’s first black samurai. However, in crafting this anime adaptation, I chose to infuse elements of fantasy, such as magic and towering mech suits, into the storyline. When “Yasuke” premiered on Netflix in 2021, it sparked an intense backlash from certain audiences. Yet, I remain steadfast in my creative choices.
Discussing at the Japan Society in New York City (as reported by Anime News Network), Thomas expressed thoughts on the debate sparked by the unusual aspects of the anime series ‘Yasuke’. “No one has ever seen anything quite like this before, and I’m already being advised on how to create it,” the director remarked about the early criticism he received. Upon the initial announcement of ‘Yasuke’, fans were thrilled at the prospect of a lesser-known historical figure receiving anime adaptation. However, when the first trailer unveiled a giant 10-foot mech suit, viewers became puzzled.
LeSean Thomas Never Sought Full Historical Accuracy in Yasuke for One Simple Reason
The director doesn’t dislike audience members expressing criticism about the show because they are clearly passionate, according to Thomas. He often encounters fans who suggest that the series Yasuke should resemble historical-based anime like Shinichiro Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo or Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga. Both shows primarily featured fictional stories, but they were set in realistic depictions of their eras (with the exception of Samurai Champloo’s baseball episode). When asked about this desire for similarities, Thomas responded with a straightforward question: “Why do you want the same thing over and over?
As a passionate admirer, I must share that during the panel, Thomas acknowledged the criticism from Black anime enthusiasts who felt that Yasuke missed an opportunity to highlight a significant cultural icon. However, Thomas made it clear that he didn’t succumb to that societal pressure. In his words, “Everyone has their own vision of what the first ‘Black anime’ should be.” Thomas never intended to produce a historically accurate “Black anime.” Instead, his mission was to enhance representation in the genres of anime he adored, especially those speculative ones. He emphasized that his aim was to eradicate the “scarcity mindset.
Essentially, Thomas’s reasoning behind his creative interpretation of ‘Yasuke’ could be summed up as simply asking, “Why can’t it be?” Despite the disappointment some viewers felt due to the show’s speculative elements, if you overlook the obvious inaccuracies, ‘Yasuke’ is actually a high-quality series.
The anime titled “Yasuke,” penned by Thomas and Nick Jones (Casual), boasted an impressive English voice cast, including LaKeith Stanfield, Maya Tanida, Takehiro Hira, William Christopher Stephens, Alexander W. Hunter, among others. Instead of chronicling Yasuke’s (Stanfield) travels from Africa to Japan, the series delved into his life following his service under Oda Nobunaga (Hira). When a young girl unleashes a mysterious, dark force, Yasuke is compelled to reclaim his swords and don his armor again to safeguard her while confronting his past torments and disgrace.
Don’t be disheartened if you can’t find Netflix’s Yasuke series to your liking – good news is, another portrayal of the historical character is in the pipeline! Warner Bros. Discovery is working on a new movie about Yasuke, with The Color Purple director Blitz Bazawule at the helm. As of now, the film goes by the title Black Samurai (though this could change). It’s not officially confirmed yet, but it’s anticipated that Black Samurai will be a live-action movie, based on Blitz Bazawule’s past projects.
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2024-11-28 00:39