Blue Eye Samurai is a new animated series on Netflix, and it is vividly brought to life thanks to the talents of its voice cast. With some of Netflix’s best animated shows including Castlevania and F Is for Family, there is a certain level of quality audiences have come to expect from the streamer over the years. Even though many of the actors in Blue Eye Samurai are better known for their live-action roles, this disparity doesn’t stop the talent from providing the animated period piece with some of their best work yet.
Set during Japan’s Edo period, Blue Eye Samurai is about a mixed-race samurai named Mizu embarking on a quest for revenge against the man who impregnated her mother years ago. Despite Blue Eye Samurai not being based on a real person, the creators of the show wanted accurate representation in its character portrayals, so they brought on a primarily Asian voice cast. As is typically the case for Netflix, familiar and well-respected faces — or in this case, voices — are just one of the reasons the new series is worth a watch.
Maya Erskine As Mizu
Maya Erskine voices Mizu, the main character of Blue Eye Samurai, and she delivers an exceptional performance across the show’s eight episodes. Mizu is as strong-willed as she is intelligent, disguising herself as a man to sneak behind enemy lines almost effortlessly. Erskine’s biracial heritage adds an undeniable layer to Mizu’s characterization, as the actress is able to infuse her own experiences into that of the show’s mixed-race samurai.
The role of Mizu is something of a departure for Erskine as she’s known for her live-action roles in the comedies Man Seeking Woman and Betas. Additionally, Erskine’s voice-over work has mostly been in the comedy genre. Erskine’s credits include BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth, and Bob’s Burgers, all of which likely helped her hone her skills behind the mic.
Masi Oka As Ringo
Masi Oka voices the friendly and overzealous Ringo, a loyal soba maker who abandons his father to apprentice with Mizu. Despite being born with no hands, Ringo has aspirations of becoming a legendary samurai, and his perpetually outgoing demeanor makes audiences root for him.
Oka is perhaps best known for his role as Hiro Nakamura in CBS’ Heroes and for playing Dr. Max Bergman in Hawaii Five-O. Oka’s work as Nakamura was so well-received, that the character has gone down in history as one of Heroes best characters.
Darren Barnet As Taigen
Darren Barnet voices Taigen, a skilled yet arrogant swordsman who has developed a reputation through the years as being unbeatable. This changes when Mizu bests him in a one-on-one duel, thus ruining his dojo’s reputation and complicating his engagement to Princess Akemi. Nevertheless, Taigen and Mizu develop something of a friendship as they recognize each other’s skill and character.
The teen drama Never Have I Ever is perhaps where most people recognize Barnet from, and even though Never Have I Ever ended, Paxton Hall-Yoshida is arguably his most famous role. In addition to Blue Eye Samurai, Barnet also voices Mike in Netflix’s anime-inspired series Skull Island.
Brenda Song As Princess Akemi
Brenda Song voices Princess Akemi, a young and sheltered woman of royalty who yearns for freedom and independence. Whether it be from her father, Lord Daichi of the Tokonobu clan, or her fiance Taigen, Princess Akemi is perpetually held back by the different men in her life. However, Mizu’s journey inspires her to walk her own path. Song got her breakthrough in the cast of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody but has since starred in more dramatic projects like The Social Network and the popular political thriller Scandal.
George Takei As Seki
George Takei voices the compassionate and wise attendant to the Tokonobu clan known as Seki, a steadfast man who essentially helped raise Princess Akemi since she was a child. Despite his frail appearance and warm smile, Seki always acts with the best interests of the clan in mind and perpetually stands up for what is right. Known primarily for his work in Star Trek as Hikaru Sulu, Takei’s career has seen him appear in supporting roles in both TV and film. His prior projects include The Simpsons, Hey Arnold!, and Hawaii Five-O.
Randall Park As Heiji Shindo
Randall Park voices Heiji Shindo, an unscrupulous man who engages in trading operations with foreigners. Cunning and charismatic, Heiji becomes a trader with Abijah Fowler, the show’s main antagonist, and plots to take control of the Shogunate with him. Park first came to prominence in MTV’s Wild ‘n Out and followed the improv comedy show up with Fresh Off the Boat and Always Be My Maybe. He’s known within the MCU as the beloved Jimmy Woo.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa As The Swordmaker
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa lends his voice to the character The Swordmaker, a legendary blind swordsman who learns how to use fire to craft various blades. Formerly known as Master Eiji, Swordfather takes Mizu under his wing and helps prepare her for her journey against Fowler. In addition to a string of supporting roles, Tagawa is best known for his performances as Shang Tsung in various Mortal Kombat projects, as well as for playing Hiroki Watanabe in Netflix’s Lost in Space.
Kenneth Branagh as Abijah Fowler
Kenneth Branagh voices the main antagonist pf Blue Eye Samurai, Abijah Fowler. Fowler is an Irish trader trying to break Japan’s closed-door trading policies and someone who might be responsible for Mizu’s mixed heritage. Branagh has starred in plenty of movies, with some of his notable works being Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing. He recently starred as Hercule Poirot in A Haunting in Venice. In addition to his prolific acting work, Branagh has written and directed projects like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Thor.
Blue Eye Samurai Supporting Cast
Stephanie Tsu as Ise: Stephanie Tsu voices the prostitute Ise, one of Madame Kaji’s employees who is sarcastic and rarely sensitive of other’s feelings. She matures after getting to know Princess Akemi and discovering their similar goals. With roles such as Karen the computer in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical and Mei Lin in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Tsu’s breakthrough role was as Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Ming-Na Wen as Madam Kaji: Ming-Na Wen voices Madame Kaji, a strict businesswoman who runs a low-level brothel that specializes in kinks and fetishes. While stern to her employees, Madame Kaji cares about them and constantly offers advice and wisdom. Ming-Na Wen has voiced Mulan in multiple Disney movies and the Kingdom Hearts series, appeared in Young Sheldon, and has had a recurring role as Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett.
Harry Shum Jr. As Takayoshi: Harry Shum Jr. voices Takayoshi, the Shogun’s son. Despite what many think, he isn’t nearly as ruthless as his father. While he’s believed to be a dangerous man, he’s actually trying to establish his own legacy and help bring about peace. Shum Jr. has had small roles in Zoey 101, iCarly, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, and Everything Everywhere All At Once. His most prominent role however is that of Charlie Wu in Crazy Rich Asians.
Mark Dacascos as Chiaki: Mark Dacascos lends his voice to Chiaki, the fearsome leader of the Four Fangs gang. His reputation as a violent fighter earned him the nickname “Bloodsoaked Chiaki,” and he has history with The Swordmaker, as he stole one of the swordcrafter’s swords. Dacascos is known for appearing in cult action B-movies like American Samurai, Double Dragon, and Redemption: Kickboxer 5. More recently, he has made appearances in Hawaii Five-O and John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum.
