Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Bk. 20 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 20: Glimpses of Death by Stan Sakai

More adventures with Usagi, after he left his son...

Cooking Lesson--Young Usagi learns from his sensei a valuable lesson about dealing with hardships by cooking some food. The story is short, whimsical, and insightful.

Contraband--Usagi bumps into a dying man who gives Usagi a package to deliver to his daughter in town. Usagi is a little reluctant to be involved but the guy expires right there so he feels obligated. He's drawn into an adventure as he travels with the unopened package, which draws a lot of attention since it is contraband. The twist at the end was a total surprise and a total delight.

After the Rat--Inspector Ishida (who appeared in a few other earlier tales) investigates The Rat, a local Robin Hood-type thief who is beloved by the poor people of the town but despised by the merchants. The Rat makes the police do a lot of running around, but will he finally be caught when he is accused of murder? The tale goes quickly and has some interesting comments about society.

Samurai for Hire--Usagi gets "hired" by a rude old woman who is on the road and carrying a heavy bag. Well, Usagi carries the bag now that he is her "underling." Usagi goes along with her, putting up with her odd, annoying behavior. The story slowly gets more complicated, but not too much. It's another traveling tale with an odd character at the center.

Dreams and Nightmares--Inazuma (a female friend of Usagi's) has some intense nightmares that come into reality as she is possessed by the spirit of Jei, a particularly nasty character that Usagi killed once, but he's a demon, so he is back again as Inazuma. She is traveling with Keiko, a girl who thinks of her as her "auntie," though Inazuma has become a lot more.

Gen and the Dog--Gen is hunting the bounty on Inazuma and has competition with Stray Dog, another bounty hunter who has been a pain in the butt before. Their separate investigations lead to the same spot, but Inazuma has moved on. This reads like set-up for future story lines.

When Rabbits Fly--A local scientist is trying to get his mechanical wings to work. Ruffians make fun of him but Usagi is at least open to the idea they might work. The story is mostly a comedy with some serious moments and the usual satisfying ending.

Into the Mist--Tomoe is out with her lord's retinue on a falconing hunt. The falcon brings down some prey and the lord sends her and Lord Horikawa to recover it. As she rides out, she is enveloped in mist. Coming out of the mist, she discovers a battlefield with an army approaching. She is confused but issues orders for a tricky tactical move. Things go well until one of the flanks does not attack like it should. The battle gets shrouded in mist again and Tomoe returns to the present, where she discovers Horikawa regaling their lord with a tale about a 200-year old battle their clan lost because of the strategy of Tomoe's ancestor. Tomoe corrects the record but does not resolve her conflict with Horikawa.

Nocturnal--Sanshobo, a priest Usagi knew back in the Grasscutter saga, is head priest of his temple. A man about to take vows comes to him describing nightmares he's had about becoming a monk, specifically about a girl in the local village whom he was supposed to marry but left for the temple. Sanshobo's advice is to go to the village the next day to resolve the issue. The novice passes out, so they summon a doctor. The doctor thinks that more than exhaustion is going on; Sanshobo explains about the soon-to-be monk's guilt. The doctor says it's odd because the girl has been missing for three days. The unhappy truth is soon revealed as Sanshobo discovers the novice has been visited at night by more than nightmares. It's another good tale from Sakai. 

Vendetta's End--Matabei, who has been tracking down and killing his father's killers, comes to a town where Usagi is visiting. The new local priest has been doing much good healing people though he becomes the target of Matabei since the priest was formerly part of the gang of killers. Usagi tries to help the situation with an unexpected outcome.

I don't know what it is about Sakai and his storytelling. I just enjoy it so much, I've read almost no bad stories in the entire series. He has a good sense of people and has a wide variety of characters. A lot of people deal with death, either their own coming or another's. Sakai fills the situations with a lot of interesting ideas.

Recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Bk. 19 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 19: Fathers and Sons by Stan Sakai

The adventures of Miyamoto Usagi, the rabbit ronin, continue as he travels with his son Jotaro (though Jotaro does not know that Usagi is his dad)...

Fathers and Sons--Usagi searches for his son while Lone Goat is on the run with his son Kid as wanted fugitives. Jotaro fell into a river and washes up near Lone Goat and Kid's hide out. Lone Goat was shot with an arrow during an attempt to capture him and he remains unconscious. Jotaro helps Kid care for his dad when two peddlers show up. They think something is going on and go to inform local authorities, hoping to get in on a reward. The story plays out from there in the usual fashion, with some nice moments between the two fathers and the two sons.

Bells--Katsuichi (Usagi's master) has a confrontation on a street that reminds him of his youth. At his swordsmanship school he fell in love with the daughter of a rival school's headmaster. She reciprocated while understanding the delicate nature of the situation. The ambitions of others turned their story into a tragedy. It's a touching tale.

Kill the Geishu Lord--Usagi and Jotaro cross a mountain pass that is blocked by an avalanche carefully picking their way through the boulders and snow drifts. A small village at the other side is very inhospitable. Usagi knows something odd is going on, especially when one villager tells him to keep going and not come back. He makes like he is leaving but doubles back to discover a procession headed into the town. The Geishu Lord was also going over the pass and has been delayed. He also gets an unwelcoming reception in the village. It's another exciting story and a meeting with an old friend that draws out Usagi's big problem--should he tell Jotaro that he is Jotaro's true father? 

The Pride of the Samurai--Usagi still struggles with whether he should tell Jotaro the truth about their relationship. At the market, a boy steals a fish. Jotaro chases after him, all the way to a shanty under a bridge. A down-and-out samurai comes out of the shanty and confronts Jotaro, saying no thief is here and Jotaro is lying. Usagi finally catches up and de-escalates the situation. Usagi and the vagrant samurai become somewhat friends though the samurai has a hard time accepting his situation and raising his son who is stealing to keep them both alive. This is another aspects of the fathers/sons dynamic that have been in the past few stories and ups the ante on Usagi's struggle.

Hokashi--Reunited with Katsuichi, Usagi's former mentor and the current mentor for Jotaro, the group goes to a temple to get blades bequeathed to Jotaro. On the way, they see a Hokashi troupe perform in a town, though Usagi thinks he recognizes the sword performer (and the feeling is mutual). A stray knife almost hits Usagi though Katsuichi snatches it from the air. Once they leave the town, the samurai run into the troupe again, with some explosive consequences. The story ends with Usagi and Jotaro separating. Usagi does not have the nerve to tell Jotaro that he is Jotaro's father. Usagi wonders if he has made the right decision. In a powerful coda, Jotaro tells Katsuichi that he did not have the courage to tell Usagi that he is Usagi's son. Like father, like son, carrying a hard burden.

This series of stories is fun and poignant. 

Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 18 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 18: Travels with Jotaro by Stan Sakai

More adventures, now with Usagi's son, Jotaro (though Jotaro does not know it)...

Out of the Shadows--Usagi and Jotaro start their travels, the typical wandering through random towns routine. They run across Chizu, the disgraced leader of a ninja clan. She is on the run because she disagreed with the clan's ambitions. Her life is hard now. Things get harder the next night when Usagi and Jotaro run into some assassins from the clan looking for Chizu. Jotaro is slowly being introduced to Usagi's world and the many characters and narratives going on.

Ghost Warriors--Usagi and Jotaro visit some peasants who are oppressed by their local village leader. The leader was a foot soldier who betrayed his army years ago, so naturally he avoids the woods where his doomed compatriots died. Usagi uses this superstition to end the oppression but one of the leader's lieutenants is suspicious of what is going on. The story is good and a deliberate reminder of a previous story.

Komainu--Usagi and son have a run-in with Kitsume, a female friend of Usagi who is a street entertainer and also a petty thief. Her petty thievery, as usual, causes a little trouble for Usagi but not too much. Kitsume is also traveling with a young protege who has taken a liking to Jotaro. It's a fun little tale.

Tamago--Usagi and son are joined by an egg-headed priest who happens to be traveling in the same direction. They spot a small entourage that is attacked by assassins. The heroes beat the villains and find that the merchant is headed to a nearby town to report on a local gangster shaking down his home town. They decide to escort him the rest of the way, though things do not turn out as expected. Another fine tale crafted by Sakai.

Usagi and the Tengu--Usagi tells Jotaro a story from his brash and undisciplined childhood when he challenged a forest demon called a Tengu to fight. Luckily, Usagi's master was able to intervene, having previously fought the same Tengu. The story is an exciting tale and another example of Usagi having learned a good lesson when he was young and foolish (a situation his son Jotaro is living out now).

Sumi-E--Usagi and Jotaro have several encounters with fantastic beasts. The source of the problem is an evil ink set that allows an artist to create monsters. The evil artist wielding the ink set has kidnapped local children because he is running out of ink and he needs innocent blood to replenish his supply. The story is exciting and has some kaiju in it, making it more fun.

This is another fine round of entertaining stories.

Recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 17 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 17: Duel at Kitanoji by Stan Sakai

More adventures of the ronin rabbit, Miyamoto Usagi!

Vendetta--Koyama is a young samurai who is hunting down the four killers of his father. He executes one as Usagi comes into town. Usagi does not want to mix in trouble but Koyama's path and Usagi's overlaps, so they wind up working together with the local police chief to take out some mountain bandits, a group that includes some of the killers. It's an interesting story that doesn't fully resolve, so I expect more in the future.

The Return of Lone Goat and Kid--Usagi finds Kid, the son of Lone Goat, menaced by a warrior in the woods. He comes to Kid's defense and then tries to reunite him with Lone Goat. Lone Goat is an assassin on a mission, so facilitating the reunion is full of peril. This is another entertaining story.

Images from a Winter's Day--Usagi is hired by an old man to find his son. The son left because of a duel with a rival clan. The father is so sick, it is worth the risk of coming back for one last visit. The situation has a very melancholic ending, more downbeat than I expected from this series. Still, it was a good tale.

Koji--Usagi is trying to get to Kitanoji for his master's duel. He is blocked from traveling through one town. He looks for another route when another great swordsman, Koji, comes along the same road. He knows he will be challenged by a local swordfighting school. He can easily beat them but does not want the bother. They team up to get through the town and wind up on the road to Kitanoji together, even though the other samurai is going there to fight Usagi's master, Katsuichi.

Crows--Katsuichi's trip to Kitanoji is sidelined by a local town that is being pestered by bandits. He winds up in the town and helping out. Meanwhile, Usagi and Koji wind up at the same town and have some awkwardness as the three of them deal with the bandits. It's an interesting story that leads directly into...

Duel at Kitanoji--The long-anticipated conflict finally happens as two master swordsmen face off for no other reason than to see who is the better. Sakai does a great job building suspense and developing character. The ending leaves Usagi with his former master's young disciple, who is in fact (though it is not public knowledge) Usagi's son. The ending opens the door to new and interesting possibilities.

A Lesson in Courtesy--This flashback story has young Usagi being brash and rude to a wandering samurai who is using their watering hole. This is another charming little story that has a fine ending.

Recommended.

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.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 15 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 15: Grasscutter II: Journey to Atsuta Shrine by Stan Sakai

Usagi, Gen, and Sanshobo head out from Sanshobo's temple to return the legendary sword Grasscutter to a temple that is home to a replica of the sword. Their journey is fraught with peril as two ninja clans vie for possession of the sword, which will grant a lot of political sway to whomever owns it. The travels, battles, and intrigue are exciting and well-executed by Sakai. It's a fun read and a worthy finale to the Grasscutter storyline.

Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 14 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 14: Demon Mask by Stan Sakai

More adventures with the rabbit ronin, Usagi Yojimbo!

The Inn on Moon Shadow Hill--Usagi needs somewhere to spend the night. A passerby recommends the titular inn, far up a hill. On his way, night falls and Usagi sees some fox fires. He rushes to the inn which is packed with travelers who have come to witness the obakemono (haunts), like the fox fire. One rich merchant challenges Usagi's bravery. The local graveyard has a white stone with "truth" written on it. No one is brave enough (or foolish enough) to get it at night. Of course Usagi is cajoled into going, which brings all sorts of revelations. I predicted the ending but it still is an entertaining story.

A Life of Mush--A farm boy runs away from home hoping for a life of adventure, like the samurai live. He runs across Usagi who is initially annoyed by the boy. He takes him in for a bit, resulting in a tough lesson for the kid. Another good if predictable story.

Deserters--Two young lovers from the Neko Ninja clan attempt to escape, since love (among other emotions) is forbidden to ninja. They are brought before the clan head who grants clemency in spite of her underling's insistence that they be executed. As the two reach the border of Neko territory, the underling confronts them, claiming the leader changed her mind. Unhappiness ensues.

A Potter's Tale--Usagi stays with some humble potters and helps out with the work as a form of payment. Meanwhile, a lone robber has stolen cash and a priceless jewel from a rich merchant in town. He stashes the money down an alleyway and hides the jewel in one of the clay pots that are still wet. He crimps the edge so he can find the pot again. The story plays out in the usual delightful way that Sakai has, dealing out justice through interesting and believable plot machinations.

The Missive--Usagi's instructor gets a message from his rabbit pupil that he's been challenged to a duel. After some reflection and memories, the instructor heads out to the duel. Not much happens, this is more of a set-up for a future story, I am sure.

The Mystery of Demon Mask--Usagi witnesses a killing on the outskirts of a rural town. The killer wears a demon mask. When the local police show up, they are taken aback since Demon Mask (their name for the killer) has already murdered three other ronin. Usagi joins in the investigation which gets more complicated as he discovers the history of the local police officers. It's a well-written story even if I guessed the end early on.

Kumo--Kumo is the Japanese word for "spider," of which there are many in this story. Usagi takes a mountain path and comes to a village overrun with spiders. He meets another samurai, Sasuke, who is a demon-hunter. He and Usagi set out with some locals to squash the bug problem after one of the town's daughter's is kidnapped by a really big spider. Creepy and fun, this is another little jem from Sakai.

Reunion--Usagi finally makes it back to the temple where Gen has been recovering and where the head priest waits for Usagi to take the legendary sword Grasscutter (see a previous volume) and hide it. The temple is besieged by bandits, but not enough bandits.

Death and Taxes--Usagi discovers a town celebrating their harvest. He joins in the festivities and offers himself as bodyguard for the tax cart going to the local magistrate in the morning. They politely decline though an old man plans to go to the town by a mountain route. It is quite picturesque and he invites Usagi to travel with him. Usagi agrees. From the high road they see the town's tax cart attacked by bandits. The peasants flee and the old man is none too worried about the outcome. They can't reach the bandits and he needs to get to the town to buy supplies for the next harvest. Usagi runs into trouble in more ways than one as the surprisingly whimsical story reaches its conclusion.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Tournament--Young Usagi heads to a tournament with his sensei. Usagi is full of youthful enthusiasm for battles. In town, he bumps into a girl, garnering laughter from the onlookers. He doesn't apologize and she picks a fight with him. He gets whooped, something his sensei approves since Usagi did not behave the way he should. Usagi and the girl both privately swear to be revenged, though they grow up and find each other again as allies, not remembering this little incident. This is a fun story of Usagi's childhood when he was much more childish.

Netsuke--Usagi returns a personal carving to someone he knew back in his samurai days during the Battle of the Burning Plane. The tale is poignant in only three pages.

The Leaping Ninja--Usagi has a brief conflict with a nimble ninja who constantly leaps out of the way of Usagi's swords. Usagi is able to best him without striking him! The story is only one page but fits in a narrative in nonetheless.

Tsuru--In a Sunday comics-style layout, Usagi confronts an assassin sent to kill him. "Tsuru" is a crane--the assassin fold them to remember all his kills.

This is another fine volume of adventures with some humor, tragedy, and thrills.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 13 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 13 by Stan Sakai

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

My Father's Swords--Usagi heads out on his own after his last epic adventure, running into the son of a fellow samurai who died many years ago in battle. Usagi is impressed with the lad who has his father's swords. Even more, he has the passion to honor his father's memory by becoming a worthy samurai. Usagi also discovers a melancholy secret along the way. The story is very touching.

The Demon Flute--Usagi wanders into a terrified farming village. Many people have been killed in the night by an unknown presence. All they know is sinister flute music plays and darkness descends before death comes. Usagi decides to confront the horror for them, resulting in a supernatural showdown. It's another fun story.

Momo-Usagi-Taro--Usagi buys some treats for orphans and is invited to the orphanage for dinner. He tells a story of a magical child who goes on a great adventure. The story is fun to read but puts the kids to sleep! Usagi leaves as another benefactor shows up with money for the children. It's a sweet tale with a cryptic ending.

The Hairpin Murders--Usagi comes to a new town and joins in an investigation of some murders by Inspector Ishida. Ishida is at first wary of Usagi who is very observant but warms to him quickly as they are summoned to a second victim's death. The story unfolds nicely with some clever twists. Ishida is an interesting investigator.

The Courtesan--Directly following on the Hairpin Murders, Usagi follows a woman whose nightly travels are being harassed by masked assailants. Turns out, the woman is part of Lady Maple's entourage. Lady Maple is a highly respected and fabulously beautiful woman. She has a dark secret that Usagi is pulled into when she invites him to her castle as a thank you. The story has the usual action and intrigue and makes for another fine adventure.

Tameshigiri--Medieval Japanese sword makers would prove the worthiness of their blade by performing ceremonial cuts on corpses. Many corpses were taboo for this practice, for example, ones of murderers or that had tattoos. This background is the basis for this story. Usagi is still in Ishida's town and another set of murders occurs. Their investigation leads them to a local clan of sword makers trying to get out of their mediocrity by demonstrating the excellence of their craftsmanship. The conflict involves investigating and a bunch of fighting, the usual sort of adventure for Usagi. The story is interesting and reveals yet another facet of Japanese historical culture.

Recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 12 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 12: Grasscutter by Stan Sakai

This epic tale in the life of Miyamoto Usagi, the rabbit ronin hero, centers on a legendary sword called "Grasscutter." Four prologues give the history of the creation of Japan and the sword used by an ancient emperor to fight his enemies. The sword was lost in the sea over a thousand years ago. In Usagi's time, several different factions hope to gain the sword and thereby control in Japan. The Conspiracy of Eight has a member who uses a witch to locate and raise the sword from the seabed. Things do not go according to plan and Usagi winds up with the weapon. At the same time, several other previous characters (some of whom seemed to be in one-off stories) become involved in the pursuit of Grasscutter.

The presence of so many familiar faces give the story a huge, sprawling feel. This one story fills the whole volume and is the best story I have read yet. Sakai did a lot of research into the history of the sword (it isn't made up!) and lays it out clearly for the reader. So many little payoffs are made with previous characters and storylines, as if the past eleven volumes were building to this moment. The story is highly compelling and the art, so detailed and so evocative, makes it all the richer. Happily, the story goes on and I can't wait to read more.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 11 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Volume 11: Seasons by Stan Sakai

Another set of medieval adventure for the rabbit ronin...

The Withered Field--Usagi travels to a dojo to try his skill against another martial arts school. Nakamura Koji is already there and working his way through the best students. The master is absent on a trip but the guy left in charge does not want some wandering samurai (either Usagi or Koji) to show up the school. When Koji does, it sets some more conflicts in motion. The story is interesting and leaves on a cliffhanger that supposed to be resolved in a year when Koji faces the teacher who bested him years ago...Usagi's teacher. The story is exciting and has good twists and action.

A Promise in the Snow--Usagi takes a "shortcut" through a mountain pass in the winter recommended by his friend Gen (maybe friend should be in quotes too?). He comes upon a merchant being attacked by bandits. The merchant is injured in the fight. Usagi tries to heal him. The merchants daughter comes forward and begs him to get her father back to their town, half a day's walk away. Usagi is unsure if the old guy will survive but he promises, not knowing the hardships ahead. It's a touching story with an interesting twist at the end.

The Conspiracy of Eight--Usagi is sheltering in a temple when a samurai comes to the gate. He is wounded and fleeing from pursuers. They take him in and discover a message on him. A group of eight lords plan to overthrow the Shogun and restore the Emperor. Usagi and the temple priest debate what to do, especially since the samurai was from a different clan than any of the signatories. The messenger belongs to Lord Hikiji, an old enemy of Usagi's. They are unsure of their plan until the temple is attacked. Usagi and the priest (who was formerly in the military) work together to defeat seemingly overwhelming odds. The story is good and adds to future storylines.

Snakes and Blossoms--Usagi tells some tales to the temple priest. One tale is of Usagi and Gen using a mountain pass shortcut that turns out to be much more treacherous than either imagined. The other tale is from Usagi's childhood, training with his master, and learning about courage and other virtues from trees. Both tales are charming though they seem like filler.

Return to Adachi Plain--Usagi visits the battlefield where his lord was defeated in battle by treachery, forcing the rabbit to go ronin. It's a bitter memory but not much of a story.

The Crossing--A minstrel is entertaining the crew and passengers on a ship when he accidentally bumps into a samurai. The enraged samurai threatens to kill the clumsy minstrel. A defender rises up from the depths of the ship but it is Jei, an old foe of Usagi's who is traveling to get revenge. On the ship he deals out his own brand of justice in a haunting tale that does not bode well for Usagi.

The Patience of the Spider--A prestigious general has to flee when his lord is defeated in battle. He hides in a simple farm house and spends his time blending in to his surroundings while an underling goes to the capital to find out when the new lord will be vulnerable to overthrow. With the patience of the spider, the general does too good a job of blending in and realizes, when the time comes, that he has a hard to choice to make--going back to a warlord's life or staying with the new family he has built.

The Lord of the Owls--Usagi meets the eponymous Lord of Owls, a deadly samurai who can see death in other people's faces or eyes. He is quite willing to be the cause of those deaths though he leaves Usagi with a warning that one of them will kill the other. Usagi naturally does not want harm to come to either, but he is left pondering what will come in the future.

The First Tenet--Neko Ninja Clan lieutenant Kagemaru delivers the conspiracy letter to one of Lord Hikiji's underlings. The underling is persuaded to pass the info on to Hikiji and to denounce Chizu, the head of the clan who is plotting her own ends. Kagemaru ingratiates himself well with the underling, using betrayal at every turn to make himself look better.

The Obakeneko of the Geishu Clan--Usagi remembers a horrifying night he spent in a house haunted by an evil spirit. The tale is creepy enough but the light-hearted ending leaves things okay.

Green Persimmon--Usagi comes upon a messenger who is dying. He takes a porcelain green persimmon from him. The messenger insists that it be delivered to Lord Noriyuki of the Geishu Province. Usagi is honored-bound by the dying man's wish but there is a lot of fighting before he can make it to safety. The puzzle of the porcelain's importance is interesting and contributes to the ongoing political intrigues that are tangential to Usagi's adventures. 

This is another fun volume of adventures. They seem to be building to something bigger in a future story.

Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo: Bunraku and Other Stories by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo: Bunraku and Other Stories writing and art by Stan Sakai, color by Tom Luth

Another collection of adventures with Usagi Yojimbo, the rabbit samurai, this time in color!

1. Bunraku--Usagi wanders into a town where a Bunraku troop is performing. Bunraku is a puppet theater--this one has a blind narrator who does a great job with the voices while the rest of the players do an amazing job making the puppets seem life-like. The performance goes on for several days, so Usagi thinks he will catch the rest of the story at another time. Out of the theater, he runs into Sasuke the Demon-Queller, who has been sent to the village by his master to fight a great evil. Usagi reluctantly teams up as they face a bizarre and fascinating mystery. I really liked the story here, the twists were interesting and satisfying.

2. The Hero--Usagi runs across a woman traveling alone. She is an author and has had many successful books. Her husband is a mid-level samurai but, during the Shogun's peace, he has no chance to raise himself in anyone's esteem. He's jealous of her success. Their marriage is arranged and loveless, so it is a very hard situation. Usagi admires her writing (mostly heroic romances) but sticks to his code. He escorts her to her father's home after the husband has spent a hard night drinking and has been abusive. Things become more tragic from there. The story is very touching and well-written.

3. Adachi--Usagi returns to the battlefield where his lord died, leaving Usagi a ronin (masterless samurai). He remembers the battle, in which one of the generals betrayed the lord, and the aftermath, when Usagi took the head of his lord and buried it in secret. He begs the spirit of his lord to free him from his promise not to serve another lord, then heads off to a small cabin. He meets an old woman who offers him shelter for the night, especially because she knows the area is haunted. The story resolves in a very satisfying way.

4. The Swords of the Higashi--Usagi runs into the bounty hunter Gen and his partner Stray Dog. They have just gotten the titular Swords of Higashi and plan to return them to Lord Higashi for a reward. One of the gang that had the swords survives and runs off. Usagi says not to kill him because the ronin will never see him again. The runaway comes back with another gang of thugs who get trounced. The runaway escapes again and then comes back again with a third gang. How many cycles of this routine can the ronin survive? The story is a nice bit of comedy and ends very well.

This collection is a lot of fun. I borrowed it on Hoopla, which is available from many public libraries.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Complete Collection by Stan Sakai et al.

Usagi Yojimbo/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Complete Collection by Stan Sakai and Peter Laird

A book containing all the crossover stories with the ronin rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, and the heroes in a half-shell, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Here's the story-by-story reviews:

Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew--is an out-of-continuity (for both franchises) meet-up of Usagi with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Well, just Leonardo, who falls through time into feudal Japan and has a quick encounter with Usagi. For the few pages it lasts, the story is fun.

The Crossing--Usagi has another run-in with Leonardo, this time at a river. Usagi wants to cross dry, so he demands the fat friar resting on the riverbank give him a ride across. The friar's hat hides his face. He turns out to be Leonardo, who starts an epic fight with Usagi. The story is entertaining (even if borrowed from Robin Hood) and has a nice ending.

The Treaty--Leonardo is bringing pizza over to April's so the gang can have movie night but he falls through another space/time hole and winds up with Usagi. Usagi is transporting a treaty between two lords. The Neko Ninja Clan wants to steal the treaty. A horde of them are about to rob Usagi when Leonardo shows up. There's a bit of action, drama, and one horrible injury (the pizza gets stomped on) before Leonardo goes back. The story is short and fun.

Shades of Green--Usagi and his friend Gen the rhino wind up in a village surrounded by the Neko Clan who want the most valuable thing in the village--a rat with unusual powers named Kakera. The rat convinces Usagi and Gen to help. The rat believes they need more help, so he had the two ronin collect some turtles from a nearby pond. The rat performs an incantation and the turtles transform into the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. Usagi has already had some adventures with them, so they don't wind up fighting first (as often happens when Marvel superheroes first meet). They band together to help the rat escape from the clan. The story is a good blend of action and fun. 

Namazu, or The Big Fish Story--There's a legend of a giant catfish that was subdued by a god and pinned in place under a great sacred rock. Part of the rock has fallen out and earthquakes are becoming more frequent as the catfish struggles to get free. Usagi meets Kakera, who quests to replace the rock. He knows it will be tough so he summons the four turtles to help out. On their way to the sacred rock, they run into Jei, an ultra-creepy samurai who has brought dozens of hirelings to prevent the repair. The usual action happens. The story's legend is more interesting than the actual action, but still fun.

The book ends with some background on the folklore and the making of Namazu as well as an extensive collection of sketches and covers from individual issues of these stories.

Recommended, the combination of Usagi and the Turtles is a lot of fun.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 10 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 10: The Brink of Life and Death by Stan Sakai

More stories of the anthropomorphic wandering warrior, Usagi Yojimbo, through feudal Japan!

Origin Tale--This is a very brief overview of Usagi's origin as a ronin (wandering, lordless samurai), reviewing his main allies and enemies. It reads like a "Previously on..." segment that TV shows use to update viewers on important bits from recent episodes. 

Kaiso--Usagi's wanderings bring him to a seaside town where he runs into a local farmer...a farmer of kaiso (seaweed)!The farmer has had trouble with a neighbor to the north. He thinks the neighbor has been poaching seaweed late at night. Usagi learns a bit about the process of making nori (the seaweed sheets used for sushi) and helps resolve the dispute with the neighbor. The story is nicely plotted and tells enough about the seaweed business to be interesting.

A Meeting of Strangers--Usagi is having a meal in a tavern when another ronin comes in. She orders a drink but can't pay for it. She puts on a tough act; Usagi gives the coin needed to pay for her drink. Once she leaves, she's attacked by mercenaries who want a bounty on her. She has no trouble dealing with them. Usagi leaves separately and becomes the target of other assassins. In the way of the samurai, she repays her debt to Usagi. The story is simple and makes a nice introduction for Inazuma. Maybe she'll show up again later?

Black Soul--In a very creepy story, three thugs show up at a farmer's house demanding food and valuables. The farmer is a grandfather with his only granddaughter. The thugs get violent, drawing the evil Jei, who slaughters them and burns the house. The granddaughter, with nothing left (her parents died long ago), follows after Jei, probably the creepiest part of the story. The story goes quickly and seems like a set-up for future adventures. No Usagi in the story, though.

Noodles--Usagi runs into an old friend, Kitsune. She's a street entertainer with a penchant for petty theft because "a girl has to do what she can to get by." Her latest scheme involves a partner--the mute soba seller she calls "Noodles." She robs a house then hides in his portable soba stand. The only problem is the local town has a much larger crime wave going on. The local cop is a bit corrupt and needs to make an arrest or lose his job. He decides to pin the blame on Noodles, with tragic consequences. This is a fairly mature and intense story that is highly satisfying.

The Wrath of the Tangled Skein--Usagi finds shelter at an inn that has trouble. The daughter of the innkeeper traveled through a haunted woods called The Tangled Skein and is now sick. Suspecting demonic possession, a Bonze (Buddhist priest) is called for an exorcism. Usagi patrols outside with the hired guards (who aren't very useful) while the Bonze works inside. The story gives a little mythology and a lot of action.

The Bonze's Story--The tragic backstory of the Bonze is told here. He previously served with a lord, protecting his lord's son and his own son on a pilgrimage. Just before the destination, tragedy struck. Circumstances, or maybe karma, gave the unhappy ending to the tale.

Bats, The Cat, and The Rabbit--Usagi has a run in with the Komori Ninja, a tribe of bats who are always looking to cause harm. They are on the trail of Chizu, a ninja in her own right with a secret document. Usagi runs across her at a temple and they are forced to fight the Komori together. Usagi behaves honorably (as usual) among the thieves. The ending is a bit of a surprise in a very satisfying way.

The Chrysanthemum Pass--Usagi meets a wandering merchant who sells medicine along his route. Usagi's path overlaps the merchant, so they travel together. Meanwhile, a lord is traveling to a meeting with the other lords. Assassins have been hired to take the lord down. Usagi doesn't know this but the medicine guy is aware since he is part of the murderous conspiracy.The set up makes for a nicely dramatic tale.

Lightning Strikes Twice--Inazuma shows up again as she is pursued by assassins. Usagi discovers her telling her life story to a small group in a wayside shed. Her father wanted her to marry an older man (even older than her father!) but she loved a poor, young samurai. She ran away with the younger man but life was hard since times were peaceful. She trained as a samurai so she could perform as a novelty act on the streets. He gambled away their earnings, eventually getting in trouble with a corrupt dealer. She avenged her husband's death. The family of the dealer is still trying to kill her. It's a familiar tale but still told with aplomb and explains why she is on the run.

The book ends with some commentary by Sakai on the stories, explaining the background details concerning Japanese traditions, myths, and folklore. There's also a gallery of covers Sakai made for various publications of these stories. The short biography of him features a picture of him riding a Segway!

Highly recommended--Sakai is a great storyteller and his art works well with the stories.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 9 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Volume 9: Daisho by Stan Sakai

More ronin rabbit tales from master storyteller Stan Sakai!

The Music of Heaven--Usagi is pestered by a group of lizards he fed ages ago. They keep following him but now they are drawn off by beautiful music. A monk with a shakuhachi (a flute-like instrument) is wandering the same area and gets to talking with Usagi about music and transcendence. It's a fascinating tale that I found touching and rewarding.

The Gambler, the Widow, and the Ronin--The gambler is a swindler from a previous story who hires tough guys to fight and kill local champs. He takes bets on who will win and is wily enough to get people to bet on the wrong guy. In the previous story, he miscalculated that Usagi would fall to his own champ. Now he's come to the village where the widow of the dead champ is scraping by as a waitress at an inn. He doesn't know who she is but when Usagi shows up, the gambler realizes he can get rid of his current tough guy who is trying to drink all their profits. The character development for the gambler, the tough guy, and the widow is amazing for a short story. Sakai can tell a lot about his people just through visuals. The story is very satisfying.

Slavers--A village is taken over by bandits led by General Fujii who forces the locals to bring in the harvest. After that, the bandits will sell off the goods and kill off the locals. Usagi runs across one villager who escaped from a group of bandits on their way to buy more rice wine. Usagi decides to help out but is caught in a trap by the bandit leader. The locals decide to help the imprisoned Usagi. They realize they have nothing to lose since the harvest is just about in. The battle goes well but the bandit leader escapes with Usagi's swords.

Daisho Part One--After an opening explaining the art and spiritualism of Japanese swordmaking, Usagi hunts down the General to get his swords back. The trail becomes hard when the General crosses a rope bridge and cuts it down before Usagi (and the rest of the General's men) can make it across. Usagi follows information to a small town that was raided by Fujii's new gang. He helps in the town, so one of the townsfolk shows him the way to the bandits' hideout. The story stops there, a nice cliffhanger ending.

Mongrels--Usagi's friend Gen comes to a town where another bounty hunter, the Stray Dog, is already hunting down the local bounty. After a respectful but tense conversation about the trade, Stray Dog buys Gen a drink and tells him to be on his way. Gen, of course, just sneaks after the other bounty hunter. Out in the wild they are about to fight when a third party shows up...Usagi and his villager guide going to the bandits' hideout!

Daisho Part Two--The three fighters team up to go after Fujii. Gen and Stray Dog will split the bounty on Fujii while Usagi will reclaim his swords. The villager leads them to a temple in the mountains where the gang is just returning from a raid. The warriors wait till dark, assuming the gang will party too much and be easier to defeat. That part of the plan works but getting Fujii becomes more complicated when Stray Dog uses an unorthodox strategy to get what he wants. It's a great finish to the story, especially when the reader finds out why Stray Dog is so ruthless a bounty hunter.

Runaways--Usagi wanders into a town where a procession is going through. The townsfolk have to make way for Lady Hirano. Hearing her name, Usagi remembers an early duty of his--escorting the woman to her marriage with Lord Hirano. Usagi had just received a letter from his father that Mariko (Usagi's childhood sweetheart) has married another. Usagi's boss sends him on the escort mission, assuming it will be easy work and time to sort things out. Unfortunately, the mission is attacked, leaving almost everyone dead. Usagi and the Lady Kinuko become runaways, trying to get Hirano. On the way, they follow a typical arc of feuding and falling for each other. Sakai deftly weaves in a myth about two stars who are separated by the Milky Way and only come together one night a year. The village Usagi and Kinuko travel through is having that one night festival, giving them a chance to bond. Sadly, things turn back to normal too soon. It's a melancholy story that is very touching and familiar.

Nature of the Viper--An old fisherman discovers a corpse on the riverbank. When he investigates, the hand shoots up and grabs him. The fisherman is frightened but he takes the man home to help him recover. Turns out, the nearly dead man is a literally washed-up old villain of Usagi's (Jei, the semi-demoniac from Book 6). He tells the fisherman a tale similar to the old Scorpion and Frog tale. Jei has the same attitude toward the fisherman. It's a great cliffhanger ending for the book.

This is another set of fine tales. Sakai tells the stories so well through images and character developments. Even familiar tropes feel fresh or personal.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 8 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 8: Shades of Death by Stan Sakai

Another bunch of stories about the rabbit ronin, Usagi Yojimbo:

Shades of Green--Usagi and his friend Gen the rhino wind up in a village surrounded by the Neko Clan (ninja warriors) who want the most valuable thing in the village--a rat with unusual powers. The rat convinces Usagi and Gen to help. The rat is also convinced that they need more help, so he had the two ronin collect some turtles from a nearby pond. The rat performs an incantation and the turtles transform into the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. Usagi has already had some adventures with them, so they don't wind up fighting first (as often happens when Marvel superheroes first meet). They band together to help the rat escape from the clan. The story is a good blend of action and fun. Usually I'm pretty leery of crossovers between disparate characters, but the Ninja Turtles are a good fit for Usagi's world.

Jizo--Jizo is the guardian of dead children. A distraught mother leaves a small idol to Jizo on the road where her son was murdered by five local outlaws. She leaves a small stone as an offering because the souls of dead children have to pile stones in a riverbed in the afterlife. Lots of passers-by continue throughout the day. Usagi passes by in the night and is attacked by the outlaws. He does his thing, inadvertently avenging the dead son. The next day, the mother comes back to discover the expression on the idol changed! The story is sweet and unfussy and really touching.

Shi--The word "Shi" has a double meaning. It means both "four" and "death," so a gang of four assassins are aptly named "Shi." This gang is hired to take out Usagi after he helps a vegetable merchant drive off some bullies. The bullies work for the local magistrate. The merchant's farm is in a valley full of gold nuggets though the farmers are unaware of the rocky soil's actual value. The bullies were supposed to get rid of all the farmers. Now the farmers have Usagi helping them, requiring the assassins. The magistrate's brother hired the gang of four, though he has more on his mind than eliminating Usagi. The story follows a familiar path but is well told and could easily be from some classic Akira Kurosawa samurai film.

The Lizard's Tale--During his wandering, Usagi is befriended by a pack of lizards. They follow him around, which is a bit annoying, especially when other travelers laugh or innkeepers frown. They prove their worth as the story goes on. The lack of dialog makes the plot go quickly and shows Sakai's storytelling prowess.

Usagi's Garden--The child Usagi is assigned by his master to grow a garden. Usagi thinks anyone can do that and does not see any point...until he can't get anything to grow and becomes desperate since sensei said he would kick Usagi out if he failed. It's an interesting, short tale.

Autumn--Young Usagi complains about the unending summer as he carries water from a spring. He tumbles down a ledge and wakes up in a witch's cage. The witch plans to eat him and her other "guest." Usagi escapes and frees the other prisoner, who turns out to be Aki-Onna, the spirit of Autumn. She goes berserk and Usagi is knocked out again. He wakes up when his master finds him laying at the bottom of the hill with the water pail. And the Autumn leaves have started to fall! This is another charming short story.

Battlefield--Young Usagi trains as he and his master hear a battle going on in the distance. Usagi longs for the glory of combat. He wants to go see but his master demurs. A lone soldier shows up but even his tale of woe doesn't quite change Usagi's mind. So the master and the disciple travel to the battlefield to see the dead (all the wounded have already been carried away). Usagi steals a fine sword from one of the corpses without his master knowning. That act literally turns into a nightmare as Usagi is haunted by the dead soldier (or is it Usagi's imagination?). Returning the sword is even more perilous since new soldiers have arrived and are executing scavengers! The story makes a nice cautionary tale without being blatant.

This is another great set of stories and well worth reading.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 7 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 7: Gen's Story by Stan Sakai

More adventures of the masterless samurai Usagi Yojimbo:

Kitsune--Usagi meets a fascinating street performer named Kitsune who is a master of magic tricks. She can balance a top on the edge of her fan, among other gimmicks. Usagi gives her a nice tip for her performance; she lifts his wallet because she is "a girl doing what she can to get by." After he discovers the theft, Usagi runs into an old opponent and has another encounter with Kitsune as they head out of town. The story is a little episodic but fun none-the-less.

Gaki--Young Usagi trains with his master who is teaching him to be more aware of his surroundings, mostly by bonking Usagi on the head when he isn't looking. Usagi decides to return the favor while the master is napping, but his over-enthusiasm leads to an oozing helmet. Usagi passes out and is pestered by the vengeful ghost (Gaki) of his master. The ending is obvious and enjoyable.

Broken Ritual--Usagi wanders into a town frightened by its recent history. During the last war, one of the commanders of Usagi's lord fled to the town and tried to commit seppuku (ritual suicide) before the enemies overtook him. The timing was off and the townsfolk were unhelpful, so now the town is haunted by the general's ghost. Much more serious than Gaki, this story is a touching ghost story.

The Tangled Skein--After the battle in which his lord dies, Usagi flees to a forrest known as the Tangled Skein. He hopes to hide from his enemies there. He winds up at the hut of a witch where he's put in jeopardy and saved by a very unlikely source. A fine, short tale.

Gen--The backstory of Gen, Usagi's best friend among the wandering masterless samurai, is given. The plot involves a poor old woman who has spent twenty years looking for vengeance. Her husband was assassinated by a loyal retainer. The retainer fled and she has been in pursuit, though she has run out of resources. Usagi and Gen try to help her. The story was exciting and touching, developing the character of Gen quite well.

The Return of Kitsune--Usagi and Gen run into Kitsune, who charms Gen with her schtick. She winds up on the bad side of some locals and Gen insists on helping her out of her jam. The tale is a lot of fun, developing even more of the relationship between Gen and Usagi.

The Last Ino Story--Ino is the blind swordpig with a wooden nose who supposedly died many issues ago. Turns out he's been in hiding, living a peaceful life with a good woman. That life has been disrupted by some bandits he fought. He has a serious arrow-wound and is near death. Usagi and Gen seek shelter in the hut where Ino's wife is trying to save him. They help Ino recover. Gen had faked Ino's death in hopes that he'd have a better life as an anonymous peasant. That was true until now. An owl keeps swooping by, which Gen takes as a harbinger of death. He doesn't want Ino to die, since sparing him was one of Gen's few good deeds. It's another touching story and has a nice ending.

Highly recommended--these stories are well-written and the art perfectly captures the tone of the storytelling.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 6 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 6 by Stan Sakai

More adventures of the ronin rabbit as he heads back to his hometown...

The Bridge--Usagi crosses a bridge during a dark and stormy night. He thinks he sees something on the bridge but maybe it was just the lightening. He stops at the inn on the other side of the bridge. The customers and the innkeeper don't believe he made it across at night. A demon haunts the crossing and kills nighttime travelers. The next morning, one of the customers discovers a severed hand in the middle of the span. Usagi stays to see the problem through. The book has some nods to The Evil Dead, which I found surprising. It's a good, creepy story.

The Duel--Usagi winds up dueling a local swordsman in some random town on Usagi's way to his hometown. A bookmaker made a bundle of money off the fight, though he has his own ronin who will fight Usagi the next day, so the two (the bookie and his swordsman) can make even more money. The other ronin has been working with the bookmaker for a year in order to earn enough money to retire with his wife and infant child. Fighting Usagi turns out to be a bigger challenge.

Yurei--Sleeping by a river, Usagi has an encounter with a ghost or yurei. The ghost is an innkeeper's daughter who married one of the hired hands. When her father died, the hired hand took over the inn, played around on her, and finally killed her and threw her body in the river. In the morning, Usagi assumes it was a dream but does find an expensive hair pin. He goes to the local inn to trade it for a small meal. The innkeeper recognizes his dead wife's pin and thinks Usagi is trying to blackmail him. Through circumstances, justice is satisfied. This is another spooky and satisfying tale.

My Lord's Daughter--Usagi tells a tall tale of his saving the daughter of his lord from an ogre and the ogre's minions. The story is short and fun and not too deep, just some light entertainment.

Circles--The last half of the book is taken up with this story where Usagi finally arrives home. Things are the same and totally different. His old master has new students; his childhood sweetheart has married the chief of the village and has a son; said chief is still a rival to Usagi. Usagi plans to settle down but bandits have been raiding. On their last raid, they kidnapped the child. The head of the bandits is an old foe of Usagi's who wants the ronin dead. The story shifts from action to drama quite deftly and has a fine melodramatic ending.

Recommended, highly for fans of the series--the storytelling is as good as always and the art matches well.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 5 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 5: Lone Goat and Kid by Stan Sakai

Another set of adventures for the rabbit ronin! Here's the story-by-story rundown...

Frost and Fire--Usagi is hired by a widow to recover her husband's swords. She's not interested in the body coming back, just the invaluable family heirlooms. Usagi agrees to the job. At the town where the samurai died, people are not forthcoming, except for one guy whose sister has the swords. She has her own sob story about why she wants to keep the swords but her brother is ready to cash in. Usagi slowly discovers more and more about the death and the characters involved. The story's melancholy ending is satisfying.

A Kite Story--A massive kite festival draws a master kite-maker, a dishonest gambler, and Usagi. The three cross paths two at a time, creating an interesting story, though maybe there's too much detail about the making of the kite.

Blood Wings--While traveling through the mountains, Usagi discovers a dead body. The fatal cuts are precise but the field has no footprints other than Usagi's and the corpse's. Usagi continues on to a small farming village where the man came from. The dead man discovered a cave full of ninja bats who are plotting to seize a gold shipment from a nearby mine. The ninjas are keeping the townfolk in town so the mine isn't warned. Usagi sets out early the next morning to try to get to the mine to warn them and get help for the village. Things don't go according to plan. The story is exciting and the bat ninjas are natural and interesting bad guys.

The Way of the Samurai--Usagi wanders into a town ruled by an ex-general. The general is a fine administrator but cannot fight the illness that's overcome him. He and Usagi share a connection--the samurai code. That code gives the story a poignant finale. This may be the best story in this collection.

Lone Goat and Kid--Lord Hirone's clan is potentially in disgrace if the ronin Yagi reveals the plot that had him and his son (the two are the titular characters--Yagi really is a goat!) banished from the clan. Three of the clan's lieutenants hatch a plan where a merchant will hire Yagi to kill Usagi, with the hope that Usagi will kill Yagi. The lieutenants watch as the battle begins but the backstabbing starts a little early on their side, throwing the plan into chaos. The story makes an exciting finale to this book.

Highly recommended--all the stories are entertaining and exciting.

 

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 4 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 4: The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy by Stan Sakai

This volume of Usagi Yojimbo is one long story about a potential civil war. Usagi stumbles across a plan by Lord Tamakuro to overthrow the Shogun. Tamakuro has been stockpiling flintlock guns and lead, preparing to take over all of Japan. Usagi has help from many friends from past stories, including Zato-Ino the blind swordpig, Gen the bountyhunter rhino, and Tomoe Ame. Each character starts from a different point but the plot threads come together nicely making a very satisfying story. As usual, the art is simple and beautiful, communicating the action and the emotion along with the storyline. It's another great outing for the rabbit ronin.

Highly recommended.

Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 3 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 3: The Wanderer's Road by Stan Sakai

More stories about the samurai rabbit from feudal Japan...

In "The Tower," Usagi wanders into a town where a local noodle shop owner has chased a lizard up the town's tower. The owner is a bully, so rather than condemning him, the townsfolk start making bets on when the lizard will fall off the tower (the top isn't very big and the winds are picking up). Usagi says this is awful and climbs the tower to bring the lizard down. The owner chops the steps of the ladder, forcing Usagi to come up with a new plan as he tries to calm down the frightened and hostile lizard. The story throws in a lot of humor and the lizard winds up being Usagi's travel companion. 

"The Good Mother" is a much darker story. Usagi and Spot (that's what he named the lizard) have a meal with an old woman. To repay her kindness, he carries her back to her town. She'd been on a pilgrimage to pray for her son. Once they get to town, the son's problem is obvious. He's inherited his father's loan business but uses it to oppress the town. He's hired thugs to collect payments. The mother is ashamed and sad. The son is hostile to Usagi but cowers before his sword. Things get much darker as the story concludes. The grimness is surprising but narratively satisfying. Not really a kid's story.

"Return of the Blind Swordpig" reunites Usagi with an old foe whose nose he cut off. The tenseness of the confrontation is mitigated by the lizard, who inadvertently helped the blind swordpig earlier in the story. Even as mortal enemies, they still have humanity between them.

"Blade of the Gods" has Usagi facing an insane ronin who thinks he's been appointed by the gods to destroy evil in the world. The evil he destroys is other people with little justification on his part, an activity generally seen as evil by everyone else. They have an intense fight in a lightening storm that ends dramatically.

"The Tea Cup" is a little tribute to Groo the Wanderer (which I've never read, so I don't know how much of a tribute it is) where Usagi teams up with Gen, one of his samurai friends. Gen has to take an expensive tea cup to a tea merchant. A rival tea merchant wants it, so Gen has been fighting off hired thugs. Gen and Usagi have a break at an inn where they pick up two orphans headed to the same city. The usual mayhem ensues. The story has a good blend of action and humor.

"The Shogun's Gift" tells the tale of a ninja stealing a priceless sword from Lord Noriyuki. Usagi wanders into town as the search is on and has some encounters with the thief, who has disguised himself as a woodcutter. The ending is predictable but still fun.

"Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew" is an out-of-continuity meet-up of Usagi with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Well, just Leonardo, who falls through time into feudal Japan and has a quick encounter with Usagi. For the few pages it lasts, the story is fun.

These Usagi stories are very entertaining and have a unique art style that I like.

Highly recommended.