The anime is based on the manga of the same name that started serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in January 2021. It is the latest work by Yusei Matsui, known for "Neuro: Supernatural Detective" and "Assassination Classroom." Set in 1333 Kamakura, it tells the story of Tokiyuki Hojo, the last successor of the Kamakura shogunate and the "most elusive young samurai" in history.

In this article, we introduce the synopsis, scene cuts from each episode, and voice actors (va, seiyuu) of "The Elusive Samurai (Nigewaka)."

Synopsis

In the year 1333, the Kamakura shogunate, which laid the foundations for samurai rule in Japan, fell due to the betrayal of the trusted retainer, Takauji Ashikaga.

Tokiyuki Hojo, the rightful heir to the shogunate, loses everything and escapes the burning Kamakura with the help of Yorishige Suwa, a priest who claims to be a god.

Reaching the land of Suwa after fleeing, Tokiyuki meets reliable comrades and prepares for the recapture of Kamakura. Contrary to the way of the samurai, who face and die in battle, Tokiyuki survives and overcomes the turbulent times by running and living.

What will be the fate of Tokiyuki’s grand game of tag to reclaim his country in this era of chaos filled with heroes?

Characters

Tokiyuki Hojo
Voice Actor：結川あさき (Asaki Yuikawa)

Son of Hojo Takatoki, the ruler of the Kamakura shogunate. He is uninterested in status and power, and dislikes conflict. He deeply wishes for the peace of Kamakura. Though poor in martial arts, he excels at evasion and is nearly impossible to catch, even by adults. Betrayed by Takauji Ashikaga, whom he trusted as a loyal samurai, he fights to reclaim his beloved hometown of Kamakura.

Shizuku
Voice Actor：矢野妃菜喜 (Hinaki Yano)

A shrine maiden of Suwa Taisha and an excellent steward of Tokiyuki's retainers, the "Elusive Samurai Clan." She manages the household affairs and adores Yorishige, calling him "Father." Although generally proper, she sometimes surprises those around her with unexpected behavior. She can also use secret arts to manipulate divine power, albeit not as strongly as Yorishige. Her keen insight makes her an invaluable support in battles, where she also acts as Yorishige’s representative.

Kojiro
Voice Actor：日野まり (Mari Hino)

A swordsman of the "Elusive Samurai Clan" with sword skills that rival those of adults. Bold and fearless, he observes and analyzes the situation during battles, while also taking care of and motivating his comrades. Although he has a master-servant relationship with Tokiyuki, they interact as good friends. Among the uniquely characterized "Elusive Samurai Clan," he is relatively sensible and often takes on the role of the straight man.

Ayako
Voice Actor：鈴代紗弓 (Sayumi Suzushiro)

A cheerful and strong girl of the "Elusive Samurai Clan." She usually takes care of Tokiyuki and helps him train in martial arts, sometimes spoiling him a bit too much. She aspires to be a strong woman who can protect and support her lord. She trains with Kojiro regularly, and they work well together in battle. She also seems to have learned various arts like music and dance.

Genba Kazama
Voice Actor：悠木碧 (Aoi Yuki)

A ninja of the "Elusive Samurai Clan" skilled in gathering information. He can transform his fox mask and disguise himself as anyone. Before joining the "Elusive Samurai Clan," he was a notorious thief known even in Suwa. From his past experiences, he trusts money above all and often demands exorbitant fees. He doesn't hesitate to exact revenge on those who don’t pay him.

Fubuki
Voice Actor：戸谷菊之介 (Kikunosuke Toya)

A calm and collected strategist of the "Elusive Samurai Clan" versed in various military tactics. He quickly assesses opponents and situations to devise precise strategies. He has high combat abilities, capable of taking on multiple enemies, and excels in teaching others. Although he seems flawless, he has an enormous appetite and tends to eat all the food available by himself.

Yorishige Suwa
Voice Actor：中村悠一 (Yuichi Nakamura)

The head of Suwa Taisha in Shinano Province. Known as a "living god," he commands immense faith from the people. He can manipulate divine power and see the future, albeit vaguely, making him seem somewhat dubious. He rescues Tokiyuki from the doomed Kamakura and shelters him in Suwa. Recognizing Tokiyuki’s talent for evasion, he subjects him to rigorous trials while nervously ensuring nothing disastrous happens.

Takauji Ashikaga
Voice Actor：小西克幸 (Katsuyuki Konishi)

The head of the prestigious Ashikaga clan, a hero with bravery, education, lineage, and charisma. His overwhelming military power and magnetic personality captivate people. He was revered as the guardian deity of the Kamakura shogunate and admired by Tokiyuki, but... His true intentions behind his calm and humble demeanor remain a mystery.

CAST（Character : Voice Actor）

In addition to the English notation, kanji characters and their readings in Japanese are listed.
日本語での表記、読み方、英語表記を記載しています。

北条時行 (Tokiyuki Hojo): 結川あさき (Asaki Yuikawa)
雫 (Shizuku): 矢野妃菜喜 (Hinaki Yano)
弧次郎 (Kojirou): 日野まり (Mari Hino)
亜也子 (Ayako): 鈴代紗弓 (Sayumi Suzushiro)
風間玄蕃 (Gemba Kazama): 悠木碧 (Aoi Yuki)
吹雪 (Fubuki): 戸谷菊之介 (Kikunosuke Toya)
諏訪頼重 (Yorishige Suwa): 中村悠一 (Yuichi Nakamura)
足利高氏 (Takauji Ashikaga): 小西克幸 (Katsuyuki Konishi)

Theme Songs

Opening theme
"Plan A" by DISH

Ending theme
"Kamakura STYLE" by Bocchi Boromaru

STAFF

【Original Work】 松井優征 (Matsui Yūsei, serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump)
【Director】 山崎雄太 (Yūta Yamazaki)
【Series Composition】 冨田頼子 (Yoriko Tomita)
【Character Design】 西谷泰史 (Yasushi Nishiya)
【Assistant Director】 川上雄介 (Yūsuke Kawakami)
【Prop Design】 よごいぬ (Yogoinu)
【Sub Character Design】 高橋沙妃 (Saki Takahashi)
【Color Design】 中島和子 (Kazuko Nakajima)
【Art Director】 小島あゆみ (Ayumi Kojima)
【Art Setting】 taracod・takao
【Architectural Research】 鴎利一 (Riichi Kamome)
【Typography】 濱祐斗 (Yūto Hama)
【Special Effects】 入佐芽詠美 (Chiemi Irisa)
【Director of Photography】 佐久間悠也 (Yūya Sakuma)
【CG Director】 有沢包三、宮地克明 (Hōzō Arisawa, Katsuaki Miyaji)
【Editing】 平木大輔 (Daisuke Hiraki)
【Sound Director】 藤田亜紀子 (Akiko Fujita)
【Music】 GEMBI, 立山秋航 (Akiyuki Tateyama)
【Sound Effects】 三井友和 (Tomokazu Mitsui)
【Production】 CloverWorks
【Theme Songs】
OP Theme: DISH//「プランA」 (DISH// "Plan A")
ED Theme: ぼっちぼろまる「鎌倉STYLE」 (Bocchi Boromaru "Kamakura STYLE")

Related Videos

Scene cuts

Episode 1
Tokiyuki, who was supposed to live as the shogunate's successor, loses everything at the age of eight due to this rebellion. However, Tokiyuki excels in escaping and surviving. Suwa Yorishige, a priest from Shinano Province, sees potential in him, leading Tokiyuki to embark on a path to becoming a hero through escape.

Other scene cuts from Episode 1

Episode 2
Takauji Ashikaga, revered as the guardian deity of the Kamakura shogunate, stages a rebellion that drives the shogunate to a swift collapse. Tokiyuki, seeking refuge in Suwa, Shinano, under the protection of Yorishige, hides in an abandoned house on the outskirts of Kamakura. However, even there, watchful eyes are upon him. Familiar banners flutter in the wind, leaving Tokiyuki uncertain of who is friend and who is foe.

Other scene cuts from Episode 1

Episode 3
After winning a life-and-death game of tag with his uncle, Muneshige, and avenging his brother, Tokiyuki arrives in Suwa. However, there is no time to heal his wounded heart, as Yorishige urges him to begin training to reclaim Kamakura. Tokiyuki, still harboring doubts about Yorishige, cannot find meaning in his learning. Yorishige then shows him something significant and instructs him to form a group of followers to aim for the reclamation of Kamakura together. The boy, who has lost everything, quietly gains strength in Suwa, under the protection of the gods.

Other scene cuts from Episode 3

Episode 4
Tokiyuki diligently practices his swordsmanship daily to reclaim Kamakura. However, his swordsmanship is surprisingly weak, to everyone's astonishment.

The only weapon Tokiyuki excels at is the bow. Yorishige struggles to devise strategies that leverage both Tokiyuki's ability to flee and his skill with the bow. Suddenly, they receive news of a visitor. The new military governor of Shinano, Sadamune Ogasawara, has arrived at Suwa Taisha. Yorishige comes up with a brilliant idea upon witnessing Sadamune's unparalleled archery skills, showcased as a greeting. With the fall of the Kamakura shogunate, various factions begin to move. The fate of Suwa rests in Tokiyuki's hands.

Other scene cuts from Episode 4

Episode 5
The showdown in the inuoumono competition with Sadamune, who excels in martial arts and possesses extraordinary eyesight, continues. Tokiyuki is severely behind in points, injured, and driven into a corner. However, with determination in his eyes, he takes the reins, rides his horse, and faces relentless attacks.

Other scene cuts from Episode 5

Episode 6
The thief Kazama Genba, who can change his appearance at will and confuse enemies with various techniques, infiltrates the Ogasawara mansion with Tokiyuki. They successfully break into the storehouse where the Emperor's imperial edict is kept. However, their actions are detected by the "ears" of Saemon's subordinate, Ichikawa Sukefusa...

Other scene cuts from Episode 6

Episode 7
As Tokiyuki welcomes his first New Year in Suwa, the national turmoil has settled into a temporary lull, but skirmishes continue, and a new threat looms over Suwa. At the northern border of the Suwa territory, Yori-shige and his men detect ominous movements from the Ogasawara clan.

Other scene cuts from Episode 7

Episode 8
The Elusive Samurai party heads to Nakayama-sho in the northern Suwa region. There, Tokiyuki and his companions meet a boy named Fubuki, who, along with the surviving children, has been defending the village from ongoing Ogasawara attacks.

Other scene cuts from Episode 8

Episode 9
The battle between the "Seigitou" led by Shokan and the Tokiwa Party intensifies. In the tight confines of an indoor space, faced with armored warriors, Tokiyuki employs the "escape" technique he learned from Fubuki to confront the leader, Shokan.

Other scene cuts from Episode 9

Episode 9.5
This episode title is "Makuai," meaning intermission. It is a recap episode where Suwa Yorishige (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura) navigates through the previous episodes.

Other scene cuts from Episode 9.5

Episode 10
Tokiyuki is told by Yorishige that there is a period when he cannot foresee the future. Yorishige, unable to reveal this situation to others since some people rely on divine powers, enlists Tokiyuki's help in testing various methods to restore his divine abilities.

Other scene cuts from Episode 10

Episode 11
Kiyohara Shinano no Kami, newly appointed by the Imperial Court as the governor of the Shinano Province, is a corrupt official who wields power and torments the local people. Unable to endure the oppression any longer, one of the Suwa Shinto warriors, Yasaburo Hoshina, raises an army to overthrow the governor. However, to avoid conflict with the Imperial Court, Suwa cannot send reinforcements.

Other scene cuts from Episode 11

Episode 12
After being persuaded by Tokiyuki and Suwa Shinto's Shionomiya Saemon Taro, the Hoshina forces decide to retreat from Kawanakajima. However, the wicked provincial governor will not simply allow them to escape quietly...

The outcome of this strategic retreat, where "Run away but win," is yet to be seen!

Other scene cuts from Episode 12

Source : ORICON NEWS