Behind-the-Scenes of LeSean Thomas’s Yasuke

Bronx-born LeSean Thomas is one of the few Black Americans working in the anime industry in Japan, with his most recent work Netflix’s Yasuke—a project LeSean created, directed and executive-produced. But LeSean didn’t make Yasuke alone. Instead, he brought the story of the legendary Black samurai to life with the expertise of Japanese collaborators at world-class anime studio MAPPA, celebrated for titles including Attack on Titan: The Final Season, Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man. The production of Yasuke was further enriched by contributions from anime legends including Masahiro Ando, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takeshi Koike, Yutaka Minowa, Naoyuki Onda, Kenichi Shima, the late Satoshi Iwataki, and many more luminaries whose work continue to shape the global animation landscape. This talk with LeSean Thomas will feature rare behind-the-scenes Yasuke footage and highlight what artistic, cross-cultural collaborations between Black American TV animation creators and Japanese TV animation creatives can achieve. Offering a vivid example of how collaboration from New York City to Tokyo can produce groundbreaking work, the event is a glimpse into the creative synergy that arises when diverse talents from different cultural backgrounds come together to tell powerful, resonant stories.

About LeSean Thomas
South Bronx-born LeSean Thomas is among the distinguished few Black Americans making their mark in the TV anime industry and is currently the only Black American to successfully create, produce and direct original TV anime series in Japan. LeSean’s most recent triumph is the critically acclaimed and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix series Yasuke. 

Part of Foreign Exchange: Anime Inspirations & Visionaries with LeSean Thomas

Admission to this event also includes free entry to the Japan Society Gallery’s Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, Japanese pop culture illustrator Acky Bright’s first solo gallery exhibition in NYC.

Image: © 2021 Netflix.

Co-organized with the Japan Foundation, New York and the Imagination Project Inc.

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Film programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Anime NYC and Yen Press. Endowment support is provided by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund and The John and Miyoko Davey Endowment Fund. Additional season support is provided by The Globus Family, George P. Hirose, David Toberisky, Joseph Rajaratnam and Dharshini Iolanthe Sivakumaran, and Film Circle members.

Transportation assistance is provided by Japan Airlines, the official Japanese airline sponsor of Japan Society Film Program. Housing assistance is provided by the Prince Kitano New York, the official hotel sponsor of Japan Society Film Program.