English Dub Review: The Elusive Samurai “My Buddha, Part Two”
Overview
Although the attempt to assassinate Takauji ends in failure, Tokiyuki has grown significantly as a warrior through his experiences in Kyo. Upon his return to Suwa, Yorishige tells him that the time has finally come. The attempted assassinations of both the Emperor and Takauji plunged Kyo into chaos, where warriors from the Kanto area were summoned, and the city’s defenses were reinforced.
Our Take
Picking up from the previous episode, The Elusive Samurai shifts its focus toward the growing tensions surrounding Kyoto and the preparations for the upcoming conflict. With the attempted assassinations throwing the capital into disarray, Tokiyuki and Yorishige begin making arrangements for their next move. However, Tokiyuki must first earn the respect of the Hลjล loyalists who are expected to serve under him, all while keeping his true identity a secret.
The rest of the proceedings also delivers some memorable moments, including the unexpected return of the first season’s opening theme, which accompanies a humorous trip down memory lane as Tokiyuki recalls the eccentric individuals he’s encountered. Meanwhile, Shลkan’s troubled past continues to weigh heavily on him, adding another interesting dimension to the growing tension. His increasingly unsettling characterization provides a much darker contrast, particularly during a genuinely frightening scene that caught me completely off guard. CloverWorks deserves credit for the impressive visual execution, for better or worse…
Overall, this penultimate episode does a solid job setting the stage for the season finale, balancing some amusing callbacks with an increasingly ominous atmosphere. Although certain sequences could have benefited from tighter pacing, there’s plenty of anticipation surrounding what’s coming next. With only one episode remaining, I’m looking forward to seeing how everything comes together, and hopefully we won’t have to wait another two years before hearing anything about a potential third season.
