Why Did Yasuke Feature Mech Suits Despite Historical Inaccuracy? Director Defends Controversial Decision

Yasuke
Credit: Netflix | Custom Image by Michael Baculinao | Fair use for promotional and news purposes

Yasuke
Credit: Netflix | Custom Image by Michael Baculinao | Fair use for promotional and news purposes

Fans have criticized Netflix's original anime series Yasuke for featuring fantastical elements such as mech suits despite being based on a historical figure.

While the series was praised for celebrating the legacy of the first black samurai, some of the creative decisions have become controversial and fans felt that it did not live up to the full potential of the concept.

Yasuke Director Defends the Show's Fantastical Elements

While appearing recently at the Japan Society in New York City, Yasuke director LeSean Thomas addressed the backlash that the series has been receiving since it premiered three years ago.

"Nobody’s seen anything like this before, and they’re already telling me how to make it," he said.

Thomas noted that the criticisms did not bother him as "those fans are passionate," but he still stood by his creative decisions. "Why do you want the same sh*t?" he said.

The director added, "Everyone has their own ideas of what the first Black anime should look like." He also described his goal in making the series as eliminating the "scarcity mindset."

In the end, when asked about why he decided to include fantastical elements despite being based on a historical figure, Thomas summarized his response in two words: "Why not?"

Will There Be a Season 2 of Netflix's Yasuke?

It's been three years since Yasuke aired its first and (so far) only season on Netflix, but fans are still eager to find out whether it will be getting another season.

Unfortunately, there are no plans yet for a second season of the series as it was planned to only run for six episodes.

Three years have also passed since the first and only season aired, and the lack of movement is a sign that Netflix has no plans to continue with more seasons of the hit landmark anime series.

Thomas has also moved on to other projects which makes it more unlikely for them to continue anytime soon. Perhaps they can still change their mind sometime soon.

What do you think of the director's remarks on the show's controversial creative direction? Let us know in the comments!

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