Welcome to This Week in Shonen Jump, our weekly check in on Viz’s various Shonen Jump series. Viz has recently changed their release format, but our format will mostly remain the same. We will still review the newest chapters of one title a week, now with even more options at our disposal. The big change for our readers is that, even without a Shonen Jump subscription, you can read these most recent chapters for free at Viz.com or using their app.
This week, Ken checks in with “The Elusive Samurai.” If you have thoughts on this or any other current Shonen Jump titles, please let us know in the comments!
The Elusive Samurai Ch. 11
Written & Illustrated by Yusei Matsui
Reviewed by Ken Godberson III
Yusei Matsui’s new series, “The Elusive Samurai,” continues to open up just a bit more in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump with a very basic chapter. The series is still building it’s cast and this chapter is a continuation of that as Tokiyuki is going out to recruit a new member to help him in his mission. Does it stand up on its own and how will this new member impact the dynamics of the group?
As I said previously, the plot of this chapter is very basic, while also bringing some events up to speed happening away from the central story. The Suwa Clan siding with Hojo has come back to bite them resulting in a loss of nearly half their territory. By possession of a rinji (an imperial decree), Ogasawara looks poised to become even more wealthy. This leads Tokiyuki to begin preparations to recruit someone new as a retainer: the master thief Kazama Genba.
We get a very brief look into Genba’s past, being raised by a thief that was betrayed by his own Lord, instilling the ideal that only money matters to Genba. So it does come as a shock to Genba when his demands for money are met with relief from Tokiyuki, who thought he’d want a whole province. It provides a funny moment that ends the chapter and just teases the dynamic that he’ll bring.
If I am being perfectly honest, while the plot is basic, the art is what carries the chapter. To put it simply, Matsui’s art in this chapter is gorgeous. It’s very bold and expressive. Character reactions (from both human faces and Genba’s mask) are so wonderfully portrayed to sell the idea of this being a bombastic drama without it ever going overboard. On top of that, none of the art feels like corners were cute. The ink lines are rich and detailed but never look garish. To put it simply: Even if you aren’t too hot on the plot, it’s worth just looking at the art.
“The Elusive Samurai” has all the potential in the world right now. As discussed, Yusei Matsui’s artwork is some of the best out there and it’s doing a bit of the heavy lifting right now. I am hoping that the story and character work can eventually meet up with the visuals because if it can, this book is going to flourish magnificently.
Final Verdict: 7.5- Fantastic artwork is doing a lot for the, so far, very basic story.
