Yasuke begins withOda Nobunaga failing to unify Japan, and then askinghistop samurai to kill him in a seppuku ritual. This series is gearing up to bring the historical character of Yasuke, who was a famed warrior in Japan of African descent in the olden times. Creator LeSean Thomas tells EW he hopes his show will be a "gateway" for viewers into anime. Heres a series, though it feels more like an outburst, that takes great joy in mashing so many sensibilities and perspectives within anime fandom (from both hemispheres) together like action figures in the sandbox: not deep, and very messy, but fun. In 2019, Stanfield was featured in Knives Out alongside Daniel Craig and Chris Evans ; Since 2016, he has starred as Darius Epps in the FX comedy-drama series Atlanta. After the success of creating his first animated series Cannon Busters with Japanese animation studios Satelight and Yumeta Company, Thomas was approached by Netflix in 2017 to create future projects for the network. Multi-talented, chameleon actor, known to disappear into his roles, Lakieth Stanfield, has signed on to voice the animated character of Yasuke for the Netflix show, created and directed by LeSean Thomas, who is mostly known as half of the creative team responsible forThe Boondocks. The anime is set to premiere on Netflix this Thursday, April 29. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! He's thrown back into battle when a local village becomes the epicenter of warring daimyo and he's tasked with transporting a mysterious child who's targeted by dark forces. LaKeith Stanfield is lending his voice to a very extraordinary historical figure. Under Nobunagas training, Yasuke rose to notoriety as a high-ranking samurai. Distinguished animator Takeshi Koike developed the character designs for the series; avant-garde producer Flying Lotus created the musical score. The minute-and-a-half video gives viewers its first taste of LaKeith Stanfield as the titular . The show is early on in production so no word on when we will see it in our Netflix libraries. Privacy Policy and There are people who Im pretty sure will say something like; Well, Im not really into anime but, man, it has LaKeith, or, Wow! Dia Frampton voices Ishikawa, a bounty hunter who initially assists Abraham. Def Pen is a registered trademark. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. . LaKetih Stanfield has taken on a wide variety of roles in his career. In an alternate-reality 16th century feudal Japan reimagined with magic and advanced technology, an African man named Yasuke went from being in the service of Jesuit missionaries during the Nanban trade to being a warrior and retainer in the service of Lord Oda Nobunaga. Lakeith Stanfield's Mystical 'Yasuke' Revisits Black History in Feudal Japan The Netflix anime is based on the real-life Black samurai of 16th-century Japan, though the series incorporates. The plot portrays real-life events from the then-prevalent feudal society in Japan. He was working on Cannon Busters, another anime he developed for Netflix, in 2017 when the streamer asked if he had other ideas. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. Yasuke also encounters a Christian priest, Abraham, who turns out to be a demon who means to capture and kill Saki in order to absorb her powers. In 1579, an African man arrived in Japan as the servant of an Italian Jesuit missionary named Alessandro Valignano. LaKeith Stanfield African Samurai Anime Series 'Yasuke' Reveals Netflix Release Date, First Images By Jeff Sneider Published Mar 9, 2021 The six-episode show arrives in April and will feature. Last year, Chadwick Boseman was in talks to portray the fighter in a live-action version of the story before his untimely death in August. LaKeith Stanfieldis lending his voice to a very extraordinary historical figure. The. Netflix is making an anime about him with Lakeith Stanfield as Yasuke. Yasuke is a Japanese-American original net anime series loosely based on the historical figure of the same name, an African warrior who served under Japanese daimyo Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period of samurai conflict in 16th century Japan. On Thursday, Netflix premiered Yasuke, an anime series about a Black samurai in a strange land. LaKeith Stanfield voices Yasuke, a Black slavewho earns his freedom and becomes a samurai. ", 25 Of The Sickest Super Nintendo Games That Never Left Japan, Here's Why You Should Be Excited About The 'Knives Out' Sequel, The Animated Prequel To 'Candyman' Is Timely And Relevant, Here's The Cast Of The Office, Ranked By Net Worth, The Tragic Truth About What Happened To Reba Star Scarlett Pomers, Everything Gabriel Macht Has Been Up To Since The End Of Suits. As dark army steps up their attack, the mercenaries intervene. Yasuke is a real person, who existed in the 16th century, a slave, who eventually became the first black samurai. Japanese animation studio MAPPA is also involved in the project. Please enter a valid email and try again. (Before his death in August 2020, actor Chadwick Boseman was set to play Yasuke in a historical biopic.) The best musical instrument is a love triangle. This isnt his first foray into Japanese pop culture: A few years ago, the actor played the eccentric detective L in the live-action movie adaptation of the popular manga series Death Note. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. [15] Flying Lotus stated that he went for a more synthesizer-inspired sound mixed with Japanese percussion, African percussion, and hip-hop elements. A village in danger, a mysterious child, warring daimyo, and the greatest ronin never known all clash in a Japan of magic and mechs, the platform tweeted. He also co-executive produced alongside Stanfield. In the end, Netflix licensed the series in its long and fruitful campaign to dominate anime streaming in North America, competing with the likes of Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu. Yasuke is all set to be released on the streaming giant on April 29, i.e., the coming Thursday. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Netflix's 'Yasuke' Brings The Legendary African Samurai To Life In A Dazzling Series Starring LaKeith Stanfield. She defends a castle against the Dark Army but gets killed shortly after Ishikawa. All rights reserved. We follow the country's only . READ | Loved 'Dragon Ball Super'? In this series, Stanfield will take on the role of Yasuke, a samurai who must restore order to Japan. Set in 16th century Japan, Yasuke follows a formerslave who becomes a legendary samurai and squares off against a supernatural villain. Twenty years later, he fights against a supernatural force known as the Dark Army. Dalal voiced Charles Smith inRed Dead Redemption II and portrayedRaj Patel in General Hospital. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. pic.twitter.com/jCabzutMIv. We, of course, also get a tease of his hopes to continue Yasuke in the future. The story of Yasuke, the first African samurai who actually served the legendary Oda Nobunaga, will be released to the world. EW can exclusively reveal the first trailer for Yasuke, Thomas new anime series for Netflix that features Judas and the Black Messiah Oscar nominee LaKeith Standfield as the voice of the title sword-bearer. Yasuke Season 1 Images. Instead of going for a more straightforward hip hop or jazz focused soundtrack like Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop, Flying Lotus went for an organic take with the music being made in chronological order to reflect the main character's progression in the story. From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, watching at least two minutes of a show or film. She enlists Yasuke forhelp but later gets killed by Abraham. Here's everyone on Yasuke's cast and what the voice actors look like in real life. Though he lived close to Los Angeles, foreshadowing his future career, Stanfield's upbringing was far from. Yasuke, the mysterious Black samurai, has a story mainly lost to time. William Christopher Stephens voices Achoja, a shaman with extraordinary supernatural abilities. But the novelty that its characters are most surprised to encounter is a Black man who speaks Japanese. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Criss portrayedBlaine Anderson in Glee and starred as Andrew Cunanan inAmerican Crime Story. Ming-Na Wen voices Natsumaru, a warriorwho is Hattori Hanzo's besshikime. Yasuke is all set to be released on the streaming giant on April 29, i.e., the coming Thursday. Stanfield delivered an Oscar-nominated performance as Bill O'Neal in Judas and the Black Messiah. Nobunaga and his supporters were forced to perform the ritual suicide of seppuku. Series creator LeSean Thomas was hesitant to reveal many plot details when speaking with EW in April. Entertainment Tonight reports the "Sorry to Brother You" star will lead the voice cast of "Yasuke," a new . Each theme was featured in five of the six episodes. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, Lakeith Stanfield Will Bring First African Samurai Yasuke To Netflix With 'Boondocks' Co-Creator. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. LaKeith Stanfield brings the legend of Yasuke, the real-life Black samurai in feudal Japan, to screen in the trailer for Netflix and MAPAA's latest anime series that premieres this week. As Yasuke, Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield . Thomas isnt even sure he wants to mention the characters names at the risk of spoiling his own show, but he says the actor wanted two major characters that introduced that fantastical element. ; Stanfield made his feature film debut in the 2013 independent drama Short Term 12, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. He found images online from a Japanese childrens book & found it interesting that a Japanese artist was doing stories focused on samurai who were not only foreigners, but Black foreigners.. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. [14] "Black Gold", written and produced by Flying Lotus and performed by Thundercat, is the opening theme for the series, and the ending theme is "Between Memories" by Flying Lotus, featuring Niki Randa and Thundercat. However, a local village becoming a victim of the violence forces the samurai to pick up the sword once again. The cast also includes Takehiro Hira as Nobunaga, Maya Tanida as Saki, Paul Nakauchi as Morisuke, Julie Marcus as Nikita, William Christopher Stephens as Achoja, Dia Frampton as Ishikawa, Don Donahue as Abraham, Amy Hill as Daimyo, and Noshi Dalal as Kurosaka (Dark General). Offers may be subject to change without notice. After this, the history is best guesses, and proposed ideas, even the name, Yasuke, is only the name that was given to him by the Japanese, as his original name is uncertain. [26] On Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 27 ratings are positive, and the average rating is 6.60/10 garnering the series critical praise. Created by LeSean Thomas and animated by Japanese animation studio MAPPA, the series stars Lakeith Stanfield as the titular character. Its all very busy and loud. Next:The Animated Prequel To 'Candyman' Is Timely And Relevant. The voice of Yasuke, LaKeith Stanfield, meanwhile has been on the receiving end of much praise recently for his powerful performance in director Shaka King's Judas and the Black Messiah. Hes drunk, hes aged, hes disillusioned, hes out of place: Hes a washed-up ronin with colossal stature and dark skin, the rare Black man in feudal Japan. Here's the first-look teaser trailer for Netflix's Yasuke, which is set to premiere on Thursday, April 29, 2021. The Alabama passer is one of the smallest QB prospects to be pegged as a first-round pick. Yasuke was created by LeSean Thomas and stars LaKeith Stanfield. Together, Yasuke, Ichika, and Saki seek a doctor, but of course the journey turns strange and violent. (On their first meeting . DefPen.com is part of the Def Pen Media Group, LLC. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. An new action-fantasy epic produced by Japanese animation studio MAAPA, with music by the critically acclaimed Flying Lotus, Yasuke is based on the historical figure of the same name. Watching Stanfield on screen, and then speaking . "These are projects that have a combination of ingredients that you wouldn't normally get from the Japanese industry because of the history, the regional differences, and our cultural approaches. LeSean Thomas created and directed the series. On their journey they are attacked by a group of mercenaries sent by the daimyo to capture Saki for her special powers. the samurai. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. Here's everyone in the Yasukecast and what they look like in real life. One of them, a young girl, was Ellisons creation. He also appears asThomas Paine in For All Mankind. For Netflix, he is known for his roles in the 2017 comedy . After a year, Nobunaga was overthrown by one of his former generals, Akechi Mitsuhide, in June of 1582. Netflix revealed a slate of upcoming anime releases, including a. Yasuke and his voice actor LaKeith Stanfield. Hes dangerous, hes terrifying, hes an extra in, How to Watch the 2023 Oscars Celebrate All 23 Categories Live Again. Copyright 2022 DefPen.com. He disappeared from verifiable records after the autumn . In this series, Stanfield will take on the role of Yasuke, a samurai who must restore order to Japan. Beautiful Time With My Fianc: LaKeith Stanfield Brings In 2023 With New Fiance Amid Drama With a Woman Who Claims He Fathered Her Child, We Have to See Our Lives as Valuable: Actor LaKeith Stanfield Sparks a Debate After Suggesting Gangsta Rap is Killing Black People, I Wanna Cry: LaKeith Stanfield Sends the Internet Into a Frenzy By Showing GirlfriendWhos Taken Him Off the Market. We ask all these burning questions, and more! Yasuke stands up for others despite being an outsider due to his . Stanfield rounds out a dream team. Nobunaga enlisted Yasuke into his service, allowing the man full benefits, including the rights to land, house, training and he was afforded the special honor of eating with Nobunaga. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He was reportedly sold into slavery and later landed in the care of Italian Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano, who asked the man to accompany him on a mission trip to Japan. He also starred as Cassius inSorry to Bother You andvoiced Guy in the Netflix showBoJack Horseman. She befriends Yasuke andreveals the truth about her true identity. LaKeith Stanfield brings the legend of Yasuke, the real-life Black samurai in feudal Japan, to screen in the trailer for Netflix and MAPAA's latest anime series that premieres this week. However a larger dark army advances, wiping out most of the mercenaries and forcing Dr. Morisuke's forces to retreat to the temple. A manga adaptation by Satoshi Okunishi was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Monthly Big Comic Spirits from July 27, 2021,[16][17] to June 27, 2022;[18] An additional chapter was published on July 27 of the same year. Takehiro Hira voices Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese lord who gives Yasuke freedom but later commits seppuku. says the actress. Ke Huy Quan Continues His Winning Streak at the Independent Spirit Awards. A few years later, he auditioned for Destin Cretton's then college thesis film Short Term 12 (2008). Stanfield, known for movies such as "Get Out", "Sorry To Bother You", "Uncut Gems . It does not appear the animated series will follow the traditional story of Yasuke, instead capturing the story of an African ronin, or samurai without a master, who is sworn to protect a mysterious child in a world full of magic and mechs. Related:Every New Show Releasing On Netflix In 2021. Japan learned of the Black samurai that rode alongside their General, proudly atop his horse, blade sharpened at his side. Created by LeSean Thomas and animated by Japanese animation studio MAPPA, the series stars Lakeith Stanfield as the titular character. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". But when a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport a mysterious child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords, the shows description reads, according to Shadow & Act. Once captured by the backstabbing general,Akechi Mitsuhide, Yasuke was admonished as nothing more than an animal, he was denieddeath in the way of his Japanese companions and sent back to the Jesuits. In American Dad!, she voicedMah Mah. He later self-destructs in a battle against the Dark Army. The only things known for absolute sure about Yasuke, was that he was the first outsider Samurai, his skin was dark, and he was from East Africa. LaKeith Stanfield is an American actor and rapper. Both Stanfield and Flying Lotus contributed ideas to the project such as Yasuke's backstory involving trauma and mental health, additional characters for the series, and story elements involving the supernatural. And who you can expect to see performing and presenting. But Yasuke remains a steady hand with a simple, silent elegance whenever called upon to draw his katana for a good old-fashioned duel. Yasuke was created byLeSean Thomas, and stars LaKeith Stanfield in the title role. All rights reserved. In Yasuke's first full-length trailer, Judas and the Black Messiah's LaKeith Stanfield voices the warrior in a brand-new Netflix anime from creator LeSean Thomas. Nakauchi portrayed Dr. Kang in The Rookie and voicesShadowsan in the Netflix showCarmen Sandiego. After an attack by mercenaries who are after Ichika and Saki, Yasuke is tasked with protecting Saki while coming to terms with his past, dealing with would-be conquerors of Japan, and facing dark supernatural elements as Yasuke and Saki find themselves in the middle of a struggle against the forces of Yami no Daimy. [20], Yasuke is the soundtrack album and original score by Flying Lotus, created for the series. The series was developed with multiple seasons in mind. Unfortunately, the soldiers career was short-lived. How Yasuke Paves a New Path for Black Creators in Anime", "With 'Trojan Horse' Animation, 'Yasuke' Creators Honor True Story Of Black Samurai", "Netflix is retelling the lost tale of Japan's first African samurai", "LaKeith Stanfield's Alt-Reality Netflix Anime 'Yasuke' Reveals New Character Art", "Netflix Reveals AnimeJapan 2021 Lineup: Resident Evil, Yasuke, and More", "NETFLIX'S EPIC YASUKE TRAILER FINDS LAKEITH STANFIELD AS A RELUCTANT RONIN IN MAGIC & MECH-FILLED JAPAN", "Yasuke Anime Unveils Japanese Cast With New Teaser", "Director LeSean Thomas' animated journey from the South Bronx to South Korea", "Redefining What Anime Can Be With 'Yasuke', "Interview: Yasuke Director LeSean Thomas", "LaKeith Stanfield becomes Yasuke, the first African samurai, in debut trailer for Netflix anime series", "Yasuke Anime Reveals Teaser, Visual, More Staff", "FLYING LOTUS SHARES FIRST LOOK AT HIS EXECUTIVE-PRODUCED NETFLIX ANIME SERIES, "YASUKE", "HOW FLYING LOTUS CRAFTED THE SOUNDS OF YASUKE, NETFLIX'S NEW SAMURAI ANIME", "Flying Lotus Unveils 'Yasuke' Soundtrack With Denzel Curry, Thundercat and Niki Randa", "Offiziellecharts.de Flying Lotus Yasuke", "Yasuke Anime Nominated for NAACP Image Award, Summit of the Gods Animated Film Wins Lumiere Award", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yasuke_(TV_series)&oldid=1142126696. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In six episodes, Yasuke overwhelms the viewer with a lot of mysticism and lore, and its enough to make you wonder whether a more sensible account of Yasukes life in Japan, as unsung and remarkable as he apparently was, might have sufficed for a shonen series. It is here that Yasuke's story ends, as records have been destroyed, lost or left unwritten as to what happened to Japan's first Black samurai. Yasuke immediately drops its viewers into an alternate reality: a science fiction/fantasy version of war-torn feudal Japan, filled with mechs, magic and mutants. The series hails from director-creator-executive producer LeSean Thomas with character designs by Takeshi Koike. Yasuke was presented with his ceremonial short katana ,and taught how to fight as a samurai, eventually joining in on his Lord's conquest to unite all Japan under one rule. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. The records of his time traversing 16th century Japan and serving under daimy Nobunaga Oda are still sparse and filled with gaps. Plus, does starting Tyrese Maxey versus DeAnthony Melton make a difference on the defensive end? During the journey, the Black samurai battles against a malicious priest who hopes tocontrol Europe and the Catholic Church. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Based on a This American Life podcast, Crown Heights tells the true . Stephens has appeared inThe Avengers and The Affair. I didnt want to be trapped by the elements of history, so to speak, and I wanted to add a sense of fantasy, a sense of romanticism to it, much like the Japanese do with their historical figures.. While the trailers of such projects are often released weeks before the release date, the Yasuke trailer has been released just a few days before its premiere. In addition to serving as an executive producer and as part of the creative team, Flying Lotus also composed the soundtrack for the series. The creator relocated from New York Citys South Bronx first to South Korea in 2009. As if Yasuke didnt have enough to deal with. How Tyrel Jackson Williams Brought TikTok Cringe to, Its sort of a newer version of the L.A. actor ride that Kyle is on the first two seasons, but its worse.. LaKeith Stanfield Becomes Yasuke, The First African Samurai, in debut trailer for Netflix anime series Creator LeSean Thomas tells EW he hopes his show will be a "gateway" for viewers into. Nobunaga, while sleeping at Honnoji Temple at Heiankyo, was betrayed by one of his generals and although Yasuke fought bravely to protect his Lord, Nobunaga was forced to commit honorable suicide or Seppuku. Living in a feudal Japan dominated by magic and mech technology, Yasuke is now living a humble life as a boatsman in a small town after a life as a fierce samurai. LaKeith Stanfield Becomes Yasuke, The First African Samurai, in debut trailer for Netflix anime series.