Forget dusty textbooks, The Elusive Samurai manga is here to redefine historical reads for you.
Created by Yusei Matsui (the mind behind Assassination Classroom), this gripping series isn’t your typical history lesson.
It’s a captivating reimagining, illustrated with stunning art, that loosely follows the life of the son of the last leader of a legendary samurai clan.
Intrigued? If you’re ready to dive into a unique blend of action and adventure, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out where you can read The Elusive Samurai manga.
What is Elusive Samurai’s story?
The Elusive Samurai, written by Yusei Matsui (known for Assassination Classroom and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo), is a historical manga released in 2021. It follows the journey of a young samurai named Hojo Tokiyuki.
Set in a turbulent period of Japanese history, between the Kamakura and Muromachi eras, the story opens with political upheaval. Tokiyuki’s life shatters when a treacherous samurai, Ashikaga Takauji, betrays his entire family and seizes power.
Forced to flee for his life, Tokiyuki goes on a desperate struggle for survival, aided by a band of loyal companions.
The manga has garnered a loyal following, with over 3 million copies in circulation. The Elusive Samurai manga, along with titles like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, secured a prestigious win at the 69th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2024.
The manga’s success didn’t stop there. In July 2024, just three years after its debut, The Elusive Samurai was made into an anime by renowned studio, CloverWorks. The studio is known for animating Wind Breaker, Bocchi the Rock, Spy x Family, and more.
Where to read Elusive Samurai manga
The Elusive Samurai manga is still ongoing at the time of writing, with 165 chapters spread across 16 volumes.
You can go to Shueisha’s Manga Plus website to read the first and last three chapters of the Japanese manga for free. You can also download the app to read all chapters for free. It is important to note that if you aren’t subscribed to any plans, you can only read a chapter once.
Alternatively, the first and last three chapters of the Elusive Samurai manga can be read for free on Viz Media. To unlock all the chapters and binge-read the series, you must create a free account and subscribe to their Shonen Jump digital vault for a monthly fee of US$3.
| STORY ARCS | VOLUMES | CHAPTERS |
| Intro Arc | 1 | 1 to 3 |
| Gathering Allies Arc | 1 | 4 to 6 |
| Archery Arc | 1 to 2 | 7 to 10 |
| Rinji Seizure Arc | 2 | 11 to 14 |
| Pincer Arc | 2 to 3 | 15 to 23 |
| VS Kokushi Arc | 3 to 4 | 24 to 31 |
| Verbal Battle Arc | 4 to 5 | 32 to 36 |
| Confrontation in Shinano Arc | 5 to 6 | 37 to 46 |
| Kyoto City Arc | 6 to 7 | 47 to 58 |
| Shinano Arc | 7 to 9 | 59 to 72 |
| March To Kamakura Arc | 9 to 11 | 73 to 97 |
| Battle in Kamakura Arc | 12 to 13 | 98 to 110 |
| Intermission Arc | 13 | 111 to 114 |
| Kitabatake Akiie Arc | 13 to 15 | 115 to 130 |
| Sporting Competition Arc | 15 | 131 to 133 |
| Travel to Kyoto Arc | 16 | 134 to 165 |
Availability may differ depending on your location.
READ MORE: 5 anime you should watch if you like Demon Slayer
