Brian Tyree Henry and Studio Mir Are Rewriting the Western Genre With Bass X Machina
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Brian Tyree Henry stars as a cyborg Bass Reeves in the upcoming Netflix steampunk anime Bass X Machina, which blends historical injustice with high-octane sci-fi action.
Steampunk and the American frontier are colliding this November in a new Netflix animated series that aims to completely flip the script on traditional Western tropes. In Bass X Machina, premiering on November 3, actor Brian Tyree Henry steps into the role of Bass Reeves, the historical Black deputy U.S. Marshal who inspired the Lone Ranger. But this version trades standard historical drama for heavy science fiction, depicting Reeves as a cyborg pieced together through Civil War experiments. Speaking with Polygon, Henry explained that the creative team wanted to ground futuristic augmentation in the very real racial injustices and territorial displacement faced by marginalized communities during the era.
Behind the six-episode quest narrative is creator LeSean Thomas, known for his work on The Legend of Korra and The Boondocks, alongside animation powerhouse Studio Mir. The series leans heavily into the kinetic, action-driven style modern animation fans expect, while actively expanding representation in a medium that has historically lacked diverse protagonists. Henry, who also serves as an executive producer, took a hands-on approach to the production by helping shape the voice cast, sound design, and character details to ensure the project felt authentic to his own tastes as a lifelong anime fan.
The project also rethinks the traditional auditory landscape of the Western, swapping out classic orchestral strings for a contemporary electronic and hip-hop edge. The premiere fight sequence features Kendrick Lamar, and Janelle Monáe contributes the official theme song, drawing direct inspiration from the high-energy openings found in modern hits like Dandadan. By blending historical revisionism, supernatural threats, mechs, and boundary-pushing music curation, the series positions itself as a major fall tentpole for viewers looking for bold storytelling.
Mentioning his deep appreciation for Netflix projects like Blue Eye Samurai, Henry noted that the streaming platform is finding success by backing daring, non-mainstream animation that speaks directly to today's diverse audiences. For players and viewers who treat streaming platforms as primary entertainment hubs, Bass X Machina represents the kind of cross-medium creative risk-taking that keeps contemporary fandoms engaged.
Tags: Anime, Streaming, Netflix, Animation
Original article: Polygon