Disney Manga: Stitch and the Samurai: The Complete Collection

Stitch and the Samurai #1-3

by Hiroto Wada

While fleeing the Galactic Federation, Stitch's spaceship malfunctions and he makes an emergency landing... not in Hawaii, but in sengoku-era Japan! Discovered by the brutal warlord Lord Yamato and his clan, Stitch's incomparable cuteness is no match for the battle-weary samurai, who decides to bring the "blue tanuki" home with him. Will Stitch's love of chaos turn into a formidable advantage for the samurai's influence? Or will his cute and fluffy form disarm the noble lord's stern façade?

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Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Comics Manga, Young Adult, Science Fiction

564 pages, Hardcover

Published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Brena Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

INCREDIBLE

[Christian Schultheiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot bigger and a lot more book than I though it would’ve been but between the adorable corner art, the unique and frankly amazing combination of art styles and genres into something beyond anything else I’ve seen Disney produce and I was so thrilled for this the whole time and I really want to see what else comes from this unique friendship. The only thing that kept it from being perfect was the kind of basic and guessable ending but besides that a true home run. 4.5/5

[Highland G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this upgrade because I enjoyed my first read of the paperbacks so much.
After a reread, it still holds up and is one of the most original things to come out of Disney in along time.

[Karyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fitting that I read this book while wearing my Valentine’s Day Stitch shirt as well as a pair of Stitch socks. I picked this up a few days ago at Walmart because I really couldn’t resist the sprayed edges. And come to find out, there’s a flip book in the corners!

I absolutely adored this book. Stitch already has my heart, but then he somehow lands in feudal Japan and softens the heart of a mighty and powerful samurai. Watching Stitch melt Meison’s heart and overwhelm him with cuteness, and then seeing them play together with actual toys, was so heartwarming. It’s not at all what I was expecting.

I also loved that Jumba comes to find Stitch, and manages to erase his own memories, yet he builds a high-tech city in the middle of feudal Japan. And Pleakley as Jumba’s wife was just perfection.

I can’t say enough about this manga. I loved the art, the mixture between the highly detailed drawing I associate with manga and the more cartoonish Disney feel with Stitch and the other characters from the movie. Stitch fans of all ages will definitely appreciate this book.

(I also quite liked the artist’s afterwords in each volume.)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did we really need yet another reason to love Stitch? Yes. Yes we did. Stitch has become such an iconic part of the Disney family that the more Stitch we get, the happier we are.
What I really loved about this manga was how true it was to the original characters. While the story went in different directions with them, I could still see the characters doing what they did. Stitch scratching his bum, oblivious to the gravity of any given situation. Jumba building a futuristic city in medieval Japan. Pleakley being the constant support to Jumba but at the same time, reeling him in. This alternative version of Stitch's story was just as good as the movie and is a worthy incorporation to his universe.
I highly recommend this manga. Especially to Disney / Stitch fans. They will get a kick out of his antics and will be pleased with the result.

[꒰ა celeste ☆ ໒꒱ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this manga was so cute and funny. I was more excited for the flip art in the corners. They out did themselves of this series

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a moment when, while reading this, I realized I was lying on my Stitch plushie and drinking from my emotional support Stitch water bottle. So, yes, I do really like the character Stitch, and I am certainly the demographic for this fun manga my observant partner gifted me some years ago.

Stitch ends up in a version of medieval Japan and captures the heart of a fierce warlord Meison. And I mean, Stitch got this man giggling and kicking his feet, and keeping him totally distracted from trying to conquer Japan, but it's all good because Meison was being toxic about it anyways.

I think S & S occurs in a reality where Stitch doesn't meet Lilo, but there's a bit of a continuity error where Stitch mentions "ohana." Either way, don't worry about it!!

What feels like the start of a gag manga has some great story beats, especially when Jumba and Pleakley enter the scene. (Crossdressing!!!!) Truly, this manga had no business being as good as it was, definitely recommended for a cleanser if you happened to watch the live action remake.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read manga since I was a teen, but this seemed way too cute to pass up. This takes the basic concept of the movie Lilo & Stitch, but has it happen in Senkgo-Era Japan. While we don’t have Lilo here, we do have a “scary” warlord samurai. He is hilariously ripped he evil, then here comes little Stitch and he immediately abandons all his plans to try and pet the “blue raccoon.” This story is so funny and beautifully illustrated, I would recommend this to literally everyone.

[Blythe Penland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this collection was very cute. I hadn't realized Stitch had any manga featuring him, but I was ecstatic nonetheless upon discovery. Ah, the countless blessings of Free Comic Book Day. The samurai was such an interesting plot for this particular tale. I'm not all that knowledgeable surrounding Japanese history, so I don't know if the general was a historical figure, but his heart opening to an alien was timeless.

I really like how this version of Stitch traveled not only through space, but through space and time, so he crash-landed in the past and subsequently changed the lives of an entire serious soldier-based society in Japan way back in the past. Stitch, as always, was hilarious and extremely smart. But the best part of any Stitch is his heart. The Stitch that became so much more than a mere experiment or raccoon. Stitch taught others how to love while learning himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed the flipbook-like animation at the bottom of the pages. The artist was top-notch. I recommend this book to those who are bloodthirsty. Like Lord Meison, you, too, will find the light and stop being so serious. Oh, and Ema the ghost was my second favorite character after Stitch! Broken things don't deserve our lives, but we sure can have fun in the afterlife!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable. I love that it took the original Lilo and Stitch story and basically flipped it out of time and into Japan. The only downside I would say is that Stitch basically needed NO reprogramming into a "well-behaved" creature, unlike in the original Lilo and Stitch where Lilo had to work hard to teach/train Stitch to be good and fight his destructive programming. In this series he just automatically seems to fall into good (unless provoked) and also does not seem to have any desire for destruction (could have made him really useful to the samurai if he had).
I liked the artwork, felt it was appropriately paced and enjoyed the ending. I would definitely recommend it as a manga to read.

[Hayley Hancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A retelling of Stitch's transition to life on Earth in Medieval Japan was not something I would ever see myself reading ten years ago. The cover art for this omnibus edition is what drew me in and I am so glad I got it. It's so sweet! Cheesy and corny, yes, but a great remake over all! It's also full of humor and Stitch is still Stitch, so that hasn't changed. If you're a fan of Lilo and Stitch give this a chance! Watching Stitch become family with a War Lord Samurai was something else to see, but heartwarming overall. 10/10.

[Jacob Derington]

This is a fun take on the story of the blue alien Stitch. The movie is coming out, and it is an entertaining read that asks what would happen if Stitch landed somewhere else. In this case what if he lands in medieval Japan instead of Hawaii? The book had a bit of detachment from Stitch’s initial introduction in Lilo and Stitch but held to the core nature of the character. The book follows a similar background story with the Galactic Federation being after Stitch and sending Jumba and Pleakley with a fun twist. Overall, I felt it was a read worth sharing with fans of the character.

[Moth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

Stitch and the Samurai is a manga, switching the story of Lilo and Stitch to one where Stitch crash-lands in feudal Japan and is adopted by a warlord.
This book was absolutely hilarious. The entire concept of a ferocious warlord looking at Stitch and just saying “I want to pet it” is hilarious.
I loved the contrast between the classic manga/anime art style and the flat, Disney art style for Stitch.

CW: war; violence

[coury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manga collection was so beautiful, hilarious, and sweet. I love the strong elements of found family in this. I loved every character in this, especially the growth we get to see in the samurai’s character through Stitch’s influence in his life. This honestly felt just as magical as a Disney movie.

And, as someone who doesn’t remember watching the Stitch movies as a kid, reading this has inspired me to watch them.

[Makayla Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book was like one of the What If Disney books. I really loved the ending and how all the original characters had the same personality: Stitch, Jumba, Pleakley, the Grand Councilwoman, and even Gantu. I would have loved more action/training scenes with Stitch and the Samurai. Stitch could have definitely won a lot of battles with his abilities!

[Katie Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute collection! I knew I needed to read this as soon as I saw Stitch on the cover. I’m glad I found the collection edition at Walmart. The book is long but it’s a quick enjoyable read with lots of cute scenes! Stitch is adorable, I have so many scenes marked with him. The art style is pretty, the story is enjoyable, and I’m just loving adorable chaotic stitch!

[estherbookster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while vacationing in Hawaii. It’s a fun manga about Stitch’s cuteness overload influences a powerful samurai. The art style is perfect, and we even have our queer icons Pleaky and Jumba. Great representation and overall entertaining story. It’s light-hearted and still captures those wholesome themes.

[JestersRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a silly little what if story about what would have happened if stitch landed in ancient Japan the art is really well done as well this is definitely a recommendation for any fans of Lilo and Stitch

[Jo-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally if the movie took place in the Sengoku era. It's funny and heartwarming in its own way.

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a pretty book. The pages are really smooth and nice. I wish more books used this kind of paper!

[Logan Polk · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first manga! Fun and full of humour, an interesting twist in the Stitch story.

[consumedshadow-mysticmc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Stars

It was enjoyable.
The plot was very episodic.

[Bill Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samurai meets Stitch. Samurai wants to pet Stitch. Situations happen from there. It's funny how buff all the samurai are, and how Stitch easily kicks their butts!

[Alexandra Lowrance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute idea but poorly executed. This could've so much better.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute casual read for me to take a break from the heavy and intense world building fantasies I've been reading. I love Stitch, so I'm biased. But the managa was cute, and I loved it.

[Triana Hranicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, simple disney Manga. Features many of the original cast :)

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute and humorous, a worthwhile read if you're also a fan of this cuddly alien monster. :D

[Hannah Alane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable!! 😭😭🫶 Made my heart so happy to read.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A alternate timeline for the story of everyone's favorite little blue alien. Very cute story!

[Frannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In between my more heavy reads, this was a feel good graphic novel break from my usual. Thank you Hiroto Wada for this creation and reuniting me with Experiment 626.