It’s been a long wait since the first season ofBlue Eye Samuraidropped in 2023, and fans of the action-packed animated Netflix show are understandably hungry for more. With its razor-sharp storytelling, breathtaking animation, and powerful emotional arcs,Blue Eye Samuraileft a massive impact in just eight episodes. While a second season has officially been confirmed, the wait for new episodes feels especially grueling because the series set such a high bar for Netflix animation. As of now, there’s still no firm release date, just the knowledge that it’s in the works and expectations are sky-high.
Thankfully, while waiting for the return ofNetflix’s best animated show, there’s another gripping series on the platform that hits many of the same notes. It’s dark, it’s violent, it’s incredibly well-written, and it offers that rare mix of complex characters, mature themes, and striking visuals. LikeBlue Eye Samurai, it doesn’t talk down to its audience and respects the intelligence of its viewers. It also happens to span four seasons and has a massive cult following of its own. Fans ofBlue Eye Samuraiwill findCastlevaniascratches the same itch, and there are plenty of reasons why.
Blue Eye Samurai Is Netflix’s Best Ongoing Animated Show
An Epic Revenge Story Told Through Masterful Animation And Razor-Sharp Writing
What makesBlue Eye Samuraiso compelling isn’t just its gorgeous animation or intense fight choreography, it’s the emotional weight behind every slash of the blade. Co-created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green,Blue Eye Samuraitaps into historical fiction while also carving out its own fierce identity with a revenge arc that rivals anything in live-action prestige drama.Central protagonist Mizu (Maya Erskine), a biracial swordswoman living in Edo-period Japan, and her path of revenge have proved to be so endearing that fans can’t wait to seeBlue Eye Samuraireach its conclusion.
Blue Eye Samuraiis the rare kind of animated show that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Every frame of this animated Netflix show is stunning, but the story is where it truly cuts deep.Mizu isn’t just fighting to kill; she’s fighting to reclaim her identity, her autonomy, and her humanity in a world determined to erase her. Supporting characters like Taigen (Darren Barnet), Akemi (Brenda Song), and the treacherous Fowler (Kenneth Branagh) bring depth and nuance to the tale, creatinga world that’s both brutal and emotionally rich.
Critics and fans have responded with overwhelming praise.Blue Eye Samuraicurrently holds a 97% critics score onRotten Tomatoes, with a 93% audience rating to match. That kind of near-universal acclaim isn’t common, especially foran animated Netflix show that dares to be this bold, bloody, and unapologetically adult.With its layered characters, political intrigue, and themes of vengeance and resilience,Blue Eye Samuraiis the rare kindof animated show that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
Blue Eye Samurai Fans Will Love Castlevania
This Dark Fantasy Series Delivers The Same Level Of Grit, Bloodshed, And Emotional Depth
IfBlue Eye Samuraileft you craving more gorgeously brutal storytelling,Castlevaniais your next essential watch. Based on theclassic Konami video games, this animated Netflix show ran for four seasons from 2017 to 2021 and offers a similarly mature blend of stylized violence, emotional complexity, and morally gray characters. At the heart ofCastlevaniais Trevor Belmont (vRichard Armitage), a disgraced monster hunter who teams up with the magician Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) and the half-vampire Alucard (James Callis) to take on Dracula (Graham McTavish) himself.
LikeBlue Eye Samurai,Castlevanianever shies away from graphic violence, but it also balances that with well-developed arcs and character growth. Both shows explore the pain of being an outsider and the destructive pull of vengeance. Alucard’s story in particular mirrors Mizu’s internal conflict, torn between the world of his monstrous father and the humanity he’s fighting to protect.There’s also a strong philosophical core inCastlevania, with characters frequently debating morality, free will, and the cost of power.
The visuals are equally breathtaking. WhileCastlevanialeans more into gothic horror, the animation is fluid, the action scenes are kinetic, and the art direction is meticulous. And likeBlue Eye Samurai, it’s been praised for its storytelling, with a 94% critics score and an 89% audience rating onRotten Tomatoes. For fans looking for an animated Netflix show with world-class writing and a mature tone,Castlevaniais a near-perfect companion piece toBlue Eye Samurai.
Castlevania: Nocturne Builds On The Legacy With New Heroes And A Bold New Story
Image via Netflix
Once you’ve finished the four seasons ofCastlevania, the good news is that the story doesn’t end there. In 2023, Netflix expanded the franchise withCastlevania: Nocturne, a sequel series that shifts the action to 18th-century France during the rise of the vampire messiah, Erzsebet Báthory.The show follows Richter Belmont(Edward Bluemel), a descendant of Trevor, as he joins a resistance of vampire hunters, revolutionaries, and magic users to stop a supernatural apocalypse.
Castlevania: Nocturnemanages the tricky task of honoring the original while introducing a fresh cast and tone. Much like howBlue Eye Samuraireinvents the revenge drama,Nocturnereinvigorates gothic fantasy with a revolutionary twist. The character work remains just as compelling, with standout roles like the sorceress Annette (Thuso Mbedu) and the opera singer Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt) bringing new voices and cultural layers to the mix. Plus, Richter’s personal journey navigating the void between legacy and trauma offers the kind of internal conflict thatBlue Eye Samuraifans will immediately recognize and appreciate.
Just like its predecessor,Nocturnedoesn’t pull its punches when it comes to brutal action and heavy themes. It’s stylish, politically charged, and emotionally resonant - everything you’d want from ahigh-quality animated Netflix show. With only one season released so far and more on the way,Castlevania: Nocturneis the perfect bridge between finishingCastlevaniaand waiting for Mizu’s return inBlue Eye Samuraiseason 2.
Blue Eye Samurai
Cast
Blue Eye Samurai is a 2023 animated action-adventure series created by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi. Set In 17th-century Japan, Blue Eye Samurai follows a mixed-race Samurai named Mizu who seeks revenge for the man who abandoned her and took her mother. To do so, Mizu will have to disguise herself and assume the guise of a man as she sets forth across a war-torn nation.
Castlevania
Based on the video game franchise, Castlevania is a Netflix original animated action series that follows the never-ending battle of the monster-slaying Belmont clan as they continue to face off against the hordes of the night. When Count Dracula’s human wife is murdered, his grief leads him to doom the world to eternal darkness. To stop him, it’ll take a team of three unlikely heroes banding together: the last remaining Belmont, Trevor, a magic-wielding seeker named Sypha Belnades, and the tortured half-human, half-vampire son of the count himself, Alucard.
