English Dub Review: The Elusive Samurai “May 22nd”

Overview

Based on the Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui (Creator of Assassination Classroom and Neuro: Supernatural Detective). The story is set in the year 1333, Kamakura Japan where Tokiyuki Hojo, the rightful heir to the regent who rules the Kamakura shogunate, is a kind boy with a heart of gold who dislikes conflict – even though he’s the son of a warrior…

Our Take

Set in the time period of 1333 Kamakura Japan, Toki/Tokiyuki Hojo, the heir to the Hojo clan, lived a carefree life, skilled in avoiding his responsibilities. However, when Ashikaga Takauji aligned with Emperor Go-Daigo, chaos ensued, leading to the downfall of Toki’s family and home. Taken in by Suwa Yorishige, Hojo initially doubted his future but was forced to adapt and survive, earning the respect of his guardian. With his newfound allies, Kojiro and Mochizuki Ayako, Toki fled to Shinano, where he resolved to reclaim Kamakura and restore his clan’s honor, driven by Yorishige’s belief in his hidden potential.

 Despite the initial light-hearted tone, there’s an intense sense of escalation of things going dark extremely fast by the 2nd half of the proceedings with lots of betrayal and violence. The brutal scenes are more intense than expected. Toki’s unique traits as a protagonist have yet to be fully explored, yet all of them left a strong first impression…

Overall, this premiere sets the stage for what promises to be a compelling journey. While some tonal shifts feel jarring, and the comedic elements occasionally undermine the darker themes, the animation and direction excel in delivering impactful moments. And the journey of Toki to reclaim Kamakura promises to be an intense and emotional ride, and I look forward to seeing where this goes next!