Netflix Yasuke Review
We have heard the tales of legendary Samurai from films, dramas and anime. So when we hear stories of a female Samurai or a black Samurai, our imaginations run wild as we try to grasp this new idea. I was excited when I first heard about the development of the series about Yasuke. As soon as the series premier, I binged watch all six episodes within a day! But I set my expectations way too high as I felt it could be better.
It is a wasted potential as I felt the show could have focused more on Yasuke than the mysterious girl with powers (Saki). The flashbacks alone from the time Yauke first met Oda Nobunaga to the time of Oda's death are already interesting and intriguing as it is that they should have focused on this aspect, showing how he came to Japan and entering the service of Oda Nobunaga, rising his way up the ranks of Samurai.
How Yasuke was caught in the political showdown between Oda Nobunaga and the man that will betray him one day, Akechi Mitsuhide. The battles, the campaigns and skirmishes Yasuke participated, fighting alongside the other Samurai, the time he continued serving Oda's son and the time he was captured by Akechi who returned him to the Jesuit where he broke free becoming a masterless Samurai aka Ronin.
Natsumaru by Netflix
They did a great job establishing his relationship with a fellow female Samurai named Natsumaru, whom he respect for attaining such a high ranking position within the warrior class despite of her gender. I actually would have loved to see more of them together. It does not get any badass than seeing a black Samurai and a female Samurai fighting side by side against all odds, defying the norms and expectations of feudal society.
Unfortunately, the flashbacks were brief and rushed as they are not the main part of the story. Although I am aware that it is meant to be a fantasy show, I accept sorcery and demons as there are Japanese folklores revolving around those but to have futuristic giant robots stamping around Feudal Japan is as weird as seeing them in Batman Ninja. The truth is that I was hoping for a show that is more grounded in reality but with a touch of fantasy.
The show oversimplify the history in making Akechi serving the Dark Lord known as Ancient Daimyo (Sorceress) out of spite for Oda's better treatment of an outsider like Yasuke over his own son, followers and retainers. When in history, it is more complicated as it involves his allegiance to the Shogun and the Emperor, and the conflicting dilemma he had to deal with the power hungry Oda who has become mad with greed leading to Akechi's betrayal.
The show do not explain how the Ancient Daimyo came about in the first place as she seems to be ruling the lands right after Oda's death when Akechi led the Witch Army to overthrow Oda. There is no mention of Oda's trusted vassal, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who in history, rushed back to Kyoto to avenge Oda's death after receiving news of Akechi's treachery.
The show do not explain how the Ancient Daimyo came about in the first place as she seems to be ruling the lands right after Oda's death when Akechi led the Witch Army to overthrow Oda. There is no mention of Oda's trusted vassal, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who in history, rushed back to Kyoto to save Oda and kill Akechi for his treachery.
The thing is that it is actually a good show if they were to give it a different title like "The Boatman and the Girl", something like the classic Samurai film, "Lone Wolf and Cub" which is about a former Samurai that takes care of his child while being hunted by his enemies. But unlike "Lone Wolf and Cub" which features fictional character, this anime uses an actual historical character of the legendary Yasuke, so naturally, I expected more.
I think it might have been better if the show did a chronological order with more episodes, this way, they can show Yasuke's history in becoming a Samurai until the end when he became a Ronin and meet Saki, instead of giving a rushed and brief flashbacks for viewers to put the pieces together. That would give more credibility to his character development, understanding his point of view and what he has been through.
But that is just my opinion and what I feel about the anime as I am aware that everyone has different taste and preferences. I might have set my expectations a little too high but overall, it is a good anime. It is not terrible to the point that you stop watching after one episode but it is not great either. Hope they will develop a better anime of Yasuke one day like Rurouni Kenshin, Sengoku Musou or Samurai Champloo.
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