The Elusive Samurai Episode 9 Review: Episode 9 of The Elusive Samurai is a tense affair with a surprising ending. Let's see how it plays out.
The Elusive Samurai Episode 8 Summary
Here, the enemy is preparing to attack the village, but their plan will not go as smoothly as they thought. Little do they know that Fubuki, an excellent strategist, is a member of the hero's team. He comes up with important strategies for the upcoming battle, creating plans that can turn the tide despite his team being outnumbered.
Recognizing Fubuki's expertise, the hero Tokiyuki asks him for guidance. Tokiyuki, known for his defensive fighting style, has difficulty with traditional fighting techniques. Understanding this, Fubuki teaches him a special move called the Demon Heart Buddha Sword, which is well suited to Tokiyuki but can only be used in one-on-one battles.
Meanwhile, Shokan and his followers finally begin to advance towards the village, clearing away traps and obstacles placed in their path. But just as Fubuki had planned, Tokiyuki is ready to face Shokan. During this encounter, we get a glimpse of Shokan's disturbing nature. It seems he enjoys making others suffer, especially those who are vulnerable.
The Elusive Samurai Episode 9 Review and Recap
The episode begins with a much-needed explanation of the sword technique our hero plans to use against the Shokan. Fubuki expertly demonstrates how the blade cuts best when it is drawn out. So someone like Tokiyuki, who lacks the strength or expertise to master such a complex move, can take advantage of this to demonstrate his elusive nature and execute an effective slash.
So our hero did as instructed and, in one swift motion, severed Shokan's right wrist. This was nothing to a seasoned warrior like him, for whom even a large wound was nothing. He would have to finish Tokiyuki off before the blood from his wrist started to flow, which would take a long time. So this shouldn't be a problem, right? Well, before that, he had to catch Tokiyuki, who was also the best at running away.
Elsewhere, the atmosphere is tense as both Ayako and Kojiro try to fight against Shokan's subordinates, who skillfully handle Naginata. They are overwhelmed at first, while Fubuki, on the other hand, confronts the strongest of the group. His reason for hiding his skills is interesting, as he thinks it's best to act like a fool until the battle occurs, catching the enemy completely off guard.
But this episode wasn't all about the battle, as we also learned a lot about Shokan. He was the second son of a lord who only had a small territory to give to his eldest son. So Shokan was asked to serve his older brother instead, which was unacceptable to him, who had trained all his life to be a lord. So he did what he thought was the next best thing. He started looting, pillaging the land, and torturing the people there.
So this time, can he dig for gold and finally impress his master enough to win big? Or will his brutality finally come to an end?
Verdict
Today's episode is again a mix of drama, action, and plenty of fight sequences. The Elusive warriors do their best to fight off adult enemies, but sometimes, they are still inexperienced. The anime, as usual, uses a vibrant color palette to set the mood of the setting, giving the series an artistic touch.
The visuals, coupled with unexpected humor, keep you entertained and invested until the end, providing a surprising sense of conclusion.
Also read: Elusive Samurai Episode 8 Review: A Master Strategist
