The Elusive Samurai - Season 1

First aired: 7/6/2024 12 episodes

Season 1 kicks off right after the brutal massacre of the Hojo clan in Kamakura. Young Tokiyuki is rescued by the enigmatic priest Suwa Yorishige and hidden away in the peaceful region of Suwa. Forced to conceal his royal identity under a pseudonym, he begins forming a tight-knit band of young loyal allies known as the "Elusive Warriors." To prepare for his grand revenge against the usurper Ashikaga Takauji, Tokiyuki must learn to weaponize his incredible, natural talent for fleeing and dodging into a survival strategy in this chaotic era.

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Episodes

1. May 22nd

Aired: 7/6/2024

The year is 1333, Kamakura. Tokiyuki Hojo, the rightful heir to the regent who rules the Kamakura shogunate, is a kind boy with a heart of gold who dislikes conflict – even though he’s the son of a warrior.

2. The Gentle Uncle

Aired: 7/13/2024

Takauji Ashikaga, once considered the guardian of the Kamakura shogunate, stages a rebellion that led to its quick destruction. Tokiyuki’s older brother, Kunitoki, successfully evades the eyes of the warriors loyal to Takauji, and he is placed under the care of their uncle, Muneshige Godaiin.

3. A Forest Inhabited by a God

Aired: 7/20/2024

Tokiyuki risks his life and wins a game of tag, defeating the enemy who betrayed his brother. As soon as he arrives in Suwa, Yorishige urges him to begin his lessons and training to take back Kamakura.

4. Sadamune Appears!

Aired: 7/27/2024

Tokiyuki spends his days undergoing strenuous training to perfect his sword techniques – something he’s told to do to take back Kamakura for himself. However, everyone was surprised by how weak his swordsmanship was. It turns out that Tokiyuki was much better with another weapon: the bow.

5. Settling the Score! A Dog-Shooting Competition, and Then…

Aired: 8/3/2024

Tokiyuki faces off against Sadamune in a dog-shooting competition, even though his opponent excels with the bow and possesses an almost prodigy-like eye for detail. With a large lead in points, Tokiyuki faces defeat as he gets hit.

6. Steal the Imperial Command from Ogasawara's Residence at Night

Aired: 8/10/2024

Tokiyuki and Genba sneak into the Ogasawara's residence and successfully infiltrate the warehouse where the Emperor’s Imperial Command is kept. However, Sadamune’s subordinate, Sukefusa Ichikawa, catches on and hears what these two are doing…

7. Children in Winter

Aired: 8/17/2024

Tokiyuki reigns in the new year for the first time in Suwa. As the chaos from the downfall lulls throughout the country, skirmishes still break out here and there, and another crisis knocks on Suwa’s doors.

8. A War of Hide and Seek

Aired: 8/24/2024

The Elusive Warriors make their way to Nakayama Manor in the northern extremities of Suwa. There, Tokiyuki meets a young boy named Fubuki. In a village where Ogasawara and his forces killed all the grown-ups, Fubuki took charge and continually looked after all the children who were left in the aftermath. The warriors join forces with Fubuki, who’s familiar with military strategies, and go on a mission to meet the enemy.

9. My Buddha

Aired: 8/31/2024

The Elusive Warriors engage in a fierce battle with the Seigi Party, a group spearheaded by Shokan himself. Stuck in a small chamber and faced with opponents wearing armor, Tokiyuki uses the “escape” technique he learned from Fubuki to face off against General Shokan.

10. A Perverted Kid and Disturbances of Holy Power

Aired: 9/14/2024

Yorishige tells Tokiyuki there are times when he cannot see the future; as some people have come to rely on Yorishige's reputation and power as a god, he cannot reveal this shortcoming to anyone.

11. Samurais Who Are Eager to Die & An Elusive Samurai

Aired: 9/21/2024

The imperial court assigns a new provincial official for Shinano: Shinanonokami Kiyohara. Kiyohara did not hesitate to wield his power over people. He was considered a corrupt provincial official who made the people living in his territory suffer.

12. Hang in There, Tokiyuki, Until the Day You Retake Kamakura

Aired: 9/28/2024

Hoshina and his army decide to retreat from Kawanakajima after hearing what Tokiyuki and Saemontaro Shinomiya, a Suwa Sect warrior, had to say. But Kiyohara is evil and crafty – he won’t let this slide without a fight.