The Elusive Samurai continues its second season, and Episode 4 is just around the corner. The historical action anime, based on the manga by Yusei Matsui (creator of Assassination Classroom), follows Hojo Tokiyuki, the rightful heir to the Kamakura shogunate, as he fights to reclaim his birthright after his family is overthrown.
Episode 4 will premiere on Friday, August 7, 2026. New episodes air weekly on Fridays, following the pattern established since the season began on July 17, 2026.
Where to Watch Episode 4
The Elusive Samurai Season 2 streams on multiple platforms worldwide. Crunchyroll is the primary international streaming home for the series, carrying the subtitled version as part of its summer 2026 simulcast lineup.
In Japan, the series broadcasts on Fuji TV as part of the Noitamina programming block every Friday at 11:30 PM JST. The anime also airs on AT-X beginning July 24, with repeat broadcasts throughout the week.
Japanese streaming options include:
- Prime Video Japan (streaming from July 17 at 12:00 AM JST)
- d Anime Store, FOD, ABEMA, U-NEXT, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus (available from July 21)
- Niconico Live (free streaming from July 21)
International streaming on Crunchyroll typically becomes available shortly after the Japanese broadcast. French viewers can expect episodes between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM CEST.
What Happened in Episode 3
Episode 3, which aired on July 31, 2026, marked a turning point for the series. The episode focused on preparing Tokiyuki and his Elusive Warriors for the reality of war.
Suwa Yorishige took the first step in mentally preparing the ten-year-old Tokiyuki by showing him soldiers in training. These “soldiers” were actually commoners and refugees from Kamakura who had no idea their young lord was still alive. Suwa planned to reveal Tokiyuki’s identity as motivation when the time came for them to fight.
The episode also introduced Suwa’s three generals: Un’no Yukiyasu (voiced by Kusunoki Taiten), Nezu Yorinao (voiced by Miura Katsuyuki), and Mochizuki Shigenobu (voiced by Miyake Kenta). Each of these men has a role to play in the story to come.
A notable moment came when Un’no asked Tokiyuki if he had ever slept with a woman—a strange question for a ten-year-old. Un’no revealed that he, at thirty, had never done so himself. All his passion, he said, was channeled into loyalty for Suwa.
The first great battle with the Ashikaga forces grew closer as the episode progressed. The imperial envoy of Shinano, Kiyohara Shinano-no-kami, was introduced as a new threat.
The Story So Far
The Elusive Samurai is set in the year 1333, during Japan’s Kenmu Restoration. The Kamakura shogunate has crumbled after Ashikaga Takauji, a trusted vassal, betrays the Hojo clan.
Hojo Tokiyuki, the rightful heir, escapes the massacre with the help of Suwa Yorishige, a Shinto priest who claims to be clairvoyant. Suwa tells Tokiyuki he is destined to rule Japan one day.
Season 2 picks up with Tokiyuki gathering allies like the loyal Kojiro and the clever Shizuku while trying to stay alive. The first episode of Season 2, titled “Longing for sea bream!”, showed the Elusive Warriors trying to get fresh fish for Tokiyuki despite Suwa territory being far from the coast.
Episode 2 continued building the world and characters, while Episode 3 set the stage for the coming conflict.
What to Expect in Episode 4
Episode 4 will continue the buildup toward the first major battle between Suwa’s forces and the Ashikaga army. The episode title has not yet been officially revealed, but the story is moving toward a significant confrontation.
The Elusive Warriors face their first major battle assignment—to act as messengers, keeping all three of Suwa’s generals aware of what is happening on all three battlefields. Communication between the fronts will be critical.
Tokiyuki, still just ten years old, must prove himself worthy of the loyalty his followers show him. The series has been praised for its bold directorial choices and fluid animation, though some episodes have faced criticism for CGI use.
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Why You Should Watch This Series
The Elusive Samurai offers a unique blend of historical drama, action, and comedy. The series stands out for its colorful animation, memorable characters, and a protagonist who uses escape and evasion as his primary weapons.
The show does not follow the typical shonen formula. Tokiyuki is not a powerful fighter—his strength lies in his ability to flee and survive. This makes his journey feel different from other action anime.
The series is directed by Yamazaki Yuta and produced by CloverWorks, the studio behind hits like Bocchi the Rock! The animation quality is generally excellent, with bold colors and fluid movement.
The opening theme for Season 2 is “Onigoto” performed by Kento Nakajima, who shared his thoughts on the song:
“I’ve loved history since I was a child, and I often talked about Japanese history with my grandfather. Through Hojo Tokiyuki, I’m grateful to sing ‘Onigoto’ while experiencing the turbulent transition from the Kamakura period to the Nanboku-cho era.”
The series has received positive reviews from critics. Anime News Network praised its “bold directorial choices” and called it “wonderful to have a mainstream shonen action series that doesn’t treat the manga like a storyboard.”
For viewers who enjoy historical settings, character-driven stories, and animation that takes creative risks, The Elusive Samurai Season 2 is worth watching.
Also Read: Draw This, Then Die! Episode 6 Release Date, Time, Streaming Details and Episode 5 Recap
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