Lakeith Stanfield will voice the starring role in, Yasuke, an upcoming Netflix anime series on the first known African samurai. The streaming giant announced a handful of new anime programs along with updates on nearly a dozen others during the 2020 Netflix Anime Festival live stream from Japan on Tuesday (Oct. 26), Deadline reports.
Set in war torn Japan, the series chronicles Yasuke’s struggle to keep the peace following a violent past life. A change in circumstances forces him to take up the sword in protection of a “mysterious” child who becomes the focus of “dark forces.”
A village in danger, a mysterious child, warring daimyo, and the greatest ronin never known all clash in a Japan of magic and mechs. Learn the story of the first African samurai when LeSean Thomas’s Yasuke, voiced by Lakeith Stanfield, arrives next year. pic.twitter.com/jCabzutMIv
— NX (@NXOnNetflix) October 27, 2020
LeSean Thomas created, executive produced, and directed the series with character design from Japanese animator, Takeshi Koike, and music from Flying Lotus. Stanfield is also an executive producer on the series.
Last year, Chadwick Boseman was reportedly in talks to portray a live-action version of the story. The actor passed away in August.
Yasuke is believed to have arrived in Japan in 1579 and was trained by legendary warlord Oda Nobunaga. The animated series debuts on Netflix next year.