The following article contains brief discussion of suicide and self-harm.
Netflix produced and released an intriguing anime titled Yasuke in early 2021. It consisted of fantastical and supernatural themes within the historical setting of Japan’s Edo Period, involving intense and spectacular battles, dramatic relationships and a perspective of Yasuke’s post-recorded history adventure in an alternate reality.
Whilst there is only limited information on the journey Yasuke took, there was a golden opportunity for a grounded historical story within what is known and recorded in history of this time. However, creator LeSean Thomas took the anime in a very different direction instead.
The Real-Life Yasuke’s History Compared to the Fictional Anime
History records that Yasuke was originally from Africa — his original name and exact location within the continent are up for debate — under the service of Alessandro Valignano, an Italian missionary. Netflix’s anime adaptation depicts a perspective of this, as Yasuke protects a child and catches the attention of daimyō Oda Nobunaga.
Upon Nobunaga taking Yasuke into his Retinue, the series shows his training and rise in Nobunaga’s favor, and eventual witnessing of the daimyō committing seppuku, or suicide. This journey has been documented in history, where it is stated that Yasuke was present at the Honnō-ji Incident. The recorded history comes to an end after he was captured by Akechi Mitsuhide, with Akechi allegedly claiming that Yasuke should not be killed, but taken to the Christian church in Kyoto.
Netflix’s Yasuke anime may have shown brief flashbacks and backstory throughout its narrative, but it largely took place many years after the Honnō-ji Incident. Yasuke serves as a river boatman, ferrying people and goods as his fame drifts into legend. It takes a rather abrupt turn into the supernatural and fantastical, having Yasuke combating monstrous beings, magical priests and shape-shifting Russian warriors. The show is sturdy in the fantasy genre, portraying a strong protagonist and extravagant story. But the choice to focus primarily on a fantastical adventure led to a missed opportunity to explore Yasuke’s history and his accomplishments as a retainer and weapon-bearer for Nobunaga.
Netflix’s Yasuke Should Have Focused on Historical Realism
The story of Yasuke is so unique within Japan’s Edo Period, the era’s material is so vast that there is a perfectly grounded story to be told with hard-hitting messages while considering the reflections of modern sensibilities. Had Netflix’s anime followed a similar style or tone of series like Shigurui or Vinland Saga — exploring Yasuke’s exploits during his time as a retainer — it could’ve delivered a beautifully crafted, historical fiction story that has yet to be truly told.
Yasuke’s fantasy element and detachment from history certainly allowed for a compelling adventure, directed toward a wider demographic that falls more in line with anime like Samurai 7 and Blade of the Immortal. However, the historical aspects of Yasuke’s life are yet to be explored in a setting that is more related to other brutal and realistic samurai anime. Should another series following his life ever be made, it would do well to dive into realism and history more than fantasy.