Yūsei Matsui’s The Elusive Samurai historical adventure manga is getting a TV anime adaptation by studio CloverWorks! Alongside the announcement, a teaser visual and promotional video was unveiled.
The Elusive Samurai is a new work of Matsui after he finished the serialization of Assassination Classroom. The manga was currently serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine, following the story of Tokiyuki Hōjō, the second son of Kamakura Shogunate’s leader, Takatoki Hōjō.
The anime adaptation is produced by CloverWorks. Yuta Yamazaki is directing the series, Yoriko Tomita is penning the script and Yasufumi Nishitani is working on the character design.
In a statement, author Yūsei Matsui expressed gratitude to the staff of CloverWorks for their willingness to bring his work to life. He also said that while he will not be as directly involved as he was with his previous works, he trusts the staff to make a great adaptation.
Also at AnimeJapan 2023 on March 26 at Tokyo Big Sight, a stage event for the anime adaptation will be held at the Aniplex booth. The event will be broadcast live on YouTube, and the main cast will be announced.
▍ About The Elusive Samurai
Nige Jōzu no Wakagimi is a historical manga series written and illustrated by Yūsei Matsui. It began serialization in Shueisha’s Shōkan Shōnen Jump magazine on January 25, 2021, and nine tankōbon volumes of the series have been published so far. The manga has been published digitally for free as an English simulpub as The Elusive Samurai through Shūeisha’s Manga Plus.
The series is a historical adventure based on a real story that takes place during the Nanboku-chou period of Japanese history. The story follows Tokiyuki Hōjō, the second son of Kamakura Shogunate’s leader, who leads a carefree life until Takauji Ashikaga stages a rebellion, brutally seizing power and ending the reign of the Kamakuras. Tokiyuki is rescued by a self-proclaimed prophetic priest named Yorishige Suwa, who claims to be a god. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to evade those trying to kill him while recruiting comrades who can help him restore the Kamakura Shogunate to its former glory.
▍ The Elusive Samurai Anime Staff & Production
Original Work: Nige Jōzu no Wakagimi by Yūsei Matsui (Serialized by Shūeisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump)
Director: Yuta Yamazaki
Series Composition: Yoriko Tomita
Character Design: Yasufumi Nishitani
Animation Production: CloverWorks