The Elusive Samurai (2024)
[逃げ上手の若君]
Season 1
Director: Yuta Yamazaki
Studio: CloverWorks
Starring: Asaki Yuikawa, Yuichi Nakamura, Hinaki Yano
Episodes: 12
Synopsis:
The young heir to the Hojo Clan survives the purge of the Kamakura Shogunate and must raise an army to counter the treacherous Ashikaga, but how can he excel at war when his main talent is running away?
Impressions:
I very nearly overlooked this one, but I'm glad I picked it up because it's one of the better offerings this season. The CloverWorks name should be enough to get you to sit up and take notice and as far as the production side goes, they reliably deliver the goods. How about the story? Well, this is a fantastical telling of the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate and the rise of the Ashikaga Shogunate with a level of eccentricity that rivals Golden Kamuy. There's a disconcerting blend of quirky comedy and feudal brutality that won't be for everyone, but if you connect with it, it's a very rewarding experience. I don't know a lot of fiction that focuses on this particular era of Japanese history, so that might be an added bonus for you. (While the story does have a lot of fantastical elements, the author clearly did his homework. Maybe not enough for you to write a report on the Kenmu Restoration, but enough stir up a little curiosity, I would think.) The premise gives us a rather unconventional protagonist in the form of Tokiyuki and the supporting cast he gathers around him have a good dynamic. The antagonists are quite the freakshow (but this series being what it is, a lot of Tokiyuki's allies make for quite the freakshow as well). I enjoyed this quite a bit and am looking forward to the next season. Give this one a place in your collection.
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