The Elusive Samurai Season 2 is moving into one of its most important chapters yet. Episode 9, titled “That Man, Kusunoki Masashige,” is set to arrive on September 11, 2026, and it will introduce a figure who is central to Japanese history and to Tokiyuki’s fight against the Ashikaga. The episode follows a memorable detour in Kyoto that ended with Tokiyuki’s crew gaining a new ally and a new headache. Here is everything about the release schedule, the story so far, and how to watch the new episode from anywhere in the world.
The Exact Release Time for Every Major Region
The Elusive Samurai Season 2 airs in Japan on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block on Fridays at 23:30 JST. The episode becomes available for streaming on Crunchyroll at the same time, which translates to different hours depending on where you live.
- Japan: September 11 at 23:30 JST
- USA (Pacific Time): September 11 at 7:30 AM PT
- USA (Eastern Time): September 11 at 10:30 AM ET
- UK: September 11 at 3:30 PM BST
- Canada (Eastern Time): September 11 at 10:30 AM ET
- Australia (Sydney): September 12 at 12:30 AM AEST
- Germany: September 11 at 4:30 PM CEST
- France: September 11 at 4:30 PM CEST
- UAE: September 11 at 6:30 PM GST
- India: September 11 at 8:00 PM IST
- Brazil: September 11 at 11:30 AM BRT
Crunchyroll updates the episode for premium subscribers at the same moment it airs in Japan. Free users typically get access one week later. Prime Video in Japan also carries the series, but Crunchyroll remains the primary option for viewers outside Japan.
Where to Watch The Elusive Samurai Season 2
Crunchyroll holds the streaming rights for The Elusive Samurai Season 2 in most countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, and India and other parts of Europe. The platform offers the episode in Japanese audio with subtitles in multiple languages. An English dub is also in production, though the dubbed version typically trails the subtitled release by a few weeks.
Netflix does not carry the series in most regions. Hulu and Disney+ are not streaming options for this title either. For viewers in India, Crunchyroll is the only legal streaming platform for the simulcast. Prime Video in Japan offers the series as part of its catalog, but that version is geo-locked to Japan.
What Happened in Episode 8
Episode 8, titled “Irreplaceable,” took the story to Kyoto for the first time in the season. Uncle Yasuie met with Saionji Kinmune, a court noble who supported the Hojo cause, while Tokiyuki and his friends were sent to explore the city with a warning not to draw attention.
Genba, as expected, was the first to run into trouble. He sat down for a dice game with Mima Sasaki, the daughter of Sasaki Douyo, a former Hojo loyalist who now served the Ashikaga. Mima was not just any opponent. She had magic powers, a sharp tongue, and a love for high-stakes gambling. Genba lost everything, including his clothes, in a matter of minutes.
Chojumaru offered the entire Elusive Warriors bankroll to buy Genba back. Mima refused. She wanted entertainment, not money. Tokiyuki stepped in and offered himself for a match to win Genba’s freedom. Shizuku took the lead in the gambling contest, and what followed was one of the season’s most talked-about sequences. Shizuku’s strategy involved a prolonged kiss with Tokiyuki to distract the room, a move that shocked everyone present and helped her cheat her way to victory.
The episode ended with the Elusive Warriors gaining a new, unpredictable ally in Mima. The Anime News Network review called Mima “an excellent new frenemy” and praised the episode as “easily one of the best episodes of the whole season”.
Kusunoki Masashige Enters the Story
Episode 9 is titled “That Man, Kusunoki Masashige,” which tells viewers exactly who the episode focuses on. Kusunoki Masashige is one of the most famous figures in Japanese history, a military commander who fought for the Emperor Go-Daigo during the Kenmu Restoration. In the context of the anime, he is described as a war god and a close associate of the emperor.
The character is voiced by Kenichi Suzumura, a well-known voice actor in the industry. In the manga, Kusunoki is portrayed as a peculiar person who hides his true intentions, often compared to a raccoon because of his evasive manner. He is also considered a master swordsman and one of the strongest warriors in the series.
Tokiyuki’s path crosses with Kusunoki as he continues his journey. The meeting is significant because Kusunoki represents a different kind of resistance against the Ashikaga, one rooted in loyalty to the imperial court rather than the Hojo clan. For Tokiyuki, who is trying to build a coalition to reclaim Kamakura, an alliance or even a conversation with Kusunoki could change the course of his campaign.
The Larger Story of Season 2
Season 2 of The Elusive Samurai covers the Kyoto arc and the events leading up to the Battle of Kawanakajima. The season has shown Tokiyuki transitioning from a fugitive child to a leader with a growing group of loyal retainers. The Elusive Warriors now include Kojiro, Ayako, Genba, Fubuki, and Shizuku, each with their own skills and roles.
The main antagonist, Ashikaga Takauji, has been making moves to strengthen his hold on Kamakura. In Episode 10 of Season 1, Takauji sent his younger brother Tadayoshi to reinforce the city’s defenses, worried that Tokiyuki intended to reconquer it. Takauji’s behavior has grown increasingly strange, which has concerned Tadayoshi.
The season has balanced its serious political and military storylines with lighter episodes, including the Kyoto gambling adventure in Episode 8. The mix has kept the show engaging for viewers who enjoy both the historical drama and the character-driven humor.
What to Expect from Episode 9
Episode 9 picks up after the Kyoto trip. The Elusive Warriors have a new ally in Mima Sasaki, though her loyalty is far from guaranteed. The episode’s title points directly to Kusunoki Masashige, suggesting that the meeting between Tokiyuki and the legendary commander will be the main event.
The episode is produced by CloverWorks, the studio behind the entire series. The animation quality has been a standout point for Season 2, particularly in action sequences and the expressive character designs. Episode 8 received praise for its “excellent animation and razor-sharp direction,” and Episode 9 is expected to maintain that standard.
Fans who follow the manga know that the Kyoto arc leads to important developments for Tokiyuki’s campaign. The introduction of Kusunoki Masashige is one of the most significant moments of the season, as he is a historical figure whose actions shaped the era in which the story takes place.
Episode Count and Season Schedule
Season 2 of The Elusive Samurai consists of 12 episodes in total. The season premiered on July 17, 2026, and will conclude on October 2, 2026. Episode 9 is the ninth installment, meaning three episodes remain after it airs.
The remaining schedule is:
- Episode 9: September 11, 2026
- Episode 10: September 18, 2026
- Episode 11: September 25, 2026
- Episode 12: October 2, 2026
Each episode runs for approximately 24 minutes.
The Voice Cast Behind the Characters
The Japanese voice cast for The Elusive Samurai Season 2 includes:
- Asaki Yuikawa as Tokiyuki Hojo
- Yuichi Nakamura as Yorishige Suwa
- Hinaki Yano as Shizuku
- Mari Hino as Kojiro
- Sayumi Suzushiro as Ayako
- Aoi Yuuki as Kazama Genba
- Kikunosuke Toya as Fubuki
- Kenichi Suzumura as Kusunoki Masashige
The series is based on the manga by Yusei Matsui, the creator of Assassination Classroom. The anime is directed by Yuta Yamazaki and produced by CloverWorks.
A Quick Recap for New Viewers
For anyone who is new to the series, The Elusive Samurai is set in 1333 during the fall of the Kamakura shogunate. Hojo Tokiyuki is the rightful heir to the shogunate, but his family is overthrown by Ashikaga Takauji. Tokiyuki escapes with the help of a Shinto priest named Suwa Yorishige and begins a long campaign to reclaim his birthright.
Tokiyuki’s only real weapon is his ability to run away. He is not a strong fighter in the traditional sense, but his evasion skills are unmatched. Over the course of the series, he gathers a group of loyal retainers who believe in his cause. Season 2 follows their efforts to build alliances and fight back against the Ashikaga forces.
The show blends historical events with fictionalized characters and supernatural elements, including Yorishige’s clairvoyance and the spiritual creatures that appear in Suwa’s territory. The result is a series that feels both grounded in history and wildly entertaining.
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Streaming Tips for International Viewers
Crunchyroll’s simulcast schedule can be confusing because of time zone differences. The safest approach is to check the Crunchyroll app or website for the exact local time in your region. The platform usually displays a countdown to the next episode for premium users.
For viewers in Europe and the UK, the episode arrives in the afternoon. For viewers in Australia, it lands after midnight on Saturday. For viewers in India, the episode drops in the evening, making it convenient for prime-time viewing.
Crunchyroll offers a free trial for new users, which gives access to the simulcast episodes. After the trial, a premium subscription is required to watch new episodes as they air. The free tier allows access to episodes one week after their initial release.
Also Read: The Elusive Samurai Season 2 Episode 8 Release Date, Time, Streaming Guide and Episode 7 Recap
For more anime release schedules, streaming guides, and episode breakdowns, keep checking VvipTimes for the latest updates on the shows you follow.
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