The Sakai Project: Artists Celebrate Thirty Years of Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #Artbook

by Stan Sakai (illustrator)

The most amazing artists in the world have come together to celebrate thirty years of Stan Sakai's marvelous samurai rabbit saga, Usagi Yojimbo. The participating artists bring their own interpretations and their own styles to the subject, making this book a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Genres: Comics, Art, Graphic Novels

160 pages, Hardcover

First published July 23, 2014

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

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comic industry is just a big family despite what may be said, this is the proof. A beautiful and emotional tribute to the Sakai family, hundreds of artists gave their time and art to help their colleague in need. You'll have a smile stuck on your face from the moment you open this book till you close it, maybe for a long time after that. Plus, you'll enjoy some art by masters (Aragones, Mignola, Smith) and promising students alike.

Thanks to all and to dark horse for making this happen, I hope it really helped Mr. Sakai and his wife overcome this unbearable health problem. Congratulations.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The preface sets the emotional tone for this loving tribute which is absolutely beautiful to look at. I went from looking for some of my favorite artists' contributions, to being wowed by the many major names who submitted work, to simply being enthralled by each and every illustration -- now all I want to do is keep gazing at each page again and again.

[Carl Grider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't give it anything other than 5 stars. Nice people helping out nice people with incredible art!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much amazing artwork!

[Paul Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usagi Yojimbo and its creator Stan Sakai began a journey 30 years ago that has touched a great many artists and comic fans. Three decades of joy and inspiration from one samurai rabbit who was the epitome of Japanese entertainment rolled into a reflective and very special hero.

When Stan Sakai's Wife developed an ever worsening brain tumor the artistic community banded together to help. More than 250 artists contributed to this fantastic and jaw dropping collection of art.

Its near impossible to not see the love, joy and talent expressed in these many and varied styles all pouring out for someone they admire and someone who inspired them.

This is a can't miss for anyone with joy in their heart, an eye for talent, a passion for pop and comic art and anyone who has room in their heart for one ronin bunny.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 – 100s of Artistic Takes on Usagi Yojimbo.

I you love Stan Sakai’s character Usagi Yojimbo you’ve probably already bought or ordered this. If you’ve never heard of Usagi you should be checking out one of the collected editions of Saki’s ronin rabbit. It may feature anthropomorphics, but it’s got more humanity than many of the other comics on the stands. If you’re just a lover of great art, taking the subject out of it, again, this is a must-buy.
Read more: https://comicspectrumtpb.wordpress.co...

[***Dave Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book is made up of pictures of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo, collected (and actioned) to help support the medical care for Stan's wife. It's not something that anyone who's not a fan of the character would appreciate, but for fans it's a fantastic collection, varying from artists who capture (in their own way) Stan's style, to others who have their own idiosyncratic way of rendering a rabbit ronin.

There are a few clunkers, but also a lot of loveliness, and it's all for a tremendous cause.

[Jdetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to really review a benefit book like this. It has some gorgeous artwork, but are there other things I would have liked to see? Sure, there are artists I wish we're here, and I'd love to see some one or two page strips from some of these creators. That being said, what's here is gorgeous and as everything is for a good cause harping on that sort of thing is in bad taste. Kudos to all who gave their time for this project.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any Usagi Yojimbo fan. The artwork is beautiful and amazing, and proceeds support Stan and his wife as they deal with medical expenses. It's a great collection with lots of different artistic styles and interpretations, and a lovely book overall.

(Not available via Amazon, currently. I ordered mine through my local comic shop. I imagine bookstores could easily do the same, especially if they have a comics/graphic novels section.)

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun seeing everyone's version or mash up of Usagi. I especially loved Picasso Dular's contribution.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for a good cause.
Lots of great renditions of Usagi in here, from some great artists.

[Leonard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colorful animated illustrations by various artists, not very meaningful for someone like myself who is not familiar with or necessarily a fan of this kind of art.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much good art as tribute to the amazing Stan Sakai.

[Shane Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art collection to celebrate the excellent Usagi Yojimbo story and help the creator with medical payments. Worth every penny