Summary
Shonen Jumphas done it yet again, with the most recent anime adaptation of its gorgeous manga,The Elusive Samurai,making a potent impression on Crunchyroll viewers. This is no surprise for fans of Yusei Matsui, given his acclaimed work onAssassination ClassroomandNeuro: Spiritual Detective, and even contributions to classics likeBobobo-bo Bo-bobo.But the anime elevates the already excellent manga to a grander stage, putting Tokiyuki Hojo’s most prized talent, movement, on full display, withThe Elusive Samuraibeing a must-watch without even needing the three-episode rule.
The Elusive Samuraibegan its run as part of the Summer 2024 anime season on Crunchyroll, releasing its first episode on August 23, 2025.Thanks to its handling by the reputable animation studio CloverWorks, manga readers and first-time viewers could easily be assured that it would at least be a visually pleasing experience.
Yet,The Elusive Samurai’sexcellent visuals, wonderfully directed motion-centric animation, vibrant yet nostalgic color palette, and more make it clear that viewers won’t need convincing beyond the first two episodes.
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Fans and viewers quickly remarked on the excellent animation forThe Elusive Samurai, starting lots of discussions about key aspects of the show’s x-factor showing themselves before episode #3 even aired. Commonly cited moments include the incredible key animation for episode #1, such as from Yusei Koumoto, as noted by@Yuyucow on X, and the show’s penchant for glorious visual spectacles at each episode’s climax. This includes Tokiyuki escaping Ashikaga’s traitorous hordes in episode #1and his electrifying showdown with his brother’s murderer in episode #2.
But by episode #3, the impression was quickly drilled into viewers of the type of show this is, including varying animation styles and surprisinglyshocking yet memorable scenes. Still, fans were treated toThe Elusive Samurai’sexcellent animation, this time with an elegant scene where Suwa Yorishige stops the rain.The series is dedicated to rendering the joy of motion in battle, retreat, or nature itself. But for fans not solely convinced byThe Elusive Samurai’sanimation, that’s not all the anime has going for it to beat the Three Episode Rule for Crunchyroll viewers.
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The Elusive Samurai’sbest character so far is Suwa Yorishige, an arahitogami, essentially believed to be a god in human form. His confident predictions of the future and belief in Tokiyuki embolden the young prince to become a hero to his people.
The Elusive Samurai,while gaining popularity for its anime and manga, will likely never reach the same heights as other shonen anime because it is a historical action-comedy series instead of a typical battle series, yet its comedy elements boost its appeal. By episode #3, viewers quickly become familiar withthe show’s breakout character, the divine priest, Suwa Yorishige, who confidently delivers visual gags alongside fourth-wall-breaking jokesthanks to his gift of divination. This includes running jokes like Yorishige needing to dim his aura by pulling his braid like a lamp cord and jokes about literary tropes in the series.
Humor like that inThe Elusive Samuraiis less common in adaptations of the latestShonen Jumphits, and part of why it lands so well is because it breaks up the tension and complicated history of the story. A historically inspired manga series is a tough sell for average Western shonen anime viewers, so self-aware gags whereKenmu Restoration-era characters remark on future trends and even make clearDragon Ballreferencesto enhance the story.The Elusive Samuraidoesn’t need to worry about the Three Episode Rule simply because its excellent visuals and humor make every episode worth discussing.
Shonen Jump
Shonen Jumpis one of Japan’s most successful manga anthology franchises, published by Shueisha. Launched in 1968, it is the source of some of the most beloved and popular anime and manga series, such asOne Piece,Dragon Ball, andNaruto. The franchise has extended into multiple adaptations across various media, including anime, films, video games, and merchandise.
