Back to _Fufu's Profile _Fufu's Profile

Surprised it's got a decent score, because the ONA kinda sucks. It's unnecessarily gritty and doesn't really fit Lupin's silly vibe. The way characters defy death makes literally zero sense - not in the usual silly Lupin way, but moreso in a "COME ON, THAT IS NOT HOW THAT WORKS!" kinda way. Part of Lupin is that he's supposed to be this unstoppable force, where, even if you THINK you caught him, he was actually just five steps ahead of you. Yet he and Jigen spend the entire episode just getting pathetically manhandled. I know it's just an ONA that's setting up for a movie, ... but I really don't see why it should exist, considering nothing here felt at all reminiscent of Lupin, or felt like it was worth watching.

The Elusive Samurai currently has six episodes, so on the off chance that Studio Cloverworks massively shits the bed à la Promised Neverland, this review might be subject to change in the future. As it stands, The Elusive Samurai should be put next to Bocchi the Rock as an example on how much larger-than-life animation can elevate the source material.

To preface this review, if you want an extensive write-up about the plot and the characters, you're better off reading another review; only six episodes are out and, while the first episode has an effective hook, it's not something to write home about so far ... - at least, to me. All the more impressive that this anime inspired someone like me to write a review.

Out of most anime I've watched, there have been a scant few where the animators have done such a good job making the scenes come to life. When things on the screen are moving, you feel as though things are moving. When people are confused, you're shown exactly what would confuse them, etc. etc. Cloverworks have showcased a fundamental understanding of cinematography back when The Promised Neverland was still good, and they are once again delivering in spades; putting up a masterclass on camera angles, framing and especially scene transitions. If you think all that creative camera work is being used to hide mediocre animation or cut corners, you couldn't be further from the truth. The animators are constantly flexing their chops, even in the most inconsequential scenes, and you can tell that the they know exactly when not to sweat the small stuff, allowing you to go along with the anime's fast pace. It's not the veritable explosion of colors and abstract art like Science SARU or Studio Bones produces, but there's definitely something to be said about the fluidity of the movements and way these animators have such a masterful understanding of the fundamentals. I recommend it to any one who also has an appreciation for this kind of stuff.

I know that opining is kinda bad practice in a review, but still: Understand that my amazement partly comes from the fact that I randomly saw this on the trending page on [totally legal steaming site] and expected middle of the pack slop with the occasional flashes of brilliant animation, brought on by the higher ups chaining all their talent to a radiator and only letting them out when you can feel the boob-physics giving you whiplash. When you're watching The Elusive Samurai, you really feel like the creators had fun making this and going wild with the animation!