MANGA REVIEW | "The Elusive Samurai" - Volume Eighteen
By now, readers of The Elusive Samurai should know that this is a work of historical fiction. Yes, it takes some real people, and it bases its narrative around the real-life Hojo Tokiyuki. (It also helps that Yusei Matsui ends each volume with a breakdown of what was real, and how it actually affected the time period this series is based in.) But when you mix in some supernatural stuff into the historical parts of The Elusive Samurai, then you’re certainly going to raise an eyebrow or two.
Case in point, Volume Eighteen’s reveal of who Shizuka really is. For the longest time, Shizuka has been the spiritual guide for Tokiyuki, especially after the death of Suwa Yorishige. But now, it’s been revealed that she’s a mishaguji, a deity filled with mass divine power. Her plan to use all of her might in one go is stopped by Tokiyuki, who orders her to live out a normal life by his side. It’s a moment that not only emphasizes the “fiction” part of “historical fiction”, but it also demonstrates the mighty heart this series shines upon its readers.
Even with a spirit on their side, it’s going to take a lot for Tokiyuki and Akiie to fully take on Takauji’s forces. Thousands of our heroes’ army men are injured, and have no chance to pick up a sword for the next battle. Ergo, it’s time for a proper strategy. There’s not enough time to make plenty of arrows for the battle, and the town market is crawling with those who side with Takauji. (Although our favorite tengu Natsu gets some pretty sick weapons that fit her style, as does her berserker Shina.) So what do Tokiyuki and Akiie plan?
Once again, The Elusive Samurai dives into the depths of realism. If there are not enough blades or arrows, then use what God’s left on the ground for everyone. It results in a surreal battle where Akiie’s brutal men use rocks to take on Takauji’s soldiers, and the sight is both gory and hilarious. Where Takauji’s men use weaponry of that era of time, Akiie’s men go full-blown cavemen with their strategy, with it being super effective.
One also forgets that within Tokiyuki’s crew is a true psychopath. Munehiro may have started out as a plain-faced soldier with a love of killing, but the more Matsui brings him into the picture, the more unhinged he becomes. When Takauji’s own unhinged warrior, Nikki Yoshinaga, comes face-to-face with Munehiro, it at first seems like our sadist friend has met his match. However, when Munehiro describes in-depth what he’s done, from saving enemy blood to how he dyes his fighting gear, Yoshinaga realizes that he’s bitten off more than he can chew. And the look in Munehiro’s sunk-in eyes is just, well…**shivers**.
It leads up to a fight between Nitta and Kono Moroyatsu. This battle is fast-paced, as it’s captured with Matsui’s trademark attention to detail. (I swear, some of these panels look like they take weeks to draw, not a day or two!) Thankfully, Nitta’s got his own strategy to take care of Moroyatsu, and while the fight isn’t finished here, it does lead to a very funny visual of what Nitta does to Moroyatsu’s noble steed.
However, Volume Eighteen of The Elusive Samurai ends right when we’re about to see the ultimate face-off: Tokiyuki against Kono Morofuyu. Deep down within Morofuyu is the Fubuki that Tokiyuki knows. The question is, can our Elusive Warriors bring him back to the fold without having to resort to nearly killing him? Considering Tokiyuki and Akiie are masters of crafting strategies, one can guess that a certain plan is about to come together.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
