# Bass X Machina review: what IGN and Polygon say

> Netflix's Bass X Machina is streaming. IGN gave episode one an 8 out of 10 and Polygon calls it a masterpiece. See what they liked and what they did not.

By Subhajit | 2026-11-03 | Reviews | Savvy VibeZ
Web page: https://savvyvibez.com/post/bass-x-machina-review-what-ign-and-polygon-say

## Key takeaways

- All six episodes of Netflix's animated western Bass X Machina are streaming as of Nov. 3, according to IGN.
- IGN scored episode one 8 out of 10; the score is IGN's, not Savvy VibeZ's. Its review covers episode one only.
- Polygon's full-season review praises the cast, music and action but says the last two episodes' 3D animation hurts the climax.
- Henry voices Bass Reeves; Tati Gabrielle and Janelle Monáe co-star. The show is rated TV-MA and is a limited series.

Netflix's animated western "Bass X Machina" went up on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and the first reviews are in. IGN scored the opening episode 8 out of 10, which its scale calls "great," and Polygon wrote a glowing full-season review with the headline "'The Mandalorian' Meets 'Avatar' in Netflix's New Sci-Fi Western Masterpiece." Those scores and verdicts belong to IGN and Polygon, not to Savvy VibeZ, because we have not watched the series ourselves.

## How many episodes does Bass X Machina have, and where can you watch it?

There are six episodes, and according to IGN, "the full six-episode season is available now on Netflix." Netflix's own title page lists the show as a 2026 series rated 16+ in its Sci-Fi category, with episode runtimes between 29 and 40 minutes, and Polygon notes the show is TV-MA. It is also a limited series, per Reelgood, which cites a worldwide Nov. 3 release.

One small wrinkle: IGN's page widget shows a Nov. 6 "Initial Release," while its own text says the season is out now. Reelgood and a German outlet both say Nov. 3. The show was earlier slated for Oct. 6, per Deadline, so the date has clearly moved. If a different date shows up in your Netflix app, trust the app.

## What is the show about?

Studio Mir, the animation house behind "The Legend of Korra" and "X-Men '97," made the series with creator LeSean Thomas. Brian Tyree Henry, who is also an executive producer, voices Bass Reeves. In this version, Reeves is a bounty hunter with a steam-powered arm in a Wild West where robots and cyborgs are normal. The real Bass Reeves was an ex-slave who became a Deputy U.S. Marshal, as IGN points out.

Netflix's episode guide says the U.S. Army summons Reeves to Fort Hope for one last job: find a missing scientist and stop a second Civil War. Tati Gabrielle voices Dana Starr, the scientist's niece and an engineering genius who tags along. Janelle Monáe voices Reeves' wife Glory and sings the opening theme. The cast also includes Cree Summer, Chaske Spencer, Currie Graham and Starletta DuPois.

## What do the reviews say?

IGN's Scott Collura calls the first episode "a fun and violent excursion into the world of the steampunk Western, but with an eye to Black history." He praises the action, the camera work and Henry's "reserved if subtly tortured" Reeves. His review covers episode one only, so it is not a verdict on the full season.

Polygon's review covers all six episodes and is more enthusiastic. It praises Henry's work, Gabrielle's performance, Monáe's theme ("one of the best opening themes since Cowboy Bebop") and the combat. It also lists weaknesses:

- Six episodes may not be enough to build the characters, and Polygon says the early bounty-hunting episodes could have used more room.
- The 3D animation in the last two episodes "lacks the sharp style of the rest of the work" and, in Polygon's view, hurts the climax.
- The gore is heavy because of the TV-MA rating.
- The show's big theme can feel "a bit trite at times," though Polygon says it still works.

## Should you watch it? Our read of the reviews

It looks worth a try if you like action animation, westerns or anything by Studio Mir. With six episodes between roughly half an hour and 40 minutes each, it is a short weekend watch. If violence turns you off, skip it, because both outlets stress how bloody it is. The two reviews agree on the big points: strong lead performance, strong music, stylish fights. That is encouraging, though two outlets are a small sample and critics' scores can differ from audience taste.

## What is confirmed and what is not?

- Confirmed: six episodes on Netflix, the main voice cast, Studio Mir as the animation studio, and Henry's executive producer role.
- Reported by the reviewers: IGN's 8 out of 10 for episode one, Polygon's praise and its two criticisms.
- Not known: whether a second season is planned. Polygon says the story leaves the door open, but we saw no renewal announcement.

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Picture credit: Netflix