Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 16 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 16 by Stan Sakai

More adventures with the rabbit ronin, Usagi Miyamoto...

Showdown--Usagi and Gen travel together, winding up in a town that is terrorized by two rival gangs. Both gangs are vying for control of the town; the local cop is a spineless sell-out who gets money by providing information to both gang leaders. Usagi and Gen decide to rid the town of the brigands by joining either side and manipulating them into leaving. It's the classic Yojimbo tale with a little twist that makes for a fun tale.

Escape!--Chizu is called to her clan headquarters for a reckoning. She has been involved with Usagi's adventures, sometimes to the detriment of the clan's ambitions. Having to fight her way out is just the start of her problems.  This story is interesting but seems like it is a bit of long-term plot advancement that will pay off later.

Three Seasons--Three different people are at an inn and tell tales of their run-ins with Usagi. Each story is entertaining in itself but the final reveal of who is asking was a surprise to me. The story also sets up a future adventure, probably.

The Shrouded Moon--A superstitious gang boss rules the next town Usagi and Gen wander into. His lucky charm gets stolen by Kitsune, a street entertainer and thief that Usagi has run into many times before. She is working for a mysterious character and is glad to take Usagi and Gen's help, but not to fill them in on the details. It's another interesting story that turns out about how your would expect.

Kitsune's Tale--Kitsune's backstory, how she became a street performer and thief, is told as she and Gen are traveling. It's another fine bit of character development by Sakai.

Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.