Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 1 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 1: The Ronin by Stan Sakai

Miyamoto Usagi is a wandering samurai in feudal Japan. His lord was killed, so he is a ronin. Usagi wanders around and has many adventures as he hires himself out as a yojimbo or bodyguard. He's also a rabbit ("usagi" is the Japanese word for rabbit). These tales are no Bugs Bunny adventures or even Peter Cottontail tales. The stories are very serious, just set with animals (like Watership Down). He helps out other samurai, even bounty hunters. He is almost unbeatable in a fight, even facing a horde of lackeys or ninjas. This volume gives Usagi's back story, including visiting his home town and explaining the battle in which his lord died.

Though the book is serious, the art is not graphically violent. The most readers see is a drop or two of blood flying, a pained expression, or a little ghostly skull-and-crossbones over vanquished opponents. The book has some humor (at one point, Usagi asks a bounty hunter, "Why does a bounty hunter need a bodyguard?") to lighten the mood. Usagi is a very honorable warrior, embodying the bushido code of the samurai.

While the book is not particularly deep, it is interesting and engaging. It strikes the right tone to make the stories entertaining. I will definitely try out more.

Recommended.