Taylor Sheridan may have cemented his name in modern Western television with Yellowstone and its many spinoffs, but one of his most underrated projects has been Lawmen: Bass Reeves, starring David Oyelowo as the legendary deputy U.S. Marshal. Now, Netflix is taking that historical figure in a wildly different direction with an anime series that swaps dusty trails for steam-powered robots and supernatural showdowns.
Set to premiere on November 3, Bass X Machina stars Brian Tyree Henry (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) as Reeves, a lawman whose real-life record of over 3,000 arrests is the stuff of legend. But this isn't your typical biopic. According to the official logline, the series drops Reeves into a "lawless Steampunk West overrun by brutal outlaws, machines, and supernatural terrors," where a father is forced to become judge, jury, and executioner—knowing that every act of justice may cost him the very family he's trying to protect.
The visual style is a far cry from Sheridan's grounded, gritty realism. Reeves sports a cybernetic arm packed with built-in guns, battles massive steam-powered automatons, and even fights atop floating trains. It's a bold, unorthodox take on a historical icon, but one that promises to stand out from anything we've seen before—especially compared to Oyelowo's more traditional portrayal.
Studio Mir Brings the Anime to Life
If the animation looks stunning, that's because Bass X Machina is being crafted by Studio Mir, the powerhouse behind Avatar: The Last Airbender, X-Men '97, and My Adventures with Superman. The studio has a knack for fluid action and expressive character design, and the early glimpses suggest they're bringing that same energy to the Old West—albeit with a sci-fi twist. Netflix has also worked with Studio Mir on Devil May Cry, so this partnership is already proven.
Behind the scenes, LeSean Thomas—known for his work on The Legend of Korra, The Boondocks, and the Netflix original Cannon Busters—is developing the series and serving as executive producer alongside Henry. Thomas has a track record of blending anime aesthetics with Black historical narratives, and Bass X Machina looks to be his most ambitious project yet.
A Fresh Take on Black History in Anime
This isn't Thomas's first rodeo with historical figures in anime. In 2021, he brought Yasuke to Netflix, telling the story of the Black samurai with supernatural elements and steampunk warriors, voiced by LaKeith Stanfield. That series, animated by MAPPA (Attack on Titan), was praised for its unique fusion of history and fantasy. Bass X Machina seems poised to follow in those footsteps, offering a fresh perspective on Black stories that goes beyond traditional period pieces.
The life of Bass Reeves has inspired everything from the Lone Ranger to modern TV, and this new series is a testament to his enduring legacy. With a stellar cast, a visionary creative team, and a studio that knows how to deliver jaw-dropping animation, Bass X Machina is shaping up to be one of Netflix's most exciting anime releases of the year. For fans of Netflix fantasy shows or anyone looking for a genre-bending Western, this is one to mark on your calendar.
While you wait, you can catch up on Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+, or check out other upcoming Netflix originals like Ray Gunn, another animated project that's generating buzz. And if you're curious about what else is on the horizon, our ranked list of Netflix's most anticipated shows has you covered.
