Yasuke Wikipedia

Yasuke: The African Samurai

Background

Yasuke was a man of African origin who served as a servant and retainer to the Japanese daimyō Oda Nobunaga from 1581 to 1582 during the Sengoku period. Yasuke is a Japanese-American original net animation (ONA) series loosely based on the historical figure.

Historical Yasuke

In 1579, an African man arrived in Japan. He was described as being tall and strong, with dark skin and a flat nose. He was given the name "Yasuke" and became a retainer to Oda Nobunaga. Yasuke quickly gained Nobunaga's trust and became his bodyguard. He fought alongside Nobunaga in many battles, including the Battle of Yamazaki in 1582.

Anime Adaptation

The anime series "Yasuke" is a fictionalized account of Yasuke's life. The series follows Yasuke as he travels through Japan, encountering various enemies and allies. The series premiered on Netflix in April 2021.