It’s been a long wait since the first season of Blue Eye Samurai dropped in 2023, and fans of the action-packed animated Netflix show are understandably hungry for more. With its razor-sharp storytelling, breathtaking animation, and powerful emotional arcs, Blue Eye Samurai left a massive impact in just eight episodes. While a second season has officially been confirmed, the wait for new episodes feels especially grueling because the series set such a high bar for Netflix animation. As of now, there’s still no firm release date, just the knowledge that it’s in the works and expectations are sky-high.

Thankfully, while waiting for the return of Netflix’s best animated show, there’s another gripping series on the platform that hits many of the same notes. It’s dark, it’s violent, it’s incredibly well-written, and it offers that rare mix of complex characters, mature themes, and striking visuals. Like Blue Eye Samurai, it doesn’t talk down to its audience and respects the intelligence of its viewers. It also happens to span four seasons and has a massive cult following of its own. Fans of Blue Eye Samurai will find Castlevania scratches the same itch, and there are plenty of reasons why.

Blue Eye Samurai Is Netflix's Best Ongoing Animated Show

An Epic Revenge Story Told Through Masterful Animation And Razor-Sharp Writing

What makes Blue Eye Samurai so compelling isn’t just its gorgeous animation or intense fight choreography, it’s the emotional weight behind every slash of the blade. Co-created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, Blue Eye Samurai taps into historical fiction while also carving out its own fierce identity with a revenge arc that rivals anything in live-action prestige drama. Central protagonist Mizu (Maya Erskine), a biracial swordswoman living in Edo-period Japan, and her path of revenge have proved to be so endearing that fans can’t wait to see Blue Eye Samurai reach its conclusion.

Blue Eye Samurai is the rare kind of animated show that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Every frame of this animated Netflix show is stunning, but the story is where it truly cuts deep. Mizu isn’t just fighting to kill; she’s fighting to reclaim her identity, her autonomy, and her humanity in a world determined to erase her. ing characters like Taigen (Darren Barnet), Akemi (Brenda Song), and the treacherous Fowler (Kenneth Branagh) bring depth and nuance to the tale, creating a world that’s both brutal and emotionally rich.

Mizu standing atop a hill in Blue Eye Samurai

Was Mizu A Real Person? The Blue Eye Samurai True Story

Blue Eye Samurai's protagonist is a biracial samurai on a quest for revenge. Interesting as that is, there are concerns as to whether Mizu was real.

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Critics and fans have responded with overwhelming praise. Blue Eye Samurai currently holds a 97% critics score on Blue Eye Samurai is the rare kind of animated show that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Blue Eye Samurai Fans Will Love Castlevania

This Dark Fantasy Series Delivers The Same Level Of Grit, Bloodshed, And Emotional Depth

If Blue Eye Samurai left you craving more gorgeously brutal storytelling, Castlevania is your next essential watch. Based on the classic Konami video games, this animated Netflix show ran for four seasons from 2017 to 2021 and offers a similarly mature blend of stylized violence, emotional complexity, and morally gray characters. At the heart of Castlevania is Trevor Belmont (vRichard Armitage), a disgraced monster hunter who teams up with the magician Sypha Belnades (Alejandra Reynoso) and the half-vampire Alucard (James Callis) to take on Dracula (Graham McTavish) himself.

Like Blue Eye Samurai, Castlevania never shies away from graphic violence, but it also balances that with well-developed arcs and character growth. Both shows explore the pain of being an outsider and the destructive pull of vengeance. Alucard’s story in particular mirrors Mizu’s internal conflict, torn between the world of his monstrous father and the humanity he’s fighting to protect. There’s also a strong philosophical core in Castlevania, with characters frequently debating morality, free will, and the cost of power.

The visuals are equally breathtaking. While Castlevania leans more into gothic horror, the animation is fluid, the action scenes are kinetic, and the art direction is meticulous. And like Blue Eye Samurai, it’s been praised for its storytelling, with a 94% critics score and an 89% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For fans looking for an animated Netflix show with world-class writing and a mature tone, Castlevania is a near-perfect companion piece to Blue Eye Samurai.

Netflix's Castlevania Universe Includes A Sequel That Is Just As Good

Castlevania: Nocturne Builds On The Legacy With New Heroes And A Bold New Story

Castlevania- Nocturne Season 2-16 — Image via Netflix

Once you’ve finished the four seasons of Castlevania, the good news is that the story doesn’t end there. In 2023, Netflix expanded the franchise with Castlevania: Nocturne, a sequel series that shifts the action to 18th-century during the rise of the vampire messiah, Erzsebet Báthory. The show follows Richter Belmont (Edward Bluemel), a descendant of Trevor, as he s a resistance of vampire hunters, revolutionaries, and magic s to stop a supernatural apocalypse.

Castlevania: Nocturne manages the tricky task of honoring the original while introducing a fresh cast and tone. Much like how Blue Eye Samurai reinvents the revenge drama, Nocturne reinvigorates gothic fantasy with a revolutionary twist. The character work remains just as compelling, with standout roles like the sorceress Annette (Thuso Mbedu) and the opera singer Edouard (Sydney James Harcourt) bringing new voices and cultural layers to the mix. Plus, Richter’s personal journey navigating the void between legacy and trauma offers the kind of internal conflict that Blue Eye Samurai fans will immediately recognize and appreciate.

Just like its predecessor, Nocturne doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to brutal action and heavy themes. It’s stylish, politically charged, and emotionally resonant - everything you’d want from a high-quality animated Netflix show. With only one season released so far and more on the way, Castlevania: Nocturne is the perfect bridge between finishing Castlevania and waiting for Mizu’s return in Blue Eye Samurai season 2.