The Elusive Samurai – Season 1 Episode 7 Recap & Review

Children in Winter

Episode 7 of The Elusive Samurai begins with Kojiro, Ayako, Shizuku, Genba, and Tokiyuki visiting a frozen lake. While the kids participate in outdoor activities on the frozen lake, we cut away to Yorishige at his home. Yorishige says he can’t see the future during this time of year. Meanwhile, Sadamune and Sukefusa visit Shinano’s Governor’s Residence.

There, the two meet with a man named Shokan. Sadamune hires Shokan. He wants Shokan to steal a specific Suwa territory. Shokan accepts Sadamune’s offer because he knows Sadamune is on the rise. He leaves and Sadamune says he needs folks like Shokan since times are desperate. 

Then, we return to following the Suwa residents, Yorishige, and the Elusive Warriors. The Suwa residents are concerned that their enemies are spying on them. They’d send one of their best scouts but they’re on a mission. Tokiyuki offers to scout the territory the Suwa residents are concerned about. 

The Suwa residents are okay with Tokiyuki and his buddies tackling this duty. Yorishige lists why Tokiyuki and his friends shouldn’t tackle this task. Kojiro asks Moritaka if they can tackle the task and Moritaka allows it. Yorishige attempts to stop the kids but the Suwa residents intervene. Tokiyuki and his friends visit their usual hideout to stock up on supplies. 

While gathering goods, Yorishige stares at the kids cautiously and casually supplies them with goods to prevent them from dying. Tokiyuki and the others aren’t certain why Yorishige is acting this way. They develop theories about Yorishige’s strange behavior. Eventually, our heroes depart from the Suwa Grand Shrine and arrive at the Nakayama Manor. 

Shizuku goes over her plan with Tokiyuki and the others. Then, a swordsman arrives and attacks Kojiro and Ayako. Simultaneously, torches light up around our heroes. Kojiro wonders if their enemies have already taken over this territory. Genba suggests Tokiyuki flee but Tokiyuki believes Kojiro and Ayako can handle this threat. 

We receive several flashbacks of Tokiyuki, Kojiro, and Ayako training together. Tokiyuki realizes Ayako and Kojiro are babying him during their sparring sessions. This embarrasses Tokiyuki. Then, we receive another flashback. In it, Yorishige tells Kojiro and Ayako they must become stronger because Tokiyuki’s elusive capabilities aren’t reliable. 

Then, the swordsman (Fubuki) notices Shizuku. Fubuki tells Shizuku she fed him once at Shinano. Shizuku remembers this incident and Fubuki abandons his fight with Kojiro and Ayako. He apologizes for his rude actions, shares his goals, and explains what happened here. Then, the people who lit up the torches reveal themselves. 

Tokiyuki and the others learn every adult perished here, leaving their offspring to fend for themselves. The kids were the ones who lit up the torches. Fubuki tells Tokiyuki and his friends that these children are strategic and admirable fighters. They helped him defeat many of his enemies here via traps. 

Fubuki tells Tokiyuki he wants to serve a lord who will put these skills to use. Fubuki leads Tokiyuki and his friends to his hideout. There, Fubuki explains the enemy’s attack strategy. Through this discussion, we learn Fubuki loves eating food. While Fubuki’s helping the kids, Tokiyuki tells Shizuku he’s happy Fubuki has a clumsy side. 

Tokiyuki tells Shizuku he wants to recruit Fubuki. He argues Fubuki will train him to the point that Kojiro and Ayako will respect Tokiyuki. Shizuku brings up Yorishige’s concerns about their trip. She argues that Yorishige may not see a future where Tokiyuki is safe. Shizuku suggests they abandon this village and escort the children to a safer Suwa territory. 

Tokiyuki rejects that idea. He wants to protect the village since the children already lost their parents. He offers to assist Fubuki and the kids with their battle. Fubuki accepts Tokiyuki and his friends’ help. Meanwhile, Shokan and his allies torture some people.

Shokan shares his reasons for using cruel tactics to assist him in this Sadamune mission. After Shokan kills a person, the episode ends with Shokan getting his troops excited for a future battle.

The Episode Review

As with most Shonen series, Tokiyuki was bound to recruit another member to the Elusive Warriors sooner or later. This time, Tokiyuki and his friends encounter Fubuki. Fubuki isn’t only an exceptional swordsman. He’s an amazing strategist and teacher too. Many fans would’ve been concerned if he didn’t have the latter traits. 

It would’ve made his inclusion feel pointless and uninspiring, considering Tokiyuki has folks like Ayako and Kojiro on his side. Yet, it is unfortunate that Fubuki is a swordsman as it’d been incredible if he was talented in another area. This would shake things up for the team. 

Nonetheless, Fubuki feels like a neat addition and we’re excited to see what he’ll contribute to this story arc and future ones. That aside, the episode’s earlier segments were okay. From Tokiyuki and his friends’ playful outings to Yorishige’s humorous yet realistic concerns, some will enjoy seeing our heroes in a casual situation. 

In addition to adding another villain for our heroes to combat, this was an enjoyable chapter of The Elusive Samurai. Hopefully, matters turn out well for our heroes.