Shonen Jump’s new underrated series, The Elusive Samurai, is rapidly gaining popularity following the release of its stunning new anime adaptation, which is so good that even the manga has sold out. From the same author as Assassination Classroom, The Elusive Samurai made its anime debut this summer, and it seems like the series is quickly growing into a top-selling favorite.
According to a post on X by MangaMoguraRE, Shueisha has ordered an urgent reprint of all volumes of The Elusive Samurai, whose popularity and sales have skyrocketed since the anime was released. Even though the anime is less than three episodes in, The Elusive Samurai has already climbed to the top spot on Shonen Jump Plus’ chapter sales ranking, which is quite an impressive feat.
The Elusive Samurai currently has sixteen volumes in circulation, with the latest volume released at the start of July. Of these, fourteen volumes have been released in English, with the manga currently sitting at over 164 chapters.
The Elusive Samurai Makes Waves As Anime Boosts Manga Sales to 11,398 Copies in First Week
According to data published by Oricon and posted on X by WSJ_manga, The Elusive Samurai has already sold 11,398 copies in the first week of July since the anime was released. Even though The Elusive Samurai’s anime debut was squashed between many other exciting releases like season 2 of Tower of God, the anime still managed to catch the eye of fans with its beautiful visuals, stunning animation, and direction.
Another major reason The Elusive Samurai has managed to become such an instant hit is its jarring yet intriguing prologue, which leaves viewers desperately wanting to know what happens to the young Tokiyuki after he loses everything. The story also features a unique, lovable main cast of characters such as the protagonist and his vassals, and quirky characters like Yorishige Suwa that sharply contrast the series’ otherwise darker story beats.
Given the story’s historical setting, it is easy to see why Japanese audiences in particular were immediately drawn to the series after being introduced to it by the anime. The Elusive Samurai’s setting and art style are also distinctly reminiscent of many beloved classics like Inuyasha, which might also explain why the series experienced a sudden boost in sales.
All the same, The Elusive Samurai is quickly proving itself to be the biggest underrated gem of the Summer 2024 season and, as things stand, its manga may also enter the mainstream as a widely loved and followed series.
