The Drinker Recommends... Blue Eye Samurai

Critical drinker's recommendations are ten times better than those provided by the mainstream critics. Edit: Guys this was a general statement, not directly just tied to one show!

Fowler guessing her identity because her "bones break like a woman's" is some seriously dark and brilliant character development.

The most surprising but rewarding part of Mizu's backstop was finding out that she wasn't just "too strong" to be a housewife but that she was a housewife for a time and she was happy. She could probably have lived out her life in that setting but it was her husband or possibly her "mother" who made that life impossible. I loved that the story left it up to the audience to interpret whether her husband betrayed her because he felt immasculated by being beaten by her in a sparring match or her "mother" who wanted her reward to buy more opium.

The animation is well done because they used a ton of live action reference. They acted out the fight scenes and animated off the reference footage. One of the producers wore period piece clothing for the animators and showed them how Japanese people walk, run and generally move within their cultured norms, and how that is influenced by the clothing they wear. There's a great behind the scenes vid here on yt.

I love how her outfit doesn't change. She just sews up the damaged parts. In a way it shows the journey and struggle she endured to get the skills she has.

The whole series is incredible, but episode 5 'The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride', where Mizu's backstory is remembered as a Japanese puppet play, as an inter-cut flashback whilst she fights off a horde of assassins, is, in my humble opinion, a masterpiece.

The note about how Mizu can be "outsmarted and makes mistakes at critical moments" is so well put. I was so worried early on she'd be another OP power trip protagonist, but right away they show that her past traumas manifest into her weaknesses that really help drive her character home. I honestly haven't seen character development (not just Mizu) this well done in a while!

I had the same experience of wanting to pause the show sometimes just to admire how gorgeous the visual design was.

It won't shut up the people who say that Drinker hates things with female leads, even if it should. It's just proof that all we care about is a good story and good characters.

Honestly, when I saw this mini-series my biggest revelation was "damn, I didn't think entertainment media had it in them anymore."

Ringo was legit my favorite character. I love how he’s so sincere and humble, just looking for an opportunity to help others and be of service. Really exemplifies that whole “the meek shall inherit heaven” vibe

The first episode was great, and holy hell the pot was screaming by the Onryō episode! The show kept building and by the time S1 wrapped I was left wanting so much more (in the best kind of way). Such great art, sound, and voice acting.

I can’t wait for season 2 but at the same time, I don’t want them to rush it. I want the same level of care that went into season one. It’s phenomenal. Truly peak artistic expression and storytelling.

Fun fact: Mizu means water in Japanese, hence the color or her eyes and the color of her sword's blade.

Another Scottish person here, completely agree with you, this show was amazing and I haven’t watched anything in years that has been good enough to distract me from replying to messages on my phone… was so shocked as I only wanted something in the background, binged it in one sitting and ended up awake till 5am watching it ❤️

No idea if you read my comment in particular (probably not) but I was definitely one of those that clamored for a review haha. Glad to see my view of the show vindicated though. I've seen some people here and there calling it "woke", something with which I vehemently disagree. What it is is what "woke", "identity politics" and "the message" COULD have been if people hadn't taken it into an entirely unreasonable direction. It touches on most of the current-year issues that have been debated for years now, but it does so entirely within the context of the story and setting, and most importantly, it doesn't preach. It shows different facets of these issues and lets the audience think for themselves instead of coming up with ready-made conclusions of what to think. A good example is Akemi: On the surface her character is typically modern-feminist (but in a setting where there UNDENIABLY are severe inequalities), but in the end, she got a taste of power and now choses to use her femininity as a path to influence. She's not depicted as some sort of flawless self-insert, she definitely has flaws, her ultimate selfishness being one of them. She's nuanced and layered, and not just there to stand in for an ideology. Or Ringo: Yes, he has a physical disability. But you don't pity him - why would you, the guy is extremely resourceful and never lets his limitations get in the way of shit he wants to do. That's not only a role-model-worthy positive representation of disabled people, it also makes him very compelling. His disability is absolutely central to his character, but at the same time it doesn't singularly define him. He's more than "Mr. No-Hands".

It’s really crazy how recommends from “professional movie critics” never bring me the same excitement to watch something unlike The Critical Drinker.

I'm so happy you found the time to watch this and I'm even happier you enjoyed it.

Drinker, just gotta thank you for putting this one out there, hands down one of the best watches in a very long time. The characters, the story, the artwork, just pure gold.

I really love that you do these recommendations. Pretty much every single thing you recommend I go and watch, and it’s always a treat. Thanks, Drinker!