HomeComics/MangaMANGA REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Volume Twelve

MANGA REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Volume Twelve

MANGA REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Volume Twelve

Two years have passed since Kamakura was taken over by the Ashikaga Forces. Since that time, The Elusive Samurai has showcased Hojo Tokiyuki and his comrades growing and becoming stronger. In the last volume, the promise to take back Kamakura had finally come to pass. Now comes the hard part: keeping it from falling back into hands of Ashikaga and Emperor Go-Daigo.

Volume Twelve starts out the way a victorious battle should be celebrated. Big speeches, parties, and even scoping out the town and its people are what Hojo and the Elusive Warriors set out to do. As Yorishige and Yasuie start to plan for the next big fight, they run into townsfolk, a woman missing her fingers, and a famous poet. But perhaps the most important run-in comes in the form of Masamune, perhaps the most famous swordsmith in the history of Japan!

With the aid of Masamune, many of the Elusive Warriors are fitted with new blades that fit not just with their fighting style, but also their personalities. However, Hojo himself isn’t gifted a sword due to the greatness of his destiny. As such, it appears that he’ll have to make do with what his comrades are given when the next fight occurs. Unfortunately, that appears to be happening sooner rather than later.

Ashikaga sets out to plot out the next big battle, one that he hopes takes out Hojo once and for all. But before then, Sasaki Doyo and his daughter Mima lay out a disaster for some of Hojo’s recent soldiers. It’s a catastrophic situation, one that has Hojo see what kind of person Mima is and the power that rests inside her. But even if he tried his hardest, nothing could prepare Hojo for the power that Ashikaga was about to unleash.

What appears to be another victory for Hojo completely 180s him when Ashikaga attempts to kill himself on the battlefield. And then, his real terror begins. It’s a level of brainwashing that feels more akin to a horror story than a historical fiction. Too many warriors on Hojo’s side fall for his power and charisma, with even one of the Elusive Warriors themselves becoming entranced in it. At this moment, The Elusive Samurai shows its readers that nothing has been set in stone for Hojo Tokiyuki.

That’s when the last few pages throws the Elusive Warriors into the throngs of chaos. It reaches a point where Yorishige volunteers to sacrifice himself for Hojo if it means the young warrior can survive another day. Harsh words are thrown around, to the point where the future of the faction’s strength must be questioned. For the first time, this manga doesn’t give off hope; it’s now brimming with despair.

Although Volume Twelve starts out on a light-hearted note, darkness overtakes the rest of The Elusive Samurai. But that’s the power of this story, which can switch between light and dark like a flick of a switch. However, The Elusive Samurai has been known to keep the light on by the end of a volume, until now. Blackness is all we are left with, leading readers to wonder how our heroes will find the light once more. Knowing how the real story of Hojo Tokiyuki goes, one can say that there’s still a glimmer of hope for our heroes…at least, until 1353 comes around.

FINAL GRADE:

Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.

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The J-POP king of America, Evan has been bringing the hottest sounds of the Land of the Rising Sun to the English-speaking public since his college radio days. He's also an expert in the gaming, anime, & manga realms, never afraid to get critical when the times call for it. Born & bred in Boston, he achieved his biggest dream yet by making the big move to Tokyo, Japan in Summer 2023! For personal inquiries, contact Evan at evan@b3crew.com. For press/band inquiries, write to us at thebastards@bostonbastardbrigade.com. (Drawing by AFLM of Wicked Anime)