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. "Hiding in the Shadows" (featuring Niki Randa), "Between Memories" (featuring Niki Randa and Thundercat), This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 17:24. Def Pen is a registered trademark. Creator LeSean Thomas tells EW he hopes his show will be a gateway for viewers into anime. I am not an expert on Japanese culture, but I do know the craft of television animation & am able to navigate the waters between the West and Japan, & understanding what makes both of those exciting.. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. We, of course, also get a tease of his hopes to continue Yasuke in the future. 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. Things you buy through our links may earnVox Mediaa commission. *Sorry, there was a problem signing you up. 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. There . Japan is a notoriously homogeneous country, and I dont grudge Thomass efforts to dramatize the hints of disrespect in Yasukes legacy and obscurity, I just never knew what to make of this particular dissonance in a series that revels in such deliberate and stylized ahistoricism. Yasuke was created byLeSean Thomas, and stars LaKeith Stanfield in the title role. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Learn the story of the first African samurai when LeSean Thomass Yasuke, voiced by Lakeith Stanfield, arrives next year., A village in danger, a mysterious child, warring daimyo, and the greatest ronin never known all clash in a Japan of magic and mechs. How Marvel went big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 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 for The Boondocks. Netflix releases teaser trailer for "Yasuke" starring LaKeith Stanfield as the first African Samurai Warrior in Japan. The first trailer for the upcoming Yasuke anime series has been released, and it looks great. 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. These moves mark the latest push by Netflix to become a streaming destination for anime. At the age of fifteen, LaKeith began attending the John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center in Orange County. April 22, 2021. 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. Yasuke is set to be released sometime next year. In the year 1582, he witnessed the fall of Nobunaga's forces in battle at Honn-ji Temple against the army of the Dark General, who serves the demonic warlord Yami no Daimy. And later on, there is discussion of whether or not double-dipping is an acceptable way to eat! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Created by LeSean Thomas and animated by Japanese animation studio MAPPA, the series stars Lakeith Stanfield as the titular character. Please enter a valid email and try again. She enlists Yasuke forhelp but later gets killed by Abraham. Takehiro Hira voices Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese lord who gives Yasuke freedom but later commits seppuku. He also happens to be based on the real African samurai, an emancipated servant known as Yasuke, employed as a warrior by the feudal lord Oda Nobunaga during the Sengoku period when the Oda clan led a violent struggle against other lords in order to unify Japan. "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. 34 Images. 20 years after the fall of Oda Nobunaga, Yasuke travels with Ichika and her daughter Saki to take the girl to a special doctor. He is also the inspiration for Netflix's new anime series Yasuke a project from creator and director LeSean Thomas and the Japanese animation studio MAPPA, executive produced by LaKeith. Yasuke stands up for others despite being an outsider due to his former status as a slave. After losing his status as a samurai, Yasuke fought in the Battle of Okitanawate as a "ronin" on the side of the Jesuits between 1581-1582. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. LaKeith Stanfield is set to voice history's first African samurai in "Yasuke," Netflix's upcoming anime series. The story of Yasuke takes place in a war-torn medieval Japan as the warrior struggles to maintain a peaceful living after leaving behind a past riddled with violence. Actor LaKeith Stanfield has voiced the character of Yasuke, portraying the historical figure of Japan during the 16th century. The minute-and-a-half video gives viewers its first taste of LaKeith Stanfield as the titular . "I didn't 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," Thomas told EW. Yasuke premieres on Netflix this Friday. Privacy Policy and Its all very busy and loud. In Yasukes first full-length trailer, Judas and the Black Messiahs LaKeith Stanfield voices the warrior in a brand-new Netflix anime from creator LeSean Thomas. The Creed Franchise Has Stepped Out of Rockys Shadow at Last, With Sylvester Stallone removed from the equation, Creed III is the sternest test yet of Adonis Creeds appealand a new challenge for first-time director Michael B. Jordan, All You Touch and All You See: Dark Side of the Moon at 50. And thats crucial to the series, which is determined to incorporate Black pride and Japanese culture into a joint celebration. Apart from LaKeith Stanfield, the star cast of this series also includes Takehiro Hira, Ming-Na Wen and many more. Oh, Loosey! Just because it never happened doesnt mean they cant get back together. During the journey, the Black samurai battles against a malicious priest who hopes tocontrol Europe and the Catholic Church. Anime titles also appeared on the platform's Top 10 list in almost 100 countries in 2020. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Set in war-torn feudal Japan with mechs and magic, Yasuke follows the warrior as he struggles to maintain a peaceful living after a lifetime of violence. Yasuke. Q.V. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. Twenty years later, he fights against a supernatural force known as the Dark Army. From playing to Darius Epps in Atlanta to portraying Bill ONeal in Judas and the Black Messiah, Stanfield has managed to fit himself in whatever the character requires him to be. ", Yasuke was nominated for Outstanding Animated Series for the 53rd NAACP Image Awards. Paul Nakauchi Morisuke Voice. Yeo portrayedXiao-Mei in Desperate Housewives and voiced Nala Se inStar Wars: The Clone Wars. Yasuke (Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah) is a real-life figure, an African who in the 1500s served under the shogun Nobunaga Oda (Takehiro Hira), who came close to unifying Japan under his rule. Copyright 2022 DefPen.com. LaKeith Stanfield was born in 1991 in San Bernardino, California, per NME. She befriends Yasuke andreveals the truth about her true identity. Season one will debut on April 29 with six episodes. (On their first meeting . Soon their relationship grew into more than a spectacle and Nobunaga began to value Yasuke for his integrity and physical attributes. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. EW can confirm additional members of the creative team; which includes chief animation director Satoshi Iwataki; chief technical director Takeru Sato; sub-character designer Kenichi Shima; world art & art setting designer Minoru Nishida; art director Junichi Higashi; color setting designer Azusa Sasaki; 3D CGI director Yuki Nomoto; cinematographer Park Hyo-gyu; & editor Mutsumi Takemiya. [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. The Netflix anime is based on the real-life Black samurai of 16th-century Japan, though the series incorporates elements of magic and lore to dizzying effect. The story of Yasuke, the first African samurai who actually served the legendary Oda Nobunaga, will be released to the world. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Could James Harden Potentially Return to Houston After the Season? Theres a certain weebish distinction to Stanfield, unmistakable in his performances but also in his celebrityand thats whether you like him or notthats marked him as the first and obvious choice for a role such as Yasuke. The series will star and be executively produced by LaKeith Stanfield following his Oscar-nominated performance in Judas and the Black Messiah.Despite the anime's real-life source material, Yasuke . 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. Season 3 Edition. Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix have broken up after he allegedly cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. 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. Here's a complete cast guide for Yasuke. He later self-destructs in a battle against the Dark Army. 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. The character designs for the series were created by director and animator Takeshi Koike with Kenichi Shima serving as sub character designer. Directed and written by LeSean Thomas ( Cannon Busters ), starring the now Academy Award-nominated LaKeith Stanfield, the series revolves around its title . Yasuke, created by LeSean Thomas and designed by animation studio MAPPA that brought us Attack on Titan: The Final Season, will bring to life the eponymous Black samurai whose revered . Here's everyone in the Yasukecast and what they look like in real life. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. That's right, Stanfield will be teaming up with LeSean Thomas, co-creator of soci-political, black comedy, TheBoondocks;record producer Flying Lotus; and Netflix to bring us the tale of Yasuke, the first black Samurai. 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. The tale is set in a war-torn feudal Japan filled with mechs and magic, the greatest ronin never known, Yasuke, struggles to maintain a peaceful existence after a past life of violence. Yasuke begins withOda Nobunaga failing to unify Japan, and then askinghistop samurai to kill him in a seppuku ritual. DefPen.com is part of the Def Pen Media Group, LLC. He also appears asThomas Paine in For All Mankind. Actor Lakeith Stanfield is set to voice star in Netflix's upcoming anime "Yasuke". Soon, the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who had conquered a large amount of the divided Japanese states,and is credited for uniting most of medieval Japan,commanded to see the celebrity East African. According to series creator LeSean Thomas, he was inspired to learn more about Yasuke, regarded as the first foreign born warrior of African descent in Japanese samurai history, after seeing online images from the children's book Kurosuke by Kurusu Yoshio in 2009. [20], Yasuke is the soundtrack album and original score by Flying Lotus, created for the series. ; Stanfield made his feature film debut in the 2013 independent drama Short Term 12, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. I didnt want to do what everyone else was going to do, which was most likely a hardcore biopic, he adds. The stuff that I tend to make I consider gateway anime. 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. Entertainment Tonight reports the "Sorry to Brother You" star will lead the voice cast of "Yasuke," a new . After Dax Shepard asked her about her musical chairs relationship situation. The rest is far more hazy. As if Yasuke didnt have enough to deal with. Hira portrayedSakon Shima in Sekigahara andKenzo Mori in the 2019 TV seriesGiri/Haji. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Yasuke is a real person, who existed in the 16th century, a slave, who eventually became the first black samurai. [13] Recording for the English cast was done at recording studio NYAV Post in New York City. Lakeith Stanfield (Photo: Alberto Pezzali-Pool/Getty Images) Netflix's latest anime tells the legendary tale of the Black Samurai and, lucky for us, LaKeith Stanfield is embodying the titular star of the show. Animation production will come from MAPPA, which worked on Attack on Titan: The Final Season. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The consensus for the series states: "Anchored by an impressive voice cast led by a solid Lakeith Stanfield, Yasuke's expertly crafted, gorgeously animated blend of fantasy and history is an epic ode to the titular samurai. Now that Meredith is gone, it is business as usual at Grey Sloan Memorial. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" Music will be provided by renown music producer The Flying Lotus and all three are acting as producers for the show. There is one aspect of the series that is historically accurate though: the titular main character, voiced by LaKeith Stanfield. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. LeSean Thomas created and directed the series. Netflix revealed a slate of upcoming anime releases, including a. Yasuke and his voice actor LaKeith Stanfield. The best musical instrument is a love triangle. 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. Stanfield delivered an Oscar-nominated performance asBill O'Neal inJudas and the Black Messiah. The Uncut Gems and Sorry to Bother You actor will lead the voice cast of Yasuke, a new anime in which Stanfield portrays the first African samurai of the same name. Yasuke, a. 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. Still, theres a certain charm in Yasuke. After leaving Saki in Dr. Morisuke's care, Yasuke goes on his own way. Welcome to the Quantum Realm. Yasuke was entrusted with decapitating his Japanese lord - a huge honour 500 years ago. The young boy Ichiro runs around town wielding a bokken, begging Yasuke to train him. While the trailer has given special focus to the main character, it has also ensured that enough light is shed upon the events in Japan during that period as well. 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. He disappeared from verifiable records after the autumn . In addition to serving as an executive producer and as part of the creative team, Flying Lotus also composed the soundtrack for the series. 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. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Japanese animation studio MAPPA is also involved in the project. Ichika dies trying to protect her daughter, Saki (Maya . Series creator LeSean Thomas was hesitant to reveal many plot details when speaking with EW in April. Yasuke is falsely accused of murdering Ichika and being held and tortured by Abraham, while Saki is being tracked down by Nikita and Haruto. Offscreen, he was one himself. Yasuke will debut globally on the streaming service on April 29.. Yasuke is created by LeSean Thomas (Cannon Busters) who also serves as executive producer and director, revered Japanese animation studio MAPPA (Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen), with . He entered Japan during a time of war and division, and quickly gained the attention of the locals for his charcoal skin and large stature compared to the shorter Japanese. In a flashback to 1579, we see Yasuke clean-shaven . It's less history than half-cooked genre sludge. However, a local village becoming a victim of the violence forces the samurai to pick up the sword once again. Netflix has revealed the secrets of Yasuke, the upcoming anime series featuring Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield as history's first African samurai. For Netflix, he is known for his roles in the 2017 comedy . The streaming service released a trailer for the show on Thursday evening . Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from Coffy to Jackie Brown. He is soon tasked with the mission of transporting a mysterious child targeted by dark forces. 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. And yet, given the figures significance, anime creator LeSean Thomas is surprised there hasnt been any full-fledged mainstream media storytelling of the warrior. Yasuke stands up for others despite being an outsider due to his . Netflix's 'Yasuke' Brings The Legendary African Samurai To Life In A Dazzling Series Starring LaKeith Stanfield. In American Dad!, she voicedMah Mah. The series reinvigorates the Sengoku period with wild flourishes: giant robots, vengeful mutants, and magical combat on the astral plane. Stanfield & Flying Lotus (a.k.a. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Created by LeSean Thomas, the tale is a reimagining of the . 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. the samurai. Nobunaga and his supporters were forced to perform the ritual suicide of seppuku. Donahue portrayed Eddie Harp in Longmire andProfessor John Tillman in Strange Angel. 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. The show is early on in production so no word on when we will see it in our Netflix libraries. There are people who I . To succeed in the NFL, hell need to be an outlier among outliers. Next:The Animated Prequel To 'Candyman' Is Timely And Relevant. The Ploys and Tactics Behind Oscar Campaigning. Yasuke, the worlds first African samurai, had to fight for his place in history. Creator LeSean Thomas tells EW he hopes his show will be a "gateway" for viewers into anime. It was released on April 30, 2021 through Warp Records and features appearances by Thundercat, Denzel Curry, and Niki Randa. Yasuke is all set to be released on the streaming giant on April 29, i.e., the coming Thursday. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, Lakeith Stanfield Will Bring First African Samurai Yasuke To Netflix With 'Boondocks' Co-Creator. Gwendoline Yeo voices Ichika, Saki's mother and a lounge singer. The announcement came as the streaming giant unveiled a new line of anime programs slated to premiere on the platform during a press run at the 2020 Netflix Anime Festival livestreamed from Japan on Monday, Oct. 26. Related:25 Of The Sickest Super Nintendo Games That Never Left Japan. These are Japanese characters encountering an African immigrant in significant isolation, and sometimes they condescend to Yasuke in clueless terms, bewildered by his dark skin and wary of foreigners. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. He teaches Saki how to strategize against The Daimyo. LaKetih Stanfield has taken on a wide variety of roles in his career.