Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” is poised to win three Creative Arts Emmys for animation, while competing for two more awards. Discover how the show’s unique style draws inspiration from Japanese Bunraku puppetry and Hiroshi Yoshida’s art.
Bollywood Fever: “Blue Eye Samurai” is poised to collect three juried awards for achievement in animation—covering character design, production design, and storyboard—at the upcoming Creative Arts Emmys, while also vying for two competitive awards, including Best Animated Program.
The stylized Netflix series follows Mizu, a mixed-race vigilante with striking blue eyes, as she seeks revenge in Edo-period Japan.
Director and executive producer Jane Wu emphasized the need to make the animation stand out, drawing inspiration from elements that moved her in a “magical way.”
One key influence was Japan’s Bunraku puppets, known for their carved heads, hands, and elaborate costumes, operated by three puppeteers in black.
Wu was captivated by the stylization of their movements and the deep emotions they conveyed, which she aimed to infuse into the show.
Wu also sought to create an “East Meets West” aesthetic, drawing cues from the work of artist Hiroshi Yoshida, a Japanese painter and printmaker trained in Western techniques. “He had that fusion we were looking for in the show,” Wu explains, highlighting the culturally rich inspiration behind the series.
The character Mizu was designed with a strong, athletic body, reflecting her warrior training.
According to Amber Noizumi, who co-created and executive produced the series with Michael Green, Mizu’s face was intentionally made to be neither monstrous nor overly beautiful.
Instead, she was designed to be a unique individual, navigating a world that oppresses and rejects her.
With a second season already announced, “Blue Eye Samurai” continues to captivate audiences and critics alike with its distinct animation style and compelling story.
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