Only Satisfied: A Blue Eye Samurai Video Essay
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- čas přidán 11. 11. 2023
- A (mostly) spoiler-free Review and breakdown of Blue Eye Samurai, a stunning animated revenge tale by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green.
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Blue Eye Samurai has been renewed for season 2!!!!!! Yesssssss!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
Woooooooooo 🙌🙌🎉🎉🙌🙌🎉🎉 This is the best news! Also, great review/analysis. Thank you!
I introduced my parents to this series and they fucking LOVE it. Now we're all psyched out of our minds for season 2
@ethangonzalez8904 cute omg!
🎉🎉🎉🎉
I loved that they made Mizu almost superhumanly skilled, and still managed to avoid her feeling invincible. A lot of shows would have just made her an "untouchable badass" who just breezes through every foe, but Mizu has to push through with adrenaline, discipline and sheer will, and sometimes it isn't enough.
She's a very well written character. I hope Disney takes notes.
@@FrenzysharkMulan obviously had plot armor, but she’s one of the few past Disney characters I could think of who came close to Mizu in terms of not having sheer inhuman strength on her side & whose strength is based on her good writing, not being some invisible baddie. A lot of her fighting style came from adrenaline, technique, & not even direct combat. She had a very creative & smarts based fighting style that’s never really seen in shows or movies anymore, hell we don’t even see adrenaline kick in! Mizu is definitely refreshing
I like to call it the “Indiana Jones”. In Raiders of the Lost Arc, the writers made it clear that Indy is intelligent, skilled, resourceful, and also give him a thrashing in pretty much every fight scene. It strikes a balance between believing that it’s possible for the character to escape these scrapes, but also keeps the tension high because maybe they won’t! (Even though they are the titular character, so we know they will)
To be honest. Episode 6. Breaching the fortress.
My "Suspense of disbelief" was shattered. Like I understand. It's supposed to be over the top. Like kill bill! But it was just a bit too much for me. Metal spike through the heel? Would completely make it impossible to stand. Proceeds to jump over spike pits like she's uninjured. Kill 20 samurai without a weapon as if she's uninjured. Etc. Gorgeous! Fun! But I was laughing at the ridiculousness and unbelievable things. Very over the top and silly. But really cool too! I still love the show! It's great! I'd say 8.5/10 Where Arcane is a 10/10 for me.
@@xander9460Oh I completely agree that scene was too far for me. It wouldn’t push it down from a 10 for me becayse the overall quality is too good, but that is taking ANY warrior out - even Mohammad Ali leve
I think Fowler being Irish makes him even more sinister. He has witnessed colonization first hand, has seen its consequences on people- and still sides with it so much so that he wants to become a colonizer. He’s still not as deeply written as all the other characters, but there’s still just enough to make him vile.
This has become my new obsession and I’m so glad to be finding videos about it!
Ooh that is an excellent point. His description of the famine was admittedly completely harrowing
It actually makes plenty sense. There's really no anti-colonialism before the late 18th century, at least not anything approaching a solid ideological movement. Fowler's been at the bottom of the barrel and will kill and subject as many as needs be to put as much distance between himself and that position as possible.
And very noticeable how he generally considers himself Irish... Except when he specifically calls himself/his plans British when it comes to enacting colonialism and being the one in control of the war machine in a particularly horrific example of disassociation while harnessing the trauma. That is no way an accident and is an incredible choice on their part.
@Feather_Dancer oooh that's a great point!
@@Feather_Dancer he might consider "British" to be a relative demonym. He's certainly the most British thing in Japan atm, and he could hardly call all those imperial exports/achievements Irish. Britain and its culture includes the Irish, even if it's an abusive relationship, and so political and cultural proximity to power grants a degree of power in and of itself. If he found himself back in the British isles (which he very well might in season 2 🤞) we may see him emphasize more his Irish cultural distinctions over British, except for when he's talking to Mizu, for whom the distinctions are invisible or simply unimportant.
as a writer, i am OBSESSED with the water metaphors that literally surround and encapsulate mizu. her name, the crests on her sword, the waves carved into the sword's hilt, the ocean fabric from her childhood flashback being her sash. it's also so interesting to me that while she wears orange glasses to cancel out her eyes as another way to hide, she also almost solely wears blue. like she's trying to draw attention elsewhere. this story is so rich and i'm obsessed
Great eye for detail!
I’m trapped and amazed with this serie.
Yes it's almost like she's a tsunami that can't be stopped.
Water can give life, but it can take it away as well.
I wanna add that she emerges herself in water WAYY to many times and it really makes me think about her water motifs
Yeah I wish I had talked about it meaningfully in the video, because it comes up so much, I may have to revisit it 🤣
Whats really interesting about her revenge, is that its based in self loathing. If being or fathering an interracial child wasn't wrong in her eyes it wouldnt warrent revenge. So in order to keep her quest alive she has to stay in the belief that she is a monster and she needs to push everyone away that challenges that belief.
Very insightful. I'm honestly wondering if the big reveal is going to be is that her biological mother was actually white and her father was Japanese
@@renrants, now THAT would be interesting. I mean, if two of the white guys who were in Japan when she was conceived are chilling in London now, I wouldn't call it too much of a stretch.
Also, it just clicked to me that Mizu is on her way to Britain now. THAT will be very interesting to see.
Little spoiler down below about Fowler:
The events regarding what happened him and his sister probably occured during the Nine Years' War in Ireland where the Tudor-led English armies rampaged through much of Ireland. The island was devastated and it's assumed about 100k Irish died, many from famine. It wasn't quite the direct ethnic cleansing the Roundheads would inflict under Oliver Cromwell in the early 1650s in his suppression of the Irish Loyalists, but I am sure Fowler would have known about that as well by time the show takes place.
Fowler looks to be in his 50s or 60s. This makes sense as the war toom place at the turn of the century.
Also, such ruin and cataclysm would help to create a near cartoonishly evil villian like Fowler, as what he experienced as a child would have warped his mind and morals. He wishes to inflict pain amd trauma on a level he felt, but it's a hole he cannot fill.
Thus is a great point and excellent analysis! Thank you
The historical research they put into all aspects of this show is absolutely insane. This makes perfect sense. I love it.
Every review i watch about this show I'm always baffled how quickly people shove aside fowler as a "comically evil villain". When in most of the scenes he is in depicts how his spiral into madness made him the way he is.
In one scene he LITERALLY spoke about his childhood and how he kept his sister alive during the famine only to end with EATING HER KIDNEYS.
I think for me it's the cartoony elements of his performance which make him feel less grounded than the more understated performances of the other characters (even though he's so much fun to watch.) I will grant that he is more complex than I made out, but I maintain that much of the complexity feels retroactive due to that excellent scene where he talks about experiencing famine. Up to that point, he felt very flat, and it didn't feel like quite enough to realize him this season, but I'm hoping next season we'll explore more of his dimensions.
The TV series came across to me as a good film about feminism, beyond just a good story. To me the two main female characters are stuggleing to fine their wants, desires, and place in the world. They find a way to empower themselves, make mistakes, and grow as people. Not always in a "good" way, but in a way that fits what they are looking for.
Loved your essay, really happy you liked it. Hopefully Netflix won't cancel this one!
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment! :)
The Bunraku puppet episode is my favourite. Loved the story telling, the edit. What a marvelous show!
That was my favorite too, it was so beautiful! And I thought it added a lot of depth to Mizu's quest for revenge
One of the best shows I've ever seen. Absolutely blew me away with its engaging story, beautiful animation, layered characters and mature pacing. Such a masterfully crafted show. Netflix did very little to promote it but the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. So hopefully more people will hear about this and they'll greenlight a second series. 🤞
Yeah I'm really hoping it blows up because the ending is really bad if it doesn't get another season 😅😭
calling it a masterpiece is putting it lightly, but yes, it is a masterpiece
Couldn't agree more ❤️
Mizu's castle raid is pure adrenaline filled action perfection. The colors, the shadows, the gore and absolute bangers in the background ufff.
It's seriously so good
I love how they approached Mizu's backstory along with the Bonraku performance both stories with their own twist n turns.
Major Spoilers ahead
You'd think it was the 'death' of her mother that led down the part of revenge but really, it was her mother's betrayal n a certain person that led her down that path.
The fact she actually found her mum n tried to find happiness, which she did but had it stripped away again not by loss but by betrayal reenforces her belief that she could never find real happiness unless she takes care of the problem, the 'White Man' who wronged her.
I loved that episode too, it might be my favorite.
One thing I liked about the betrayal is it could have either been the husband or her mother who turned her in. From Mizu's perspective it didn't matter which one it was because it was clear neither of them loved her. Absolutely gutted me 😂
@@renrants If I am not mistaken, Mizu's mother actually died in the house fire. Mizu's mother was a very wise and caring person as she protected Mizu at all cost.
Mizu's real mother died when Mizu was very young so she could not remember her mother properly. Mizu only saw that woman after she became adult.
That woman who was drug addict, was just acting like Mizu's mother. That woman was actually a caretaker hired by Mizu's white father to keep an eye on her.
It was the husband who turned her in, the clue is that the husband sold off the horse that was given to Mizu as a gift by the husband. That man hated her because she had damaged the ego of a Japanese man, which is everything in Japan.
@@giyanvice I agree it was the husband! The way I see it, thr 'mother' had a good thing going, she had a home for the rest of her life, since old parents live with their kids. If she turned in Mizu, sure she would get SOME reward money, but how long would that last? Months? A year? Nah, as an addict, she would want stability, imo.
@@saviorebello7342 Also the timing of the guards to find out about Mizu's exact location happened just after the husband got angry. Why not before this time?
Also that caretaker woman had warned Mizu before the marriage by saying, "The men who hunted you as a child think you died in that fire. If anyone found out you were alive, they could turn you in for a great bounty."
I agree with everything you said, but I don't know who is Mizu's real mother, because that drug addict woman is not her real mother.
Fowler said, "Don't you want to know which one tried to burn you alive as a baby? Which one killed your mother?"
Mizu said, "I saw my mother die."
Fowler said, "That wasn't your mother? That... was your maid. Paid to keep you hidden, which I hear she did till the money ran out."
@@renrantsI came to the comments just because I wanted to mention this! Are we sure this was Mizu's backstory?
I actually thought it was a metaphor, a sweet dream for Mizu. Just before the big fight the matron at the brothel had asked her about pleasure, and she was in a near death state.
I thought that whole sequence was more akin to her actual desire..... To live as a woman and have a husband, but also to be respected as a warrior and a fighter. To be respected for her strength and wanted for her feminity simultaneously.
Throughout the entire episode it seemed like the closer she was to death the more she got sucked into the dream, and what kept her going was partially her own fear of rejection, the way she viewed herself as a monster. Obviously no such sweet dream could last, so she had to wake to fight again.
I mostly think this because otherwise I have a hard time reconciling her backstory with the master Eiji(sp?). I was under the impression that her mother died in a fire when she was a child and she ended up an orphan. Also the way it transitions to the bright scene from the dark brothel before showing her on the river makes me think it is trying to say she has 1 foot in the afterlife.
I could be wrong, but I'm almost 100% sure it wasn't her literal backstory.
Why aren't more Tubers talking about this show? I was hooked instantly and wish I knew more people to recommend it to. Great review/analysis.
Thank you! I really hope more people watch it so it gets renewed 😭
Same reason not many are talking about Carnival Row: It’s under their radar
I watched it all in 3 days. Time well spent.
@@BenHopkins1000Carnival Row was a mess. Promising start and a season 2 that has no payoff.
I loved the terror they were able to create during the last episode when Fowler begins his siege. For most people being desensitized to gun violence, it’s impressive they were able to really make us feel as terrified as I’m sure they felt realizing they had, indeed, brought swords to a gun fight.
I watched all eight episodes following your recommendation (thank you, Ren!) and absolutely loved it. There absolutely MUST be a Season 2!
I will be so upset if Netflix doesn't renew it 😭😅
Fear not. Netflix has hit another one out of the park. This is the biggest thing since Wednesday.
Numberswise that doesn't seem to be the case, which is unfortunately all Netflix cares about, they cancel amazing shows with great critical and audience reception all the time, unfortunately
@@renrants Our task is to get the word out.
Doin my best! 😂
Im so glad this show is picking up steam. Im hoping that, with the strike over, that the actors can do the late night circuit and promote it so it gets as many views as possible so netflix will greenlight season 2.
Seriously, if we don't get a season 2, I'm gonna riot 😤😤😤
@@renrants they have 4 seasons outlined....one for each cracker in the land of the rising sun at the time Mizu was conceived. I'm gonna be pissed if we don't get each and every one of them.
While I do agree there are times Fowler feels "like a cartoon character" I also feel like it's not unwarranted. There's a reason he's so over the top and monstrous (almost hypnotically monstrous really). He's insane.
He's possibly insane from boredom, being away from everything he considers 'civilization' (both the things he enjoys and the little things that annoy him), forced to live in a country he despises, and every depraved attempt to alleviate the tedium needs to be topped by exponentially more depraved "distractions." All the while he is NOT IN CONTROL as he's forced to be stuck on that island for possibly decades except for one 1 trip a year that's also curated and controlled in terms of his route and duration. And we know how much he despises not being in control, must be like psychological nails on a chalkboard every waking moment for the past 20 years (which also makes me wonder how scary Skeffington and/or Routely must be that not ONCE did Fowler complain about them foisting this position on him, at least this season). All of that festering and mixing with his greed and desire for control, results in the monster that is Abijah Fowler.
Also, Branagh's performance clearly elevated the character and gave him a charisma Fowler otherwise wouldn't have.
Another thing, isn't it weird that despite having suffered through a famine wrought by British conquest and policies, there are times when he talks about the British he considers himself one of them, not to mention how proud he is of Britain's chief export murder? I'm also scared of what twisted hoops his mind must jump through.
This is great analysis! I also thought it was weird and interesting that he talked about the British like he was one of them
@@renrants Could it be a coping mechanism? Part of the lengths he goes to Be in Control? It also makes an interesting amount of sense that the Irishman in a British-dominated enterprise gets saddled with the position that no one likely wants- being stuck in a far and foreign country for decades.
Also, is it just me, or does Fowler sometimes come across as a lower class and more monstrous Lord Ratcliffe (from Pocahontas)?
I believe Skeffington could be a businessman, and Routely might serve as a politician in the British Republic. Fowler portrays both of them as morally questionable, likely due to their involvement in actions causing both direct and indirect harm in their respective roles. It would be intriguing to explore whether either Skeffington or Routely have knightly ancestry, and it could be quite thrilling for Mizu, a ronin, to engage in a duel with someone possessing combat skills and chivalry reminiscent of a medieval knight. I find it intriguing to imagine Mizu entering a church, and it would be quite amusing to witness Mizu learning English from Fowler.
Upon Mizu's arrival in London, a series of significant events is expected to unfold. In 1660, England underwent the restoration of the monarchy, heralding the return of Charles II as king (1660-1685) after the period of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. This historical shift also led to the reintegration of bishops into Parliament and the establishment of a strict Anglican orthodoxy. Following the monarchy's restoration, England witnessed several notable developments in the subsequent years, including the outbreak of the Great Plague, the eruption of the Second Dutch War, and the devastating Great Fire of London.
This is fascinating analysis that makes the London adventure well likely see next season a lot more exciting, thank you so much for sharing
Oh god, is she gonna burn down another city?
@@Karas540 I wouldn't put it past her. Mizu is willing to do terrible things to achieve her goal.
Edo fire 1657. London fire 1666. I don't think that boat trip will take 9 years.
Well luckily there are a lot of devastating fires in Europe to choose from 😅
As I was watching the show I was absolutely delighted by the detail in the walk cycles, especially Mizu's strange swaggering gait and the way women in kimono run- tight, tiny steps, no cheating and making the fabric stretch. There's nothing better than learning the things you admire in a piece of art were deliberate!
Personally, Fowler was one of my absolute favorite characters. I don't think he necessarily needs depth because he's just so FUN and evilly charismatic, but having him and Mizu in London together in s2 seems like a great opportunity to give him more dimension. They'll suddenly have something in common, and I'm very curious to see where the writers go with that!
The movement work really was stunning! So many little details :o
I honestly am curious to see what they do with him next season, but no matter what they do, he'll certainly be entertaining to watch!
I'm so relieved it got renewed 😅
i actually dont think fowler is a flat villain, i can see a lot of potential on him developing some sort of twisted father/dark master relationship with mizu since they will be traveling together for a long time, i dont think he is her bio dad but they still do share a lot of similitude that can be explored, even if fowler hates arts, he has mastered them all if we go by his painting, he is an expert of weapons, but his sword technique is as good as mizu, so that makes him a savant like herself --- also i might be wrong but having in mind the time and age, fowler himself confirms that when he was a child he also suffered the horrors of british conquest and ruling, even the aspect of him being a redhead give him something in common with mizu, redheads themselves were not seen as the best, both declaring his own outsider aspect but also demon nature for others
in short way, i just feel mizu and fowler relationship has a lot of potential to go so incredible wrong and poisonous! hope he doesn't get killed soon, after all at the end of the season we saw mizu get a bit of hope and we all know all tales of revenge go wayyyyyy down the lane before going up
This is really interesting analysis, they definitely could add more dimension to him if they explore those elements. I can see where you're coming from for sure.
His back story is fascinating, but introduced and explored a bit too late, I am curious to see him in another environment for sure though, especially as Mizu's guide to a place where she'll be a fish out of water
This is really interesting possible development! I love Fowler as a villain because how calculated and calm he is, how brutally honest he is, unlike a lot of Hollywood villains who talks too much he actually gets things done! (Also his voice gives me the creeps) The show did foreshadow how good of a swordsman he is and it was a big shame that last episode didn’t have him the chance to show it, hopefully we see it in season 2!
Yeah I was definitely expecting a sword fight, damn guns 😂
Despite the fact that Fowler is depicted in the first season a despicable villain, that moment when he shared about his hardships and sister shed a glimmer of light to his character. I could be wrong but I'm supposing he's like a Jaime Lannister, where he still has dark traits and intentions but at the same time has a conscience. Remember how Fowler described the other 2 white men who could be Mizu's father? Fowler admittedly was saying that he accounts for all his bastard children and that those 2 men were much worse than him and Violet (the first man Mizu killed). Also, I kinda had an inkling that Fowler couldn't be her dad since if you noticed that he has green eyes, yet I still had a surprised reaction especially with the mother reveal.
I'm guessing 2nd season he's still a villain or neither or like Jaime Lannister. Since he knew of her, I'm guessing also that he may have tried to save her as a baby . Or I could be wrong and he'd be a liar and remain a ruthless villain he was originally portrayed. But we'll see shall we?
Man I can't wait for season 2 of this show! Netflix better not cancel this
I was really starting to think I was the only one that thought things felt rushed in that final episode. They kind of used that fire to just rush through plot points and get characters to where they wanted them to be. 2000 soldiers armed with rifles poised to wipe out the shogunate? Eliminated by locking a gate with a single rifle, their rifles later destroyed. Mizu and Fowler? Magically escape a burning city despite being in the building it started in, now on the way to London. Taigen and Akemi? He walks through that aforementioned locked gate that killed 2000 soldiers by fire to meet up and have a greatness vs. happiness breakup conversation.
I absolutely loved the whole series as well, it really is a masterpiece, which is what really made that last 20 minutes or so of the finale stick out like a sore thumb. They needed to cut episode 8 when Fowler and his army got to the gate and create a new long episode to properly wrap things up instead of rushing things to a close. It didn’t ruin the show, but it did leave me scratching my head wondering if some shortcuts had to be made for time or studio reasons.
Yeah, I found the final episode quite baffling. My partner and I also cackled at them barring the gate with a single rifle.
Also, if it doesn't get renewed for another season the ending is actually pretty terrible 😭
There were some moments in the final episode I enjoyed, but overall it's far and away my least favorite of the series.
I also admit it didn't feel very true to Mizu's character to leave Fowler alive, especially now that she has the names and city to go on, it feels kind of naive to think he'll actually be helpful and not just try to escape
I think because there are things that audiences are more willing to suspend disbelief for, and it would have been easy to have another mechanism that made more sense to lock them in.
I do generally agree with this sentiment though, and something like that on its own wouldn't make the episode rank lowly for me, Fowler's entire castle was a bit silly and unrealistic but lots of fun to watch Mizu navigate.
To me, the ending just felt a bit rushed and internally inconsistent with the rest of the series, if that makes sense, and it stands out more because the rest of the show is so well done.
Yeah, my partner and I are both not super excited about the London element. I'm hoping she either doesn't spend too much time there, or they find a way to make it feel as incredible and immersive as they did 17th century Japan.
I'm sure Netflix ordered a specific number of episodes so they were locked in. I agree making that last episode more of a "two parter" might have helped, I think the combat could have been a lot more interesting as well and that would have given me more good will towards it.
@@renrants One idea for how they can bring the story back to Japan, is if Fowler's unwilling return to London, triggers Skeffington and Routely to go for a more overt approach ala something akin to the Black Ships and Commodore Perry, albeit 200 years early. It depends on how much influence and pull they have with the British government. So Mizu has to stowaway to get back to Japan and catch up to them.
Yup, they escaping the 500 arrows surrounding them had already made me a none believer. So I stopped asking any more questions after that.
I was not expecting too much either, since there was not so much storyline in it. Most of it was just good action and that is why I watched the entire season in 2 days.
We've had spaghetti westerns... this is a Noodle Western. And it kicks ass.
Also, love how the design choice they landed on for Mizu was Ruth Bader Ginsburg dressed as Japanese Clint Eastwood.
Oh my god I can't unsee that comparison now, incredible 😂😂😂❤️
I totally agree this show kicks ass! I can't get enough of it
I appreciate how when Mizu wears traditional Japanese makeup she looks a bit like a man in drag. And when she doesn't she's vaguely androgynous. As an Asian-European blend, she's bigger than Japanese women and as tall or taller than the men. The character creators really did their homework when they designed her.
This is such a great point. I love Mizu's androgyny, it really speaks to me as someone who likes to play jump rope with the gender spectrum 🤣
The word you looking for Jidaigeki
It's a Soba Western? 🤔😂
I'm on the fourth watch-through now. Simply blown away by how freaking good this show is. I sincerely hope they can sustain the level of excellent writing into the new season. (You've hit a home run. Don't cock it up now!)
Seriously, I could see it going off the rails, but I think the creators love it enough to ensure that the follow up is worthy of the first season
I randomly stumbled upon this show last week and once I finished I RAN to find some deep dives and you did not disappoint. Thank you for the great video 💕
Thank you so much, that means the world to me! 😭❤️🥺
Are you watching it with new people or by yourself four times?
Darren Barnet's performance was giving ZUKO and I loved that. Episode 5 of this show was one of the best episodes of any show that I've ever seen. Fantastic.
There were a few moments early on where I was like "that's not Dante Basco, but it sounds like Dante Basco 😅
18:40 actually, a ton of the show's backgrounds are actual paintings, I noticed it most on wide shots in forests, it looks out great!
They're so pretty 😭
Blue Eye Samurai was an absolute banger. By far and away, my favourite episode was the puppet show one with her tragic marriage and simultaneous rampage
This is the type of show that sticks with you LONG after you watch it. It has quickly become one of my favourite series!!!
15:24 this scene where Mizu balances or catches herself on the rock made me out loud go, “WHAT THE FUCK?!” it was so crazy to me, but that was the only time that i clowned on how superhumanly strong and skilled Mizu was.
This was better than any anime or Hollywood or Asian shows i have ever seen.
My new favorite top best ever series.
One of my nuances I only caught later on was that when Mizo is in disguise, with the glasses.... it not only hides her eye color but its kind of like a "Clark Kent" disguise for Superman.
Ooh that's such a fun parallel, great catch!
Not to mention, she doesnt wear the glasses JUST to hide her blue eyes. It's to protect her eyes from snow blindness, as seen in the early episode flashbacks when she wears snow goggles, and later, her signature orange glasses.@@renrants
My daughter and I loved this so much! Can't wait for Season 2!
Great reaction and review! You are very choiceful in your words and I appreciate that. Like you, I’ve seen this series multiple times and can’t stop gushing about the animation. My only complaint about the series is that the preview (which I’ve seen after watching the series) gave too much away. The reveal at the end of the first episode was surprising (I’m glad I didn’t know that Mizu was female tho there was something “odd” about her features)and made me fall in love with Mizu even more. I’m glad she’s deeply flawed which makes her more interesting but her badassery makes up for that. Swordfather is my favorite character (apart from Mizu) and their relationship is special and honest. Can’t wait for Sn 2!
Thank you so much! Swordfather is so wonderful and wise, I also can't wait for season 2! :)
In my country we call people like Fowler “mankurt”. It means a person who experiences colonial oppression, gets deprived of his culture and historical memory and becomes part of the imperial system. So it seems quite natural to me that he becomes such a monster adopting all the “best” English colonial features and methods.
What about the animation, I really like it. I like the way it sometimes mocks itself, I like the visual effects, I like music and characters, they seem alive enough. But I feel anxious about second season. In Japanese setting the plot is organic and logical, the picture is complete. But I’m not sure about putting the main character in European setting. It may destroy the logical structure and the immersion, I’m afraid to see cringe of Pocahontas-2 type and I don’t want such a fate for this series.
Wow that is a wonderfully concise word to summarize such a complex concept, I love it!
I am similarly leery of the England plot. Season 1 was good enough I'm willing to trust the writers, but my partner and I also worried it would go in a Pocahontas 2 direction 😂
Great video, I already saw some of the behind the scenes stuff incorporated in your essay. It was produced and edited very well!
Thank you!
Yeah I was definitely impressed with the level of detail for this show, so much effort and love for real 😭
Where did you watch/find behind the scenes stuff?
CZcams, I think the Netflix channel published a bunch of promo and behind the scenes stuff
The design for young Mizu looks SO MUCH like Shinta (a.k.a. Himura Kenshin before he became Kenshin) that it can't be a coincidence. They even made her hair look vaguely reddish in many of those scenes.
That or I'm seeing things ^^°
I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were a little reference
"Mizu" is also the Japanese word for water. That most changeable and adaptable of elements
When she does the counting coup at the beginning of the fight at the dojo, just amazing.
So good, one of my favorite scenes in the whole show 😅
In terms of the ending, I think Mizu killing all of those people in the fire was an intentional point made by the writers to show how far Mizu had gone for her revenge. The reason why it falls flat is because other characters don't put enough emphasis on how serious that is.
I do hope it's explored more in the next season tbh.
I just finished this series. It was an absolute masterpiece, and I enjoyed watching every second. Mizu easily ranks as one of my favorite anti-heroes since Spawn, Ghost Rider, and Swamp Thing. I seriously hope Netflix renews it for a Season 2. Also, I would like to see Mizu as a guest fighter in Mortal Kombat.
Ooh omg that would be so much fun
Absolutely phenomenal sleeper hit.
Honestly gave me similar vibes the Arcane did as far as how engrossed I was.
Definitely need season 2, 3, etc
Definitely! Arcane is definitely the only thing Netflix has put out in animation that comes close
FINALLY I’ve been waiting for the reviews and video essays for this show!!!
I was surprised to see how few there were, I'm sure that'll change as it gets more popular though!
@@renrantsme too but you’re probably right. Something that good needs time 👌 it’s genuinely been the best animation and storytelling I’ve seen in awhile.
It's truly amazing, I'm shocked it hasn't already blown up, honestly
@@renrants I did some more research on the history side of the story, and I couldn’t believe how deep it got with not just the Japanese but Irish history as well. I learned that Fowler was most likely born during the 1600s during the nine years war in Ireland. Everything Fowler said was true about Ireland’s history to the point of eating nettles.. I knew about the great famine in the 19th century but not one quite like 16/17th century under Hugh O’Neil..
So I wonder where the story is going to lead us to next in the political chaos of London in the late 1650s!
Yeah, it's incredibly detailed! I can't wait for season 2
She was happily married and then she was obviously attracted to the guy who started out as her enemy. She's only dressed as a man out of necessity, and because it was forced on her by her "mother" sp she would avoid detection by those who would have killed her as a child. I dont think theres any gender confusion here. She's a female who is forced to pose as a male, and she is pretty hetero as well.
Respectfully, I don't think there's anything wrong with a little "gender confusion." one thing I liked about Mizu is that even when we see her living as a woman, there's still an element of masculinity to how she carries and presents herself.
I think she's definitely attracted to men, but I kind of thought she and Akemi had a moment the first time she saw her too.
@@renrants I don't think there is anything wrong with it either. I just don't think there was any of it here anymore than there was in Yentle, or Mulan. She dressed as a man out of necessity, and when the necessity no longer existed, she happily dressed as a woman.
I am completely with gender confusion, transgender individuals and any other sexual proclivity which is outside of what the majority feel is the norm. How you dress, what goes on in your bedroom and whatever you need to feel comfortable in your own skin is fine with me. I just don't see it here.
@@renrants gender, like so many other things, is on a spectrum. There will always be females who are a bit more masculine, and males who are a bit more feminine, but this doesn't mean anyone should be confused about their gender or sexuality. It's all relative to what we personally identify as masculine or feminine.
@@renrants There's nothing wrong with it, but I don't read that here. There's a scene which VERY clearly shows her being forced by her "mother" to pretend to be a boy. The restrictions of society make it easier to move through life. You can see women aren't even allowed to travel without a man by their sides. So there are multiple scenes that show the reasons why Mizu dresses as a man. She's been pretending this from childhood, so of course she carries & presents herself as a man. Because she can't be herself; a badass, strong (physically and mentally) woman.
I think both can exist at once, her reason for dressing as a man can be external and can result in her having a different experience with and relationship to gender because of it, and she can also simultaneously be a woman suppressing her femininity for practical purposes.
I binged watched the Show within one day. It felt truely cinematic.
Seriously, it's so gorgeous 😭
What a wonderful review you have presented.
I appreciate your insight and and obvious love for the genre/medium.
Thank you for your time,
And may your next meal be delicious.
Thank you for such sweet sentiments, comments like these mean so much to me! ❤️🥺
Ohh same!
Great review! Pointed out some things I missed on my first watch. I'm excited to see where things go in season 2
Thanks so much! And me too! I keep anxiously googling to see if it's been renewed yet 😭😅
Awesome fluffing show. And your elegant prose makes me appreciate this series even more.
Thank you so much, that means a lot to me! 😭❤️
Great video. I really enjoyed the show and I’m hoping the creators get as many seasons as they need to complete the story.
Thank you so much! I totally agree, this story can definitely sustain a longer arc, I hope we get at least a few seasons 🥺
Ok... so this show gripped me by my very essence and guts and refused to let go till I finished it in one binge session. Afterwards i was emotionally scared and completely torn to shreds. I spose it helps that they managed to bring forth a show that hit me on a personal level in so many ways that it was almost eerie.
Incidentally: a couple of fun things to note I guess are the following:
Although I am but a hobby smith who learned western techniques, the smithing and forging scenes were one of the best and most accurate depictions of the art I've seen in a show to date.
Also I'm pretty sure I heard the tune running during the montage with Mizu learning the different Ryu in a Tekken game? I somehow feel that was significant.
Honestly I wouldn’t say that Fowler’s character is “bad for the sake of being bad” (though I think it comes off that way due to uneven pacing in some of the episodes he’s featured in). He has a brief dialogue where he describes how he and his sister were targeted as Irish people by the British. Then he talks about how, following his sister’s death, he committed himself to clawing for power by any means possible in order to assert absolute control over his life, despite the hardships he faced due to his Irish heritage. He recognized the power that the British empire lorded over so many people, and wanted to use that power for himself. I think he represents an interesting parallel to Mizu, who chooses the path of revenge rather than absolute power to contend with the misery she experiences due to her mixed heritage.
He’s such an awesome villain imo, and Kenneth Branaugh’s portrayal of him had me rooting for his downfall from the start! 😂
What an excellent video Ren! Thank you for the analysis❤ excited for season 2!
Thank you for your kind words! I'm excited too 😊 so happy it got renewed 😅
Mizu the most beautiful character ever on screen.
I kept seeing it on Netflix when I was looking for something new to watch but I was hesitant. Eventually, I decided it wouldn't hurt to watch the first episode as I could turn it off at any time if I didn't like it but instead I binged it all in one night! LOL
I know I’m a little late-but I’ve been obsessed with this show and all it’s themes and I love how you talked about the scene with sword father and Mizu talking about the different arts! Of all the videos I’ve seen on bes (not many unfortunately) I love your perspective and dive into the show! Great video
Thank you so much for your kind words!
There's so many amazing themes and details it's impossible to touch on them all!
Hi, thanks for your very thoughtful review of "Blue Eye Samurai." I also love the series and can't wait until the next season (Netflix would be making a huge mistake if they don't green light it!). I agree with all of your comments and observations. Like you, I've watched and read all of the backup videos on Netflix and interviews with the cast and crew. I want to learn as much as I can about the production and how and why the series was created. Thanks again for your video!
Thanks so much ❤️❤️
The behind the scenes content for this show is so cool, on rewatch you notice even more little details, it's wild!
He recognized her not by the sound of her sword, but by the sound of the meteorite it is made out of. He was shocked because fornyears he couldn't melt it and Mizu did and made a sword out if it
That was the first time he heard the sound, the second time was when she returned and Ringo drops the sword and he says "Mizu" as soon as he hears it.
Fantastic review and breakdown. Thank you! I am obsessed with this show and with Mizu.
I watched it all the way through at least six times..... should I have been counting.... ? It's like a master class in world building and story telling. I see different things every time.
So many little details! When I was getting clips for this video I found so many things I wished I had talked about 😅
Nobody talks about how her "mother" faked her death and left mizu alone at such a young age so she couldnt be captured "like water"
Great point! And so thematically relevant
This is the most insightful review I’ve seen.
Thank you! 😭 I tried to be as thorough as I could!
This show was amazing, I felt a bit taken out of the show watching it in English, so outside of the 1st episode, I watched this dubbed in Japanese. I felt far more immersed in the show, watching it in the language that reflects the setting.
Finally! Someone is talking about this!! Also mizu can’t be the best swordsman alive, zoro already promised that😋
I'm honestly surprised I haven't seen more about it, because it's sooo good!
Zorro is pretty hard to beat 😂 man I love the movies with Antonio Banderas, it's been awhile since I watched them
I mean roronoa zoro from one piece, but that’s cool to 😋😋
@theanonymousunknown1949 well I feel like a silly little guy now 😂 I actually haven't seen One Piece although I've heard good things
It’s ok to be a silly little guy 😋
I feel the same as you about this gem. It’s a very adult (finally) story I’ve enjoyed for the past few days and nights. Very cool accomplishment. I see awards in the future for this talented team!
It is a great show - looking forward to the next season. I had been anticipating it and paused a few days after 6 eps because I did not want it to end. 😁 Will rewatch for sure.
Amazing and detailed breakdown, just like the show itself😍😍😍
Thank yo so much, that means a lot to me! 😭❤️
The only real historic flaws were that in the Edo period, guns were alreadt present for some decades (technically the first came with the Mongol invasions) and the horses were pretty big for Japanese horses. The gun was already known, Japan even had their own gunsmiths, however the reason we barely see them in historic art and imagery of the Edo period is because conflict in general was rare and the romanticised but often simply more efficient (for small scale battles) katana was the rage. The British were also rare in Japan (Fowler was Irish which is even rarer) fun fact though, the first Brit in Japan was William Adams who became advisor of the Shogun who started the Edo period in 1600 and decided to stay in Japan. Being Portugese would lose the blue eyes (or make them way rarer) she could however be Dutch. During the Edo period, the VOC was allowed inside through their enclave and Dutch science was even allowed. The VOC was a juggernaut, remaining the richest country to ever exist and inventing stocks. With a value that is now about four times the value of apple.
There is no historical flaw here. In fact, it’s an important plot point. In the very first episode, when Mizu confronts the flesh trader, she says:
“Impressive. I’ve never seen a gun like it: Front loading. Not a Japanese pistol. A European design, isn’t it?”
This implies that she is aware of the existence of firearms, and that the pistol in question is out of the ordinary. That it is out of the ordinary, referring to its alleged superiority to Japanese firearms of the day, is something Fowler is banking on in order to achieve his goals. As for your assertion that the British were rare in Japan, that's also a plot point.
I do think it's a bit of a mistake that we don't actually see any Japanese firearms in the show despite referencing their existence.
I can see historical nitpicks seem to really bother you. I understand being frustrated by other people's standards for realism, but I think it's worth noting that a lot of the people with these nitpicks still really enjoyed the show.
It's okay if you have different things you value about media and if little historical inaccuracies don't bother you. They barely bother me, but my partner was annoyed about some of it despite also really loving the show.
These nitpicks are often all in good fun and give people an opportunity to share a little historical knowledge, it doesn't need to be seen as an attack on the show
@@renrants - You're missing the point. It's not a flaw. The show itself substantiates this. That we don't "see" firearms on the show is also realistic: Japanese citizens didn't walk around strapped. Please stop condescending to me: I know that it's "okay" to think and feel what I think and feel. I don't require anyone's permission to point out that what you or someone else is asserting is incorrect or flawed.
It's ironic to tell me not to be condescending when you've been condescending to basically everyone you disagree with on this topic.
I understand Japanese citizens wouldn't be strapped, but it's not unreasonable to expect the shogunate to have at least some firearms, even if they aren't as accurate or needed a plot contrivance like rain to get the gun vs swords thing they were going for.
What I was politely trying to say to you is that you're allowed to feel how you feel, and other people are allowed to feel how they want to feel and there's no need to insult people's "reading comprehension" or imply their historical knowledge is incorrect simply because you didn't care about realism.
Art is up to interpretation, and historical works will always draw criticism of the accuracy of the subject history, and again almost everyone who criticize historical elements still said they liked the show.
I thought it was silly when people complained about Bridgerton not having accurate costuming, but I didn't insult anyone over it. 🤷🤷♀️
@@renrants Oh they don't really bother me at all. It doesn't break any immersion for me. They made for a compelling story and it were the things that they did right that made me love the show so much, the theater, the squeacking floor. I wasn't attacking the show. The fact that it is mentioned that the gun is European design means there are Japanese guns and in the Edo period, they were less common. There's nothing outright wrong. I'm still absolutely in love with the show.
A very detailed and amazing review
Thank you so much! ❤️
So my biggest question is whether or not Mizu is actually an Onryo. It would help explain Mizu’s strength and resilience. And also Onryo are said to cause disasters, so it’s consistent with the fire Mizu started. I know it’s an anime trope for a strong character to be compared to a demon…. But it seems like it could be true with Mizu.
Oh wow this is fascinating analysis! Especially when we consider the parallels in the episode with the puppets 🤔
loved this video :) more people need to be talking about this show! we need a season 2.
Thank you so much! I really hope more people watch it, it deserves so much attention, Netflix never knows when they have something good 😭😭
Great Review! ❤
The only misinterpretation is the one of you saying that Fowler is just a cookie cutter villain who’s just evil just to be evil. He is a product of his environment and the ideals that spawned from them.
If you remember the story he told Heji of his upbringing and surviving the Tudor conquest of Ireland with his family. Until they perished from famine and surviving off of rats. When his sister died and he had to eat her kidney to live, he vowed that day to never have to get that low in his life ever again.
You can tell he cared for his family, and they were the only thing keeping him sane. Though it’s not shown, the way he talks about protecting his sister’s corpse until he couldn’t says alot. Even talking about this event is the one time he seemed genuine and not conniving and up to no good lol
And you can gauge by just the people he surrounds himself with that it’s all shaped him to the man he feels like he must be today.
It’s a small moment but, significantly huge for his character. And the moment meld so perfectly with him revealing the weapon cache signifying his ingenuity and wherewithal to even make it from that low point to the man he his today, this show is brilliant ❤️🔥
Thank you!
I thought that scene certainly added a bit more dimension, but it felt too little too late with how comically evil he was up to that point, but I think there's definitely lots of opportunity to expand on him more in season two
"It's trash" is one of my favorite lines! One of the fine details I noticed and loved was the way characters moved. You really do see all the effort put into not only fight choreography and realism there, but also the respect given to the way characters like Akemi walk in elaborate kimono. It adds an extra oomph to her story, because you see how even the way she walks is trained into her. It's a part of her 'costume'. Also I think Fowler representing colonialism rather than a Brit character makes a lot of sense in this story. It shows how the oppressed can become the oppressor. It's a warning about what Mizu COULD become.
Although I get what you're saying, or at least I think that I do, I'm not sure what you mean by "It's a warning about what Mizu COULD become." Because, momentarily putting aside that reductive Marxist dialect of oppressed=good guy and oppressor=bad guy, I don't see the connection to Mizu.
@@jachyra9 Because Mizu is also shaped by her oppressive past. For Folwer it made him decide the best way to combat it was to become the oppressor. For Mizu she seeks revenge, to the point of blindness to the harm she does to people around her. One could see how her consuming need for revenge can make her just as heartless as the people she seeks revenge on.
@@DimaRakesah - Okay. That makes sense. It was your use of the word "oppressed/oppressor/oppressive" that's been throwing me.
The "it's trash" line made me cackle out loud as did the "is also trash" bit 😅
It's amazing the detail they put into the animation for sure.
All of these comments have made me give Fowler more thought, I'm excited to see what they do with him next season
@@renrants "It is trash" is my new tagline. 😆
I was a little late to the party with blue eye samurai but man, am i glad i found it. Best thing i've seen since arcane. There are no redundant characters in this show & i think we are only just beginning in terms of the development of the characters. They developed so much even across this first season but i feel there is so much more to come. Mizu has to be one of the best anti-heroes since beatrice in kill bill...no coincidence there i think. I’ve just finished the entire series for the second time & actually think it had even greater emotional impact for me the second time around. The first episode in particular knowing mizu was a little girl when she was getting bullied & abandoned had me genuinely tearing up. Great review RR, i could go on about this show all day but i think your review hit all the major beats. Thanks for a great vid.
Thanks so much for your kind words! :)
And totally agree, I'm so interested to see where they take the story next season!
I think mizu would still identify as a woman today, because of how happy she is in the brief time with her husband. She only hides herself because her mom instilled in her a need to hide her femininity in order to survive. She seems to accept her body otherwise. I think she’d just be a tom boy (and that’s still a maybe, because she was forced to live as a boy due to her circumstances, so we don’t know what hobbies or behaviors she would have developed if allowed to be herself from the beginning).
I disagree, but I'm at work so this is a placeholder until I can come back and give my reasons.
Their name is water and water is fluid
Such a great detail!
What did Mizu do when she had to hide from Fowler’s men in the middle of winter?
She froze.
Oh my god 😂
Immediately shot to the top of my list of shows for 2023
Same, it's just SO good! I really hope it blows up as word of mouth spreads
Great essay. I found myself nodding yes and connecting to the only other person I know who has watched this and experienced the joy this show brought. I am dying to watching it over and feel the excitement again. Well done.
Thank you so much for your kind words ❤️❤️
great show and great review!
Thank you! So dxcird excited for season 2! :)
Well said. Had my attention throughout.
This was by far the best review and analysis I’ve viewed. Just excellent. I’ve watched the series fully 6 times and each time I see, hear, or feel something new.
I do believe Kenneth Branagh’s delivery and the dialogue are richer than people give it credit for… his “chat” in the chapel and his disclosures about his youth were very deft writing…thank you for your work
Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it! :)
thank you for talking about save binding!
that is the only thing I would have loved to see a second binding szene where they have learned how to do it better! 💜
Unfortunately I think a lot of people just didn't know how to bind safely in this era so we probably won't see her do it properly, but I thought it was important to ensure people know we have safer methods now :) ❤️
@@renrants you don't have to be afraid, today is the time the individual knows the least about cloths and tissues in general, in those times, you would have known a lot more about the properties and the need of different cloths. Also the wrong and hurting binding is often done with elastic bandages that due to the synthetic aspects are made that way to comores wounds, that would hat not existed and a chest binding to support the same was common around the world. For example in greek and roman art we see the stróphion difrerently bound depending of you want to show it or support and hold them firm for sport.
To change the siluete like with todays binding you would just make it more even through a few lower rows, and we know of quite a few trabs* men in history that did that, and where discovered after they died.
Excellent series and you've captured all that I loved about it🎉
Thank you! ❤️❤️
I binged it too in a day. Its a nice story. I hope the story will continue.
I’ve been going through a REALLY tough time lately, and while checking out your fantastic review after enjoying BES, I just gotta say the Benny Hill reel made me laugh for the first time in weeks. Thank you
This comment honestly made my day! Thank you so much. I hope things get better for you soon ❤️❤️
A very well done review😊
Thank you! 😭❤️
I feel like Fowler was meant to be almost as much of a mystery to us as to Mizu, and so they're not giving us too much to go in this season. We definitely know he's pretty monstrous and terrifying, but still quite a mystery. Trusting for more of the story soon... 😬
I wish, they can also introduce a badass female villain on that show if there is season 2.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😎👍🏾What a great review! I agree with all of your points. I really hope this series continues and I am intrigued to find out who Mizu’s real mother is and also what the meteorite was/is.
Thank you! That's a great point, I hadn't given much thought to the meteor, it would be cool to learn more about it!
My two cents, for what it's worth: I feel the meteorite is good old fashioned subtext. Like Mizu, it is an anomaly. Like Mizu, it's appearance acts as a catalyst for change. Like Mizu, it's made of a material that Sword Father claims "no MAN can tame," a material that is forged into an instrument of revenge, a weapon seemingly like any other yet obviously unlike any other. I could go on annoyingly in this fashion, but I only feel I'm just scratching the surface. That's how good this show is. Again, just my two cents.
I too thoroughly enjoyed this series.. animation, action, pacing, story, all fantastic! it must get a second season...
I do have a few critiques.. they shot muskets as if they were sniper rifles.. and Mizu's actions after Fowler reveals all critical information leading to the other targets..
The audio is much better in the original Japanese..
@@jachyra9I know.. but they just couldn't miss.. it was a bit over the top.. like Ren says there was no resistance.. it felt off..
Its already a bit over the top and fantastical, remember that video gamey castle with elaborate traps and that crazy mirror security camera thingy. The almost magic comet katana. Mowing down dozens of enemies when that is pretty much impossible in real life. Its makes it dramaric so Im fine with it for the most part.
Excellent news! It was greenlit for a second season about a month ago. To celebrate, I'm going to binge the series for the second time this week.
It's definitely a relief! So excited for season 2!!
What an amazing show! Being a huge fan of Kurosawa samurai films, it is right up my alley. Blue Eye Samurai has action, drama, and social commentary, all wrapped up in beautiful animation like a great big gift.
Taigen is SO much like Steve Harrington! The babysitter! I can’t unsee it now! 🤣
They're both so good once they're knocked down a peg 🥺
This series also live rent-free in my head ❤️
Amazing review and breakdown of an equally amazing show
Thank you!
Her being somewhat superhuman makes sense, she bas been called onryo due to being mixed but she does show herself to be monstrous sometimes. I think she really is kind of a supernatural onryo
what I liked about is that they made her get her butt kicked also. Yes she is good, a master level of amazing, but even then she can be overpowered and that made every battle scene feel like it could end. It made her realistic and interesting character!
Totally agree! It added so much more weight to those scenes
I hope fowler will be the last to die unless skeffington and routely are more interesting, also guess mizu may have embrace her feminine sid and dress in a kimono to get close to one of the latter two.
Meet some half siblings along the way.
That could definitely be interesting. I agree I'm looking forward to seeing them develop Fowler more. I don't think she kill him first.
Half siblings would certainly be an interesting addition as well
You know, maybe Game of Thrones just helped to desensitive me to much violence, but i found a lot of the gore to be relatively realistic, and that helped me get through it a little more.
Of course, my only context is Game of Thrones and Castlevania, so take that as you will, but i found this to be a very grounded show, even with Mizu's hellacious skills.
Totally agree, despite the more fantastical elements, the violence was surprisingly grounded
For me this show was a solid 9/10.
My only nitpicks were:
I did not understand why Taigen was loyal to the extent that he was, it got extreme quite soon.
The soundtrack was weak for me. It was functional, but not above and beyond like the rest of the show.
The last episode was weak for me, specifically the siege and a reveal that felt like it undermined a previous emotional reveal.
My favorite episode was episode 5... it was cathartic in a dark way and pretty emotional. I love the ambiguity of who it was that betrayed her, I totally believed it could have been either of them, and that made it all the more painful
Yeah, episode 5 was definitely the high point for me too.
I really loved the soundtrack myself, but I can see how the mix of modern and traditional might not suit everyone 😅
@@renrants I actually liked that approach for the music in Arcane, but given that this show felt strong on the Kurosawa and Clint Eastwood vibes, the modern music felt out of place for me. But I also meant the instrumental soundtrack, it's highly subjective, but even when I was trying to look for the emotional punch that music can give in a scene, I didn't feel it.
The last airbender, Arcane, and House of the Dragon are some of my favorite uses of instrumental music to give oomph to a scene.
That said, I am confident that the morale boost from the reception of the show will fire up every single artist involved in it, cannot wait for Season 2. And I will be rewatching this show soon too!!
That's totally valid. I really liked the score as well as the soundtrack, but I can see how it could have done a little more in some spots.
With the Irish thing. If this is set in the 1800. On the 1st January 1801 ireland and great Britain were in a union together so it wouldnt be unreasonable an Irish man having British ideals of trade or colonisation of Japan in mind so he could higher his position within British and Irish society