Usagi Yojimbo Volume 41: Ten Thousand Plums

Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #41

by Stan Sakai, HiFi Colour Design (Contributor)

Murder and arson are plaguing the valley of ten thousand plums.

The trees within the valley of ten thousand plums are beautiful to behold. But the umeboshi, or pickled plums, made in the local village are renowned for their strong medicinal properties, and a favorite of the Shogun. As a series of deadly events grip the valley with fear, the Shogun's samurai strongman is immediately suspicious when Usagi, Yukichi, and Gen are found wandering among the prized foliage...can their appearance be a mere coincidence?

A new adventure starring Usagi Yojimbo by legendary creator Stan Sakai, with beautiful color work by HiFi Colour Design! This collection also includes a new introduction from The Last Ronin co-writer Tom Waltz, a full cover gallery featuring every comic-book issue variant cover, bonus story notes by Zack Davisson, and afterword text by Stan Sakai!

Collects Usagi Ten Thousand Plums #1-#5.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

Stan 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).

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This contains two longer tales, one of a village near a vast plum orchard and another featuring a pilgrimage to a shrine. I liked it but I'm still not a fan of Usagi in color, though I imagine it's easier for Stan than hatching the shit out of everything.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usagi and Yukichi are joined by Gen following their previous adventure (see Usagi Yojimbo Volume 40: The Crow) as they enter the Valley of Ten Thousand Plums, a revered site due to the production of pickled plums (umeboshi) which are known to have healing properties. A yōkai stalks the region, which begins to impact the plum trees. The heroic trio work alongside the shōgun's mem to root out the evil in valley, but unearth the real purpose behind the haunting of the plum trees. As always, Sakai's storytelling is simple yet engaging, though by 40+ volumes of Miyamoto Usagi adventures you do begin to see some recurrence and overreliance on tropes. A two part story entitled "Tabo" is the stronger story in this volume as we follow an altruistic companion joining Usagi and friends on a pilgrimage to a statue known to weep. The story serves as an earnest and heartwarming tribute to Sakai's recently deceased brother and exemplifies Sakai's continued ability to deliver charming stories.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I say this after finishing every volume, but if you're not reading Usagi Yojimbo, you're missing out.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong collection. First is a story of a vengeful Kitsune with some hints about Usagi’s name being discussed by others, probably in a negative light. The second story about a Christian pilgrimage, is very sweet and the backmatter lets us know that it was a very personal story.

[Stano Várady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chills and warm heartbreak in just two stories.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was really good. Quite touching too.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only possible complaint that I could level at this book is how much I wish it were longer than five chapters!

Usagi and his cousin, along with our old buddy Gen, travel to a remote village to see its famed plum blossoms, which accompany a fruit said to have healing attributes. Several months before our heroes' visit, the villagers turned away a beggar who needed medicine for her sick daughter, and now villagers start to show up dead and the trees are lighting on fire. Another great tale of fantastical Japanese yokai, and another yarn where even the villain is quite justified.

The second story, two chapters long, finds the boys - sans Gen, who's had enough of their brand of profit-free heroism! - traveling the same route as a group of secret Christians on a pilgrimage. Great character work and a very touching finale mark another great USAGI classic.

[A.E. Stueve · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Ten Thousand Plums” is two stories. The first, a story about a kitsune who takes her revenge on the town that refused to help in her time of need. A valuable moral is delivered, a lesson learned. The second, “Tabo” is a heartfelt tribute to Stan Sakai’s recently deceased little brother and speaks to everyday miracles just as much as profound ones. Once more, these stories prove why Sakai is the best of the best.

[Jason Albertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm partial to the black and white UYs, but the coloring of this one is gorgeous. The stories really good too. The second one depicts the hidden Christians of medieval Japan in a little more historical detail then UY has shown before.

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable Usagi Yojimbo story, which utilizes the relatively new character of Yukichi, who ends up having a lot to do here. While it may not be the most memorable plot, it's still well thought out and provides plenty of action.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was rooting for the creepy fox lady in the first half of this to be honest. Also may have teared up a bit at the end of the second part and Stan Sakai's tribute to his late brother.

[Andres Pasten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siempre es una buena lectura

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

The personal nature of the second story lifts this above the usual excellence.

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the best Usagi stories in a while.