Movies News Talk
Few shows can create a strong early impression as The Elusive Samurai does on Crunchyroll viewers, thus much the Three Episode Rule might not be applicable.
With the most recent Anime adaptation of its beautiful manga, The Elusive Samurai, Shonen Jump has done once more and makes a strong impression on Crunchyroll viewers. Fans of Yusei Matsui should not be surprised given his praised work on Assassination Classroom and Neuro: Spiritual Detective as well as even contributions to classics like Bobobo-bo Bo-bambo. With The Elusive Samurai a must-watch without even considering the three-episode rule, the anime enhances the already outstanding manga to a grander stage by showcasing Tokiyuki Hojo's most prized talent, movement, on full show.
Starting its run on Crunchyroll under the Summer 2024 Anime season, the Elusive Samurai debuted its first episode on July 6, 2024. Thanks to its treatment by the respectable animation company CloverWorks, first-time viewers and manga readers could be reasonably sure that it would at least be aesthetically pleasing. Still, The Elusive Samurai's superb visuals, deftly directed motion-centric animation, vivid but nostalgic color palette, and more clearly show viewers won't need convincing past the first two episodes.
Starting many conversations about important elements of the show's x-factor showing itself before episode #3 even aired, fans and viewers quickly noted on the great animation for The Elusive Samurai. Commonly mentioned events include the amazing key animation for episode #1, from Yusei Koumoto, as reported by @Yuyucow on X, and the show's taste in magnificent visual spectacles at each episode's climax. This covers Tokiyuki's escape from Ashikaga's traitorous army in episode 1 and his spectacular confrontation with the killer of his brother in episode 2.
But by episode #3, viewers of the kind of show this is, including varied animation techniques and shockingly startling but memorable scenes, were rapidly drilled in. Still, viewers were treated to The Elusive Samurai's superb animation, this time with a graceful scene whereby Suwa Yorishige stops the rain. The show is committed to capturing the delight of motion in conflict, retreat, or the natural surroundings. But for fans not just swayed by The Elusive Samurai's animation, that's not all the anime has going for it to surpass the Three Episode Rule for Crunchyroll viewers.
Suwa Yorishige, an arahitogami who is basically thought of as a god in human form, is the most elusive Samurai character thus far. His sure forecasts of the future and conviction in Tokiyuki empower the young prince to become a hero to his people.
Although the Elusive Samurai is becoming more and more popular for its anime and manga, it is a historical action-comedy series rather than a standard battle series, thus its appeal will probably never be as strong as that of other shonen anime. By episode #3, viewers rapidly come to know the breakout character of the show, Suwa Yorishige, who boldly delivers visual gags alongside fourth-wall-breaking jokes thanks to his gift of divination. This covers running jokes about literary devices in the series and Yorishige's need to lower his aura by dragging his braid like a lamp cord. Less common in adaptations of the most recent Shonen Jump hits, humor like that in The Elusive Samurai is part of why it lands so well—it breaks up the tension and convoluted narrative history. Self-aware gags where Kenmu Restoration-era characters comment on future trends and even make clear Dragon Ball references to improve the story since a historically inspired manga series is difficult sell for average Western shonen anime viewers.
The Three Episode Rule is not something the Elusive Samurai has to worry about just because every episode is worth talking about thanks to their great visuals and humor.