The Elusive Samurai, Vol. 12

逃げ上手の若君 [Nige Jōzu no Wakagimi] #12

by Yusei Matsui

In medieval Japan, eight-year-old Hojo Tokiyuki is the heir to the Kamakura shogunate. But the Hojo clan is in decline, and Tokiyuki’s peaceful days of playing hide-and-seek with his teachers come to an abrupt end when his clan is betrayed from within. The lone survivor of his family, Tokiyuki is the rightful heir to the throne, but to take it back, he’ll have to do what he does best—run away!

After years of training and deadly battles, the combined Hojo and Suwa army, with Tokiyuki at its head, has defeated Ashikaga Takauji’s forces and retaken the city of Kamakura! Tokiyuki and his retainers celebrate their return, then they seek the services of the legendary swordsmith Masamune, asking him to forge personalized weapons. Meanwhile, Emperor Go-Daigo, shocked and confused by the defeat, orders Takauji himself to ride forth at the head of his army to attack and destroy Tokiyuki once and for all!

Genres: Manga, Historical

200 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2023

About the author

Yūsei Matsui (松井優征 Matsui Yūsei?, born January 31, 1981 in Saitama, Japan) is a manga artist known for manga Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro. He was an assistant of Yoshio Sawai, the manga artist of Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo (Shirota Masakage made a cameo appearance in Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo).

Reviews

[Blake the Book Eater · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s funny how a series I was so meh on at first has really grown on me to the point that the last chapter made me emotional. I’ve read ahead and caught up weekly, but UGH knowing what is coming makes me hurt.

[Isel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting that 🙊

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. The beginning is filled with such joy from a reader's perspective as Tokiyuki I finally back in Kamakura and gets to enjoy it with his band. The Masamune chapters are fun with new weapons that really let some characters shine and become more wacky and zany just like EluSam is with Ayako's monstrous cleaver and the super cool sword lady. Then it takes a quick turn into warfare again. While Matsui has improved making fights more readable it is still difficult. I also feel like it was paced awkwardly. I get it is trying to show a quick downfall and loss after reclaiming Kamakura but it is a blitz for characters showing up and then disappearing or dying. The coverage of the Miura brothers and their bloodline was a nice touch. But I also know what's coming up soon and I know it's gonna be so great!
The art seems super high quality in this volume. There are a lot of scenes that are just dazzling with their mix of grays to create an array of tones. At times it almost feels like they were in color and then grayscaled because the range of grays is just amazing.

[ReadingFrog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story shifts, as Kamakura is liberated then falls again. Exceptional writing.
I really enjoyed this volume.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5