The Elusive Samurai

Yusei Matsui, the creator of Assassination Classroom, turns to historical drama with The Elusive Samurai. This manga follows Hōjō Tokiyuki, the last surviving member of the Hōjō clan after the betrayal by Ashikaga Takauji, a samurai who destroyed his family. Tokiyuki is not a warrior in the traditional sense, he is a young lord who excels at escaping. Instead of fighting head-on, he uses cunning and flight to survive, gathering allies to reclaim his clan's honor. The series ran in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 2021 to February 2026, with 25 collected volumes as of May 2026. It won the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024, a nod to its sharp storytelling and Matsui's skill at blending history with shonen energy.

An anime adaptation by CloverWorks aired from July to September 2024, bringing Tokiyuki's escapes to life with fluid animation. A second season is set for July 2026. The manga balances historical accuracy with Matsui's signature dark humor and strategic action, making it a fresh entry in the samurai genre. Rather than glorifying brute force, it celebrates survival and wit. Tokiyuki's journey is less about revenge and more about outsmarting a world that wants him dead.[edit]