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Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #37
Usagi Yojimbo: Crossroads
The rabbit ronin’s newest adventures continue in this fourth volume that sees Usagi and new companion Yukichi on the road! Thinking their troubles behind them, they find new ones constantly emerging.
In “Ransom,” Usagi and Yukichi meet up with Kitsune, a street performer and thief, who has stolen a ledger recording bribes to local politicians. When Kitsune’s protégé is kidnapped in return, Usagi decides that he must help and get her back. Then, in “Crossroads,” Usagi and Yukichi come upon a group of pilgrims who have been left for dead by a band of cutthroat ronin. Deciding to go after them, Usagi must head back to the province, and the danger, from which he has just escaped!
Collects issues #22–26 of the all-new full-color Usagi Yojimbo series published by IDW.
In “Ransom,” Usagi and Yukichi meet up with Kitsune, a street performer and thief, who has stolen a ledger recording bribes to local politicians. When Kitsune’s protégé is kidnapped in return, Usagi decides that he must help and get her back. Then, in “Crossroads,” Usagi and Yukichi come upon a group of pilgrims who have been left for dead by a band of cutthroat ronin. Deciding to go after them, Usagi must head back to the province, and the danger, from which he has just escaped!
Collects issues #22–26 of the all-new full-color Usagi Yojimbo series published by IDW.
136 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2022
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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
December 9, 2022
Usagi Yojimbo: Crossroads collects Usagi Yojimbo #22-26.
I don't know how he does it but Stan Sakai has kept up a high standard of quality for forty years at this point. This was my favorite Usagi volume since the series moved to IDW.
The first story involves Usagi and Yukichi getting ensnared in one of Kitsune's thefts. The second involves Usagi and Yukichi chasing down some bandits. That doesn't sound like all that much but both were vintage Sakai with questions of honor, moral dilemmas, and bad guys being cut down. In the second, I feared for Yukichi's life when he crossed paths with an old enemy of his uncle's.
The art is the art. Stan Sakai hasn't lost a step in 30 years and is stick hatching the fuck out of things he could probably get by with letting the colorist handle now that the series is in color. His faces are expressive and gets so much mileage out of Usagi. You'd think he'd be tired of drawing the bodyguard rabbit by now but the art is still so perfect.
Five out of five stars. I stand by my earlier statement that this is the best Usagi trade IDW has put out.
I don't know how he does it but Stan Sakai has kept up a high standard of quality for forty years at this point. This was my favorite Usagi volume since the series moved to IDW.
The first story involves Usagi and Yukichi getting ensnared in one of Kitsune's thefts. The second involves Usagi and Yukichi chasing down some bandits. That doesn't sound like all that much but both were vintage Sakai with questions of honor, moral dilemmas, and bad guys being cut down. In the second, I feared for Yukichi's life when he crossed paths with an old enemy of his uncle's.
The art is the art. Stan Sakai hasn't lost a step in 30 years and is stick hatching the fuck out of things he could probably get by with letting the colorist handle now that the series is in color. His faces are expressive and gets so much mileage out of Usagi. You'd think he'd be tired of drawing the bodyguard rabbit by now but the art is still so perfect.
Five out of five stars. I stand by my earlier statement that this is the best Usagi trade IDW has put out.
August 27, 2024
Una entrega estándar del personaje. Entretenida, pero no demasiado original.
March 18, 2024
Miyamoto Usagi continues his journeys, but is joined by his recently discovered cousin Yamamoto Yukichi. Contained in this volume are two stories, "Ransom" and "Crossroads", which were originally serialized in Usagi Yojimbo #22-26 (v4). The first story is another Kitsune adventure where the mischievous thief finds herself running afoul a local crime boss. Kitsune's partner-in-crime, Kiyoko, is taken hostage by the local militia, requiring Usagi and Yukichi to help out. It's a fun story to be sure, but feels like an often enough repeated beat that it comes off as a tad more unoriginal. The second story, "Crossroads", has Usagi and Yukichi dealing with a group of six bloodthirsty ronin who are violently tormenting travelers. Jei and Keiko re-emerge here as well, teasing a rematch for a future story.
Decent stories overall, but feel a bit light compared to Sakai's typical storytelling standards. Artwork is still plenty great though, and the newer color choices have grown on me a fair bit.
Decent stories overall, but feel a bit light compared to Sakai's typical storytelling standards. Artwork is still plenty great though, and the newer color choices have grown on me a fair bit.
February 19, 2023
A colored remake of the two stories Crossroads and Ransom, I imagine to appeal to younger and newer audiences. Although the coloring from Hi-Fi Design isn't bad, the original black and white shows much more detail between the monotone contrast. I also miss the introductions from fellow artists and friends of Stan Sakai which started each volume in the original series.
December 4, 2022
The always impressive Stan Sakai presents another outstanding volume in his epic Usagi Yojimbo comic series with the fantastic and fun 37th volume, Crossroads.
I think we can all agree that 2022 has been a rather mixed year, as while there have been some great books, the world does seem to be getting crazier and crazier. However, if there is one thing that is guaranteed to make me happy is the fact that for the first time since 2003, this year has seen the release of two volumes of the exceptional Usagi Yojimbo comic. Now fans of this blog will know that I love, love, love the Usagi Yojimbo series, and it is easily one of my very favourite comic book series. Written and drawn by the exceedingly talented Stan Sakai, the Usagi Yojimbo series is set in an alternate version of feudal Japan inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. The series primarily follows the character of Miyamoto Usagi, a rabbit ronin who travels the land facing all manner of evil, including criminals, monsters, ninja, and rival samurai.
Thanks to the compelling narratives, complex characters, and exceptional artwork, the Usagi Yojimbo series has always really appealed to me, and I have always tried to grab the new volume as soon as it is released. As I mentioned above, 2022 has already been a good year, as the 36th volume, Tengu War! came out in March, and it wa pretty damn epic. Usually, I would have to wait an entire year to get my next Usagi Yojimbo fix, but Sakai appears to be on a real role as he released a second volume in 2022 earlier this month with Crossroads. Needless to say, I was extremely excited about this, and Crossroads was one of my most anticipated reads for the second half of 2022. I was very happy when I received my copy of Crossroads, and I ended up reading it within a few minutes of getting my hands on it. I of course loved every second of it, and it proved to be another captivating read that really drew me in with its brilliant artwork and cool stories.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/12/04/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
I think we can all agree that 2022 has been a rather mixed year, as while there have been some great books, the world does seem to be getting crazier and crazier. However, if there is one thing that is guaranteed to make me happy is the fact that for the first time since 2003, this year has seen the release of two volumes of the exceptional Usagi Yojimbo comic. Now fans of this blog will know that I love, love, love the Usagi Yojimbo series, and it is easily one of my very favourite comic book series. Written and drawn by the exceedingly talented Stan Sakai, the Usagi Yojimbo series is set in an alternate version of feudal Japan inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. The series primarily follows the character of Miyamoto Usagi, a rabbit ronin who travels the land facing all manner of evil, including criminals, monsters, ninja, and rival samurai.
Thanks to the compelling narratives, complex characters, and exceptional artwork, the Usagi Yojimbo series has always really appealed to me, and I have always tried to grab the new volume as soon as it is released. As I mentioned above, 2022 has already been a good year, as the 36th volume, Tengu War! came out in March, and it wa pretty damn epic. Usually, I would have to wait an entire year to get my next Usagi Yojimbo fix, but Sakai appears to be on a real role as he released a second volume in 2022 earlier this month with Crossroads. Needless to say, I was extremely excited about this, and Crossroads was one of my most anticipated reads for the second half of 2022. I was very happy when I received my copy of Crossroads, and I ended up reading it within a few minutes of getting my hands on it. I of course loved every second of it, and it proved to be another captivating read that really drew me in with its brilliant artwork and cool stories.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/12/04/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
November 17, 2022
I can't remember if the other collections published by IDW had forewords by other artists and authors in the comics industry, but I noticed there's not one in Crossroads. It's kind of a shame; I liked reading how Sakai had affected others in the field, and seeing how many different people these stories have touched. Then again, we're up to volume 37 here, so maybe there aren't enough people left who haven't already written one ... ?
December 2, 2022
I like Yukichi, both as a character on his own and as a way to reintroduce old characters. The series feels fresh and familiar at the same time right now.
September 21, 2025
Kolejny tom przygód Usagiego, który po kilkuletniej przerwie spowodowanej zawirowaniami wydawniczymi powraca na polski rynek. Zmienił się też tłumacz, którym nie jest już żywa legenda fantastyki w Polsce, pisarz Jarosław Grzędowicz.
Czy jest to najlepszy zbiorek o opowieści o Usagim? Nie. Ale też nic mu nie brakuje, są to dobre i wciągające opowieści, których tym razem tematem przewodnim jest stosunek do posiadania przez samuraja Pana. Powracają też liczni starzy znajomi, z którymi jak to często bywa ponownie krzyżują się ścieżki długouchego samuraja.
Jedyne do czego nie mogę się przekonać to kolor, nie wiem czy coś wnosi.
Scenariusz:****
Rysunki:****
Czy jest to najlepszy zbiorek o opowieści o Usagim? Nie. Ale też nic mu nie brakuje, są to dobre i wciągające opowieści, których tym razem tematem przewodnim jest stosunek do posiadania przez samuraja Pana. Powracają też liczni starzy znajomi, z którymi jak to często bywa ponownie krzyżują się ścieżki długouchego samuraja.
Jedyne do czego nie mogę się przekonać to kolor, nie wiem czy coś wnosi.
Scenariusz:****
Rysunki:****
August 10, 2024
Usagi and Yukichi are now traveling together and facing danger around every turn. These two stories bring back Kitsune and feature some new enemies, and I think they serve as a great way to show how Usagi’s journey has shaped him. Yukichi is much like Usagi at that start of his wandering when things were much more black and white and their journey together shows how Usagi now views the world a bit differently as he shows Yukichi that things are rarely so straightforward.
September 25, 2023
Tohle je jeden z těch nejslabších Usagi. To znamená, že stále je to jako prima, ale oba dva dlouhé příběhy jsou spíš vypravenky které moc nikam nevedou, nemají žádnou hlubší pointu a ani nic zapamatovatelného.
December 9, 2025
2 stories. Kitsune gets in trouble again in Random. And Usagi’s cousin runs into Jei in Crissroads.
The Japan in usagi’s books is feeling more desperate and divided lately. Or I’m projecting our world onto it. Either way I’m worried about Usagi’s future.
The Japan in usagi’s books is feeling more desperate and divided lately. Or I’m projecting our world onto it. Either way I’m worried about Usagi’s future.
December 25, 2022
Two classic usagi stories - we meet kitsune and her sidekick, and in the 2nd one usagi gets into trouble doing the right Thing. Also we meet jei again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2022
The return of Jei!!
‘Nuff said 😈
‘Nuff said 😈
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2023
jei was a jumpscare
March 25, 2024
Solid stories but not exceptional. The Kitsune story feels especially well trodden.
May 17, 2024
Starej dobrej Usagi, u kterýho bych mohl copypastovat stále stejnej komentář. Sakai totálně kašle na větší příběh, postavy dělají přes 30 knížek +- totéž, ale furt je to příjemný čtení.
June 7, 2025
I just can't stand Kitsune. She's annoying and she never gets her comeuppance.
Nice seeing Jei and Keiko again however.
Nice seeing Jei and Keiko again however.
January 4, 2024
Crossroads is a solidly fun comic, with a silly three-parter involving Usagi and Yukichi getting caught up in one of Kitsune's heists-gone-wrong, and then a grimmer two-parter featuring Usagi and Yukichi in pursuit of a villianous gang - with Yukichi crossing paths with Usagi's oldest and most dangerous adversary.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Reading this one again (as part of reading the entire series through), it isn't quite as fresh as some volumes, but Stan always has a good wrinkle. Kitsune's plot might not feel fresh, but playing her worldliness against Yukichi's naivete adds a new, fun character dynamic, and we never get to see Kitsune as emotionally vulnerable as she is when Kiyoko is captured. The mercenary gang shows another way former samurai survived in the time period, and Yukichi's meeting with that old foe losses none of its creepiness.
+++++++++++++++++++++
Reading this one again (as part of reading the entire series through), it isn't quite as fresh as some volumes, but Stan always has a good wrinkle. Kitsune's plot might not feel fresh, but playing her worldliness against Yukichi's naivete adds a new, fun character dynamic, and we never get to see Kitsune as emotionally vulnerable as she is when Kiyoko is captured. The mercenary gang shows another way former samurai survived in the time period, and Yukichi's meeting with that old foe losses none of its creepiness.
May 28, 2023
Tato kniha Usagiho dobrodružství, předposlední z dílny IDW, kam se Stan na chvíli přesunul, se skládá ze dvou příběhu a zhltl jsem ji na jeden zátah. Obecně - Yukichi je skvělý společník k Usagimu, už dlouho mu parťák na cestách chyběl a tento navíc přináší nový "naivní" rozměr. Ale první příběh ani oba neutáhnout, protože je na scéně Kitsune. A ty příběhy kolem ní jsou často na jedno brdo a tenhle už je jetý jak kolovrátek v chudinském ghettu. A ani Yukichi na tom nic nezachrání. Druhý příběh je ale mnohem lepší, vrací se ke klasickému samurajskému putování a dalším oblíbeným prvkům. Jen bohužel, narozdíl od V7kupného s Kitsune, Křižovatky působí mnohem kratší. Usagi má obecně vysokou laťku, tak zůstanu u čtyř hvězd, ale v kontextu usagiho příběhů si za Výkupné klidně ještě jednu hvězdu sundejte.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews