Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 1: The Ronin by Stan Sakai

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Usagi Yojimbo is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals where our rabbit hero travels through Japan as a ronin, a Samurai without a master, after his master is killed prior to the start of the book.

The book is fairly episodic, with a couple stories that connect, but no big plot arc. Its just Usagi walkin across the countryside, meeting people, having adventures, and fighting people. The best way I can describe its overall tone is of a good 1950s-60s TV Western, something like Have Gun Will Travel. The series also strikes an interesting tone. It's not jokey about its concepts or treating its characters as a joke, but it also has some lighter moments and doesn't take itself too seriously.

My favorite story in here is probably, "A Quiet Meal" where Usagi sits down to a meal only to be menaced by a gang of roughnecks. He remains silent throughout but has a great payoff.

None of the stories are bad, and it all does a nice job of setting up Usagi and his world. I'm glad I read it and will definitely read more.





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