Elusive Samurai is a story about a samurai in hiding â but the series itself is so flashy, I canât help but marvel at every frame.
The new anime from CloverWorks is based on the life of HĆjĆ Tokiyuki, a real-life historical figure who was heir to Japanâs shogunate in the 1300s. The story follows the young lord Tokiyuki as he seeks to restore his familyâs rule after the ferocious warrior Ashikaga Takauji betrays and overthrows the HĆjĆ clan. I wonât spoil what happens from there, but Iâll say one thing: No matter what else itâs doing, Elusive Samurai boasts some of this seasonâs best animation.
CloverWorks animates much of the show in a bright, cheery style that flaunts the gorgeous free-flowing kimonos of Kamakura-era Japan. Itâs just so nice to see details like the intricate folds of Tokiyukiâs sky-blue and cerulean garb in motion, and subtle details like the delicate bounce of fabric as he rides a trotting horse.
But the spectacle doesnât stop there. The early episodes demonstrate the series is an absolute all-you-can-eat buffet of visual styles. CloverWorks highlights tense moments with animation inspired by other art forms. When Tokiyuki confronts the soldiers who overthrew his family and burned down his tranquil home, he sees them with impact frames that look like theyâre drawn with a fiery palette of thick oil pastels. In the second episode, Tokiyuki fights an uncle trying to capture him. The animators portray a key fight scene in a style that makes it look painted with splotchy ink, but inverted so Tokiyuki feels otherworldly.
And a narrator occasionally connects plot points to historical events, so having a scene that appears to take inspiration from traditional Japanese art styles, like shadow puppetry, feels appropriate. The visual references are grabby, but not all over the place.
Iâm still waiting for a few other parts of the show to develop beyond the animation. Like several popular shĆnen series, Elusive Samurai takes some time to get its story rolling. A few of the characters can be grating as they train up and learn the ropes. Still, each episode stands out as a visual delight, making Elusive Samurai one of the best anime from the 2024 summer season â an exhilarating start to a show with an animation style that simply canât be contained.