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Summary
Tokiyuki’s quest to avenge his family inThe Elusive Samuraibrings him to a new challenge as he defends the Suwa shrine against an eclectic visitor in time for the release of episode #5 onCrunchyroll. Despite previous episodes giving Tokiyuki the advantages he needs through his talents for evasion and dedicated allies, Tokiyuki is sent to fly solo against Sadamune Ogasawara, an elite archer deployed by Takauji. Out of all the challenges faced so far by Tokiyuki, this is one which, while not innately lethal, could lead to disastrous consequences should he fail inThe Elusive Samurai.
Much of Tokiyuki’s trials inThe Elusive Samurairevolve around developing his talents for running and hiding and incorporating them into real historical battle strategies as he tries to take back his home,often with breathtaking visuals. However, this quest also brings him across many innocents who trust him and whose lives could be extinguished if he doesn’t rise to the occasion.
In the upcoming release ofThe Elusive Samuraiepisode #5, Sadamune has secured his advantage, andit’s up to Tokiyuki to seize it right back to save himself and the people of Suwa Grand Shrine.
The Elusive Samurai: Assassination Classroom Creator’s New Hero is So Much Worse
The Elusive Samurai’s protagonist, Tokiyuki Hojo, finds himself on a heroic quest that ultimately boils down to a deadly game of hide and seek.
When Does Episode #5 of The Elusive Samurai Release?
Produced by CloverWorks Studio, Based on the Manga by Yusei Matsui
The Elusive Samuraireleases new English-subbed episodes weekly, every Saturday on Crunchyroll for international viewers outside Japan.Episode #5 will be released on Saturday, August 03, 2025, at 9:00 AM PDT (12:00 PM EDT).There’s yet to be a confirmation of a planned English dub, according toCrunchyroll’s Summer 2024 anime lineup, but fans ofThe Elusive Samuraishould check every week for any updates.
WithThe Elusive Samuraiimpressing viewers with shocking momentsin the first episode, it’s quickly amassed a growing cult following for Yusei Matsui’s hit manga.The series has impressive animation courtesy of CloverWorks,rendering a gorgeous Kamakura backdrop during the Kenmu Restoration before chaos erupts when Takauji Ashikaga plunges the region into chaos. The animeThe Elusive Samuraigets its name from the last Hojo prince to survive his family’s massacre in this coup, as Tokiyuki dodges certain death and assembles his forces to fight back.
What Happened in The Elusive Samurai Episode #4?
A Thrilling Archery Challenge Commences
As briefly teased inThe Elusive Samuraiepisode #3, Sadamune Ogasara surfaces as the peculiar, bug-eyed lieutenant to Takauji who seeks out the Hojo refugees. This brings him to the Suwa Grand Shrine, where, among other things, he suspects refugees of hiding out there, proposing to Yorishige a wager that would prey on the priest’s ego. However,given that it would be an archery challenge, Sadamune would knowingly be at an unfair advantage,yet Yorishige sees this as no issue, pledging Tokiyuki, under the pseudonym Chojumaru, as his champion.
Yorishige’s confidence in Tokiyuki is already demonstrably justified, but Sadamune is by far the most skilled opponent he’s had yet.
The challenge is peculiar by today’s standards,even noted by Yorishige as likely being seen as animal cruelty in the future, as it entails horse-mounted archery, where participants score points by hitting dogs or each other with nonlethal arrows. Yorishige’s confidence in Tokiyuki is already demonstrably justified, but Sadamune is by far the most skilled opponent he’s had yet. In this challenge, Sadamune can’t help but shoot at his opponent instead of the dogs, even scoring a hit while spending his remaining arrows.
Tokiyuki, meanwhile, hits a dog successfully, yet he recognizes that even he can’t fully coast on avoiding harm, having to score fair hits on his own. With Tokiyuki’s opponent securing a nasty lead, and pursuing the young contestant from behind, the young prince must hatch a plan to score enough points back to win the challenge.Tokiyuki only has two shots left, but Sadamune has none, thus making this a battle for Tokiyuki to shake an elite sniper off his tail with the release ofThe Elusive Samuraiepisode #5.
The Elusive Samurai Episode #5 Shows Tokiyuki’s New Technique
An Attack That Once Stopped the Roman Empire
AsThe Elusive Samuraiis set to adapt the events of chapter #10-onward in its upcoming episode #5, it’s clear that Tokiyuki must debut an archery attack focused on attacking while retreating.His attack is based on one developed by the Parthian Empire, used while they retreated from the Romans, allowing them to strategically withdraw while staying on the offensive. Given Sadamune’s constant pursuit of Tokiyuki in his blind spot, this is a perfect opportunity, with Tokiyuki growing as a fighter, even if the challenge is not lethal like his most recent other fights.
Beyond this, however, the Elusive Warriors will soon grow their numbers by introducing Kazama Genba, challenging Tokiyuki’s ethical expectations as an insurgent
Beyond this, however, the Elusive Warriors will soon grow their numbers by introducing Kazama Genba, challenging Tokiyuki’s ethical expectations as an insurgent. This is part of Yorishige’s call for Tokiyuki to have fewer scruples in who he chooses for his retainers, and withGenba being a thief only motivated by money and not beholden to any state, he’ll soon prove a valuable asset. Soon enough, with the release ofThe Elusive Samuraiepisode #5, Tokiyuki will grow his Elusive Warriors into a flexible force worthy of its name.
The Elusive Samuraiepisode #5will air on Crunchyroll on Saturday, August 3.
