Stan Sakai

Annoyed to discover that this is volume one of the Dark Horse run, with about a billion other volmes preceeding it. But not annoyed for long! Usagi Yojimbo was a darling of the indie scene when I was getting into comics, and has gone on to become a legend and now a masterwork. I never read it, though, possibly put off by the animal characters, possibly just not interested. Also, I kept idiotically mixing it up with Groo and was confused when I browsed it and couldn't see any jokes.

It really show more truly is an amzing piece of work. The cartooning is superb, the storytelling is masterful, the action is the best, the quasi-historical-but-with-animals setting is rich and full of details and folklore, but quite restrained in its use of monsters and magic, Usagi is a character to love and respect, and his cast of friends and enemies is ever-varied. Must have more! show less

This collection is one story told in several parts. Once again Usagi teams up with Inspector Ishida to solve a mysterious death. Two high ranking samurai are killed and matters are only further complicated when it is revealed that the dead men were Christians. This foreign religion has been outlawed by the Shogun, but it continues on in secret leading to the establishment of checkpoints which force passersby to stamp on a cross - something which Christians will be reluctant to do.

It seems show more that the secret Christians were transporting a rare relic of their faith which was stolen shortly after their death. Usagi and Ishida work together with a famous local thief to find the missing object before the band of ruffians sent by the Shogun. In the process they encounter another member of the Christian faith who seems harmless although he obviously would like to reclaim the secret item himself.

In the course of time it is revealed that the Christians were transporting a Japanese translation of the Christian Bible. This incredibly rare and valuable item is being sought by the Shogun. Although it is eventually recovered, a zealous member of the Christian faith destroys it by throwing himself and the book into a fire.

Later it is revealed that Inspector Ishida has managed to save the book as he is himself a secret Christian.

I thought this collection was another good one, however the mystery wasn't all that mysterious. It was pretty clear what the precious object was and was also very clear that Ishida was a Christian the whole time. Still, it was interesting to learn about this period of history in Japan and the way the government sought to control outlawed religions. show less

These books just keep getting better and better! In this installment Usagi will slay a demon that has haunted a bridge for years, will be reunited with his beloved sensei whom he believed to be dead, and will attempt to go home to retire only to learn an unexpected secret.

It's subtle the way these stories of adventure, friendship, and honor have slowly accrued enough cache to build moving plot arcs and character development. I swear I almost cried when Usagi's teacher orders his student to show more make tea and Usagi just assumes he's talking to him. These characters have taken up residence in my heart. show less

This is a rare volume in an already exemplary collection. In this volume, a single story is told that effortlessly weaves together folklore, politics, conspiracies, and a number of different established characters and plotlines. A mysterious group of eight have banded together to overthrow the Shogun and restore the rule of the emperor. To do so, they plan to recover a legendary sword, gifted by the gods to the divine imperial line and lost years before. The leader of the conspiracy employs show more a witch to recover the weapon, but Usagi manages to intercept the weapon quite by accident. Unsure of what he has found, he is now the target of countless assassins, bent on using the divine gift as a playing piece in some petty political game.

This book is an amazing example of expert story telling. It's complex, exciting, and beautifully done. show less