Netflix has released a new behind-the-scenes video for Bright: Samurai Soul, its feudal Japanese reimagining of the 2017 surprise hit movie.
The new video features the Japanese voice cast explaining their characters' backgrounds and motivations. Yuki Nomura, a traditionally trained Kyogen stage actor, plays Izou, a former samurai who finds himself questioning his ideals during the tumultuous Meiji Revolution, a time of great social upheaval and change in Japanese history. Demon Slayer and Platinum End's Daisuke Hirakawa plays Raiden, an orc warrior who is seeking a higher purpose to his life. SSSS. Dynazenon's Shion Wakayama plays Sonya, a young elf girl whom Izou and Raiden decide to protect as she journeys her way back to the safety of the elvish lands in the north. In addition to going in-depth with the voice cast, the video briefly delves into the work that went into modeling the show's lavishly decorated 3D environments and choreographing its fights, which were created using motion-capture technology.
Bright: Samurai Soul is a spinoff of the 2017 Netflix original movie Bright, which was directed by David Ayer and starred Will Smith and Joel Edgerton. The original movie was a gritty, modern day police drama set in a world where humanity lives side-by-side with high fantasy races and creatures such as orcs and fairies. While the movie received a mostly negative response from critics, it was a substantial commercial success, as Netflix says the title was one of their most streamed titles ever.
The new show is being directed by Kyohei Ishiguro, the director behind the coming-of-age sad anime series Your Lie In April. Ishiguro also recently directed the anime movie Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, which was released internationally as a Netflix exclusive. Samurai Soul is written by Michiko Yokote, who previously worked on the Bleach and Hikaru No Go franchises.
Samurai Soul is just one of several original anime series that Netflix has on its fall schedule. In addition to the new Bright spinoff, the streaming giant will also host Super Crooks, a new 13 episode anime series from studio BONES (My Hero Academia, Eureka Seven) based on the 2012 miniseries by Mark Millar and Leinel Yu. The new series is being directed by Carole & Tuesday's Motunobu Hori and features scripts written by Cowboy Bebop and Eureka Seven writer Dai Sato.
In addition to its original series, Netflix has also licensed several new, high profile anime series for its service, including the beautifully animated comedy Komi Can't Communicate and the highly anticipated next season of the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure anime.
Source: YouTube
