From ScreenRant · Grant Hermanns · · 2m
Bass X Machina: Western Anime Mix
Netflix's Bass X Machina blends Western action with anime, exploring racial identity and cycles of violence in a post-Civil War America.
In brief
Netflix's Bass X Machina blends Western action with anime, exploring racial identity and cycles of violence in a post-Civil War America. Netflix's Bass X Machina, a six-part Western-anime series, follows Civil War veteran Bass Reeves as he hunts a missing scientist while grappling with racial identity and cycles of…
Bass X Machina Overview
Netflix's six-part series reimagines Bass Reeves, a Civil War veteran with a cybernetic arm, as a bounty hunter in an alternate post-Civil War America.
Creator Background
Created by The Boondocks' LeSean Thomas and The Righteous Gemstones' Chad Handley, Bass X Machina balances Western aesthetics with steampunk and supernatural elements.
Bass Reeves' Mission
Bass Reeves hunts a missing scientist for $1,000 and the chance to become the first Black U.S. Marshal, reluctantly taking his niece Dana on the journey.
Thematic Focus
The series explores cycles of violence and racial identity, showing how POC characters navigate systemic oppression and the moral dilemma of retaliating with violence.
Cultural Elements
The score blends hip-hop, Western tracks, and samples from Kendrick Lamar and Charles Bradley, with Janelle Monáe performing the opening title track.
Cast Highlights
Emmy nominee Brian Tyree Henry voices Bass Reeves, while Tati Gabrielle plays Dana, balancing youthful enthusiasm and emotional depth.
Animation Quality
Studio Mir delivers stylish animation that blends Western environments with steampunk machinery and explosive gunfights.
Season Structure
The six-episode season moves quickly in the first half but feels rushed in the second half, with some character arcs underdeveloped.
Release Details
Bass X Machina releases November 3, 2026, on Netflix with a TV-MA rating and genres including animation, Western, action, and science fiction.
Viewpoints
The series offers strong thematic discussions but needs more episodes to fully develop its characters and world-building.
What's Next
Netflix may produce a second season to flesh out underdeveloped ideas and provide better closure for the story.
Ratings
Bass X Machina receives a 9 out of 10 rating from ScreenRant, highlighting its cultural fusion and strong performances.
Key Characters
Bass Reeves, a Civil War veteran with a cybernetic arm, and Dana, his niece, navigate a lawless Steampunk West with supernatural threats.
Production Team
Produced by Brian Tyree Henry, with executive producers Chad Handley, LeSean Thomas, and Jennifer Wiley-Moxley.
What matters most
Netflix's Bass X Machina, a six-part Western-anime series, follows Civil War veteran Bass Reeves as he hunts a missing scientist while grappling with racial identity and cycles of violence.
