English Dub Review: The Elusive Samurai “Sadamune Appears!”

Overview

Toki/Tokiyuki spends his days undergoing strenuous training to perfect his sword techniques – something he’s told to do to take back Kamakura for himself.
However, everyone was surprised by how weak his swordsmanship was. It turns out that Toki was much better with another weapon: the bow.

Our Take

This time around, Toki is gradually being drawn into larger political conflicts, primarily due to his position as the surviving leader of the Hojo clan. This predicament is compounded by Yorishige, who manipulates events to ensure Toki’s involvement. The arrival of Sadamune, a fiercely loyal retainer to Takauji and the new governor of Shinano, heightens the tension. Sadamune is a relentless and unnervingly perceptive antagonist, determined to hunt down any remaining members of the Hojo clan. His precision in archery and his disturbing demeanor make him a formidable foe, particularly during the intense dog-shooting competition where his skills are on full display.

Throughout the competition, Yorishige, recognizing Toki’s strengths in archery, sees an opportunity to have him learn from Sadamune. Despite Toki’s lack of swordsmanship, his archery skills are promising, and the challenge allows him to hone these abilities. The competition is fraught with tension, as Sadamune, who initially gains the upper hand, is relentless in his pursuit of victory. The use of CGI during the horseback scenes, while jarring, felt like a necessary tool to capture dynamic movements, even if it didn’t always seamlessly blend with the visuals.

Overall, the episode highlights the escalating challenges Toki faces as he navigates this dangerous political landscape. The animation, while inconsistent, still manages to convey the intensity of the events. The character of Sadamune, with his unsettling presence and brutal methods, adds a new layer of danger to the story, making Toki’s path forward even more precarious. Despite the visual shortcomings, the narrative progression and the development of Toki’s skills kept me in suspense near the end, even if the animation sucked in places. The question is what will Toki do next?

7.5 out of