Yasuke: release date and first images

Yasuke

Some time ago Netflix had announced a new anime adaptation of the story of Yasuke, known (little) in popular culture as the first and only samurai of African origin in history. Yesterday it was confirmed by the streaming platform that the premiere of the new anime will be made available from April 29th and will consist of six episodes.

Originally called Yusufe, from Mozambique, in the 16th century he was deported as a servant of the Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano in Japan. Here his qualities as a warrior attracted the attention of Oda Nobunaga, who freed him and conferred him the rank of samurai, even using him as a personal bodyguard.

The story behind the anime will be quite different, however. from historiography. To begin with, the setting will be a dark fantasy conjugation of the Sengoku period, with the involvement of magical spells and mecha. The plot will see the African-born samurai warrior Yasuke, voiced by LaKeith Stanfield, who has now retired from the role, forced to return to his life of fighting and violence to protect a mysterious girl from mysterious dark forces.

The role of director was entrusted to LeSean Thomas, therefore a personality with a substantial experience behind him. For the uninitiated, in the past he has been storyboard artist for productions such as Kim Possible, The Batman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Green Lantern: First Flight. He has recently worked on Black Dynamite, The Legend of Korra, The Boondocks and Children of Ether.

Thomas will work with the MAPPA studio for the creation of the anime. Here is his comment:

"There is a fortuitous nature in this project. The fact that an African-American man goes to Japan to live and work among the best Japanese anime to create an anime about an African who goes to Japan to live among the Japanese elite and become a warrior. A deep part of me feels I was born to create this series with MAPPA, Flying Lotus, LaKeith and the rest of this talented team. "

If you want to learn more about the true story of the black samurai, we recommend that you find the book on Amazon that talks about it in detail: Yasuke: The true story of the legendary African Samurai.

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Yasuke: Netflix Reveals Debute Date, First Look at African Samurai Anime

LeSean Thomas has announced when Yasuke, his new anime series starring LaKeith Stanfield as the first African samurai, will debut on Netflix.

LeSean Thomas' highly-anticipated anime series Yasuke, based on the first African samurai, has revealed when it will make its debut on Netflix.

A group of three images has also been released, giving fans a taste of what to expect from the LaKeith Stanfield-starring anime when it arrives April 29 on Netflix. The series will consist of six episodes from the MAPPA animation studio with music from executive producer Flying Lotus.

RELATED: Yasuke: The Real-Life Samurai Behind Netflix's Upcoming Historical Anime

'From Tokyo to Los Angeles to New York, we've brought together the very best global talent to make this show -- creator, producer and director LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters), revered Japanese animation studio MAPPA (Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen), designs from world class director and animator Takeshi Koike (Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine), award-winning actor LaKeith Stanfield, and Grammy Award-nominated artist Flying Lotus have reimagined this story of the first African samurai,' John Derderian, Netflix, Vice President of Japan & Anime said in a statement.

'Yasuke is a six-episode anime series created by LeSean Thomas, set in alternate fantastical Japan during the feudal era. The story follows a samurai warrior of African descent who must return to his life of sword-fighting and violence in order to protect a mysterious girl from dark forces. The story, just like the passionate creative team, transcends borders, cultures and languages and is one that we’re so proud to tell at Netflix and share with the world,' Derderian continued.

'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 and the rest of this talented team,' creator, producer and director LeSean Thomas said. 'I'm so excited for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy our reimagined take on this historical figure.'

Created by LeSean Thomas and starring LaKeith Stanfield, Yasuke debuts April 29 on Netflix.

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Source: Netflix

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About The AuthorTim Adams (3342 Articles Published)

Tim Adams is an Assistant Editor at CBR, with a focus on feature and news articles, previews and solicitations. He's been a fan of comics since the 90's, when his older brother introduced him to the medium. Some of his first memories include receiving a monthly subscription box with Amazing Spider-Man #353, the first part of 'Round Robin: The Sidekick's Revenge,' along with highly successful launches of X-Men #1 and X-Force #1. He hosts a weekly comic book video podcast called Comic Book Chronicles, and you can follow Tim on Twitter @timdogg98 where you can read his ramblings about comics, TV, movies, sports and wrestling.

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