MANGA REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Vols. 13 & 14
Gosh, it was so much fun seeing Hojo Tokiyuki and his Elusive Warriors take back Kamakura. Unfortunately, celebrations for such an occasion had to be put on hold, as Ashikaga Takauji isn’t the type to just roll over and give up. No, he is a tough foe, as not even Yorishige can predict what the charismatic warrior can do. Volumes Thirteen and Fourteen don’t just bring down the curtain to the first chapter of The Elusive Samurai; they also lift it for the second.
The bond between Tokiyuki and Yorishige is a strong one, enough for the young lad to rush out to save the priest from imminent death. Knowing his outside-the-box way of fighting, watching the young warrior using a mixture of skills, oil, and some jingling bells to both fight and mock Takauji’s army is both endearing and entertaining. Not only does it rile up the traitor, but it shows the hero Tokiyuki in a new slick light. And then, he bestows an honor on Yorishige that allows him to keep fighting for just a bit more.
Alas, a bit more means that the time for Yorishige’s exit has arrived. It’s got everything that has made the magic future man a joy to read through. Drinking, dancing, wise words, and one last act to protect Tokiyuki and his Elusive Warriors. A sad day has come in The Elusive Samurai, and it’ll take big shoes to fill the spot that he now leaves empty. But we’ll get back to that.
An “Intermission” gives readers a chance to see a year in the life of Takauji, as Tokiyuki takes some time to hide and think of his next plan. The last time this manga gave time to see stuff from the villain’s perspective, I wasn’t really feeling it. However, this time around, we see a bountiful of sides of Takauji, ranging from noble and inspiring to downright sadistic. (Sometimes you see it all at once, especially that poor guy with the stomach wound.)
With that being said, this is Hojo Tokiyuki’s story, so it takes a bit of wind out of the sails of The Elusive Samurai. The Intermission goes for three chapters, and while it has some good action and gore in it, it feels a little pointless. Only when the Elusive Warriors reappear in Izu does the manga pick back up. That’s when the troublemaker Genba takes the wheel, with him and a new character being the focus of Volume Fourteen’s opening chapter.
Normally, I’d be irked having Tokiyuki’s glory taken again. However, I can’t resist good poop jokes, and Genba and Ashikaga’s ninja Natsu are prepped with plenty. It takes a science-y route as the duo try to figure out what kind of dookie makes things go KABLOOEY!!!, with the answer found in a trail of white powder. Genba doesn’t just find a solution to his explosive poop problem; he gains a friend, one that lets her see something not even the other Elusive Warriors have ever experienced.
I mentioned the spot that Yorishige’s exit left earlier. Well, in the fourteenth volume, the one to fill it arrives, in the form of Kitabatake Aiike. He’s noble, gorgeous, and fearless. On top of that, he’s got the skills to insult pride into every soldier and person he crosses paths with. (So basically, he’s the 14th-century Don Rickles!) It not only allows the Elusive Warriors to seemingly gain allies from the other side but also find new ways to take the enemy by surprise.
Of course, this means Tokiyuki has to break bread with people he wished he could steer clear of. However, he learns that just because someone is the blood relative of someone repulsive, doesn’t mean that they have the same mentality. In fact, it allows him to start building a level of trust that would — according to the narrator — last a very, very long time. With Kitabatake and his warriors on his side, Tokiyuki now has a better chance at avenging his loved ones.
And that hope builds strongly in battle. We see Tokiyuki has honed his sword and fleeing skills, to the point where he looks like a different warrior. A lot can change in just a couple of years, and while he’s always been a confident person, Tokiyuki’s current skills show that he is now more than a formidable opponent. With an array of new attacks, the warrior who’s a year shy from becoming a teenager has reached a level of terrifying that even Takauji couldn’t imagine him becoming!
These two recent volumes of The Elusive Samurai serve two purposes. One ends a chapter in Tokiyuki’s life, and another starts a brand-new one. Both have their highlights, but one can’t help but feel the intermission in Volume Thirteen could’ve been halved to keep the pace going. With that being said, with the father figure gone in Tokiyuki’s life and a sort of big brother entering it, The Elusive Samurai looks to be walking a new path in its lifespan. Knowing author Yusei Matsui, it’s bound to be as entertaining as always!
VOL. 13 RATING:
VOL. 14 RATING:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
