Synopsis:

“The Elusive Samurai” (Japanese: 逃げ上手の若君, Hepburn: Nige Jōzu no Wakagimi, “The Young Lord Who Is Skilled at Escaping”) is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui. It is based on the historical figure of Hōjō Tokiyuki, a young samurai determined to enact revenge on Ashikaga Takauji, a samurai who betrayed and caused the downfall of his family. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump since January 2021, with its chapters collected in 16 tankōbon volumes as of July 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by CloverWorks premiered in July 2024.

The series won the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024.

• Genre: Historical, Action, Drama
• Setting: Late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods
• Main Character: Hojo Tokiyuki, a young samurai
• Plot: Tokiyuki seeks revenge against Ashikaga Takauji, who betrayed and overthrew his family
• Unique Ability: Tokiyuki has a superhuman ability to flee and hide
• Allies: A shady priest and his followers

Premise: 

Set between the late Kamakura and early Muromachi periods, the story follows the tale of Hojo Tokiyuki, a boy on the run after his family is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji. With his only allies being a shady priest and his followers, the young lord must seek revenge and regain his glory, with his only weapon: a superhuman ability to flee and hide.

Main characters:

• Hōjō Tokiyuki (北条 時行): The heir to the Hōjō regency before its destruction by Ashikaga Takauji. After the fall of the shogunate, he took refuge under Yorishige, where he was taught martial arts and academics while plotting to overthrow the Ashikaga clan and restore the Hōjō clan. He has the superhuman ability to flee, hide, and dodge enemy attacks.
• Suwa Yorishige (諏訪 頼重): A shady priest from Suwa who claims can see the future. He is a loyal follower of the Hōjō clan and predicts that Tokiyuki would become a hero. It is revealed that he has the spirit of Suwa Myojin inside him which makes him a god.
• Shizuku (雫): Yorishige’s assistant.
• Kojirō (弧次郎): A young swordsman who is skilled for his age that Yorishige predicts will lead as Tokiyuki’s military commander.
• Ayako (亜也子): A young swordswoman with superstrength ability and artistic talent.
• Kazama Genba (風間 玄蕃): A thief who operates on money and fear and is able to turn into anyone as a disguise.
• Fubuki (吹雪): A loyal follower of Tokiyuki.

Ashikaga Faction:

• Ashikaga Takauji (足利 高氏): A former ally to the Hōjō clan who defected to the Emperor’s side and overthrew the shogunate.
• Kō no Moronao (高 師直): The right-hand man of Takauji.
• Ogasawara Sadamune (市河 助房): A retainer of Takauji who is proficient in archery and is able to perceive every detail in his immediate surroundings.
• Ichikawa Sukefusa (市河 助房): A retainer and ally of Sadamune who can spot his enemies through his sharp hearing senses.

Imperial Family:

• Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, Go-Daigo-tennō): The Emperor leading the restoration of Imperial rule after the overthrowing of the shogunate.
• Prince Moriyoshi (護良親王, Moriyoshi Shinnō): The son of the Emperor who attempted to assassinate Takauji out of fear of Takauji ousting the Emperor.

Other characters:

• Hōjō Kunitoki (北条 邦時): Tokiyuki’s older half-brother, who held no interest in inheriting the regency in order to prevent a dispute over the succession. He was executed after his own uncle betrayed him.
• Godaīn Muneshige (五大 院宗繁): A relative to the Hōjō clan and the uncle of Tokiyuki and Kunitoki who sold out Kunitoki to a search party for personal glory. He was later killed by Tokiyuki after learning of his treachery.
• Suwa Moritaka (諏訪 盛高): An ally of Yorishige.

Official Website:

• TVアニメ「逃げ上手の若君」公式サイト (Japanese)

Reviews:

• The Elusive Samurai ‒ Episode 6 (Aug 12, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai ‒ Episode 5 (Aug 5, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai ‒ Episode 4 (Jul 29, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai (Jul 22, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai ‒ Episodes 1-3 (Jul 22, 2024)

News:

• Crunchyroll Reveals The Elusive Samurai Anime’s English Dub Cast (Aug 4, 2024)
• Crunchyroll Streams New Indian Language Dubs of Wistoria, VTuber Legend, The Elusive Samurai, 6 More Anime (Jul 27, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai, True Beauty Anime Get Hindi Dubs (Jul 6, 2024)
• Crunchyroll to Stream Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest, The Elusive Samurai, True Beauty, More Anime for Summer Season (Jul 3, 2024)
• Muse Asia Licenses The Elusive Samurai, SHY Season 2 Anime (Jul 1, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai Anime’s New Video Reveals More Cast, Theme Songs Artists (Jun 23, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai Anime’s New Promo Video Reveals July 6 Premiere (Jun 8, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai Reveals 1st Short Promo Video, July Premiere (Mar 24, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai Anime’s 6th Character Video, Visual Highlight Fubuki (Mar 13, 2024)
• The Elusive Samurai Anime’s Character Video, Visual Highlight Kojirō (Jan 23, 2024)

Press Releases:

• Crunchyroll Announces The Hindi, Tamil, And Telugu Dub Premieres Of Summer And Catalogue Titles Like Tower Of God S2, True Beauty, Zom 100, Bye Bye Earth, The Apothecary Diaries And More (Jul 19, 2024)
• Crunchyroll Summer 2024 Season Continues with 40+ New, Returning, and Ongoing Anime (Jul 4, 2024)
• Aniplex Online Fest 2023 Returns on September 9 with Free YouTube Live Stream Featuring Over 20 Shows and Star-Studded Line-Up of Special Guests (Aug 13, 2023)