What do you think?
Rate this book
Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #35
Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming
Volume Two of the new series sees Usagi return to his home province to pay his respects, but ghosts from his past have other plans.
In "Tatami," Usagi returns to his home province only to find intrigue and betrayal! An important tea ceremony is about to take place, but what sinister plan does Lord Hikiji have for it and how are the Neko ninja clan involved?
Then, in "Mon," long ago, Lord Hikiji defeated Usagi's Lord Mifune to take control of the Northern Province. Usagi, now traveling through his old territories, still wears the mon (a family crest) of his former lord. But, there are those who still remember the Great Wars with bitterness and threaten to kill any samurai loyal to Mifune. What happens when they come across Usagi?
In "The Return," Usagi is on a pilgrimage to his late lord's gravesite, however, wearing the Mifune clan crest in Lord Hikiji's territory has made him an enemy. Traveling through this dangerous land he has made his way to the one place he had been avoiding--the village in which he grew up. Bittersweet memories awaken with his long-time love, until the village becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate an emissary of the shogun.
Collects issues #8-14 of the all-new full-color Usagi Yojimbo series published by IDW and features an Introduction by artist Peach Momoko.
In "Tatami," Usagi returns to his home province only to find intrigue and betrayal! An important tea ceremony is about to take place, but what sinister plan does Lord Hikiji have for it and how are the Neko ninja clan involved?
Then, in "Mon," long ago, Lord Hikiji defeated Usagi's Lord Mifune to take control of the Northern Province. Usagi, now traveling through his old territories, still wears the mon (a family crest) of his former lord. But, there are those who still remember the Great Wars with bitterness and threaten to kill any samurai loyal to Mifune. What happens when they come across Usagi?
In "The Return," Usagi is on a pilgrimage to his late lord's gravesite, however, wearing the Mifune clan crest in Lord Hikiji's territory has made him an enemy. Traveling through this dangerous land he has made his way to the one place he had been avoiding--the village in which he grew up. Bittersweet memories awaken with his long-time love, until the village becomes embroiled in a plot to assassinate an emissary of the shogun.
Collects issues #8-14 of the all-new full-color Usagi Yojimbo series published by IDW and features an Introduction by artist Peach Momoko.
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2020
9 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Stan Sakai
919 books372 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).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 19, 2021
When Usagi returns to his home province to find it's anything but peaceful under its calm veneer...
My wife grabbed this for me for our anniversary, just days after it came out. I'll keep her for another year at least.
Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming collects issues Usagi Yojimbo #8-14, live and in color!
In this volume, Usagi returns to his home province and foils a couple plots by the bad guys. Usagi's loyalties are put to the test when he gets accosted for wearing the deceased Lord Mifune's mon, and again when other former warriors in service to Mifune look to get revenge on Lord Hikiji. Kenchi, Jotaro, and Mariko also make appearances.
The writing is as slick as always. Usagi has more internal turmoil than usual and Stan Sakai weaves a lesson into the text in the form of making Tatami mats. As usual, he makes it feel like part of the story and not "Hey, look at this research I need to shoehorn into this."
The art is superb and I have to say Usagi in color is growing on me. The addition of color would be a good reason for Sakai not to use as many textures in his drawings and give himself an easier time of things but he still goes balls to the wall the entire time.
Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming shows that one of the best in the business is still one of the best in the business. Five out of five stars.
My wife grabbed this for me for our anniversary, just days after it came out. I'll keep her for another year at least.
Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming collects issues Usagi Yojimbo #8-14, live and in color!
In this volume, Usagi returns to his home province and foils a couple plots by the bad guys. Usagi's loyalties are put to the test when he gets accosted for wearing the deceased Lord Mifune's mon, and again when other former warriors in service to Mifune look to get revenge on Lord Hikiji. Kenchi, Jotaro, and Mariko also make appearances.
The writing is as slick as always. Usagi has more internal turmoil than usual and Stan Sakai weaves a lesson into the text in the form of making Tatami mats. As usual, he makes it feel like part of the story and not "Hey, look at this research I need to shoehorn into this."
The art is superb and I have to say Usagi in color is growing on me. The addition of color would be a good reason for Sakai not to use as many textures in his drawings and give himself an easier time of things but he still goes balls to the wall the entire time.
Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming shows that one of the best in the business is still one of the best in the business. Five out of five stars.
September 13, 2021
This is the first Usagi Yojimbo I've read and it was a good place to start as it gave a flavor of the depth of the backstory, the cartoonish whimsy and action of the art, and the nice combo of fight scenes and emotional depth. It's interesting reading this after working my way through the Lone Wolf and Cub series, as there are clear homages and common themes, and I am tickled by how cute the fierce cartoon animals are when they're gutting each other with Samurai swords. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2022
Usagi v barvě a větším formátu mi pořád nějak nesedí, ale příběh je tentokrát super. Trošku jsem od návratu domů čekal větší dějový posun, ale Sakai na to nejspíš už úplně rezignoval.
July 6, 2021
It is that time of the year again when I absolutely gush about the latest volume of the epic and outstanding Usagi Yojimbo comic series by the infinity talented Stan Sakai. This time I look at the 35th volume in this incredible long-running series, Homecoming, which presents the reader with a rich and emotional tale of regret and loyalty as Usagi returns home.
Anyone who has spent any amount of time reading my blog will already know of my deep love for the amazing Usagi Yojimbo series. Following the adventures of the rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi, this series is set in an alternate version of Feudal Japan populated by anthropomorphic animals, and features incredible stories about samurais and honour. Homecoming, which contains issues #8-14 of the IDW run on the Usagi Yojimbo series, is the second volume printed completely in colour, and features the work of colourist Tom Luth in addition to Sakai’s writing and drawing. This latest volume follows on shortly after the events of previous volume, Bunraku and Other Stories, and continues three intense and powerful unique stories.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/07/06/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Anyone who has spent any amount of time reading my blog will already know of my deep love for the amazing Usagi Yojimbo series. Following the adventures of the rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi, this series is set in an alternate version of Feudal Japan populated by anthropomorphic animals, and features incredible stories about samurais and honour. Homecoming, which contains issues #8-14 of the IDW run on the Usagi Yojimbo series, is the second volume printed completely in colour, and features the work of colourist Tom Luth in addition to Sakai’s writing and drawing. This latest volume follows on shortly after the events of previous volume, Bunraku and Other Stories, and continues three intense and powerful unique stories.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/07/06/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
February 10, 2022
Návrat domů se drží pořád putovního stylu příběhů, zde je ale Stan skládá do kompaktnějších celků. První příběh Tatami, který nás tak mimoděk seznámí s tím, jak vzniká tato japonská "matrace", má pro Usagiho velmi typickou kostru, kde se nachomýtne k nějaké "doručovací misi", která může dopadnout tak či onak, ale často ji provází takové to hořké ale smířené poselství. A ani Tatami z tohoto není výjimkou. Další, kratší příběh Mon tady funguje jako prequel k hlavnímu příběhu, který naplňuje pak zbytek knihy - Návrat domů. Mon pomáhá udržovat dynamiku "putování" ale zároveň připravuje potřebnou půdu k příběhu následnému. Návrat domů je díky tomu velmi zdařilý a působí hodně přirozeně. A to i přes to, že se opět jedná o jeden z tradičních často užívaných vzorů. Ale stan umí s touhle kostrou pracovat tak, že čtenář nemá pocit "to je příběh co jsem už četl", a to je další krása Usagi Yojimba - v jednoduchosti může být i rozmanitost.
October 6, 2021
Cute book. It is not really a graphic novel ..too short and simple . I guess it’s a real comic book but I enjoyed the references to Japanese culture with a BA rabbit hero. But don’t think I need to read more. Now My Favorite Things Are Monsters? Why isn’t there a vol 2?? A great graphic novel but that’s another review sorry
October 15, 2021
Usagi will always be Usagi, and I will always read this series, but I don't think colorizing the books is making them any better than they were in black-and-white. Luckily, it doesn't detract from the stories and characters themselves, since that's where the true genius of this series lies.
April 14, 2021
This is volume 2 of the Usagi Yojimbo Homecoming series which has issues 8-14 of the series. It follows Usagi Yojimbo as he goes home to pay his respects. I only recently started reading Usagi Yojimbo. I remember him from the cameos he would make in the TMNT cartoon. My husband is a huge fan and now I can totally see why.
I love how Stan Sakai explained Japanese culture. He uses the Japanese words instead of English ones for Japanese cultural things that English just doesn't have the right words for. Then it is explained at the bottom of the page. The stories are usually short arcs that are wrapped up in a few issues, but there is one overall theme that goes through the entire book. It makes it very easy to get sucked in.
I read the single issues as they were released and even though this was my second time reading them I loved it just as much. I can't wait to get my hands on the trade!
Creative Team:
Writer, Artist, and Letterer: Stan Sakai
Colors: Tom Luth
I love how Stan Sakai explained Japanese culture. He uses the Japanese words instead of English ones for Japanese cultural things that English just doesn't have the right words for. Then it is explained at the bottom of the page. The stories are usually short arcs that are wrapped up in a few issues, but there is one overall theme that goes through the entire book. It makes it very easy to get sucked in.
I read the single issues as they were released and even though this was my second time reading them I loved it just as much. I can't wait to get my hands on the trade!
Creative Team:
Writer, Artist, and Letterer: Stan Sakai
Colors: Tom Luth
October 5, 2021
This is a cumulative review of the 35 volumes of collected Usagi Yojimbo stories that have been published to date. They span a 37-year history, from the first published Usagi story in Albedo Anthropomorphic #2, across the first seven volumes published by Fantagraphics, across the next 24 volumes published by Dark Horse, and finally across the most recent three volumes published by IDW, bringing us to Usagi Yojimbo v35: Homecoming, published in 2021. This review does not include the volumes Space Usagi, Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Collection, or Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebie Chibis.
In a land very much like Japan, in a time very much like the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, when legions of samurai suddenly found themselves out of work in a war-torn land trying to get back to normal, a masterless samurai - a ronin - named Usagi Yojimbo walks the path of a student-warrior. He goes wherever fate takes him, living by his honor, his swordsmanship and by the grace of the friends he makes along the way. On his endless adventures, Usagi confronts wicked bandits, cruel tyrants, sinister assassins, and dire supernatural fiends. He often encounters humble folk plying their trade in an often cruel and harsh world (and along the way, learns a bit about their work, like brewing sake or weaving tatami mats).
Along his way, he builds a vast cast of friends, allies and rivals, including the bounty hunger Gen, fellow samurai )and love interest) Tomoe, the ninja Chizu, the third Kitsune, the noble lord Noriyuki, the stalwart Inspector Ishida, and of course, Usagi’s own son (and chip off the old block), Jotaro. And just as well, he builds no small list of enemies, including the dire Lord Hikiji (the power-hungry lord who is the very reason why Usagi no longer has a master), the Neko and Komori ninja clans, the Koroshi league of assassins, and the demonic ronin Jei. Amid all this, Usagi strives to uphold the warrior ideals of bushido and find a sense of enlightenment on his journey.
The stories are often funny, exciting, smart, sharp, tight, and occasionally touched with tragedy. They offer an informed look at medieval Japan, and pay no small number of homages to all kinds of cultural references both ancient and modern, as a reflect of Sakai’s own journey to connect with his personal heritage and honor it with his stories. They are simultaneously suitable for adults and kids alike - despite all of the carnage, Sakai never descends into gruesome detail, and yet, the many scenes of battle never seem so sanitized that they lost their gravity.
The artwork is distinct and excellent. Sakai’s is a master of sharp lifework (as well as lettering), and since he writes, pencils, inks and letters every issue solo, there is a uniformity and consistency to Usagi Yojimbo that you just don’t find in many other comics or cartoons. Until the last few volumes, it is all B&W, but Sakai’s sense of depth as well as his supremely skilled panel composition, pulls you in so deeply that you forget if it’s in color or not. You are under Usagi’s spell from the first page, and along for the ride, however long it goes.
To get an idea of the length, breadth and depth of how beloved an impactful Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo series has been, look no further than the introductions to each of the collected volumes published to date. There you will find a dazzling array of some of the finest talents in modern cartooning, who have a seemingly endless variety of ways to say how much they love Usagi Yojimbo, how impactful it has been on their own careers, and how great Stan Sakai has been himself as a goodwill ambassador for both cartooning as well as of the Japanese culture he so masterfully serves throughout his stories.
For those who have not yet enjoyed these stories for the first time, a wonderful journey awaits you. Usagi Yojimbo was created during those days in the 80s when anthropomorphic martial arts characters were all the rage. And yet, Usagi Yojimbo stood apart almost immediately. He might have been a rabbit ronin in a world of talking, walking animals, but he never seemed to be drafting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or trying to comment on the martial-art zoo comic trend. From the beginning, Usagi Yojimbo, like its titular character, was determined to walk its own path, to be the best it could be, and to celebrate the things in life that are worth celebrating: devotion to one’s craft, honoring one’s family, upholding one’s obligations, serving one’s highest aspirations, accepting one’s limitations, and acknowledging one’s flaws.
The stories are largely episodic varying in length from just a few pages, to an entire collection. They often are self-contained, but just as often reference slowly building meta plots, or serve an entire, novel-length story on their own. Everything is delicately interconnected, and yet, without such a heavy continuity that one can not simply pick up any of these volumes and begin reading without skipping a beat. Such is this series, endlessly accessible and friendly to beginners, and endlessly rewarding to long-time fans for whom earned narrative developments deliver terrific dividends.
As with any series of this length, some moments in it won’t land as well with the reader as others. But there just are not that many lows with this - if you appreciate what Sakai is doing here, you’re likely to enjoy pretty much all of it. There are some volumes that really stand out, largely because they tell the biggest and most epic stories (v04: The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy, v12: Grasscutter, v15: Grasscutter II - Journey to Astuta Shrine, v17: Duel at Kitanoji, v19: Fathers and Sons, v28: Red Scorpion, v32: The Hidden, and v35:Homecoming all come to mind), but really, the entire catalog of worth enjoying on equal terms. It’s saying something indeed that the most recent volume of Usagi Yojimbo tells one of the most compelling and moving stories of the entire series. Some edges dull over time, but as a storyteller, Stan Sakai’s edge never does.
Usagi Yojimbo has been hailed as one of the greatest independent comics ever. And it is. But it is more than that. It is one of the greatest comics, period. Read every volume. You will be glad that you did.
In a land very much like Japan, in a time very much like the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, when legions of samurai suddenly found themselves out of work in a war-torn land trying to get back to normal, a masterless samurai - a ronin - named Usagi Yojimbo walks the path of a student-warrior. He goes wherever fate takes him, living by his honor, his swordsmanship and by the grace of the friends he makes along the way. On his endless adventures, Usagi confronts wicked bandits, cruel tyrants, sinister assassins, and dire supernatural fiends. He often encounters humble folk plying their trade in an often cruel and harsh world (and along the way, learns a bit about their work, like brewing sake or weaving tatami mats).
Along his way, he builds a vast cast of friends, allies and rivals, including the bounty hunger Gen, fellow samurai )and love interest) Tomoe, the ninja Chizu, the third Kitsune, the noble lord Noriyuki, the stalwart Inspector Ishida, and of course, Usagi’s own son (and chip off the old block), Jotaro. And just as well, he builds no small list of enemies, including the dire Lord Hikiji (the power-hungry lord who is the very reason why Usagi no longer has a master), the Neko and Komori ninja clans, the Koroshi league of assassins, and the demonic ronin Jei. Amid all this, Usagi strives to uphold the warrior ideals of bushido and find a sense of enlightenment on his journey.
The stories are often funny, exciting, smart, sharp, tight, and occasionally touched with tragedy. They offer an informed look at medieval Japan, and pay no small number of homages to all kinds of cultural references both ancient and modern, as a reflect of Sakai’s own journey to connect with his personal heritage and honor it with his stories. They are simultaneously suitable for adults and kids alike - despite all of the carnage, Sakai never descends into gruesome detail, and yet, the many scenes of battle never seem so sanitized that they lost their gravity.
The artwork is distinct and excellent. Sakai’s is a master of sharp lifework (as well as lettering), and since he writes, pencils, inks and letters every issue solo, there is a uniformity and consistency to Usagi Yojimbo that you just don’t find in many other comics or cartoons. Until the last few volumes, it is all B&W, but Sakai’s sense of depth as well as his supremely skilled panel composition, pulls you in so deeply that you forget if it’s in color or not. You are under Usagi’s spell from the first page, and along for the ride, however long it goes.
To get an idea of the length, breadth and depth of how beloved an impactful Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo series has been, look no further than the introductions to each of the collected volumes published to date. There you will find a dazzling array of some of the finest talents in modern cartooning, who have a seemingly endless variety of ways to say how much they love Usagi Yojimbo, how impactful it has been on their own careers, and how great Stan Sakai has been himself as a goodwill ambassador for both cartooning as well as of the Japanese culture he so masterfully serves throughout his stories.
For those who have not yet enjoyed these stories for the first time, a wonderful journey awaits you. Usagi Yojimbo was created during those days in the 80s when anthropomorphic martial arts characters were all the rage. And yet, Usagi Yojimbo stood apart almost immediately. He might have been a rabbit ronin in a world of talking, walking animals, but he never seemed to be drafting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or trying to comment on the martial-art zoo comic trend. From the beginning, Usagi Yojimbo, like its titular character, was determined to walk its own path, to be the best it could be, and to celebrate the things in life that are worth celebrating: devotion to one’s craft, honoring one’s family, upholding one’s obligations, serving one’s highest aspirations, accepting one’s limitations, and acknowledging one’s flaws.
The stories are largely episodic varying in length from just a few pages, to an entire collection. They often are self-contained, but just as often reference slowly building meta plots, or serve an entire, novel-length story on their own. Everything is delicately interconnected, and yet, without such a heavy continuity that one can not simply pick up any of these volumes and begin reading without skipping a beat. Such is this series, endlessly accessible and friendly to beginners, and endlessly rewarding to long-time fans for whom earned narrative developments deliver terrific dividends.
As with any series of this length, some moments in it won’t land as well with the reader as others. But there just are not that many lows with this - if you appreciate what Sakai is doing here, you’re likely to enjoy pretty much all of it. There are some volumes that really stand out, largely because they tell the biggest and most epic stories (v04: The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy, v12: Grasscutter, v15: Grasscutter II - Journey to Astuta Shrine, v17: Duel at Kitanoji, v19: Fathers and Sons, v28: Red Scorpion, v32: The Hidden, and v35:Homecoming all come to mind), but really, the entire catalog of worth enjoying on equal terms. It’s saying something indeed that the most recent volume of Usagi Yojimbo tells one of the most compelling and moving stories of the entire series. Some edges dull over time, but as a storyteller, Stan Sakai’s edge never does.
Usagi Yojimbo has been hailed as one of the greatest independent comics ever. And it is. But it is more than that. It is one of the greatest comics, period. Read every volume. You will be glad that you did.
May 11, 2021
For a wandering duelist, Usagi sure doesn't really seem to do any duels, nor visit any sword schools or ever practice his own technique.
It seems he and Miyamoto Musashi parted stories long long ago.
The first story is rather bland and boring.
The second one was more interesting, which isn't saying a lot, but it has a ton of issues. It read like a romanticised American variant of medieval Japan, completely misunderstood.
Usagi acts decidedly honourless in this one: He lies, cheats and, by cover of darkness, assaults and murders men who thought he was their ally. All because they wanted to avenge the death of Lord Mifune - who used to be Usagi's lord.
I get that the village where Usagi (and Mariko, who looks nothing like she used to) grew up, but still, it was definitely not a very samurai move. Very folk hero though. Amazingly shameful.
This crappy ronin then tries to justify his actions by calling the vengeful samurai "evil" - even though we know the famous quote of it being better to serve an evil lord well than serve a good lord half-assedly (I paraphrase). How is the memory of a samurai dishonoured by the deaths of some worthless peasants?
It makes no sense.
That entire storyline is a big no.
It remains a charming little comicbook, however.
Maybe this is nitpicking, but as time goes by, the simple mistakes Stan Sakai are continuously making are starting to bother me a lot. Year in and year out, the same horrible errors.
At least he finally fixed the British-tea-finger grip (look back a few books and everyone holds their sword without little finger), but Usagi's sword is strangely short at times, the wrappings on the hilts of his swords is oddly huge, the scabbard of the swords aren't drawn in certain angles, the two swords of a samurai are the same length with same length hilt (its supposed to be a long and a short sword), hands looks weird and EVERYONE wields their traditionally two-handed swords one-handed.
I also swear these comics are getting sloppier. The sword strokes Usagi uses make no sense, there's no great flow through the combat from one panel to next. There's a town where the tiles of the houses aren't drawn in. A panel where Mariko has two left hands. A closeup of Usagi pushing the sword from the scabbard, with sound line "click" and the sword not actually leaving the scabbard lock. Makes no sense.
Unnecessary translations like writing "saya*" in the bubble and "*= scabbard" - it literally just means scabbard and it *is* one, so why the translation?
The landscapes are gorgeous as always, effective and brilliant.
Also I'm not sure I didn't like Usagi better in black and white.
All in all, I fear I may be done with Usagi Yojimbo.
It seems he and Miyamoto Musashi parted stories long long ago.
The first story is rather bland and boring.
The second one was more interesting, which isn't saying a lot, but it has a ton of issues. It read like a romanticised American variant of medieval Japan, completely misunderstood.
Usagi acts decidedly honourless in this one: He lies, cheats and, by cover of darkness, assaults and murders men who thought he was their ally. All because they wanted to avenge the death of Lord Mifune - who used to be Usagi's lord.
I get that the village where Usagi (and Mariko, who looks nothing like she used to) grew up, but still, it was definitely not a very samurai move. Very folk hero though. Amazingly shameful.
This crappy ronin then tries to justify his actions by calling the vengeful samurai "evil" - even though we know the famous quote of it being better to serve an evil lord well than serve a good lord half-assedly (I paraphrase). How is the memory of a samurai dishonoured by the deaths of some worthless peasants?
It makes no sense.
That entire storyline is a big no.
It remains a charming little comicbook, however.
Maybe this is nitpicking, but as time goes by, the simple mistakes Stan Sakai are continuously making are starting to bother me a lot. Year in and year out, the same horrible errors.
At least he finally fixed the British-tea-finger grip (look back a few books and everyone holds their sword without little finger), but Usagi's sword is strangely short at times, the wrappings on the hilts of his swords is oddly huge, the scabbard of the swords aren't drawn in certain angles, the two swords of a samurai are the same length with same length hilt (its supposed to be a long and a short sword), hands looks weird and EVERYONE wields their traditionally two-handed swords one-handed.
I also swear these comics are getting sloppier. The sword strokes Usagi uses make no sense, there's no great flow through the combat from one panel to next. There's a town where the tiles of the houses aren't drawn in. A panel where Mariko has two left hands. A closeup of Usagi pushing the sword from the scabbard, with sound line "click" and the sword not actually leaving the scabbard lock. Makes no sense.
Unnecessary translations like writing "saya*" in the bubble and "*= scabbard" - it literally just means scabbard and it *is* one, so why the translation?
The landscapes are gorgeous as always, effective and brilliant.
Also I'm not sure I didn't like Usagi better in black and white.
All in all, I fear I may be done with Usagi Yojimbo.
March 10, 2022
Jak sam podtytuł komiksu wskazuje, tomik skupia się głównie na odwiedzaniu wraz z bohaterem miejsc, które są dla niego ważne. Powrót Usagiego w rodzinne strony oznacza nie tylko pokaźną dawkę różnorakich emocji, ale również całe spektrum kłopotów, z którymi będzie musiał sobie on jakoś poradzić. Na początek (historia Tatami) ronin powraca na ziemie swojego byłego pana, które są teraz zarządzane przez nikczemnego władcę. Podejmie się on tam pewnego zadania, które sprawdzi jego niesamowite umiejętności. Autor kreśli tutaj fascynującą historię o śmierci, polityce i walce o dominację, dodatkowo całość „urozmaicając” typowymi dla serii świetnymi wątkami pobocznymi (ukazującymi zwykłe życie feudalnej Japonii). W rozdziale Mon zarówno na Usagiego, jak i czytelnika czeka dawka wyrazistych emocji. Ronin, przemierzając znane sobie tereny, napotyka wiele wrogości ze strony zwykłych ludzi, co ma związek z herbem (Mon), który dumnie nosi. Przeszłość odgrywa tu kluczową rolę i często rzutuje na pokazanych wydarzeniach w których dominuje desperacja, złość i strach (przed nową wojną). Na sam koniec autor prezentuje najważniejszą z dostępnych tutaj historii (Powrót). Usagi powraca w niej do swojej rodzinnej wioski, gdzie zaczęła się cała jego historia. Miejsca wielu różnorakich wspomnień (zarówno tych pozytywnych, jak i negatywnych). Początkowa radość z „powrotu do domu” i możliwość zobaczenia dawnych przyjaciół i swojej miłości przeradza się stopniowo w serię poważniejszych konfliktów i wzajemnych nieporozumień. Do tego dojdą jeszcze inne o wiele poważniejsze problemy, z którymi będzie trzeba się rozprawić za pomocą miecza.
Jak zawsze w przypadku kolejnych części serii, doskonałym uzupełnieniem wciągającej historii, jest świetna oprawa rysunkowa. Sakai jak zawsze z pozornie wizualnej prostoty potrafi wydobyć niezwykłe piękno, które nie tylko świetnie oddaje klimat dawnej Japonii, ale również potrafi ukazać emocjonalną głębię pojawiających się tutaj postaci. Do tego wszystkiego dochodzą teraz jeszcze naprawdę dobrze dopasowane kolory (Tom Luth).
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/recen...
February 25, 2024
Stan Sakai's wandering ronin returns to the north, the location of his ancestral village which belongs in lands that now belong to the villainous Lord Hikiji. Usagi continues to proudly display his mon (crest) demonstrating his loyalty to the late Lord Mifune, which causes some problems for him in this volume, entitled "Homecoming". Collecting issues #8-14 of the IDW series (volume 4 of Usagi Yojimbo), there are three stories collected here.
Opening with "Tatami", Usagi pairs up with Chizu to foil the Neko ninja clan from ambushing a procession for an important tea ceremony ritual. We learn that the mutinous Neko ninja chunin, Kagemaru, suspects that Chizu has a spy within his ranks, and that the Neko have finally returned to Hikiji's better graces. This story is followed by "Mon", where Usagi's Mifune emblem makes him stand out when a former Mifune food soldier recognizes it in the streets. This tees up the main story in this volume - "The Return".
Usagi has arrived at the village where he grew up but learns that a radicalized group of Mifune soldiers are planning to use the village as a staging ground against Hikiji. Fearing for the lives of his fellow countrymen, Usagi goes into deep cover amidst the ranks of the Mifune loyalists in the hopes of saving the lives of his loved ones. "The Return" is a thrilling four-issue tale involving betrayal, revenge and understanding the true meaning of bushido. Basically everything you'd want from an Usagi story.
Opening with "Tatami", Usagi pairs up with Chizu to foil the Neko ninja clan from ambushing a procession for an important tea ceremony ritual. We learn that the mutinous Neko ninja chunin, Kagemaru, suspects that Chizu has a spy within his ranks, and that the Neko have finally returned to Hikiji's better graces. This story is followed by "Mon", where Usagi's Mifune emblem makes him stand out when a former Mifune food soldier recognizes it in the streets. This tees up the main story in this volume - "The Return".
Usagi has arrived at the village where he grew up but learns that a radicalized group of Mifune soldiers are planning to use the village as a staging ground against Hikiji. Fearing for the lives of his fellow countrymen, Usagi goes into deep cover amidst the ranks of the Mifune loyalists in the hopes of saving the lives of his loved ones. "The Return" is a thrilling four-issue tale involving betrayal, revenge and understanding the true meaning of bushido. Basically everything you'd want from an Usagi story.
June 21, 2021
I can't say enough good things about this series. The amount of thought and detail Sakai puts into these stories make you feel like you're there, and the way he adds in Japanese historical and cultural information so naturally, without feeling like an info dump, is great. In this volume, we learned about tatami, mon, and kamon in three stories centered on Usagi returning to his home province to pay his respect's at his old master's grave. He finds himself caught in a conflict between various clans trying to take control of the province, ending up in his home village, a place he hadn't intended to return to. There's lots of action in this volume, with some awesome fight scenes. We get some flashbacks as Usagi's memories surface, letting us get to know him a little better. The stories are compelling, and the art is so cinematic, I had a movie going in my head while reading this. Just do yourself a favor and get this, along with anything else Usagi Yojimbo you can find.
#UsagiYojimboHomecoming #NetGalley
#UsagiYojimboHomecoming #NetGalley
July 4, 2021
Another excellent collection of stories from the IDW series of Usagi Yojimbo. For a series that has been running for as long as Usagi has, it constantly amazes me how Stan Saki can create these intriguing and interesting stories full of action, drama, and heartache. To me, he really is a master of his craft.
As with most Usagi stories, you get a focus on Japanese culture that is the centre of one of the stories. In this instance, we get to find out more about tatami mats and their importance to tea ceremonies. It's a lovely little touch that draws you into the story more by understanding the motivations of some of the characters.
This trade collection, much more so than the first from IDW, references stories and characters from the previous series, but Stan Sakai does an excellent job in bringing the reader up to speed so you don't feel lost or not quite understanding what's happening.
I cannot recommend these stories enough and am already chomping at the bit to see where it goes next.
As with most Usagi stories, you get a focus on Japanese culture that is the centre of one of the stories. In this instance, we get to find out more about tatami mats and their importance to tea ceremonies. It's a lovely little touch that draws you into the story more by understanding the motivations of some of the characters.
This trade collection, much more so than the first from IDW, references stories and characters from the previous series, but Stan Sakai does an excellent job in bringing the reader up to speed so you don't feel lost or not quite understanding what's happening.
I cannot recommend these stories enough and am already chomping at the bit to see where it goes next.
August 12, 2021
2021 Eisner Award Winner - Best Continuing Series, Best Graphic Album—Reprint, Best Lettering (Stan Sakai)
The themes of this volume involve honesty, honor, and loyalty. I don't know whether these themes are treated in a manner in keeping with actual samurai philosophy, nor whether the drawings accurately depict Japanese culture, dress, or martial arts. What comes across very clearly, though, are stories of an honorable warrior trying to find his way in a land that is not necessarily friendly to him. Usagi has an internal code derived from his samurai training, but modified for the situations he is in. This fluidity helps him navigate a number of perilous incidents involving friends and loved ones while retaining his integrity. We can learn a lot from these stories, which is one reason this series has lasted for over three decades and is still fresh enough to continue to win awards.
Kindle edition, 196 pages.
The themes of this volume involve honesty, honor, and loyalty. I don't know whether these themes are treated in a manner in keeping with actual samurai philosophy, nor whether the drawings accurately depict Japanese culture, dress, or martial arts. What comes across very clearly, though, are stories of an honorable warrior trying to find his way in a land that is not necessarily friendly to him. Usagi has an internal code derived from his samurai training, but modified for the situations he is in. This fluidity helps him navigate a number of perilous incidents involving friends and loved ones while retaining his integrity. We can learn a lot from these stories, which is one reason this series has lasted for over three decades and is still fresh enough to continue to win awards.
Kindle edition, 196 pages.
May 12, 2021
I've said for a while that my problem with this series is that for some time now it hasn't had any grander story arcs or any resolution for Usagi's past. However, this volume seems to be setting up a storyline that should hopefully finally address some of those things. Lord Hikiji is involved again in a plot to overthrow the shogunate and there is a storyline involving Usagi once again returning to his home village and exploring his past connections there.
I hope that these plot points are actually expanded on and not just left to simmer here because Usagi Yojimbo is one of the greatest long-running series in comics but it also seems deathly afraid of resolutions so here's hoping this really leads to something exciting in the next few volumes.
I hope that these plot points are actually expanded on and not just left to simmer here because Usagi Yojimbo is one of the greatest long-running series in comics but it also seems deathly afraid of resolutions so here's hoping this really leads to something exciting in the next few volumes.
May 7, 2021
I don't know how Stan keeps writing volume after volume of thrilling, engaging and character driven tales of this Ronin rabbit but he does. And I am sure glad he does. This one has more entertaining tails :) but the one that stands out is the titular Homecoming where Usagi comes back to his home province to find that loyalty to his family and village outweighs his loyalty to his dead master. We get to see a lot of past characters and it is a thrilling ending.
I came late to this series but I have gobbled up every volume I can get my eyes on in the past year. Love it so much. This is another worthy entry into this long series whose quality has not waned.
I came late to this series but I have gobbled up every volume I can get my eyes on in the past year. Love it so much. This is another worthy entry into this long series whose quality has not waned.
February 22, 2021
In this volume, we first see Usagi join a group that is transporting tatami mats. He assists them in protecting the mats that are going to be used for an important tea ceremony. Then, Usagi is passing through his old master's region when a group of samurai take offense to his loyalties and attack him. He defeats them, but is injured and falls into a boat. The boat ends up in his old village which he was trying to avoid. While in his old village, he must rescue the villagers, his old friend, and his love interest from a coup. #UsagiYojimboHomecoming #NetGalley
October 29, 2023
Celkový meta příběh se samozřejmě opět vůbec nikam neposune (a vlastně to začíná být problém) a série začíná výrazně zakopavat o vlastní hrdiny. Předkládá totiž zajímavá dramata a složité volby, ale všechno to končí na tom, že hrdinové vždy udělají bez pochyb tu extrémně morální věc: a cena kterou zaplatí je, že se chvíli mečákuje a 4 chábři vyvraždí 80 nepřátel, Usagi sám 11...
A při tom Návrat i Mon nabízí velmi hezké náhozy zapletek a konfliktů, ale když to nakonec Usagi nějak vyšermuje, vždycky, všude, v každé situaci, je to už trochu unavený. A nic se nikam neposouvá.
A při tom Návrat i Mon nabízí velmi hezké náhozy zapletek a konfliktů, ale když to nakonec Usagi nějak vyšermuje, vždycky, všude, v každé situaci, je to už trochu unavený. A nic se nikam neposouvá.
May 23, 2024
Ooooohhhh. This was great.
For the first time in a while, Usagi returns to his home province and town. As a member of the former Mifune clan, it is a great danger for Usagi as the province is now the territory of his long-time enemy, Lord Hikiji.
Usagi faces danger at every turn from friends and foes alike, and in many cases, it is hard to determine what friends have become foes and what foes have become friends. The level of constant danger and intrigue makes this volume one of the best in my opinion.
For the first time in a while, Usagi returns to his home province and town. As a member of the former Mifune clan, it is a great danger for Usagi as the province is now the territory of his long-time enemy, Lord Hikiji.
Usagi faces danger at every turn from friends and foes alike, and in many cases, it is hard to determine what friends have become foes and what foes have become friends. The level of constant danger and intrigue makes this volume one of the best in my opinion.
November 6, 2021
Další zajímavé povídky. Usagi míří domů a my se dozvíme, jak se vyrábějí tatami a jak důležité můžou být a taky jaké to je být cizincem ve vlastní zemi, když se Usagi dostane do své vesnice pod vládou lorda Hikijiho. Nakonec dojde i ke konfrontaci s Usagiho vlastním vztahem k věrnosti mrtvému pánovi. Kresebně se Sakai drží na své jednodušší linii z poslední doby, ale občas to zase trochu vyrovnává barevnost (v posledních černobílých dílech už to začínalo být markantnější).
August 16, 2022
This wasn't as fun for me as must Usagi Yojimbo tales. Maybe I find it less enjoyable to have the romantic and family drama in his stories and would prefer the drama to come from conflicts of loyalty or from adventure.
There is a major revelation in this volume though, so it may be worth reading just to be familiar with that and how it affects the dynamics between some recurring characters. I understood one particular character and his attitude towards Usagi much better after this volume.
There is a major revelation in this volume though, so it may be worth reading just to be familiar with that and how it affects the dynamics between some recurring characters. I understood one particular character and his attitude towards Usagi much better after this volume.
May 19, 2021
Stan Sakai never disappoints! I can always count on an Usagi tale to lift my spirits.
I especially liked the Story Notes presented after Tatami and Mon. The notes gave provided an extra element of historical perspective for those not familiar with Japanese history.
I especially liked the Story Notes presented after Tatami and Mon. The notes gave provided an extra element of historical perspective for those not familiar with Japanese history.
June 27, 2021
I didn't really enjoy "The Return". The overly bright color of Usagi's kimono is still bothering me, especially in that story when compared to the color of the men wearing the same uniform. If anything, theirs should have been brighter since they haven't been wearing them all the time.
July 9, 2021
The stories are excellent - as always - and the artwork is splendid. But I still think that Usagi works better in black/white (which, as I've said before, is weird - because I'm not usually a fan of b/w graphic novels.)
July 16, 2021
Desde que han cambiado el formato y lo publican a todo color, las historias de Usagi han recobrado punch. Quizás ha sido el volver a leer sobre viejos conocidos lo que haya provocado el entusiasmo hacia 'homecoming'. Usagi y Stan rulez.
August 11, 2025
A great volume in this long standing runs.
Usagi returns home to where his lord died. The people who live there now aren’t excited for the return of followers of the past lord.
And Usagi’s former love and her new husband make everything awkward.
Plus your regular dose of samurai action
Usagi returns home to where his lord died. The people who live there now aren’t excited for the return of followers of the past lord.
And Usagi’s former love and her new husband make everything awkward.
Plus your regular dose of samurai action
May 3, 2021
The scars of betrayal, the struggles of loyalty.
October 6, 2021
Litt forutsigbar, men på den fine måten. Men hva gjør vel det når Katsuichi er med?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews