Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi

Eight-year-old Tokiyuki Houjou, the next successor of the Kamakura shogunate, is a young boy lacking talent in everything besides hide-and-seek. One day, his carefree life is abruptly turned upside down when Takauji Ashikaga brutally seizes power from the Kamakuras, ending their reign. Rescued by a self-proclaimed prophetic priest, Tokiyuki manages to escape with his life. Now he must evade those trying to kill him while recruiting comrades who can help him restore the Kamakura Shogunate to its former glory.

Set during the Nanboku-chou period of Japanese history, Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi is a tale of redemption, documenting the life of the forgotten hero that altered Japan's destiny by running away.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Houjou, Tokiyuki Main

Yuikawa, Asaki Japanese

Suwa, Yorishige Main

Nakamura, Yuuichi Japanese

Shizuku Supporting

Yano, Hinaki Japanese

Nezu, Kojirou Supporting

Hino, Mari Japanese

Mochizuki, Ayako Supporting

Suzushiro, Sayumi Japanese

Fubuki Supporting

Toya, Kikunosuke Japanese

Kazama, Genba Supporting

Yuuki, Aoi Japanese

Ashikaga, Takauji Supporting

Konishi, Katsuyuki Japanese

Ogasawara, Sadamune Supporting

Aoyama, Yutaka Japanese

Kou no, Moronao Supporting

Miyauchi, Atsushi Japanese

Umehara, Shouta Producer

Oowada, Tomoyuki Producer

Fukushima, Yuuichi Producer

Matsumoto, Miho Producer

Reviews

Aug 14, 2024

TakoTaco1

Recommended

Preliminary (6/12 eps)

There are three aspects of this show that I want highlight as what I feel makes it somewhat special-

1.) The visual presentation. The animation looks pretty good, and while not entirely consistent across the board, there are some breathtaking sequences with some excellent key frame work. What's more, the visual style of this show is gorgeous, with bold line work, and a vibrant, unique color palette, employing bright greens, yellows, reds and blues, mixed with more muted tones you might see in a 90s anime. This is particularly noticeable in the intro, which I love. The cinematography and scene framing ... also have standout moments. The show has both a great sense of style as well as a great sense of humor, and this comes across in its visuals. Speaking of-

2.) the sense of humor is pretty decent. It does take some getting used to at first, particularly from the fourth wall breaking priest who can see into the future. There is a freneticism to it that harkens back to shonen anime from the 80s and 90s, but the visual gags are often elevated just enough to put a smile on your face, even if you're not outright belly laughing. This also achieves an interesting effect when sharply contrasted against a more tragic or violent moment, which brings me to final and probably most controversial point

3.) the tone. The tone is a dual one, on one hand you have a typical shonen adventure with a wacky cast of youngster, the capricious yet sincere prince, the serene shrine maidens daughter, the mischevious ninja, the quirky mentor, the silly villains etc. Typical themes of togetherness, finding oneself, they're all here. Yet the show also can be brutal in a very matter of fact way, which is apt for the setting of a historical drama, with its more fanciful and playful aspects lending itself well to the clearly embelished and magical elements of the story. If the show was edgy or exploitative about it, I would not be praising this qualtiy. In execution the contrast feels very appropriate, and it is in this contrast that some of the shows themes diverge from the typcial shonen trappings. The prince embracing the natural perversions which allows him to thrive in his plight, the use of asymetrical stratagems and the honor of subterfuge, and how to reconcile the natural shame of suvivors guilt using the virtue of surviving for the sake of those around you. It creates a unique viewing experience where you feel extremely invested in what's happening. It is somewhat evocative of Demon Slayer, but as it sometimes vaciliates rapidly between playful and cruel, I'd say the watching experiences differ quite a bit. I would almost describe watching this as what I imagine children's stories were like generations ago, with the parents regailing children with semi-historical tales full of geunine tragedgy but also mirth and fantasy.

I could see some people being put off by this show's somewhat jarring tone, and also have some questioning who this show is even for. I think I respect it for that, and appreciate and enjoy what feels like a director's vision.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Aug 11, 2024

nirererin

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (5/12 eps)

“The Elusive Samurai," an adaptation where the animation is more than normal for a historical anime, if I say more specifically, “the animation is overwhelming for this show!” Now the question is if the story or character is also in the same footing with animation? Here is the opinion on this topic:

Story (7.6/10)
Let’s come to the story first. A Kamakura shogunate was supposed to be the next successor, but things didn’t go according to plan, which is convenient. And at the end of the first episode, we got a revenge troupe, and the journey of Takiyuki to becoming a hero from ... zero begins. The story sounds really interesting (as a revenge genre), which got me hooked at first, but the sad part of this is that in just 5 or 6 episodes I lost interest... things don’t make sense, to some degree repetitive.

Character (8/10)
Character or character design is something I like to talk about or like to praise. Unique character design, perspective, characteristics. Like if I say antagonists, they are different from each other, and comparison is also great, like in episode 5, Ogasawara.

To be honest, if I write this review after watching the first 3 episodes, I will definitely recommend it. But while watching the halfway point, a hint of mixed feeling keeps growing, and I came to realize that the animation is too damn good compared to the other things in the show. It’s like if the story, character can barely pull 8/10, where animation can easily pull 9/10.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jul 31, 2024

yummycat49

Not Recommended

Preliminary (4/12 eps)

It really isnt my type of anime and didnt really liked it for a few reasons.
Protagonist: Protagonist is young and is still a child, which doesnt make any sense because he has to save an entire county. A teen would have been alright, but having a kid just isnt serious enough in my opinion.
Animation: Clover works did a good job animating this one and I think they are the reason this anime got so much hype around it. I guess it just shows how good animation doesnt always mean anime is good.
Characters: Tokiyukis gang is full of kids with only one adult who is ... weird and annoying. Much like the protagonist I just cant take them seriously.
Elusive samurai had such a great potential with its setting, it could have been a solid seinen manga/anime if it didnt take itself so childish.
In the end Elusive samurai had a misfortune of being a stereotypical shounen anime with nothing new to offer. Its clear its just a seasonal hype and nothing else.

Now this review isnt really detailed and I have a reason for that. Im too lazy to write a longer review

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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	Poll: Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi Episode 6 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Aug 10	66 replies	by tonymilk »» 10 hours ago
	none of the characters look their respected ages in any way Rukasumi - Aug 11	34 replies	by Apollo_lo »» Yesterday, 7:56 AM
	Who is this for? BiobulletM - Aug 9	30 replies	by AakBan_Pochi29 »» Yesterday, 4:18 AM
	Poll: Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi Episode 5 Discussion Stark700 - Aug 3	37 replies	by Seven »» Aug 11, 7:18 PM
	Opinions on Yorishige? VanVeleca - Jul 21	11 replies	by WaterMage »» Aug 11, 9:46 AM