Netflix has a new Western today, and it looks nothing like a dusty cattle drive. Bass X Machina, a six-episode adult animated limited series, premiered on November 3 and drops a legendary frontier lawman into a world of steam engines, mechanical arms, outlaw gangs and supernatural threats.
A real legend, reimagined
The series is inspired by Bass Reeves, who was born into slavery, escaped during the Civil War and became one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals west of the Mississippi. Here he becomes Bass, a father voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, who has to act as judge, jury and executioner to protect his family, knowing each hard choice could push the people he loves further away. It is not connected to the live-action Lawmen: Bass Reeves; this is its own very different frontier.
The team behind it
Creator and showrunner LeSean Thomas, known for Yasuke and Cannon Busters, built the story, while South Korea’s Studio Mir handles the animation with its fast, anime-inspired action style. Henry also executive produces and was closely involved in voice casting, sound design and even details of Bass’s uniform. The voice cast includes Janelle Monáe as Glory, Tati Gabrielle as Dana, Cree Summer, Chaske Spencer, Currie Graham and Starletta DuPois. Monáe also wrote the theme song, and the score by Roman GianArthur and Nate Wonder leans on African instrumentation instead of the classic Western twang.
In interviews, Henry has called it a “crazy Spaghetti Western, steampunk punk rock” adventure and joked that every episode feels like a final boss fight. He has also said the show does not shy away from what life was really like for a Black lawman, or for Indigenous people losing their land, on the post-Civil War frontier.
Worth the watch?
With only six episodes, it is an easy evening or two of viewing. Early previews praise the kinetic animation and the bold genre mix, though be warned that this is aimed at grown-ups and does not hold back on action. If Blue Eye Samurai or Cowboy Bebop are on your favorites list, saddle up.