Summary
Shonen Jump’s latest anime,The Elusive Samurai, is garnering significant attention as the latest anime based on a manga published in the famous magazine, and has already proven itself to be different from other anime in the genre. The shōnen genre’s hallmark has always been its protagonist’s self-sacrificing heroic spirit, which has ultimately made characters such as Deku fromMy Hero Academiapopular and inspiring. However, the protagonist ofThe Elusive Samuraiis already diverging from this characteristic.
The Elusive Samurai’s protagonist Tokiyuki Hojo has a unique trait compared to other shōnen protagonists:a strong will to live. Unlike the typical shōnen hero who often throws themselves into perilous situations, Tokiyuki’s primary drive for survival sets the foundation for a fresh and compelling narrative. This intriguing divergence has captivated many fans of the genre, eager to witness Tokiyuki Hojo’s journey unfold as he prepares for revenge in hiding against Takauji Ashikaga for massacring his whole clan.
As the first episode depicts, Tokiyuki’s specialty lies in his ability to be elusive, as the title suggests, which is atypical of a shōnen protagonist. Thus, the prospect of this new anime deviating from the usual genre protocols by featuring a unique protagonist could become its biggest reason for success.
The Elusive Samurai’s Protagonist Showcases Unprecedented Abilities in the Genre
Tokiyuki Hojo’s Biggest Power Is Running Away
The Elusive Samuraistands out from a good deal of shōnen anime, which typically feature protagonists risking their lives to save others. A recently released anime of the same genre,Kaiju No. 8, showcases its protagonist’s heroism right from the beginning, as he leaps into action to rescue others. Izuku Midoriya’s first step on the journey of becoming the greatest hero was running into danger to save his friend, despite having no powers. However,The Elusive Samuraisees its protagonist doing the exact opposite.When faced with danger, Tokiyuki demonstrates his exceptional evasion skills, deftly escaping rather than confronting the threat head-on.
Yorishige Suwa, the enigmatic character who predicts Tokiyuki’s future reclamation of his land, declares that Tokiyuki will become a hero just by living. Suwa’s words carry significant weight, especially within the context of the world of feudal Japan, where the titular warriors live by the code of fighting and dying with honor. While the elusive protagonist is tempted to follow the samurai’s code and perish alongside his people in honor, there is a different motivation that keeps him alive. It will be fascinating to uncover what this driving force is and why Yorishige is so devoted to supporting Tokiyuki. In any case, if the narrative of Shonen Jump’s new anime doesn’t ensure its success,the stunning animation and visuals by CloverWorks certainly will.
Despite Criticism for the Use of CGI, The Elusive Samurai Has Some of the Best Visuals of the Season
CloverWorks studio has already done an amazing job of adapting Tatsuya Endo’sSyp X Family, but, one of the studio’s notable works is their anime original,Wonder Egg Priority. From the first impression ofThe Elusive Samurai, it is clear that CloverWorks' choice of style for animating this series is similar to their best work.Wonder Egg Prioritywas full of enigmatic and beautifully crafted scenes, often with a touch of gore, which is echoed in theepic transition seen in the first episode ofThe Elusive Samurai.
The playful scene between Tokiyuki and his half-brother suddenly shifts to a severed head bouncing like a ball, showcasing CloverWorks' ability to blend beauty and brutality seamlessly. Thus, with a different protagonist and an amazing anime adaptation,Shōnen Jump’s newest anime,The Elusive Samurai, has more than one good reason for its success.
The Elusive Samurai
Cast
The Elusive Samurai is set during the Kenmu Restoration between the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It follows Hojo Tokiyuki, a young boy whose family is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji. Accompanied by a priest and his followers, he seeks revenge using his extraordinary abilities to evade capture.
