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Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #23-25
Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 6
The continuing adventures of Stan Sakai's long-eared samurai is one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved adventure series of all! This sixth volume of the definitive Usagi Yojimbo compilations includes the storylines "Bridge of Tears," in which a new love tempts the rabbit ronin to abandon his wandering lifestyle, "The Darkness and the Soul," revealing at last the origin of the demon Jei, and "Sparrows," featuring Jei's terrifying return, as well as Usagi's travels with bounty hunter Gen and the landmark Usagi Yojimbo #100, a celebratory "roast" issue by several of the best writers and artists in comics, including Frank Miller, Matt Wagner, Jeff Smith, Sergio Aragonés, and more! Collects Usagi Yojimbo Volume Three #94-#116.
600 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
18 people are currently reading
175 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 17, 2019
Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6 contains issues #95-116 of Usagi Yojimbo. And it's pretty spectacular.
When something is as consistently excellent as Usagi Yojimbo, you start taking it for granted. As with previous volumes, this one blew me away.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Stan Sakai weaves a collection of interesting tales in Book 6. The origin of the demon Jei is revealed and there are side stories featuring Gen and Stray Dog as bounty hunters. Usagi takes on assassins, ninja, spies, and finds himself some female companionship for a time. Usagi stays true to himself and makes some difficult choices as well as kicking numerous asses.
Stan Sakai's art continues to amaze. His minimalist style is equally adept at conveying emotion and action. Usagi goes from friendly to ferocious with just a few brushstrokes. I've read over 5000 pages of Usagi at this point and it still feels very fresh. Sakai doesn't phone anything in, even though no one would blame him at this point.
Even though it's Usagi's book, the side stories featuring Gen and Stray Dog were my favorites in this collection. The comparative harshness of Stray Dog gives Gen a chance to show his true character.
Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6 is another great entry in a great series. Five out of five stars.
When something is as consistently excellent as Usagi Yojimbo, you start taking it for granted. As with previous volumes, this one blew me away.
Not content to rest on his laurels, Stan Sakai weaves a collection of interesting tales in Book 6. The origin of the demon Jei is revealed and there are side stories featuring Gen and Stray Dog as bounty hunters. Usagi takes on assassins, ninja, spies, and finds himself some female companionship for a time. Usagi stays true to himself and makes some difficult choices as well as kicking numerous asses.
Stan Sakai's art continues to amaze. His minimalist style is equally adept at conveying emotion and action. Usagi goes from friendly to ferocious with just a few brushstrokes. I've read over 5000 pages of Usagi at this point and it still feels very fresh. Sakai doesn't phone anything in, even though no one would blame him at this point.
Even though it's Usagi's book, the side stories featuring Gen and Stray Dog were my favorites in this collection. The comparative harshness of Stray Dog gives Gen a chance to show his true character.
Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6 is another great entry in a great series. Five out of five stars.
November 3, 2025
It's always a pleasure to read Usagi Yojimbo, and this volume is no different. This particular volume has an excellent story arc about the hunt for Inazuma, who is possessed by the spirit of Jei, which has a surprise resolution. Also, it includes an origin story for Jei, which highlights the idea that no matter how good a person is, they may be possessed by Jei.
May 15, 2016
This was fantastic. The art and storytelling continue to be a phenomenal blend of light-hearted humor, intense action and poignant drama. Just beautiful. I was a little ambivalent about the Mayumi storyline, but I found the Shizuriki plot line to be really compelling. But, by far, the best part of this edition, is the Jei saga. What a fascinating and disturbing character. The chance to learn more about Jei while watching him/her keep the heroes on their toes was just awesome. I loved it.
January 28, 2018
A great addition to Usagi's adventures, darker in places than it normally is but that's not unsurprising considering a heavy focus on the demon Jei in the middle book.
This series is just consistently excellent.
This series is just consistently excellent.
October 25, 2022
For some reason recently I have been enjoying the sadder stories in these more than I used to. There are a number of tales where characters fail their missions or the mission ends with a tragic death and they are just so sad.
One of the three books collected here is mostly devoted to the Inazuma version of Jei. Jei to me is another character that can just go away, like Kitsune (I just can't stand her). With Jei, I think he overstayed his welcome when he had his last massive arc, which I had thought ended pretty decisively--I thought it should have completely ended there. Still, even with that negative predisposition, the Jei story here (which also explores his origins) is pretty interesting.
One of the three books collected here is mostly devoted to the Inazuma version of Jei. Jei to me is another character that can just go away, like Kitsune (I just can't stand her). With Jei, I think he overstayed his welcome when he had his last massive arc, which I had thought ended pretty decisively--I thought it should have completely ended there. Still, even with that negative predisposition, the Jei story here (which also explores his origins) is pretty interesting.
January 5, 2025
4.3
I love when Stan does rain and raining fight sequences. gosh Usagi is such a freaking lovable character. When him and Gen are together it’s so fun!
Usagi Jei! Gosh that was awesome to see. Even if just for a little nightmare sequence. This graphic novel is so entertaining and just pure good. It’s hard to rate this because I’m comparing it to other Usagi adventures and two other sagas have enthralled me even more.
I love when Stan does rain and raining fight sequences. gosh Usagi is such a freaking lovable character. When him and Gen are together it’s so fun!
Usagi Jei! Gosh that was awesome to see. Even if just for a little nightmare sequence. This graphic novel is so entertaining and just pure good. It’s hard to rate this because I’m comparing it to other Usagi adventures and two other sagas have enthralled me even more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
Another masterful Usagi book - I think the most impressive thing about this series is that it remains so impressive that you never really take its quality for granted. Stan gives thought and effort to each story, and as a reader, you are drawn in each and every time.
The heart-rending"Bridge of Tears," the tension "Sparrows" with the tragic end of Inazuma, the always enjoyable banter of Usagi and Gen, and Gen's disappointing hunt for Taniguchi - master classes in cartooning and storytelling. Add in the beautiful touches of Japanese history and culture: the Shogun's spy, the affront of the scabbard. Go read it yourself if you haven't.
The heart-rending"Bridge of Tears," the tension "Sparrows" with the tragic end of Inazuma, the always enjoyable banter of Usagi and Gen, and Gen's disappointing hunt for Taniguchi - master classes in cartooning and storytelling. Add in the beautiful touches of Japanese history and culture: the Shogun's spy, the affront of the scabbard. Go read it yourself if you haven't.
April 8, 2020
It was very interesting book. The book was set in japan. The adventures of the character usagi are very interesting because theres a lot of new characters and the books story are all unique. people who would like this book are people who like japan and samurai because the main character usagi is a samurai.
September 4, 2020
No hay un tomo de Usagi que decepcione, y este en particular que incluyó una serie de páginas hechas con muchísimo humor y amor para celebrar los 100 números en Dark Horse; es aún más especial. Lo disfruté por completo, y estoy muy contento de haber descubierto el trabajo de Sakai-sensei y poder disfrutarlo a plenitud este año.
August 23, 2020
Another 500 plus pages of Usagi Yojimbo. I’ve read so many of these books they can blur together but I’ve never read a volume (or omnibus) and thought anything other than “that was great”. Pick up any volume of this series and enjoy.
October 28, 2020
The perfunctory nature of the story notes is hugely disappointing. They normally cover half a dozen pages or so, here there’s only one, skimming over the last few stories, as though the rest was just hacked out.
February 3, 2024
Boy, I’ve missed Gen, and I love how this volume shows how he is changing as a person after facing off against and being wounded by Jei.
Some of these ones really tug at your heart strings. Lots of emotion for comic about a rabbit ronin and his friends.
Some of these ones really tug at your heart strings. Lots of emotion for comic about a rabbit ronin and his friends.
August 25, 2020
This set of stories felt like a more serious tone: The return of Jei. Could Jei-san be a darker character? Stan takes him to the limit while revealing his origins.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
More great work from Sakai. The roast issue is a fun bonus with so many different artists contributing, but it's also pretty forgettable.
November 23, 2025
Possessions. A dog, a rhino, and a rabbit.
January 2, 2017
This book is pretty amazing from start to finish
March 16, 2025
This is my second time reading this and I enjoyed it much more this time. Sometimes when you have too much of a good thing, it’s hard to keep the quality in perspective. This vol simply doesn’t compare with book 4 but that doesn’t mean it not better than 90% of the other comics out there.
Having read it right after some DC GL and some current indie books, it’s obvious this is well above average.
My only critique is I didn’t really enjoy the clingy girl but then I don’t think you are supposed to like her, so I guess that was kinda the plan all along.
Having read it right after some DC GL and some current indie books, it’s obvious this is well above average.
My only critique is I didn’t really enjoy the clingy girl but then I don’t think you are supposed to like her, so I guess that was kinda the plan all along.
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.
June 20, 2016
These stories are all very beautiful, clean, and simple. It's really refreshing to see someone tell an inventive story without engendering complexity.
Sometimes it seems as though these stories are actually TOO LONG for their content, but I think that has to do with my expectations more than the quality of the story.
Very good. (But don't go out of order.)
Sometimes it seems as though these stories are actually TOO LONG for their content, but I think that has to do with my expectations more than the quality of the story.
Very good. (But don't go out of order.)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews