The Elusive Samuraiis a uniqueanimethat retells the fall of the Kamakura shogunate with humor, brutality, and style. It focuses on the lone survivor of the Hojo clan,Tokiyuki Hojo, and hisquest for revenge.The series does an excellent job of marrying the real history of the fall of the Kamakura shogunate while adding unique plot points to further drive its themes home.
The Elusive Samuraitakes place in Japan during the year 1333 between the late Kamakura period and the early Muromachi period.It’s a rough, unforgiving time for most people and the series does an excellent job of showing it.WhileThe Elusive Samuraihas plenty of lighthearted moments,it’s centered on one of the greatest betrayals in Japanese history. Overall, it’s a story about vengeance that’s rooted in a real rebellion that was over 600 years ago, makingThe Elusive Samuraieven more interesting than it already is.
The History of Japan in 1333
The Real Fall of the Kamakura Shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate is one of the most interesting times in Japanese history without even speaking about its fall. It began in 1192 when Minamoto no Yoritomo of the famed Minamoto clan defeated the Taira clan in the Genpei War, naming himself as the first ever Shogun of Japan. He was married to Masako Hojo of the Hojo clan, and during his death she acted as shikken, or regent, in his position. After Yorimoto’s death, the Hojo clan began acting as the de facto rulers of the country, eventually leading to themtaking over the shogunate entirely.
Crunchyroll’s Latest Shonen Jump Anime Is So Good It Doesn’t Need the Three Episode Rule
Few anime can make a confident early impression as The Elusive Samurai has on Crunchyroll viewers, so much that the Three Episode Rule may not apply.
While the show doesn’t delve too deeply into the backstory of Kamakura,it is interesting to see how main character Tokiyuki Hojo got to be the heir of Japan in the first place.Before the events ofThe Elusive Samuraitook place, however, the Kamakura shogunate was busy defending Japan from Mongol invaders, putting down internal rebellions, and more.
The real life fall of the Kamakura shogunate isjust as brutalas the series retells it.Takauji Ashikaga was a retainer for the Hojo clan, fighting for them with valor and bravery. He was sent to quell the rebellion started by former Emperor Go-Daigo. Instead of putting the rebellion down, he betrayed the Hojo clan, slaughtering all the warriors he was sent to fight alongside and swearing his newfound allegiance to the Emperor. When the Hojo clan heard of his betrayal, they knew their chances were slim. Over 800 clan members committed seppuku in response, finalizing the fall of Kamakura.
The Heir Who Shouldn’t Be Alive
It Was Cowardly Not To Commit Suicide
Ritual suicide, or seppuku, was committed by every member of the Hojo clan except for a small handful. One of those Hojos was Tokiyuki, the heir to the Kamakura shogunate and the one person who might be able to rally an army large enough to take Takauji down. By all accounts, he should be dead with his family. They all sacrificed their lives without putting up a fight, and if Tokiyuki had done the same thing, Japanese history would be largely different.
Shonen Jump’s Underrated Manga Finally Goes Sold Out Thanks to Incredible Anime Adaptation
The Elusive Samurai is gaining so much popularity since its anime was released that the manga is beginning to sell out, leading to an urgent reprint.
Tokiyuki not committing suicide is what leads to his eventual return to Kamakura where he takes back his home, if only for a little. If it wasn’t for him, the Ashikaga shogunate that rose from the Kamakura shogunate’s ashes wouldn’t have had any real opposition.He fled to the Suwa territory and reshaped Japanese history as a whole.
The Elusive Samurai’s Spin on the Fall of Kamakura
Takiyuki Hojo Might Not Have Been a High Flying God of Dodging
In real life, Takiyuki Hojo was certainly a samurai that fought on multiple battlefields for his clan and country. Some sources claim he was as young as 8 when Kamakura fell, others claim him to be 11, but he’s nowhere near fighting age regardless.He then spends the remainder of his youth trying to fight back against the Imperial Court that took his home and the Ashikaga shogunate that rules over it.
The Elusive Samuraimakes sure to include Takiyuki’s status as a samurai, but they add a new, interesting element to the story.He’s agod of dodginginThe Elusive Samurai,which explains how he survived the fall of his clan.It’s a fun addition that gives Takiyuki’s character something fun to look forward to when he’s on-screen without betraying the truth of the tale too much.
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.
