The Elusive Samurai Is CloverWorks Best Anime Yet

Key Takeaways

• The Elusive Samurai impresses with a rich story, vibrant animation, and unconventional hero.
• Tokiyuki’s unique fighting style challenges traditional heroism, making the narrative engaging and refreshing.
• The series boasts top-tier animation and promising potential, positioning it as a strong Anime of the Year contender.

As a long-time anime enthusiast and connoisseur of action-adventure series, I find myself utterly captivated by “The Elusive Samurai”. Having binge-watched this masterpiece over the past few weeks, I can confidently say that it’s one of the finest productions to come out of Japan in recent years.

Approximately six years ago, CloverWorks was established, and even though the studio is relatively young, its daring creations such as “Wonder Egg Priority” and “The Promised Neverland” have left an indelible impression on viewers. The latest production, “The Elusive Samurai,” continues to impress with its visuals, audio, and narrative, making it their strongest series to date, perfectly timed for the studio’s sixth anniversary.

In the historical manga titled “The Elusive Samurai“, created by author Yusei Matsui, we find ourselves in 1333, following a narrative inspired by the life of Hojo Tokiyuki, the last heir of the Kamakura shogunate. Following a treacherous move by Takauji Ashikaga that results in the shogunate’s downfall and many casualties, young nine-year-old Tokiyuki manages to escape the bloodshed. He then teams up with a priest who provides him with valuable allies and training to reclaim his nation.

The Whimsical Makings of an Instant Classic

The most striking feature of “The Elusive Samurai” lies in its bold move – the captivating allure of its initial episodes and the lofty standard it establishes from the start. It’s not just that it starts on a strong note, but it surpasses expectations. Tokiyuki’s playful demeanor and the tranquil ambiance of his home are irresistible when portrayed with such vivid colors and animated so vibrantly.

Peacefulness won’t last much longer, as Tokiyuki’s world is shattered by Takauji’s betrayal. In just over 10 minutes, a world unfamiliar to the viewer becomes deeply touching, as if it had been explored for hours. While the violent portrayal may initially be off-putting to some viewers, those who stick around will soon grasp the vision without delay.

Learning to Love The Elusive Samurai

Among all the tales I’ve encountered, none has captivated me quite like “The Elusive Samurai.” What sets it apart is its unique protagonist, Tokiyuki, and the intriguing manner in which the narrative unfolds its central idea. Born as the heir to the shogunate, Tokiyuki should have been a dutiful ruler, following in his father’s footsteps. But instead of embracing his responsibilities, he preferred a life of play, exhibiting an extraordinary knack for evasion that verged on the extraordinary. Despite his charms, his reckless nature raised concerns about his suitability to lead.

In olden times, when his home was destroyed, tradition demanded he end his own life to uphold family honor alongside his fallen kin. However, as the seer priest Yorishige Suwa foretold, Tokiyuki survives, eluding those who seek to kill him for his lineage. This extraordinary survival becomes a spectacle across generations, enhanced by exquisite color design and animation direction. Remarkably, this is only the first episode.

What Sets Tokiyuki Apart from Other Shōnen Protagonists

According to our mid-year analysis from August, the series titled “The Elusive Samurai” utilizes the innocent charm of its main character to challenge conventional notions of heroism and honor during that period. Unlike other samurais who are typically powerful warriors, Tokiyuki is quite weak in combat. However, his quickness and survival skills enable him to outmaneuver opponents, eventually exhausting them. The fighting sequences present an unusual perspective where actions often perceived as cowardly are portrayed as victorious instead.

Through the narrative, the discrepancy in tone lessens significantly. This isn’t merely due to the character being a child brushing off death, but also because Tokiyuki is challenging a concept. The concept that bravery is inherently linked to killing or that there’s nobility in dying – notions that the story deems more juvenile than its young protagonist. This perspective might be more contemporary, but that’s why Yorishige is present; the seer who can foresee the future.

The narrative seems to blend a twisted, humorous take on history with a touch of self-referential time travel. The opening episode jumps from 2024 to an earlier period, where we meet Takauji Ashikaga who’s not the central character. As the story progresses, Yorishige appears as if he’s a man displaced in time, with his future glimpses solely meant for shielding and boosting Tokiyuki, who, through a contemporary perspective, is an endearing underdog.

The War of Hide-and-Seek

In “The Elusive Samurai,” the storyline primarily consists of separate episodes, with the first season merely scratching the surface as the manga continues to unfold. This current season introduces the primary group that follows Tokiyuki’s command – known as “The Elusive Warriors.” The initial members to join this squad are Kojiro Nezu and Ayako Mochizuki, along with Shizuku, Yorishige’s daughter. By the end of Episode 12, Genba, a thief, and Fubuki, a swordsman, will have joined the team.

Initially, the secondary characters may not captivate viewers as much as Tokiyuki. Unfortunately, Kojiro and Ayako appear more like ready-made companions, but it’s essential to note that they share excellent chemistry with Tokiyuki, significantly enhancing combat scenes. As the narrative unfolds, these characters have opportunities to show their strengths, particularly Genba and Kojiro, whose bonds with Tokiyuki grow stronger, creating a delightful spectacle as they all grow fond of him.

When it comes to humor, people’s preferences can greatly differ. This series can be boisterous and somewhat crude, which could irritate some viewers, but it does have its appealing aspects, such as enhancing the developing camaraderie among the characters. Earlier suggestions were made that it provides a refreshing contrast to the show’s more serious themes. The antagonists, despite being recurring, bring a touch of humor to the storyline. However, Takauji stands out as an exception, embodying a potent “villain vibe” rarely seen in anime recently.

The Animation and the Anticipation of What’s Next

Initially, we expressed doubts about its authenticity due to its stunning debut. However, as it progressed halfway through, _The Elusive Samurai_ demonstrated it could live up to its promising start. Now that Season 1 has concluded, it’s clear that it’s among the most visually impressive anime of 2024. With _Dandadan_ still in its early stages, there’s a chance for improvement, but it will undoubtedly face tough rivalry as it moves forward.

In the least favorable scenario, the series may struggle with some computer-generated imagery that feels discordant with the overall visual aesthetic. However, if you overlook that aspect, this program has consistently provided stunning animation and, more importantly, has produced groundbreaking action sequences not commonly seen in recent years. Episodes 1, 6, and 9, in particular, are so skillfully crafted that they merit serious discussion to place CloverWorks among the elite tier of Japanese animation studios. The battle from Episode 9 alone is a testament to the talent of animator Keisuke Okura, and it’s worth watching [here].

This show carries a sense of nostalgia unique to each viewer, but comparisons have been made to timeless classics such as Rurouni Kenshin. Its color scheme evokes an earlier age of action-adventure anime, while still feeling fresh and contemporary. The anticipation of where the series may lead next is truly exhilarating.

This current series from CloverWorks is undeniably their best work to date, and expressing that sentiment seems almost precarious given the unexpected twists in shows like The Promised Neverland or Wonder Egg Priority. However, since none of us possess Yorishige’s ability to foresee the future, we must make do with the present. In the interim, before any potential Season 2 disappointments, let’s be honest: The Elusive Samurai is exceptional and a serious candidate for Anime of the Year.

The Elusive Samurai is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

Read More

• LUNC PREDICTION. LUNC cryptocurrency
• SOL PREDICTION. SOL cryptocurrency
• BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
• BICO PREDICTION. BICO cryptocurrency
• USD CLP PREDICTION
• USD PHP PREDICTION
• USD ZAR PREDICTION
• USD COP PREDICTION
• VANRY PREDICTION. VANRY cryptocurrency
• RIDE PREDICTION. RIDE cryptocurrency

2024-10-04 18:04