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Usagi Yojimbo Saga #7
Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 7
Stan Sakai's wandering rabbit ronin faces his toughest battles yet in this seventh installment of the definitive compilations! This riveting volume includes the stories "Traitors of the Earth," in which Miyamoto Usagi faces a terrifying horde of the undead, "A Town Called Hell," wherein Usagi must win peace for villagers caught between two competing gang lords, "Those Who Tread on the Scorpion's Tail," which pits Usagi against the notorious Red Scorpions and their shadowy leader, and much more!
Collects Usagi Yojimbo Volume Three #117-#138, and the Free Comic Book Day 2009 story, "One Dark and Stormy Night."
"One of the longest running series in comics, the quality of the narrative still remains undeniably high." - Paste Magazine
"Sixteenth-century Japan is never so entertaining as in Stan Sakai's tales of Miyamoto Usagi." - NPR's Best Books of 2014
Collects Usagi Yojimbo Volume Three #117-#138, and the Free Comic Book Day 2009 story, "One Dark and Stormy Night."
"One of the longest running series in comics, the quality of the narrative still remains undeniably high." - Paste Magazine
"Sixteenth-century Japan is never so entertaining as in Stan Sakai's tales of Miyamoto Usagi." - NPR's Best Books of 2014
624 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
19 people are currently reading
184 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 17, 2019
Usagi Yojimbo Book 7 collects Usagi Yojimbo #117-#138 plus "One Dark and Stormy Night" and "Cut the Plum."
In this volume, Stan Sakai sends Miyamoto Usagi on a collision course with bandits, zombies, monsters, and the usual fare. Old favorites like Kato, Sasuke, and Kitsune make appearances. There are big battles, encounters with monsters from Japanese folklore, and touching moments.
Honestly, I'm running out of ways to say this is the best comic around. Stan Sakai's minimalist yet still complex art is as masterful as ever. He's as adept with facial expressions as he is with battles and decapitations. The writing is as smooth as fine sake, expressing humor, disdain, happiness, and sadness with equal skill.
My favorite stories in the collection were "A Town Called Hell," Sakai's take on Red Harvest, and "The Death of Lord Hikiji," an Eisner Award-nominee. Honestly, they were all good, though. Anyone already reading Usagji Yojimbo knows what to expect.
While I already have Usagi Yojimbo Legends and I've pre-ordered Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 8, I dread the day when I have no Usagi Yojimbo comics left to read. Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo Saga continues on it's meteoric course toward the comics hall of fame. 4 out of 5 katana.
In this volume, Stan Sakai sends Miyamoto Usagi on a collision course with bandits, zombies, monsters, and the usual fare. Old favorites like Kato, Sasuke, and Kitsune make appearances. There are big battles, encounters with monsters from Japanese folklore, and touching moments.
Honestly, I'm running out of ways to say this is the best comic around. Stan Sakai's minimalist yet still complex art is as masterful as ever. He's as adept with facial expressions as he is with battles and decapitations. The writing is as smooth as fine sake, expressing humor, disdain, happiness, and sadness with equal skill.
My favorite stories in the collection were "A Town Called Hell," Sakai's take on Red Harvest, and "The Death of Lord Hikiji," an Eisner Award-nominee. Honestly, they were all good, though. Anyone already reading Usagji Yojimbo knows what to expect.
While I already have Usagi Yojimbo Legends and I've pre-ordered Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 8, I dread the day when I have no Usagi Yojimbo comics left to read. Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo Saga continues on it's meteoric course toward the comics hall of fame. 4 out of 5 katana.
October 21, 2023
This is a gorgeous collection of Usagi Yojimbo stories that comes in at nearly 600 pages. Stan Sakai, as usual, perfectly depicts the atmosphere of Samurai films and TV dramas in these stories. His attention to Japanese culture is also unrivaled in the comics world outside of Japan.
June 6, 2017
I wasn't ready for this to be over.
October 28, 2016
Even in its seventh volume, Usagi Yojimbo's quality remains as strong as ever. With beautiful art, compelling stories, and some of the best characters in comics, Stan Sakai makes it all seem effortless.
Highest possible recommendation!
Highest possible recommendation!
July 19, 2025
Nothing really bad to note but nothing really stood out either. A lot of one shot type stories and lore/world building type stuff. Focus is more on new and lesser side characters rather than the main ones.
An enjoyable read overall.
An enjoyable read overall.
March 6, 2024
Somehow still incredible. The Red Scorpion arc was a highlight
October 12, 2016
Point of reference: I actually read the regular edition, not the limited edition, but I couldn't find the regular edition on Goodreads and only the limited edition came up when I searched by isbn.
Usagi continues to be one I my favorite heroes of all time with his blend if honor, loyalty, practicality, compassion and egalitarianism. Who he is as a character and the way he interacts with others really brings the stories to life a makes them memorable. As with the earlier compilations, the stories are a mix of drama, humor and action that are sometimes poignant and intense and other times light and fun. I particularly liked how the books 'A Town Called Hell' and 'Red Scorpion' (featured in this saga) came full circle in the storytelling within their respective collections. It gave a sense of closure to those books. I look forward to reading more, though I've caught up enough that I can no longer binge read massive collected story sets. Alas.
Usagi continues to be one I my favorite heroes of all time with his blend if honor, loyalty, practicality, compassion and egalitarianism. Who he is as a character and the way he interacts with others really brings the stories to life a makes them memorable. As with the earlier compilations, the stories are a mix of drama, humor and action that are sometimes poignant and intense and other times light and fun. I particularly liked how the books 'A Town Called Hell' and 'Red Scorpion' (featured in this saga) came full circle in the storytelling within their respective collections. It gave a sense of closure to those books. I look forward to reading more, though I've caught up enough that I can no longer binge read massive collected story sets. Alas.
September 6, 2023
Please refer to my gushing over all previous volumes
September 11, 2020
Volume Seven begins with a story arc begins with the reappearance of Sasuke in a perfectly introduced and paced story. Of course, with Sasuke involved there is arcane danger, and it’s mixed with a piece of Japanese culture, the netsuke. This arc begins a phase of growth for Kitsune as a character, as well as her young sidekick Kiyoko.
Throughout the story-arcs, Usagi demonstrates his honor and faithfulness repeatedly in the stories in this volume. But it is in another arc that puts Japanese culture on display, this time the nagado-daiko, that Stan Sakai reveals more about Usagi’s priorities by showing us how he honors those he considers truly faithful and righteous.
With Stan’s attention to world-building, Usagi’s reputation has spread and the danger he encounters is now frequently aware of who he is. The deceitful sources of his trouble seem to only grow: along with the emergence of new leagues of enemies,we are briefly reminded that Jei still roams and that Lord Hikiji still foments trouble; but this reader is sure that Usagi-san will be ample to the task.
Throughout the story-arcs, Usagi demonstrates his honor and faithfulness repeatedly in the stories in this volume. But it is in another arc that puts Japanese culture on display, this time the nagado-daiko, that Stan Sakai reveals more about Usagi’s priorities by showing us how he honors those he considers truly faithful and righteous.
With Stan’s attention to world-building, Usagi’s reputation has spread and the danger he encounters is now frequently aware of who he is. The deceitful sources of his trouble seem to only grow: along with the emergence of new leagues of enemies,we are briefly reminded that Jei still roams and that Lord Hikiji still foments trouble; but this reader is sure that Usagi-san will be ample to the task.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2020
I am always in awe of writers like Sakai who - after 25 years can still write fresh engaging stories. I only started reading Usagi last year (shame on me) not realizing the cute bunny would be used to tell very real and dramatic adventures of a Ronin traveling the land.
Now - the art...it is crude...but it does its job. But it is the stories that shine. Some of the standouts are Usagi helping out a town caught in a war between two bosses. He revisits the town later and the ongoing plot has a satisfying ending.
There is also his arc with the Red Scorpion gang which has many sub stories and finally a good dramatic end.
But all the stories are fun. It is great to see how Stan tells self contained stories but also works in a longer arc. And all of them have moments of drama and emotion. Just a joy to read. I love this series.
Now - the art...it is crude...but it does its job. But it is the stories that shine. Some of the standouts are Usagi helping out a town caught in a war between two bosses. He revisits the town later and the ongoing plot has a satisfying ending.
There is also his arc with the Red Scorpion gang which has many sub stories and finally a good dramatic end.
But all the stories are fun. It is great to see how Stan tells self contained stories but also works in a longer arc. And all of them have moments of drama and emotion. Just a joy to read. I love this series.
June 11, 2022
Another classic volume. I honestly don't know how Stan Sakai keeps things so fresh. For my money this series is the greatest run in comic book history. Really wish they would do an animated series with very faithful retelling of each story. More people should know who Usagi Yojimbo is and for sure more people should know Stan Sakai.
December 23, 2022
Has the same strengths and weaknesses as other newer Usagi volumes. Often beautiful art and attention to world building. Usually short, kind of blunt storytelling that ends suddenly. Characters don’t grow much usually. Lots of Japanese culture. I can’t staaaaaand Kitsune. Every time I see her show up I want to throw the comic. But I like Usagi and I like the comic overall
December 19, 2023
I have a 1000 piece puzzle based on that wraparound Usagi vs zombies cover from the "Traitors of the Earth" storyline. It was fun to assemble! The story itself is really fun as well. Red Scorpion was a great one - some great double crosses and twists along the way to a perfect ending.
January 19, 2025
4.5
Another awesome collection of Usagi! He’s one of my favorite characters ever to be honest. The stories in this collection are awesome and emotional! The actual drawings are some of my favorites as well. Again I love when Stan does rain in his stories. He is an incredible artist and writer.
Another awesome collection of Usagi! He’s one of my favorite characters ever to be honest. The stories in this collection are awesome and emotional! The actual drawings are some of my favorites as well. Again I love when Stan does rain in his stories. He is an incredible artist and writer.
April 17, 2020
Do you like history? If you do then you will like this book. It is very interesting and it is about a samurai in Japan. I have read all of them so far and the stories are always different.
January 10, 2022
Not peak Usagi but still a highly enjoyable action/adventure comic.
March 14, 2024
Excellent volume in the series. Lots of great shorter stories, plus a few really good multi issue stories.
Also, I’m sure this isn’t too big a spoiler, but zombies. Yeah. Loved that. Like so much.
Also, I’m sure this isn’t too big a spoiler, but zombies. Yeah. Loved that. Like so much.
November 25, 2025
Zombies. And a giant drum.
June 16, 2024
Another fantastic massive tome of Usagi Yojimbo. One of the things I like is that these stories can pretty much be read in a vacuum. Even though this contains volumes 26-28 of the series, you can start here without missing a beat. The nature of the story is that the main character is a ronin roaming from town to town helping people. There are recurring characters but not a whole lot of mythology that you have to remember unlike most other comics. The Red Scorpion stories really stand out here as the best of the bunch.
February 3, 2024
A darker, sadder collection than the ones before. A persistent thread of things falling apart - the good guys keep resisting the gangs and the monsters, but they're taking grievous losses.
The story "Taiko" is peak Usagi, bringing together Sakai's love for Japanese tradition and craftsmanship, chaotic gang violence and the bleakness of being at the whims of gods and demons in Japanese folklore. Such a powerful climax.
The story "Taiko" is peak Usagi, bringing together Sakai's love for Japanese tradition and craftsmanship, chaotic gang violence and the bleakness of being at the whims of gods and demons in Japanese folklore. Such a powerful climax.
December 24, 2025
(This review covers the complete series)
A long-running and consistently excellent series, Usagi Yojimbo follows Miyamoto Usagi, a wandering ronin rabbit, through stories inspired by Japanese history, folklore, and samurai fiction. Through clear storytelling and well-paced action, the series builds a rich, character-driven world full of heart and humour. The clean artwork displays an eye for quiet detail as much as swordplay.
A long-running and consistently excellent series, Usagi Yojimbo follows Miyamoto Usagi, a wandering ronin rabbit, through stories inspired by Japanese history, folklore, and samurai fiction. Through clear storytelling and well-paced action, the series builds a rich, character-driven world full of heart and humour. The clean artwork displays an eye for quiet detail as much as swordplay.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews