The Elusive Samurai Season 2
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
After the tragic events in Kamakura, Tokiyuki Houjou has overcome the worst and started restoring his noble family. His next goal is incredibly ambitious—retaking Kamakura, no matter the cost. However, achieving his goal proves difficult as the region goes through turbulent times while its people are exhausted from their uneasy lives. To make matters worse, some of the current rule's higher-ups are hot on Tokiyuki's trail and hope to expose him. But alongside his skilled and treasured retainers, Tokiyuki will do anything to rebuild his realm as he utilizes his elusiveness in both combat and speech.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception for the second season is notably mixed, with many feeling it failed to live up to the quality of the first season. While some appreciate the continued good animation, visuals, and comedic moments, a significant portion criticizes the pacing as slow and boring, and the humor as intrusive and unfunny. The season is seen by some as a disappointment due to these writing and tonal issues, though many still hold out hope for future seasons based on the manga's potential.
Strengths
- Animation quality remains good, with less reliance on 3D compared to the first season.
- Comedy is a highlight, providing fun moments.
- Visuals are gorgeous, with unique character expressions.
- Opening themes are fantastic and engaging.
- Pacing allows for spending time with characters and exploring their development in a more relaxed manner.
Weaknesses
- Disappointing compared to the first season, failing to meet high expectations.
- Pacing issues, often feeling too slow, boring, and a 'snoozefest'.
- Excessive and unfunny comic relief that disrupts serious moments and ruins the mood.
- Story feels generic and predictable, resorting to tropes and exaggerated reactions.
- Character development, particularly for Yorishige Suwa, is minimal, making him feel underutilized.
- The protagonist, Tokiyuki, is sometimes made overly 'horny', which becomes over the top.