Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 27 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Volume 27: A Town Called Hell by Stan Sakai

More adventures from the rabbit ronin!

A Town Called Hell!--Usagi travels to a town that was run by one crime lord but a new crime lord has shown up and started a gang war. Peasants are fleeing the town because it isn't safe for anyone. Usagi goes to town, acknowledging that he sometimes makes bad choices. He then starts playing the two sides off each other in creative ways (much like Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo), though the final solution turns out less well for him than it could. This is a great tribute to Kurosawa's classic while also being its own story.

Nukekubi--Wandering along, Usagi winds up at the home of a woman who can't stop talking about her garden and the lizards and her sister and on and on and on. He gets away, only to come in conflict with a carnivorous demon. Oddly enough, the two problems resolve each other in a fun way.

The Sword of Narukami--Usagi is drawn into a fight between bandits and a samurai on a mission. The samurai's lord sent him to retrieve a sword that was paid in ransom to the bandits who kidnapped the lord's son. Usagi joins him in the quest. This is another little character story with some good twists.

Teru Teru Bozu--Usagi hangs out with a family on a rainy day, showing the son how to have fun even when the weather is bad. He also shares some treats which have an unfortunate effect on the child. The story is a little guessable but ends with something not guessable and much worse.

Encounter at Blood Tree Pass--Usagi is traveling along when he is hunted down by a former ally who thinks Usagi betrayed him. Usagi was set up, something he is quick to clarify, which leads into...

Return to Hell--Usagi and friend return to Hell (the town) to settle a score with the gang boss they left in charge and who managed to play them off each other. The story is exciting and fun with a typical upbeat Usagi ending. This makes a nice resolution to the first story in this volume.

Recommended--another fine set of stories from Stan Sakai!