Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition

Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #1-7

by Stan Sakai, Stan Lee (Introduction)

Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo is a popular all-ages graphic novel series that chronicles the action-packed wanderings of a ronin in feudal Japan ― as told with anthropomorphic animals. For the first ten years of his career, the battling bunny was published by Fantagraphics Books. This slipcase set collects that entire run (previously published as seven trade paperbacks). With over 1000 pages of story, this is the complete, definitive, early Usagi with plenty of extras for fans and collectors.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Japan

1151 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2009

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 5 out of 5]

After reading Usagi Yojimbo Saga volume 1, I was enthralled with the adventures of the bodyguard rabbit and needed more! After prying my wallet open, I picked this one up.

Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition contains books 1-7 of Usagi Yojimbo published by Fantagraphics in the 1980s. Since it's a slipcase of two 500+ page tomes, I'm reviewing it in two chunks.

I. - The first tome details a lot of Usagi's past, from his apprenticeship with Katsuichi to his service under Lord Mifune. His early encounters with Gennosuke, Tomoe, and Blind-Ino are also relayed. It's amazing the variety of stories Stan Sakai tells, from eight page ghost stories to sprawling epics that last 80 pages or more.

Usagi Yojimbo was balls to the wall right out of the gate. While the art was a hair (or hare) less polished than it would later be, he's THERE right from the first panel. When I was a kid, I thought the minimalist style was a dodge or shortcut. Now I see it for what it is: a drawing style that takes a lot of confidence. Sakai's clean, fluid lines bring the story to life and convey great emotion and action with seemingly little effort.

The early tales are just as charming as the later ones. Usagi's code of honor makes for some interesting conflicts and both Gen and Ino provide good contrast. Reading about Usagi's past with Katsuichi and Lord Mifune made me an even bigger fan of the rabbit.

There aren't a lot of creators that can combine violence, humor, cuteness, and emotional moments in the same work but Stan Sakai does it repeatedly.

Oh and there are ninjas. And a Godzilla homage. And a turtle vampire creature. Like I said, a wide variety.

II. - The second tome sees Usagi encounter ninja bats, an aging general, Lone Goat and Kid, demons, and returning to his old village to find some surprises. There are also giant monsters and a lesson on kite making that wound up being a very interesting tale.

The hare beyond compare is in fine form in the second tome in this slipcase as well. There are touching moments, as well as the best battle I've seen in a long time. I'm constantly amazed at the sheer emotion Stan Sakai conveys with both his artwork and stories. This one had more than its share of touching moments. I almost shed a tear for a damn anthropomorphic rabbit!

The second beefy tome has a slight edge over the first. "Better" isn't the right word. We'll go with "more refined." Sakai puts a lot of work into the background, things others would probably skimp on. Hell, even the tokage are really expressive.

Most of the last fifty or so pages were extras, from thumbnails to rejected designs to an interview with Stan Sakai. I had no idea Stan Sakai was the letterer on Marvel's Spider-Man newspaper strip. Also, I felt somewhat vindicated when Sakai mentioned being a huge fan of Moebius since I compared him to Moebius in my review of Usagi Saga volume 1.

Now that I've read this mammoth slipcase edition, I'm ready to plunge into the rest of the Usagi Yojimbo Saga. Stan Sakai is one of the all time greats as far as I'm concerned and I'm fortunate to have so many Usagi volumes yet to read. Five out of five stars.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much to tell about Usagi Yojimbo. It belongs among the legends of the comics medium, going on for the last 35 years non-stop. It's an all-around enjoyable comic, not too extravagant but with decent stories mixed with humor and drama alike, epic swordfights, lots of feudal japan, cloak-an-daggery and a unique drawing style. Sakai's art is very personalized and only got better with the years as expected.

This edition by Fanta is actually 2 volumes in a box set containing the first 7 books of the usagi yojimbo saga. It certainly earned a new fan as I'm going to search for the omnibuses of the next volumes.

We'll meet again, Usagi-San!

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE STARS PLUS

This is possibly my favorite graphic novel of all time, and I've read thousands.

This series is populated by talking animals, but don't let the funny animals fool you. This isn't kids stuff. While it could be classified as an all ages series, the material is as authentic and intricate as anything in Lone Wolf and Cub or similar manga. (Lone Wolf and Cub basically show up in this series as Lone Goat and Kid.)

The stories are painstakingly researched and set in feudal Japan. Many of the characters are based on real characters from Japanese history and lore. The series does venture into supernatural territory at times, but it only serves to enhance the stories rather than serve as a detriment in any way.

Sakai's art is superb. Even though his dialogue is great, at times it's not even needed as the character's facial expressions and body language tell the story. It's especially evident during humorous moments.

Great characters, great story, great art, I really have only the highest praise for this series, and judging by other reviews, that's pretty much the consensus. If you are into Samurai stories but have avoided this due to the main character being a rabbit, you should give it a try as this probably isn't what you think. Sakai probably used the anthropomorphic characters as a way to keep things from getting too dark, as sometimes the content gets very serious.

This is the among the gold standard of comic literature, as it just doesn't get much better than this.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book. Sakai does a wonderful job telling Usagi's story and making me care about a rabbit samurai. Reading it in this collected edition was nice because there is a lot of character buildup and side adventures that kept me interested in the whole. If I read this in separate volumes, I probably would have been less motivated to read as much of the story as I did here. Especially with the early parts. It wasn't quite as polished and the characters weren't quite there. This collection allows the reader to see a lot more development that makes the story more impactful. I have to say that the art isn't my favorite, although it fits with the tone of the plot really well. It definitely grew on me the more I read.

[J.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those things that is so great and that I loved so much that I'm actually sadden by the fact I went through the first 34 years of my life without it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perpetually satisfying.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I need to say how highly I think of this series, right? ;)

It's an expense (but I got it for Christmas!), but the special edition treatment is 1) deserved, and 2) well done. The pages are a little thin, so you can see lines through them (but only if you hold the page up - no such problems when the pages are lying flat against each other), but the package is very well designed, good binding, lots of cool extras (including very early design sketches). Oh, and great stories and art too. Definitely a keeper.
+++++++++++
A masterpiece.

[Highland G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Can’t recommend enough, even the extras had my attention all the way through to the end.

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7

[David Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

STAN SAKAI’S USAGI YOJIMBO IS NOT ONLY A GREAT FEAT FOR *INDEPENDENT* COMICS, BUT FOR *COMICS* IN GENERAL!

Dive into a world of feudal Japan and follow the story of the Rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi. He wanders as a Yojimbo (bodyguard) meeting and helping his fellow animals along the way. A skilled samurai with a vast and interesting back story, we see the anthropomorphic ronin overthrow conspiracies against clans, befriend a bounty hunter by being his bodyguard, go back home to visit a past love and defend his old home, and get pieces of his past/origin showing us how he became so skilled with the blade. We even see Usagi tackle the supernatural by dealing with spirits and battling demons. This limited box set collects the first 7 volumes of the heroic hare’s tales, and we get a lot of great content! (Short stories, nice filler issues, and even epic multiple part storylines with connecting plot lines) Jump into this rabbit hole and witness one of, if not *the* greatest, independent comic runs ever.

Stan Sakai is both writer and artist for this series, and he does not short us in either department. To start with his writing Sakai strikes gold with his samurai rabbit idea. The world he builds with all the anthropomorphic animals makes the book feel light and funny at times, however it is his serious topics and themes that make this more than a cool cartoon strip. One thing that most people praise Sakai for and even he prides himself in, is his effort in research. The overall book takes place a long time ago in Japan, and he makes sure to be accurate about the samurai and Japanese culture during said time. He even does deep research into the animals he include to make sure he utilizes them in the best way. His character in Usagi is the noble man who is willing to put others above himself. He writes such a likable, and even at times relatable character, that you really can’t help but root for the bunny. He’s badass, kind, honorable, and very wise. Along with that, Sakai also writes fun supportive characters, and very interesting and formidable foes. Sakai’s pacing and writing feel ahead of its time, as this is a book that was being written in the mid to late 80s. Nothing felt bogged down and as both the writer and artist, Sakai knows when to utilize both the writing and art more than properly. From the short stories, to multiple part storylines, Sakai wrote a fun and engaging book which I loved more and more each flip through.

The artwork was also something that was super fun and unique. Sakai is what I would call a true cartoonist. His character designs are amazing and pay attention to detail. Again, Sakai does a lot of research, so anything from a character’s robes to their sword handle has some significance. Of course with it being a story about an anthropomorphic rabbit, who is also a ronin, the cartoonist style can be seen as a bit funny, but I didn’t find it *that* animated. There’s still great detail as I mentioned and he actually draws some badass pages and panels. Fight scenes are also cool and Sakai even excels in drawing expressions. Nothing is done short with Sakai and I loved every single panel, and page he drew in this series.

Overall; You gotta be checking this series out! I regret waiting this long to jump into Sakai’s work, but I’m also ecstatic that I was able to experience it for the first time with the reprint of this beautiful box set. Stan Sakai is brilliant and I am very thankful that he gives so much effort into this wonderful series.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan Sakai is simply wonderful. I went into this collection a little skeptical. Usagi Yojimbo was a character I only knew from his appearances on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was about 6 years old, and having rewatched some of that series recently I thought I might be "too old" for this book. That was over a year ago, and I am so glad I didn't shrug this book off.

With Usagi, Sakai has created a comic that is simultaneously cartoonish and serious without losing the strengths of either approach. His characters are thoroughly realized and perfectly drawn, and the stories do such a great job harnessing the spirit of feudal Japan that they made me believe that maybe there actually were rabbit samurai at some point.

That concept right there gave me pause. "Rabbit samurai." If that concept were pitched today, it would be soaked in irony. "Uh, yeah, he like hops around and has a sword in his mouth," or something. Not so with Sakai. This is 100% committed storytelling, and Usagi Yojimbo emerges as one of the greatest characters in comics history. He's joined occasionally by Ino (a blind samurai pig who uses his sharp sense of smell to guide him), Gen (a boisterous bounty-hunting rhino), samurai bats, cat ninja, ghosts, demons, and his lizard companion Spot, all of which seem come to life on the page.

This edition, which collects the original 7 Fantagraphics graphic novels, is a massive undertaking. It took me over a year to read this at a rate of about one story per day. But if you take a chance on this book, I bet you'll enjoy it, and you'll miss it when it's over.

[romevi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first began my experience with Usagi it was with the Turtles, as I’m sure it was for many Turtle fans growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The rabbit bodyguard appeared suddenly in a Turtles cartoon, and left just the same.

Many years later I recalled that rabbit after spotting him on a cover of an issue at a local comic shop, and decided to read from the beginning.

My first review noted my letdown, but I was prompted with follow-ups that I should continue reading. That, indeed, the beginning was very choppy; Sakai was getting his grounding, and dipping lightly into the pools of his creativity.

Many of the first stories are silly and disparate in overall plot. This box set collects all of the issues pre-Dark Horse, so everything from Mirage and Fantagraphics.

Nevertheless, it begins his more serious journeys, whereas the Dark Horse era really sets Usagi in its own level of respect.

The box set is beautiful and worth every penny. The covers show the cover for the trade paperback of The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy (I’m working off my memory here, so forgive me if I mistitle the name), as well as one of the earlier comics. You get two hardcover books in the slipcase, and each volume is numbered one and two by spheres.

It’s slightly larger than the trade paperbacks, which is great. These scans lose no distortion.

A remarkable set and the definitive version to own and read the comics before Sakai’s transition to Dark Horse Comics.

[Patrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know it's recommended to start with the saga volume 1, but I really wish that I'd waited and started with this one. I admit that I was a little concerned, that being the very beginning, the art and storytelling would be a little rough, but I need not have worried. The storytelling was amazing from the get go and while Usagi started off as oddly short with very round features, he quickly became the Usagi I was already familiar with. This set is where many of the important characters in the series are introduced both to the reader and to Usagi and it makes a lot of the later story lines much richer, knowing these origins. There are also a lot of important background stories about Usagi himself that I feel are essential to understanding his character. I really enjoyed the long Samurai story arc that revealed a lot about his training. The Dragon Bellows story arc was another amazing one that brought most of the characters together in an intense and thrilling set of events that have important implications for later on. And reading this explains why events are happening as they are at the start of the saga book one. It all just makes more sense and the work is still so well done, that I don't see how it could put anyone off the series. I recommend anyone interested in Usagi Yojimbo to start here.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read my first collection of Usagi Yojimbo a couple of years ago, I found myself asking the question, how has this been book been around since the 1980’s without people shouting from the rooftops about how amazing this is. I ended up picking up this collection a year or two ago and just finished rereading it, and I still find myself asking that same question. How come this is not a more celebrated book.

This collection holds the first 1000 or so pages of Usagi, which are also published in 7 smaller books. To judge this book by the visuals alone, you would right it off as a funny animal cartoon book. And the art is very cartoonish. But not in the bad way. The same way an old Disney cartoon can inspire are, so does Usagi. The cartoonish look hides a book that is breathtaking in its scope of storytelling. There are some cute funny little stories. There are stories of samurais and family and heartbreak and betrayal.

If you notice there are not a lot of books a stop to review here on Goodreads. I use it more as a checklist for things I have read. But this book deserves comments, and it deserves love from the comic community at large.

[Kyle Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with action, adventure, humor, and a level of historical detail that adds depth to the story, Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo is an entertaining tale of a lone Samurai rabbit who wanders the countryside selling his services as a bodyguard, but often ending up fighting for the poor and oppressed who are unable to fight for themselves. Sakai's beautifully drawn characters practically leap off the page, and this particular printing (the Fantagraphics collection) utilizes high quality paper and bold ink that help bring these drawings to life.

Four days ago, I hadn't read a single Usagi Yojimbo book. Now I'm hopelessly addicted and have already placed orders for most of the other 18 books that are available. If you're looking for a story that is enthralling and original, look no further than Usagi Yojimbo. Great for younger and older readers alike!

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was engaging and different from the stuff in my superhero ghetto.

There is something a little flat and two-dimensional about the whole thing. It's not always bad. It starts to feel like a fairytale or a myth or a painting. The characters each have very specific motives and interests, but there rarely seems to be more than one emotion or motivation at a time. There's often a moment when a character switches to a less base way of being but it's pretty linear and foreshadowed.

What prevents this from being noticeable in the superhero ghetto is that relative powers are constantly being amplified. Here, Usagi is kind of like a Superman. He acts like he is in danger and sometimes presents as though he is in danger. But he's never really in danger because he can take on the world.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this as a Christmas present from Amy. I'd read some, but not all of these stories before, the very start of Usagi Yojimbo's decades long run. If I had to distill what I think makes comics great, Usagi would definitely be a great place to start. Seeing them in giant size pages really does the art and stories justice here, and definitely something I'm glad to have the opportunity to go back to when I wish.

[Michael Galarneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best pieces of literature I have had the pleasure of reading. This collection contains the first seven volumes of the series, which have been out of print for some time, and hard to come by. The artwork and storytelling are amazing! One of the great things about this series is the detail that Sakai puts into the story. While the stories are works of fiction, they take place in the very real setting of historical Japan. Sakai has made the setting accurate, and even when Usagi encounters mythological enemies, Sakai has given those myths accurate Japanese portrayals. In some ways, reading this comic series is like getting a course in Japanese history and mythology.

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthropomorphic rabbit samurai wandering in a fictional Japan-like land righting wrongs, helping the oppressed and basically being a bad-ass. Stan Sakai's creation has been around since the early '80s and this special edition collects those early books in glorious oversized 2-volume hardcovers.

An essential must-have for the discerning fan of graphic novels. Great artwork and even greater writing.

Oh yeah, it's in black and white which is a deal breaker for some people. Strange, I know, but true. Those people exist.

[Paul Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1200 Page Usagi Yojimbo Special Edition contains the entire original run from Fantagraphics.
This entire thing is an absolute work of beauty and awesomeness.
Usagi has been around and publishing continually for 30 but does not get the attention of something Like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles of which it had crossed over with and is definitely deeper than.
Its an absolute shame that more people havent gotten to experience the joy this rabbit can bring.
Just AMAZING collection that can bring tears and smiles.

[Doc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This special edition of Usagi Yojimbo contains the complete 7 book run from Fantagraphics Books compiled into 2 books and found in a nice solid slipcase. The stories contained within this collection are some of the most famous tales of the wandering rabbit samurai to which I will offer you a brief summary below. of course considering the size of these books and the collection is considered one book for ISBN purposes I will be counting it as read twice once I get through both of them. :)
Book one
Usagi Yojimbo - A lone rabbit samurai takes refuge for the night and discovers the truth about a traitor.

Lone Rabbit and Child - Usagi meets lord Noriyuki and Tomoe Ame for the first time. Helps them with a bit of trouble.

The Confession - Usagi once again is involved with the conflicts of those in power and corruptions are exposed to the readers through his and other's actions.

Bounty Hunter - Usagi meets the bounty hunter Gennosuke and gets a job as a bodyguard and distraction. This is the beginning of their love/hate friendship. :)

Horse Thief - Somedays trouble finds you even if you tried to do good.

Village of Fear - A monster hunts in a village Usagi visits. With luck and bravery from not just himself but others he brings peace.

A Quiet Meal - Usagi shows some rude customers a little something about respect without unnecessary violence.

Blind Swords-Pig - Usagi meets the exceptionally skilled Ino the Outlaw and changes his life forever.

Homecoming - Usagi returns to the village of his youth and catches up while dealing with Mole Ninjas.

Bounty Hunter II - The return of Gennosuke leads to another team up and a chance for Usagi to get back at him.

Samurai - Usagi has drinks with Gennosuke and tells him of his past.

Kappa - Usagi is confronted by a greedy Kappa and saves a man's life. A tale of supernatural love and horror.

Zylla - A tribute to Godzilla if he was an adorable baby. :)

Silk Fair - Greedy lords of a village of silk makers is troubled by bandits but Usagi has a fair idea of how he can help his workers before he agrees to stop them.

The Tower - Usagi saves a hungry Tokage from a cruel man who gets his just desserts.

A Mother's Love - Usagi meets a kind old lady that wishes her son were more like him.

Return of the Blind Swordspig - Ino returns and meets Usagi's new pet Spot. Shortly after he and Usagi meet at blades edge. A debt is paid as loyalty is given.

Blade of the Gods - The first appearance of wildly dangerous Jei. Usagi must face his judgment as the gods (supposedly) use him.

The Tea Cup - Gennosuke has a job to protect an important ceremonial object and is horn deep in trouble again. Thankfully Usagi discovers him and they travel once more together. Kids enter the story and we see another side to Gennosuke.

The Shogun's Gift - A cat ninja steals a sword meant to be a gift to the shogun. Has the misfortune to be discovered by Usagi who notices something is off.

The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy - A neighboring lordship of the Geishu clan has been acting strange lately so spies are sent to investigate. A conspiracy is revealed that could change the feudal world as we know it unless enemies learn to work together.

I'll be back to give everyone a summery of the stories in book 2 of this legendary collection someday when I get to finish it. I hope you love the series as much as I have grown to enjoy it. :)

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord Mifune is slain by Lord Hikiji's forces at the decisive Battle of Adachigahara after one of Mifune's generals turns traitor mid-battle. This moment is etched deep into the soul of Miyamoto Usagi, a retainer and bodyguard to Lord Mifune. Masterless after the defeat at Adachigahara, Usagi has turned ronin and wanders the countryside to further hone his blade and his spirit. All of this history is succinctly summarized by Stan Sakai in an early Usagi Yojimbo story, and from this one moment spirals out one of the greatest comic series of all time. The early era of Usagi Yojimbo as published by Fantagraphics was still a period where Sakai was figuring things out as he went, but the refinement was there early on. From spectacular one-off stories like "A Mother's Love" and "The Duel" to more sprawling tales like "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" and "Circles", Sakai demonstrates mastery over the compressed storytelliing necessary to make a comic series work for 40+ years.

This box set collects the entirety of the Fantagraphics era of the title, collecting every Usagi story found in publications like Albedo and Critters along with the 38 issue Usagi Yojimbo run. While there are many spectacular short stories (< 20 pages), the main stories that occured during this early stretch include: "Lone Rabbit and Child", the first time Usagi meets Lord Noriyuki and Tomoe Ame, "Samurai", which delves into the history of Usagi from training under Katsuichi to his time in the service of Lord Mifune, "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy", a sprawling tale which unites many recurring characters into one epic showdown at a castle where an insidious plot against the shogun is afoot, "Lone Goat and Kid", a play on the legendary manga, "Circles", a tear-jerker of a tale which brings Usagi back to his hometown, and "Gen", which delves deep into the backstory of the crass and boisterous bounty hunter ally to Usagi. While many of these stories play on common tropes found in Westerns/samurai films/comics, the remixing Sakai does makes for some pretty charming and exciting storytelling. While his cartooning is still taking some shape here, it's still pretty refined and makes for some great looking action set pieces.

If you're into comics but have not ever tried Usagi Yojimbo, you're in for a ride.

[Sirbriang2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collects the first ten years (!) of Stan Sakai’s USAGI YOJIMBO series, originally published by Fantographs. Ten years sounds like a lot, but since Sakai was doing everything (plotting, scripting, pencils, inks, lettering, etc.), that adds up to only 38 issues, plus some odds and ends; not a small amount of reading, to be sure, but only about 1/3 of what you would expect if the comic had been published monthly.

The story follows the ronin Miyamoto Usagi as he roams through Edo-dynasty era Japan and encounters adventures. As the series progresses, the stories become more complex — both in form and tone — and the overall themes solidify.

Once you know that this collection includes *everything* from the first decade of USAGI YOJIMBO stories, it becomes easier to enjoy. The first few early stories are fine, but nothing special (aside from the anthropomorphic world). As Sakai becomes more confident with the story he wants to tell, the stories get much better in a fairly short period of time. The artwork never gets too impressive — it’s solid cartooning, but it’s not too detailed or stylized — but it tells the stories effectively.

The first quarter of this collection only interested me mildly, but the rapid maturation of concepts and Sakai’s intent impressed me enough to continue on with the series. Is this the best introduction to the character for a new reader? While this is the start of both the story and Usagi’s publishing history, it can feel a bit amateurish in parts; the USAGI YOJIMBO SAGA volume 1 (which contains the stories that were published immediately after this collection) looks like it might be a little more friendly to new readers.

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a young age I’ve always been far more attracted to comics and illustration that fall more on the cartoony end of the spectrum (or, let’s say, the middle to the right of Scott McCloud’s Big Triangle). Which is how, 30-some-odd years ago, I found myself avidly scooping up the adventures of a roaming samurai bunny whenever I could find them at a local comic shop. Sakai’s funny-animal art is, of course, deceptively innocent for what is actually a cycle of fairly unflinching tales of honor, justice and blood in an alternate-reality version of feudal Japan. The storytelling, though, is as crisp as the linework, and revisiting these tales in a collected edition several decades on is showing me how much I internalized this world and its denizens when I first read it. It’s a beautiful twilight between the thoroughly kid-friendly stories of Carl Barks and the more intense world of “adult” comics, which is a space that I still find endlessly fascinating. Even if you don’t spring for this two-volume Fantagraphics box (which looks to be kinda pricy at this point), I still suggest tracking down some of these masterful stories for your own enjoyment.

[SeasaltRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of anime and manga this was a fun and nostalgic read from an American comic author. Written in the 1980s the stories were somewhat basic but the anthropomorphic characters were entertaining with just enough of the story based loosely in Japanese history, myths, and customs to lend the world a sense of reality and weight. The most surprising part was the great well rounded cast of female characters who get to shine and fight right along with the men without being objectified like in many American comics of this era. Looking forward to continuing this story with the Saga collected volumes.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: The edition I read of this was split into two books, hence why it took me so long to read (as I didn't get around to the second edition until later)

I love Stan Sakai's work. His artwork and storytelling are superb. The fact that he manages to do so much himself is outstanding. If you know anyone who wants to get into comics but isn't into superheroes, give them an edition of Usagi Yojimbo.

[Reece Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best comics/manga i have ever read. story is captivating, artwork is fun but also serious at times. The short stories each convey deep emotion at various times and all act as standalone tales. Usagi is such a lovable character and the depiction if bushido and samurai/ronin, one that would otherwise not be appropriate for kids, is made into an amazing story that would be acceptable for all ages to read.

Amazing series, recommend everyone read these books!

[Jonathan Beckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's possible that when we all look back, no series will be quite as impressive as Usagi Yojimbo- a single character with a regular series created, written, drawn, inked and so on all by the same artist for 40 years, never losing a step and always finding new ways to stretch the medium. Looking back at the first decade, it's astonishing how Sakai makes incredible layouts the norm these days. Seeing a master at work like this is in the form is a rare, cherished treat.

[King Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

So glad I read this. Looking forward to reading more. Would definitely recommend this especially digitally. Because a digital copy is way more responsibly priced. Nothing to do with the quality of the stories themselves. Because the stories are great. Especially the longer storylines.

[Matthew Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beginning. So, some parts are a bit rough, Sakai having not hit the stride yet, but even then, the collection as a whole is great. The interviews and production of the set alone are worth it.