The Elusive Samurai – Season 1 Episode 12 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Hang in there, Tokiyuki, Until the Day You Retake Kamakura

Episode 12 of The Elusive Samurai begins with Yorishige praying for Tokiyuki’s safe return to Suwa. 

What is Fubuki’s plan? How does Genba trick Yonemaru’s forces?

Meanwhile, some of Kiyohara’s men are chasing Tokiyuki and Kojiro. Yonemaru is currently leading Kiyohara’s private force. He tells his army that Kiyohara ordered them to kill every man. Also, Yonemaru says they must divide the women and children equally amongst their group.

Then, we enter a flashback. It’s set hours before Tokiyuki and Hoshina’s groups battle with Kiyohara’s forces. Kojiro tells Tokiyuki they should defeat Yonemaru and his squad. Fubuki suggests they should manipulate Yonemaru to weaken Kiyohara’s forces. He argues their flatland battlefield will put Hoshina’s troops at a disadvantage. 

Fubuki suggests dividing their enemies’ troops. Then, we see Yonemaru and his forces arriving at a nearby mountaintop. His forces wonder why he led them to a trap. Then, we learn that Yonemaru was Genba in disguise. Genba used his morph abilities to transform into Yonemaru and trick Yonemaru’s subordinates. 

What does Kojiro plan to do? What advice does Fubuki share with Kojiro?

Then, we cut away to Tokiyuki chatting with Hoshina and others on the battlefield. Although Hoshina argues they have this battle in the bag, another ally argues it’ll be challenging for them to escape. Tokiyuki understands and updates the man on Kojiro’s activities. 

We cut away to Kojiro. Kojiro wants to perform a hit-and-run scheme. He plans to use his small stature to retreat to high ground and assist his allies. First, Kojiro wants to gather four to five allies. Kojiro wants to prevent Hoshina’s troops’ women and children from being abducted by Kiyohara’s forces. 

Kojiro notices Fubuki acting strange nearby. Fubuki falls off his horse and Kojiro checks on Fubuki. Fubuki tells Kojiro he’s hungry so Kojiro stuffs food inside Fubuki’s mouth. After that, Kojiro tells Fubuki to return to his post since everyone is counting on his strategies. Fubuki argues anyone can develop exceptional strategies like himself. 

He argues why it’d be useful for folks to do so, especially army generals like Kojiro. Fubuki departs.

How do Hoshina’s men motivate Kojiro during his battle with Yonemaru? Does Kojiro win?

Yonemaru confronts Kojiro seconds later and the two engage in a horseback duel. He overwhelms Kojiro and the remaining members of Hoshina’s party suggest Kojiro retreat. Kojiro refuses. Hoshina’s men tell Kojiro that Tokiyuki spoke fondly of Kojiro. This motivates Kojiro to put in more effort. Kojiro and Yonemaru charge at each other.

He slightly damages Yonemaru. Yonemaru and Kojiro confront each other. Kojiro argues he’s out of energy. Yonemaru taunts Kojiro, allowing Hoshina’s men to grab Yonemaru while his guard is down. Kojiro seizes the opportunity and murders Yonemaru.

What does Kiyohara order Sukefusa to do? Why didn’t Fubuki kill Kiyohara?

Meanwhile, Kiyohara wonders what’s going on. He and his army are in the middle of a foggy location. Sukefusa updates Kiyohara on the situation. He orders Sukefusa to lead his main army to the area where the women and children are stationed. Sukefusa argues that’s a terrible idea since it’d leave Kiyohara with minor protection.

Kiyohara argues their enemy’s forces won’t attack him since they’re focused on retreating. At the same time, someone tells Hoshina that the women and children retreated to the safe zone. Hoshina tells his comrade to ring a bell to signal their army’s retreat. He wants the rear guard to remain so they can distract their enemy.

Tokiyuki tells Hoshina he’ll be staying to fulfill a duty. While Tokiyuki handles his part of the plan, Sukefusa spots Fubuki in the distance. Sukefusa argues Fubuki plans to murder Kiyohara. Fubuki strikes at Kiyohara and Kiyohara can’t believe that Fubuki tried to kill him. We cut away to Fubuki.

Fubuki says he doesn’t plan to kill Kiyohara. He argues it’d be more valuable to keep him alive. 

Do our heroes defeat Kiyohara and his forces? 

Kiyohara learns another army is in the distance. Sukefusa tells him everything will be okay. Kiyohara tells Sukefusa to sound the drums to signal a withdrawal. Someone tells Hoshina, Tokiyuki, and the others that Kiyohara’s forces are withdrawing. Tokiyuki suggests everyone run past the barrier. 

Tokiyuki, Fubuki, Hoshina, and Kojiro ride their horses alongside each other. Kojiro confirms he didn’t behead Yonemaru. He argues that Yonemaru taught him a lot during their fight so he left him dead with his head out of respect. Hoshina and the others arrive at their destination. 

Although Hoshina lost his territory, he argues seeing the women and children’s smiling faces was a win in his eyes.

How does The Elusive Samurai Season 1 end?

The narrator chimes in. She says Hoshina will rule a small Shinano area. The narrator says Hoshina’s people will live for a long time and assist Tokiyuki in his future uprising. Later, before Tokiyuki and his friends head to the Suwa Grand Shrine, Hoshina and his men confront them.

Hoshina wants Tokiyuki to tell Yorishige that he and his men will dedicate their lives to Myojin, the spirit that Yorishige houses within himself. Tokiyuki and his friends chat about the previous fight. Meanwhile, Yorishige tells Ayako and Shizuku that Tokiyuki and his allies won the war against Kiyohara’s forces.

The Elusive Samurai Season 1 ends with Tokiyuki and his friends riding into the sunset. 

The Episode Review

This goofy and thrilling samurai Shonen has ended. Tokiyuki and Hoshina’s forces certainly gave Kiyohara and Sukefusa a decent challenge. From exceptional advice to wonderful teamwork, seeing our main and supporting heroes fight this incompetent evil official and his allies was exciting. 

Unfortunately, Kiyohara felt like a downgrade compared to past antagonists. While Shokan and Sadamune had their faults, Kiyohara never evoked the aura of someone that viewers or characters should fear. While his status sets him apart, some won’t find his personality and actions captivating. 

Additionally, this chapter’s visuals weren’t solid from beginning to end. The horrid CGI occasionally ruined the momentum of certain scenes. Kojiro and Yonemaru’s duel looked great though. We’re optimistic that Kojiro will develop into an exceptional general.

But all in all, fans will find this season finale appealing. Hopefully, they won’t have to wait too long for the next season.