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Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #Spin-Off
Space Usagi
Unimaginable future technology alongside an ancient samurai code. A universe populated with bizarre lifeforms divided into warring clans. Space Usagi is the descendent of the 17th-century samurai, Miyamoto Usagi, and is the hero of his clan. Space Usagi collects all three miniseries previously published by Dark Horse and Mirage. Death and Honor tells of the fall of the Shiroshi star sytem, White Star Rising chronicles a band of samurai as they attempt to retake their system, and Warrior has Usagi on the trail of the abductor of his lord. Also featured are two short stories, including an encounter with the original Usagi Yojimbo.
296 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 1998
4 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Stan Sakai
924 books371 followersStan Sakai (Japanese: 坂井 スタンSakai Sutan; born May 25, 1953) is an artist who became known as an Eisner Award-winning comic book originator.
Born in Kyoto, Sakai grew up in Hawaii and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.
He began his career by lettering comic books (notably Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier) and became famous with the production of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day, with Sakai as the lone author and nearly-sole artist (Tom Luth serves as the main colorist on the series, and Sergio Aragonés has made two small contributions to the series: the story "Broken Ritual" is based on an idea by Aragonés, and he served as a guest inker for the black and white version of the story "Return to Adachi Plain" that is featured in the Volume 11 trade paper-back edition of Usagi Yojimbo). He also made a futuristic spin-off series Space Usagi. His favorite movie is Satomi Hakkenden (1959).
Born in Kyoto, Sakai grew up in Hawaii and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.
He began his career by lettering comic books (notably Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier) and became famous with the production of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day, with Sakai as the lone author and nearly-sole artist (Tom Luth serves as the main colorist on the series, and Sergio Aragonés has made two small contributions to the series: the story "Broken Ritual" is based on an idea by Aragonés, and he served as a guest inker for the black and white version of the story "Return to Adachi Plain" that is featured in the Volume 11 trade paper-back edition of Usagi Yojimbo). He also made a futuristic spin-off series Space Usagi. His favorite movie is Satomi Hakkenden (1959).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 16, 2024
This trade collects the three Space Usagi stories by Stan Sakai along with two short stories featuring Space Usagi from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #47 (original Mirage series) and Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #3 (published by Fantagraphics).
Opening with the "Death and Honor" miniseries (originally serialized with Mirage Studios), Sakai introduces a descendent of Miyamoto Usagi in the distant future who serves as a commander for the Shirohoshi Clan space fleet. Usagi is tasked with protecting the lord's son, Prince Kiyoshi, who is betrothed to Princess Masayo of the Mino Clan. But the treachery from one of the Shirohoshi retainers leads Usagi to go on the run with Kiyoshi as the pair must find a way to reclaim the Shirohoshi throne from the evil Lord Niiro. The story is followed up with two sequel series, "White Star Rising" (originally published in color by Mirage Studios) and "Warrior" (published by Dark Horse Comics). Throughout these adventures, Usagi meets up with other future analogs to characters from the main Usagi Yojimbo series like Gen and Tomoe. Though Sakai favors a space opera setting for these adventures, they don't really deviate much from the style of stories told since they still involve a feudal structure, katanas, and bushido. There isn't really sufficient originality here in the world design to differentiate from something like Star Wars which has been doing the "Kurosawa in space" thing for a while now. These stories are fun to be sure, but nowhere near as great as the Usagi Yojimbo series is. It's an entertaining enough extension to Sakai's magnum opus series, but not much more than that.
Opening with the "Death and Honor" miniseries (originally serialized with Mirage Studios), Sakai introduces a descendent of Miyamoto Usagi in the distant future who serves as a commander for the Shirohoshi Clan space fleet. Usagi is tasked with protecting the lord's son, Prince Kiyoshi, who is betrothed to Princess Masayo of the Mino Clan. But the treachery from one of the Shirohoshi retainers leads Usagi to go on the run with Kiyoshi as the pair must find a way to reclaim the Shirohoshi throne from the evil Lord Niiro. The story is followed up with two sequel series, "White Star Rising" (originally published in color by Mirage Studios) and "Warrior" (published by Dark Horse Comics). Throughout these adventures, Usagi meets up with other future analogs to characters from the main Usagi Yojimbo series like Gen and Tomoe. Though Sakai favors a space opera setting for these adventures, they don't really deviate much from the style of stories told since they still involve a feudal structure, katanas, and bushido. There isn't really sufficient originality here in the world design to differentiate from something like Star Wars which has been doing the "Kurosawa in space" thing for a while now. These stories are fun to be sure, but nowhere near as great as the Usagi Yojimbo series is. It's an entertaining enough extension to Sakai's magnum opus series, but not much more than that.
February 6, 2019
As other commenters pointed out, this is Usagi meets Star-Wars. Not too shabby! But clearly Sakai's strong card isn't Sci-fi. Can't say i had a bad time with Space Usagi but i'll stick to the original one.
February 27, 2016
In terms of high concept, think of this as "Usagi Yojimbo meets Star Wars." In some far-flung future, a descendant of the samurai Usagi fights an evil empire in space. While it lacks the depth and subtlety of the long running Usage Yojimbo series, it is a diverting space adventure. It's fun to see Stan Sakai tackling science fiction art and adventure, but, unfortunately, it really pales in comparison to the original series.
June 25, 2014
I didn't like Space Usagi as much as the regular Usagi comics, but it was still good fun. I have to admit though: my favorite story was the short little crossover with original Usagi.
July 8, 2014
Not as good as regular Usagi. I liked the last story though!
January 19, 2022
Standa Sakai toužil Usagiho na chvíli vymanit z okovů své (velmi kvalitní) fantasy reflexe feudálního Japonska a užít si s ním trochu zábavy a nakreslit pár dinosaurů. Zábava to je, proti tomu nemůžu nic říct, ale bohužel se přesouváme z originality Usagiho do neoriginality fantasy trop ze Star Wars (které se taky inspirovaly jinde...). Pořád je to kvalitní komiks, Stan umí, ale tentokrát svou kostru Usagiho světa ověsil tisíckrát ohranými tropami a jako celek je to prostě moc. Já to přečetl na dvě sezení a to už bylo trochu moc intenzivní dávkování, ve kterém jde vidět, že zde stan jen praktikuje známé inspirace a ani je moc "nepřežvýká". I ty paralely na Usagiho originální děj pak v tomhle vyniknou spíš jako kopírování z lenosti, než pomrkávání na znalé čtenáře. Vesmírný Usagi je tak prostě nejvíc tuctová věc, co v rámci Usagiho, možná i celkového díla Stana Sakaie, vzniklo. A to říkám s těžkým srdcem jako velký Stanův a Usagiho fanoušek. Mimo kontext Usagiho to samozřejmě není žádná katastrofa, Stan řemeslně zvládá tvořit snad i ve spánku (což by vysvětlovalo Vesmírného Usagiho), takže níže než 3 hvězdy jít rozhodně nechci, to je rezervováno jiným "expertům".
March 9, 2020
This is a crazy book! It's Usagi ojimbo in space. Usagi Yojimbo was already a crazy book. Samurai plus animals. This is (samurai PLUS animals) PLUS space.
I think what loses it points is that it's not clear why they're not always setting their swords to overdrive or whatever. There's a once-an-episode finishing move, but it seems to happen more than once an episode. Also, some of the plotting felt too derivative of the original Usagi. And finally, the heel turn was pretty easy to see coming.
Look, it's an amazing technical book. I felt let down maybe because the tension was so high and it was so good?
I think what loses it points is that it's not clear why they're not always setting their swords to overdrive or whatever. There's a once-an-episode finishing move, but it seems to happen more than once an episode. Also, some of the plotting felt too derivative of the original Usagi. And finally, the heel turn was pretty easy to see coming.
Look, it's an amazing technical book. I felt let down maybe because the tension was so high and it was so good?
January 8, 2022
i heard that Stan Sakai was the GOAT. I heard that there’s never been a bad issue of Usagi Yojimbo.
I’ve never read sakai nor yojimbo before reading this. This is star wars + furries + samurai. i can confirm that Sakai is the goat and that there isn’t a single bad issue in this Usagi Yojimbo collection
I’ve never read sakai nor yojimbo before reading this. This is star wars + furries + samurai. i can confirm that Sakai is the goat and that there isn’t a single bad issue in this Usagi Yojimbo collection
July 26, 2017
What I find most impressive about Space Usagi is the balance between new and familiar. The characters are mainly the same, and the themes and values, but natural changes are made to adapt everything to a completely new setting. It doesn't feel forced at all.
June 16, 2020
Good, but I’m surprised to say I liked the others better. This one felt a little too Derivative of Star Wars and Flash Gordon. I don’t knock Stan. This is hard work, and there is a fine line between homages and becoming derivative. This one just crossed that line for me.
February 1, 2021
Not a big Sakai's sci-fi stories fan but story called Hare Today Hare Tommorrow (only 6 pages) is really good.Overall is also good and unexpected for me if you fan of star wars and usagi don't pass this one.
July 20, 2019
Great book. New twist.
February 7, 2021
Straightforward but entertaining.
September 5, 2022
Stan Sakai is an amazing storyteller and the Sci-Fi setting pushes this one into 5-star territory for me.
December 30, 2022
The full collection of 'Space Usagi' stories. The stories are fun and Sakai's art is beautiful.
August 6, 2025
Definitely Star Wars meets Usagi Yojimbo. Fun series. I would not mind read more Space Usagi if Sakai ever writes more.
September 20, 2011
Very entertaining and satisfying space opera stories that mixes Japanese Samurai culture with science fiction.
The stories are SO much better than the prequel Star Wars Trilogy with the same mix/type of characters. A knight, royalty running away, a smuggler scoundrel with a heart of gold (?)... and plot twists and action that make up a very good yarn.
The stories are SO much better than the prequel Star Wars Trilogy with the same mix/type of characters. A knight, royalty running away, a smuggler scoundrel with a heart of gold (?)... and plot twists and action that make up a very good yarn.
January 12, 2015
One of the most underrated sci-fi comics ever made. Of ridiculous quality considering it's a spin-off, a hokey 'In SPAAACE' version of Usagi Yojimbo—about 10,000 times better than it has any right to be. Probably my favorite Usagi book. The Moebius references in particular were fun. Sakai is creative as hell when he lets loose.
August 3, 2015
Sakai to dle svých slov napsal, aby se zbavil "okovů", které ho obvykle svazují v sérii s "historicky samurajskou" odnoží Usagiho. Paradoxně je to však spíše ke škodě než užitku, protože je to nemlich to samé, ale bez onoho rámce to je jen stokrát ohraná kopie Star Wars syžetu. Což nemá zapotřebí Usagi; a ostatně ani Sakai.
June 25, 2016
I love this...many of the concept and characters of Usagi Yojimbo, transported to a sci-fi setting. Yet there are plenty of new concepts introduced here as well, and a lot of fun Star Wars references. Plus, since it's not tied to continuity, they can do whatever they want with the characters, giving the series a freedom the regular book lacks.
September 18, 2011
Great Fun. i agree with Keon's review - how Star Wars should have been.
Samurai rabbits (etc) in space, in the future. Intrigue, honour, secrets, plotting, betrayal, intergalactic giant sea turtles, Katana fights, Cat-ninjas. Satisfying stories.
Samurai rabbits (etc) in space, in the future. Intrigue, honour, secrets, plotting, betrayal, intergalactic giant sea turtles, Katana fights, Cat-ninjas. Satisfying stories.
March 5, 2009
A fun one!
July 27, 2009
This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the fantastic elements in the character design and the storyline. It was nice to read a "space" story with such creative elements for once.
May 4, 2011
Good stand-alone book in case you haven't read the original Usagi books. But at the same time, I wish there was more of Space Usagi!
September 25, 2023
It's fun and well drawn, but not as striking or memorable as the historical details in the Usagi Yojimbo series.
September 12, 2021
Retroactive Review (12 Sep 2021): Usagi Yojimbo but way far in the future. Similar storylines as to the original few arcs, but in space.
September 22, 2013
Some of the deeds of the warrior Miyamoto Usagi in a far future battle between clans.
Certain scenes remind me of Star Wars.
Certain scenes remind me of Star Wars.
July 8, 2014
Slightly lighter in tone than the feudal Japan Usagi books, this is a super fun read.
February 3, 2016
Nice twist on the usage saga
January 2, 2014
Woo! This was great: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-revi...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews