This isn’t a heroic story about a warrior, not a chronicle of the heroic feat of a samurai, The Elusive Samurai episode 1 is the beginning of the survival journey of a sneaky individual.
This could have been a typical story about a hero fighting against all odds, but thank god it isn’t such a story, since there is no lack of such stories.
It’s a story about a samurai escaping from all odds and his impending bleak future.
Adapted from the successful manga of Matsui Yusei and with the fluid animation created in the studio CloverWorks, this series had a beautiful beginning worthy of admiring.
So, let us learn more about this beautiful and exciting journey as the story of young samurai Hojo Tokiyuki, makes its debut in the anime world.
Table of Contents
Back Story Of Hojo Tokiyuki As Shown In The Elusive Samurai Episode 1
It’s 1333, and the 8-year-old son of a puppet shogun of Kamakura shogunate Hojo Takatoki, Hoji Tokiyuki is a free-spirited and peace-loving young samurai, reluctant to learn the way of war.
Oh, and an expert escapist, it’s nearly impossible for even full-fledged adults to capture him if he decides to run away.
He has a brother from another mother and a self-proclaimed fiancee Kiyoko to keep him company in his daily mischievous life.
But it was a time of warriors, so he wasn’t looked upon favorably by others for his lack of drive to learn the way of war and the way of a shogun since he was supposed to succeed his father in the future.
The story starts with the most capable and trusted vassal Ashikaga Takauji getting ready to go to Kyo(modern Kyoto) to quell the uprising of the previous emperor Godaigo.
Tokiyuki’s elder brother showed concern about their father being ill so he advised Tokiyuki to be more dependable and succeed his father as soon as possible.
But Tokiyuki argued that his elder brother, being the older was supposed to succeed in the role.
However, his brother was the son of a concubine, so only Tokiyuki of pure blood was capable of that role, but no, that wasn’t Tokiyuki’s cup of tea.
Tokiyuki didn’t mind one bit if others thought of him as a lazy and cowardly individual, all he wanted was to live happily among the other happy people in the Kamakura, and he only wished for the happiness of the citizens.
Unexpected Encounter In The Elusive Samurai Episode 1
In The Elusive Samurai episode 1, on the day of the departure of Ashikaga Takauji, he meets a peculiar person during his escapade.
He was a Shinto priest of the Shinano Province, named Suwa Yorishige, with a boisterous personality.
According to him, he was tasked to pray for Kamakura’s safety from its enemies and came to report to his father upon the completion of the task, with Yorishige’s daughter/assistant Sizuku, competent in secret arts and general affairs.
According to Yorishige, he can view the fragments of the future, and Yorishige can see in two years Tokiyuki will make his name known around the country.
His name will strike fear, in the hearts of his enemies and reverence in the hearts of his followers, and he will be a renowned warlord.
Tokiyuki also escaped from him, as he couldn’t believe him, or maybe he wasn’t ready to accept the grand expectation Yorishige had of a future puppet ruler like him.
However, later when he disclosed this matter to his elder brother, for reason unknown, he seemed to have the same opinion as Yorishige.
Beginning Of Misfortune In The Elusive Samurai Episode 1
At this time, when viewers may start to immerse themselves in the joyous world of Tokiyuki, the most unexpected misfortune strikes, on May 22nd Ashikaga Takauji, colludes with the previous emperor Godaigo, the leader of the uprising, and betrays Kamakura Bakufu or Kamakura Shogunate.
Takauji eliminated all of the suppression units that went with him to suppress the uprising of Kyo and with the help of the Nitta squad and under the leadership of the eldest son of Nitta Yoshisada, marched towards the same Kamakura he was in charge of protecting.
Lots of close people to Tokiyuki died in the battle with Takauji and his army, among them were his instructors Kano Saburo, and Shiota Jiro.
Shogunate vassal Chikaaki of Settsu committed suicide.
His daughter and Tokiyuki’s self-proclaimed fiancee Kiyoko was violated and brutally murdered.
About 800 people of the Hojo clan including retainers committed suicide, including Tokiyuki’s father.
Tokiyuki practically lost everything in a very short period.
Tokiyuki also steeled his heart to commit suicide, but fate had something else in store for him.
First Escape Of Hojo Tokiyuki
The most crucial moment of The Elusive Samurai episode 1 take place at this stage.
Remember the Shinto priest of Shinano Province, Suwa Yorishige, this time, he came to rescue Tokiyuki.
Unexpectedly his sickly puppet of a father commanded Yorishige in his last moment to save his youngest and help him escape.
That’s why, Yorishige decided to shelter Tokiyuki in his territory of Suwa in Shinano.
According to Yorishige, he forecasted this unfortunate event using his future viewing power so he prepared means to escape beforehand.
It seems, Yorishige really can forecast the future!!
On his way to escaping with Yorishige what Tokiyuki saw was truly a hellscape, Kamakura was being destroyed in the hands of traitor samurai.
Decision Of Hojo Tokiyuki
As the story progresses in The Elusive Samurai episode 1, Tokiyuki couldn’t just come to terms with the fact that the person whom he admired his entire life could betray and do such an atrocity destroying Kamakura in only 24 days.
So despite whatever Yorishige told him, he decided to commit suicide, so Yorishige gave him a hand.
But, after facing impending death and escaping that, the will to survive in him arises.
According to Yorishige, if Takauji is a hero standing on the corps of others, Tokiyuki is a hero who will become a hero by surviving, and to do that, he needs allies, military power, and intelligence, which Yorishige will provide him.
But, once betrayed Tokiyuki couldn’t take Yorishige’s word at face value, so Yorishige assured him he would claim his reward once he took back Kamakura, what is rightfully his.
So, Hojo Tokiyuki decided to start his escapade until he take back Kamakura.
Next, what step will team Tokiyuki will take?
Will they find like-minded allies?
To learn the answer to these questions, stay tuned for the next episode...
