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Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for the samurai anime Yasuke, which is produced by anime house Mappa and lands on the streaming service on April 29. It arrives alongside a host of other films and shows this month, including Concrete Cowboy with Idris Elba and the doc-series Worn Stories about why people hold onto stuff.
The series tells the story of the first Black samurai who served under Oda Nobunaga. While it’s a historical retelling of a real ronin, Yasuke leans into the fantastical by combining various elements like magic and mechs.
A six-episode series, Yasuke is produced by Jujutsu Kaisen animator Mappa. It is directed by Cannon Busters originator LeSean Thomas, with the titular character voiced by Judas and the Black Messiah actor LaKeith Stanfield.
Other talent involved with Yasuke include electronic DJ Flying Lotus producing the music and Redline director Takeshi Koike providing character designs.
Mappa has been busy this past year. It’s dark fantasy Shonen anime Jujutsu Kaisen, which won Crunchyroll’s Anime of the Year award in February 2021, wrapped up its 24-episode run in March 2021. The studio is also in the midst of working on part two of Attack on Titan’s final season, which is on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
