Review of The Elusive Samurai
The Elusive Samurai is one of the best anime of summer 2024. There were plenty of things to like about it: its setup, the fun main characters, the animation and more. Sure, there were some problems here and there not surprisingly, but it didn’t really matter. The anime is a classic revenge tale with a twist. The MC isn’t a badass samurai who one-shot everyone. Instead, he excels in agility and we're going to follow his evolution from a sheltered prince to a warrior. A simple plot isn’t enough without good characters, and thankfully this anime delivers. They each bring something unique to the tableand their interactions with Tokiyuki felt natural and actually useful to the narrative. The villains were definitely my favorites, they were total bastards but they had a hilarious side that made their scenes really entertaining. Yorishige was the only one who annoying. It is clear that the mangaka intended for him to be that way.
The artistry of this anime is where it truly shines. The vibrant and colorful animation really stand out, especially in contrast with the brutality of the story. The detailed backdrops of a historical Japan was so nicely done. Character designs are quirky yet historically appropriate. Action scenes are particularly well-executed, the choreography was fluid and smooth. Some scenes are honestly among the best I’ve seen in any anime. However, there are moments where CGI is used that could have been better. It’s not awful, but you’ll notice it feels a bit off.
Although the humor is generally effective, there are moments where it falls flat. Especially the shifts from serious darker scenes to a sudden comedic relief. I think the show could benefit from more subtlety in its comedic moments. By the middle of the series, the jokes start to feel more natural, blending in with the story without feeling forced.
In conclusion, The Elusive Samurai is a good addition to the historical anime genre. Whether you’re a fan of samurai stories or just looking for something different, The Elusive Samurai is definitely worth adding to your watchlist.