Netflix has started production on a new docu-drama series being billed as the Japanese “Game of Thrones.”
The multi-part series, titled “Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan,” will tell the story of the warring kingdoms of feudal Japan, reports Deadline.
Cream Productions, the Canadian production outfit behind PBS’ “The Dictator’s Playbook” and ID series “BTK: A Killer Among Us” and “Fear Thy Neighbor,” has been commissioned to produce the upcoming show.
Utilizing graphic novels and Japanese art as inspiration for some of its aesthetics, the series will focus on several powerful warlords in an epic struggle to become absolute ruler of Japan during the feudal era.
One of the central characters will be samurai Date Masamune, the so-called “One-Eyed Dragon” who fought alongside the three warlords regarded as the founding fathers of Japan for uniting the nation 400 years ago using their powerful armies.
Masamune infamously plucked out his own eye as a child when it became infected with smallpox, murdered his younger brother to ensure his line of succession, and succeeded his father at age 17.
He would later be known as one of the most powerful daimyos of his era. He eventually conquered neighboring clans to unite most of northern Japan under his control.
As an iconic figure of Japanese history, Masamune has appeared in various media such as video games and anime. His helmet is even thought to have influenced the design of Darth Vader’s iconic helmet design.
The series, which is expected to air on Netflix this year, is currently filming in Japan, the U.S. and Canada.
