The Elusive Samurai – Season 1 Episode 6 Recap & Review

Steal The Imperial Command After Ogawasara’s Residence at Night

Episode 6 of The Elusive Samurai begins with Genba realizing a few of Sadamune’s men are approaching the warehouse. Genba tells Tokiyuki to stay close by. He also tells Tokiyuki he won’t protect him. Genba and Tokiyuki escape the warehouse. Genba uses a projectile to engulf the area in smoke. Once the area clears, Sadamune’s men traverse the location to look for our heroes.

Meanwhile, Kojiro and Ayano notice Genba’s signal and enact their phase of this plan. Genba and Tokiyuki hide in a nearby forest. One of Sadamune’s men wanders the forest. This man believes the boys are hiding there. Genba abandons Tokiyuki and attempts to flee. However, someone finds Genba and tries to hurt him.

Fortunately, Tokiyuki saves Genba from dying. Genba and Tokiyuki run somewhere. The former asks the latter why he saved his life. Tokiyuki tells Genba he may have doubts about Genba. However, Tokiyuki doesn’t plan to betray him. Moreover, Tokiyuki values Genba for his clever tricks and believes they’ll be useful to him.

The narrator reminds the audience of Tokiyuki’s betrayal experience and stance on it. Then, we see Sadamune wandering the forest with another ally at his side. Sadamune wants to capture and kill every thief in the area. Before Tokiyuki and Genba reach the latter’s horses, Sadamune fires an arrow in the forest. Tokiyuki and Genba dodge the arrow but Tokiyuki gets wounded from it.

The former tells Genba that this arrow belongs to Sadamune. Genba wonders how Sadamune performed this stunt. We learn it’s because of Sukefusa’s special hearing ability. Eventually, Genba reveals himself to Sadamune and Sukefusa. Sukefusa informs Sadamune about Genba’s father. We learn his father got exiled from his clan due to using unfair tactics.

Sadamune says Genba and his father’s clan is a branch of the Suwa clan. He has a hunch Genba wants to steal the Imperial Command for Yorishige’s sake. Genba tells Sadamune and Sukefusa he’s only here to mess with them. He tampers with a nearby tree to mess up Sukefusa’s hearing ability. Then, Genba starts hopping.

Sadamune is aggravated by Genba’s actions. Genba tells Sadamune that he told his allies burning the Imperial Command is better than stealing it. Sadamune looks at the warehouse from afar, realizing it’s been enveloped in flames. Sadamune looks around the area and realizes Genba’s missing. Sukefusa uses his hearing powers to tell Sadamune that Genba’s allies are nearby.

Sadamune realizes he’s been tricked and this angers him. Meanwhile, Genba regroups with Ayano and Kojiro. Tokiyuki’s lying unconsciously on Ayano’s horse. Genba recalls his late father’s advice about earning profits and servitude. Genba tells Tokiyuki that if the latter can give him a province, he won’t let him off the hook if he can’t pay him.

Then, Genba explains what he’ll do to Tokiyuki if he doesn’t properly pay him. Essentially, Genba wants Tokiyuki to take back the country from Emperor Godaigo. Tokiyuki understands. Then, we cut away to the Suwa residents chatting with Sadamune’s men. They don’t believe Sadamune’s allies are telling the truth about the Imperial Command.

Meanwhile, Sadamune walks around the burned-down warehouse, frustrated over Genba’s actions. He argues he can get another Imperial Command within a month. Then, we receive several scenes of people gossiping about Takauji’s rebellion and the Kamakura Shogunate in Kyoto. Then, Sadamune and his allies look at the emperor’s new decree.

They learn the Hojo family’s area will remain the same and that the Suwa’s territory will remain untouched. The Suwa people celebrate this news while Yorishige helps Tokiyuki recover. Yorishige thanks Tokiyuki and the Elusive Warriors for their efforts. Koshiro’s thankful they recruited someone reliable like Genba. He argues he could kill Takauji with his skills.

Yorishige disagrees. He suggests Tokiyuki take the time to study Takauji’s character. Yorishige argues he can’t estimate Takauji’s potential. Meanwhile, Emperor Godaigo’s son, Prince Moriyoshi, and his men travel somewhere to murder people. He tells the opposers that he’s murdering him and the others for Godaigo’s sake.

The two sides clash and Takuji tells his men to calm down. Takauji plans to reason with Moriyoshi. He slays many people instantly, leaving Moriyoshi and others startled. Takauji slays more people and Moriyoshi doesn’t trust Takauji. Moriyoshi attempts to slay Takauji but Takauji bows before him. Takauji promises Moriyoshi that he’s devoted to Godaigo.

Then, many of Moriyoshi’s followers flock toward Takauji. Moriyoshi attempts to flee the area. He argues something evil lurks within Takauji’s body and fears for Godaigo’s safety. We return to following Yorishige and Tokiyuki. Yorishige says Takauji’s influence surpasses that of Moriyoshi. He wonders if Tokiyuki believes he can defeat him. 

Then, Ayano arrives. Ayano tells Tokiyuki and others that Genba’s causing a problem. Before Tokiyuki departs, he thanks Yorishige for everything he’s done. Tokiyuki says he’ll try to find a way to defeat Takauji and leaves with Ayano and Kojiro to stop Genba.

The episode ends with the narrator telling the audience that Tokiyuki may find a way to defeat or instill fear in Takauji. 

The Episode Review

This episode of The Elusive Samurai features Genba and Tokiyuki pulling off their Imperial Command mission. Folks will enjoy seeing Genba and Tokiyuki cooperate on this task. Unfortunately, Tokiyuki doesn’t do much to help Genba physically. However, fans will love seeing Tokiyuki share kind remarks about Genba’s personality. 

Additionally, it was neat seeing Genba utilize his ninja tools and techniques to outwit and defeat Sadamune and Sukefusa. While this slightly undermines Sadamune and Sukefusa as proper threats, many fans love seeing intelligent and talented children outwit adults. It’ll remind folks of Emma, Ray, and Norman’s efforts in The Promised Neverland. 

Moreover, this chapter gave fans an overview of Takauji’s character. It also showcases the power he holds over the nation. From his formidable swordsman skills to his powerful influence over his country’s people, this gentleman is a force to be reckoned with. Nevertheless, it’s great that the narrator reminds folks that Takauji himself shouldn’t let his guard down. 

All in all, this was a great showcase from The Elusive Samurai. It gives audiences a neat demonstration of Genba’s and Takauji’s abilities. It also has better visuals and animation than the previous chapter. Hopefully, Sadamune, Sukefusa, and others can provide our heroes with a better challenge.