The premiere of Yasuke, the animated series on the first Black samurai, is almost here! Releasing exclusively on Netflix this week, the series features LaKeith Stanfield voicing the titular character.
Earlier this month, Netflix released a teaser trailer and key art, which provided a brief glimpse into the magic and mysticism involved in this series.
Today, the full trailer and poster were revealed, as well as the the expanded voice cast, which includes Ming-Na Wen, Darren Criss, Takehiro Hira and more!
The trailer provides a clearer idea of what this series is about. Yasuke, who was an actual historical figure and the first non-Japanese samurai, served under the Japanese feudal lord Oda Nobunaga during 16th century Japan.
According to some accounts, Yasuke was with Lord Nobunaga when his generals turned against him, forcing him to commit seppuku. His last instructions to Yasuke were to decapitate him and take his sword to his son.
Based on the trailer, this series seems to pick up where the historical accounts/legend leaves off. Not much is known about Yasuke’s story after that incident. The trailer seems to show that event and then we see Yasuke as a samurai without a lord, also known as a ronin.
Check out the full voice cast and additional details below. Yasuke premieres exclusively on Netflix April 29th!
NETFLIX UNVEILS MAIN TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR YASUKE
Confirms Additional Voice Cast Joining LaKeith Stanfield,
Including Takehiro Hira, Maya Tanida, Ming-Na Wen, Paul Nakauchi,
Darren Criss, Julie Marcus, William Christopher Stephens, Dia Frampton, Don Donahue, Amy Hill and Noshi Dalal
YASUKE DEBUTS THIS THURSDAY APRIL 29 ONLY ON NETFLIX
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. But when a local village becomes the center of social upheaval between warring daimyo, Yasuke must take up his sword and transport a mysterious child who is the target of dark forces and bloodthirsty warlords.
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 director and animator Takeshi Koike (Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine) responsible for character designs, music by Grammy Award-nominated artist Flying Lotus and award-winning actor LaKeith Stanfield serving as executive producer and the voice of Yasuke.
Additional voice cast confirmed today includes:
Nobunaga – Takehiro Hira
Saki – Maya Tanida
Natsumaru – Ming-Na Wen
Morisuke – Paul Nakauchi
Haruto – Darren Criss
Nikita – Julie Marcus
Achoja – William Christopher Stephens
Ishikawa – Dia Frampton
Abraham – Don Donahue
Daimyo – Amy Hill
Kurosaka (Dark General) – Noshi Dalal
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 208 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. Â He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
