Taylor Sheridan has become the modern face of the Western genre, thanks to hits like Yellowstone and its many spin-offs. But one of his most fascinating projects took a different route: Lawmen: Bass Reeves, a Paramount+ series that chronicled the real-life exploits of a deputy U.S. Marshal who made history with over 3,000 arrests. That show broke records for the streamer, and now the legendary lawman is getting a wild new lease on life—this time in anime form.
Netflix is set to premiere Bass X Machina on November 3, 2026, and it's a far cry from the grounded, historical drama Sheridan delivered. This new series, voiced by Brian Tyree Henry (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), reimagines Reeves as a steampunk-era enforcer battling outlaws, machines, and supernatural horrors. The official logline teases a father forced to become judge, jury, and executioner in a lawless West, where every act of justice risks costing him the family he's trying to protect.
The anime takes creative liberties that would make any history buff do a double take: Reeves sports a cybernetic arm loaded with built-in guns, fights on floating trains, and squares off against massive steam-powered robots. It's a bold, unorthodox take on a real-life figure, but it's clearly designed to stand out—not as a continuation of the Paramount+ series, but as a fresh, standalone adventure.
Studio Mir Brings the West to Life
If the visuals in the sneak peek are any indication, Bass X Machina is going to be a feast for the eyes. The animation comes from Studio Mir, the powerhouse behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, X-Men '97, and My Adventures with Superman. Their work here keeps the Western aesthetic intact while infusing it with fluid, dynamic action that feels both classic and cutting-edge.
The series is developed by LeSean Thomas, a name synonymous with anime-influenced storytelling. Thomas previously worked on The Legend of Korra and The Boondocks, and he created the Netflix original Cannon Busters. His involvement, alongside executive producer Brian Tyree Henry, suggests Bass X Machina will be a standout in Netflix's anime lineup.
A Familiar Formula for LeSean Thomas
This isn't Thomas's first rodeo with historical figures filtered through an anime lens. In 2021, he brought Yasuke to Netflix, telling the story of the legendary Black samurai with supernatural twists and a steampunk aesthetic. That series, animated by MAPPA, featured LaKeith Stanfield as the lead and earned praise for its unique blend of history and fantasy.
Thomas's approach to Black history may be unconventional, but it adds a refreshing variety to the kinds of stories being told on screen. Bass X Machina follows in that tradition, offering a genre-bending tribute to a man whose real-life legacy has inspired everything from the Lone Ranger to modern pop culture.
For those who want to revisit the more grounded version of Reeves's story, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is still available on Paramount+. But if you're ready to see a legendary lawman go full sci-fi, Bass X Machina is shaping up to be an unmissable ride. And with Netflix's recent track record of animated hits dominating the charts, this could be another win for the streamer.
As the Western genre continues to evolve, it's exciting to see creators like Thomas push boundaries. Whether you're a fan of Sheridan's gritty realism or prefer your heroes with a side of cybernetics, Bass X Machina promises to deliver something truly unique.
