One of the best new animated series Netflix has on their streaming platform is quickly proving to be Blue Eye Samurai. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it’s one of their best new series period. With its well-written mix of stylish action, hilarious comedy, and dark drama; it’s no wonder why critics and audiences alike are praising this series to the stars. Heck, you can see it on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics gave the series 100% and audiences gave it 97%. With that kind of overwhelmingly positive reception, it’s no wonder why Netflix is so eager to promote this series. To which we can now add a special screening and reception party to that list of promotion material.

Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai: Special Screening Details

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Amber Noizumi, Michael Green, Jane Wu, and Erwin Stoff attend Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Amber Noizumi, Michael Green, Jane Wu, and Erwin Stoff attend Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

On November 1, 2023; Netflix hosted a special screening of Blue Eye Samurai Ep. 1 at Regal LA Live. Then immeditately afterwards, they hosted a reception party at Terasaki Budokan. All to promote this wonderful animated series starring Japanese culture front and center. You can watch this animated series for yourself exclusively on Netflix.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Michael Green, Netflix Head of Adult Animation Jermaine Turner, and Amber Noizumi attend Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: (L-R) Michael Green, Netflix Head of Adult Animation Jermaine Turner, and Amber Noizumi attend Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

As for this special screening of Blue Eye Samurai Ep. 1? Well, as it turns out, some very famous people attended that screening. Not least of which were the cast and crew of the series. Guests at that screening included “Co-Creators, Executive Producers, Writers Michael Green and Amber Noizumi and Supervising Producer/Director Jane Wu moderated by CAPE’s Executive Director, Michelle Sugihara. Attendees included tastemakers, crew and community leaders from Gold House, CAPE, Asia Society, Ghetto Film School, Pasadena Arts Center, UCLA and USC.”

Reception Party: Details

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: An artist paints during Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: An artist paints during Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

Not interested in that special screening of Blue Eye Samurai Ep. 1? Well, don’t worry. That reception party looks far more interesting. You can see above that there was a special calligraphy performance by Asano Taiko U.S. and the series’ calligrapher Aoi Yamaguchi. Complete with some lovely background music by Tsugara Terry rocking a traditional Japanese shamisen.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: A musician performs during Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: A musician performs during Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

It’s not just music that’s the highlight of this reception party though. There’s the food for this party to consider. Really, what’s a party without snacks and other yummy foods? Fortunately, this party features quite a bit of food. Said food consisted of “a fusion of  traditional Japanese and modern Japanese American street food [and] cocktails”. Not only that, but they also had sweet treats from Amezaiku artist Shinobu “Shan” Ichiyanagi, and even delectably chewy mochi from Fugetsu-do.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: Dough is prepared during Netflix's "Blue Eye Samurai" LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: Dough is prepared during Netflix’s “Blue Eye Samurai” LA Tastemaker at the Japanese American National Museum on November 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)

All in all, this reception party and the special screening seems like a major effort on the part of Netflix to promote their show. Maybe this could even mean a season 2 might be in the works? Well, one can dream. Tune back in to THS to find out more Blue Eye Samurai news when we get it.