What do you think?
Rate this book
Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #23
Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 23: Bridge of Tears
The wandering life of a ronin is often a lonely one, and Usagi has been on that path a long time. A temporary peace, staying with the merchant Endo and his daughter Hanaka, is interrupted by the deadly League of Assassins, setting Usagi back on the road, but with the uncomfortable sensation that he is being followed. Usagi's travels next take him to a town torn apart by street gangs searching for a dead gang boss's stash of gold. While in town, Usagi meets Mayumi, who longs for a new life away from the village and convinces Usagi to take her with him. As attraction grows between them, Usagi faces a can another join him on his path, or is the lifestyle of a ronin too dangerous for Mayumi, especially as signs point to the return of Jei, the Black Soul?
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
9 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Stan Sakai
924 books374 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 32 reviews
August 5, 2020
With a name like that, you know this one's not going to end well.
February 11, 2019
Loved the tragic story with Mayumi. Stan keeps his stories fresh throughout the decades as Brian Vaughan so wisely writes on the back cover. There is humour, there is drama, there is Gen again! I love this guy. After 22 years and he's still got it. Hats off once again to you, mr Sakai!
What really stole the thunder in this volume though, is the roast. Just to show how much Stan and his rabbit samurai are loved by his coworkers and friends. A big family they are, time and again with the "The Sakai project - Artists celebrate thirty years of Usagi Yojimbo" that came in 2014.
What really stole the thunder in this volume though, is the roast. Just to show how much Stan and his rabbit samurai are loved by his coworkers and friends. A big family they are, time and again with the "The Sakai project - Artists celebrate thirty years of Usagi Yojimbo" that came in 2014.
April 8, 2021
(4,6 z 5 za Usagiho tak, jak ho mám nejvíc rád - kratší vzájemně propojené příběhy se širším kontextem)
Most slz je macatý paperback. 240 stran, z toho necelých 200 Usagiho dobrodružství a navrch komiksová oslava stého čísla UY (u Dark Horse), která je příjemně zábavná.
Samotná Usagiho dobrodružství jsou fajn. Meče sekají, oči ze stínů koukají, Usagi má zase svá dilemata, jiné ho chtěj zabít a tak dále, prostě oblíbená klasika v přesto opět nových a originálních příbězích. Stan to prostě umí.
Most slz je macatý paperback. 240 stran, z toho necelých 200 Usagiho dobrodružství a navrch komiksová oslava stého čísla UY (u Dark Horse), která je příjemně zábavná.
Samotná Usagiho dobrodružství jsou fajn. Meče sekají, oči ze stínů koukají, Usagi má zase svá dilemata, jiné ho chtěj zabít a tak dále, prostě oblíbená klasika v přesto opět nových a originálních příbězích. Stan to prostě umí.
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, 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.
October 27, 2025
This volume includes the 100th issue of Usagi, a special treat!
Remanent of the Dead--Usagi visits a local merchant who has a delightful daughter and enemies who want him dead. Assassins are hired and go after the merchant, but Usagi is still there and he manages to save the day (no surprise). The League of Assassins is getting tired of Usagi's efficiency, so the next story happens.
Shizukiri--A new assassin is introduced and he takes one last job before he plans to leave the League with his girlfriend. Of course, things do not work out well and he winds up with a contract to kill a problem ronin who has been killing lots of assassins, like in the last story. A new and deadly enemy is introduced for Usagi.
Boss Hamanaka's Fortune--Usagi wanders into a town where two rival gangs are feuding over a fortune left by a former gang boss. The boss's son acts like the village idiot and claims not to know where the money is, so the rivals have been trashing the town in their search. Both gangs try to recruit Usagi who declines both at the local inn. The innkeeper, a young woman named Mayumi, is ready to leave town because she knows nothing good will come of the situation. Another ronin has also shown up. His motives are unrevealed until the end. The book is another exciting adventure for Usagi, who hits the road with Mayumi.
Rain and Thunder--Gen and Stray Dog are hot on the trail of Inazuma, who has a big bounty on her head. Inazuma has a much bigger problem--she is possessed by Jei, the evil spirit causing havoc in the name of justice across the land (hence the bounty). They have a big fight in a big storm, leaving things unresolved...except that Gen and Stray Dog realize they need more help if they are going to take down Jei.
Bridge of Tears--Usagi and Mayumi get to a new town where they bump into trouble. Usagi decides to leave her in the village though she is very clingy. Usagi collects a reward from resolving the trouble, giving the money to Mayumi through a secondary so he can sneak out of town but still leave her set up to restart her life. She is distraught that he's left her; he's distraught that he gave his word to come back and then left.
Fever Dream--Usagi runs into Chizu, the ousted member of the Neko Ninjas, who is still being hunted by her former fellow ninjas. He helps in the battle but is wounded by a poisoned dart. She nurses him back to health. During the illness Usagi dreams that he is possessed by Jei and attacks Lady Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki. The dream is horrible for Usagi, who hopes it is not a premonition of what is to come. Something almost as painful does happen at the end of the story--The new assassin Shizukiri shows up with Mayumi as his prisoner. He calls out Usagi because he want to kill Usagi.
The Killer--The final confrontation happens between Usagi and the assassin, with Mayumi as a bargaining chip. The fight makes for an exciting story and an unhappy ending.
The book ends with a bunch of "roasts" by other comic artist (including Guy Davis, Sergio Aragones, and Frank Miller) of Stan Sakai, which is entertainingly funny.
Recommended.
Remanent of the Dead--Usagi visits a local merchant who has a delightful daughter and enemies who want him dead. Assassins are hired and go after the merchant, but Usagi is still there and he manages to save the day (no surprise). The League of Assassins is getting tired of Usagi's efficiency, so the next story happens.
Shizukiri--A new assassin is introduced and he takes one last job before he plans to leave the League with his girlfriend. Of course, things do not work out well and he winds up with a contract to kill a problem ronin who has been killing lots of assassins, like in the last story. A new and deadly enemy is introduced for Usagi.
Boss Hamanaka's Fortune--Usagi wanders into a town where two rival gangs are feuding over a fortune left by a former gang boss. The boss's son acts like the village idiot and claims not to know where the money is, so the rivals have been trashing the town in their search. Both gangs try to recruit Usagi who declines both at the local inn. The innkeeper, a young woman named Mayumi, is ready to leave town because she knows nothing good will come of the situation. Another ronin has also shown up. His motives are unrevealed until the end. The book is another exciting adventure for Usagi, who hits the road with Mayumi.
Rain and Thunder--Gen and Stray Dog are hot on the trail of Inazuma, who has a big bounty on her head. Inazuma has a much bigger problem--she is possessed by Jei, the evil spirit causing havoc in the name of justice across the land (hence the bounty). They have a big fight in a big storm, leaving things unresolved...except that Gen and Stray Dog realize they need more help if they are going to take down Jei.
Bridge of Tears--Usagi and Mayumi get to a new town where they bump into trouble. Usagi decides to leave her in the village though she is very clingy. Usagi collects a reward from resolving the trouble, giving the money to Mayumi through a secondary so he can sneak out of town but still leave her set up to restart her life. She is distraught that he's left her; he's distraught that he gave his word to come back and then left.
Fever Dream--Usagi runs into Chizu, the ousted member of the Neko Ninjas, who is still being hunted by her former fellow ninjas. He helps in the battle but is wounded by a poisoned dart. She nurses him back to health. During the illness Usagi dreams that he is possessed by Jei and attacks Lady Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki. The dream is horrible for Usagi, who hopes it is not a premonition of what is to come. Something almost as painful does happen at the end of the story--The new assassin Shizukiri shows up with Mayumi as his prisoner. He calls out Usagi because he want to kill Usagi.
The Killer--The final confrontation happens between Usagi and the assassin, with Mayumi as a bargaining chip. The fight makes for an exciting story and an unhappy ending.
The book ends with a bunch of "roasts" by other comic artist (including Guy Davis, Sergio Aragones, and Frank Miller) of Stan Sakai, which is entertainingly funny.
Recommended.
November 11, 2023
Miyamoto Usagi has moved on from his extended stay at Lord Noriyuko's White Heron castle and is back on the road as the wandering ronin in "Bridge of Tears". Collecting issues #94-102 of Usagi Yojimbo v3, we find Usagi on several one-off adventures, mostly revolving around the re-emergence of the Koroshi - the League of Assassins - with whom Usagi had previously scuffled. The opening story, "Remnants of the Dead", show the Koroshi back in action as an active hit with a Geishu province merchant has Usagi getting involved once again. The leader of the Koroshi known only as the mysterious Motojime (the handler) presents one of the greatest threats to Usagi yet.
Motojime's machinations soon involve Shizukiri, a ronin who realizes his only talent in life is killing. Recruiting Shizukiri to Motojime's cause, Usagi soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a dangerous swordsman. During this time, Usagi picks up a traveling companion - a bold woman named Mayumi - who serves as simulataneous nuisance and potential love interest for our hero. But Sakai doesn't shy away from tragedy as the adventures of Usagi and Mayumi end up crossing paths with the Koroshi and Shizukiri.
Meanwhile, Stray Dog and Gen are still shown to be on their lengthy hunt for Inazuma, who is currently the host for the demonic Jei. Always a fun inclusion to the series, the menace that is Jei has Gen put in his most perilous position yet.
This volume also has the wonderfully hilarious roast issue (issue #100) where Sakai pokes fun at the idea of celebrating Usagi Yojimbo #100 when the true hundredth issue would have happened years prior (due to the lengthy stretch of the series when the title was with Fantagraphics and Mirage previously). Guest artists like Frank Miller, Sergio Aragones, Rick Geary, Jeff Smith, Andi Watson and Guy Davis all craft some delightfully wonderful pages in honor of the wandering ronin.
Motojime's machinations soon involve Shizukiri, a ronin who realizes his only talent in life is killing. Recruiting Shizukiri to Motojime's cause, Usagi soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a dangerous swordsman. During this time, Usagi picks up a traveling companion - a bold woman named Mayumi - who serves as simulataneous nuisance and potential love interest for our hero. But Sakai doesn't shy away from tragedy as the adventures of Usagi and Mayumi end up crossing paths with the Koroshi and Shizukiri.
Meanwhile, Stray Dog and Gen are still shown to be on their lengthy hunt for Inazuma, who is currently the host for the demonic Jei. Always a fun inclusion to the series, the menace that is Jei has Gen put in his most perilous position yet.
This volume also has the wonderfully hilarious roast issue (issue #100) where Sakai pokes fun at the idea of celebrating Usagi Yojimbo #100 when the true hundredth issue would have happened years prior (due to the lengthy stretch of the series when the title was with Fantagraphics and Mirage previously). Guest artists like Frank Miller, Sergio Aragones, Rick Geary, Jeff Smith, Andi Watson and Guy Davis all craft some delightfully wonderful pages in honor of the wandering ronin.
March 10, 2021
Amazing. It is amazing after so many stories and issues this creator (Stan Sakai) working on his own for the story and art can produce such amazing tales. This volume is slightly longer because there is a tribute to him at the end with a "roast" from other writers and artists. That add on was fun but forgettable - the nicest thing about it was that it showed how much Stan is respected by other people in the comic industry - deservedly so.
The key part of this tale is the story of Usagi helping free a town from the gang wars caused over a missing treasure - where he then meets and befriends an Innkeeper who wants out of the town. She is very moody and it is odd Usagi is drawn towards her but in her tender moments it is obvious she cars for him. the league of assassins is still trying to kill Usagi and she gets caught in the middle.
A wonderful bunch of tales. Told by the master.
The key part of this tale is the story of Usagi helping free a town from the gang wars caused over a missing treasure - where he then meets and befriends an Innkeeper who wants out of the town. She is very moody and it is odd Usagi is drawn towards her but in her tender moments it is obvious she cars for him. the league of assassins is still trying to kill Usagi and she gets caught in the middle.
A wonderful bunch of tales. Told by the master.
November 13, 2022
Základní linka je solidní, vedlejší příběhy posouvají nějaké ty metaploty a nabízí solidní akci (souboj tři samuraju je velmi, velmi esteticky). Nejvíc tu sérii táhne k zemi Usagi sám a tady je to vidět bohužel velmi. Ta postava se neposunuje, nemění a když chybuje, tak z hrozně krásných pohnutek. Dojem, že mě zajímají doslova všichni kromě něj je už fakt silný.
September 5, 2017
Comics don't get much better than this. Supremely satisfying.
September 17, 2018
Evil dreams, sword fighting in the rain, demon swordswomen, bridges, etc. It hits all my story telling favorites. So many feels.
November 3, 2020
The paneling, the characterization, the storylines....plain brilliant!
February 12, 2021
Just like his namesake, Miyamoto Usagi is leaving broken hearts in his wake wherever he goes
September 7, 2021
Never read a bad Stan Sakai story in my life!
February 26, 2025
Really solid outing with an, as to be expected at this point, really good story.
April 3, 2018
I think I've said a time or two, but Usagi is my favorite comic of all time, and Bridge of Tears is just more evidence why. Sakai's a master at giving the reader satisfying one-off issues while building subplots and supporting players to set up long-term payoffs. I love how he built up the assassin pursuing Usagi in this volume, while touching on long-running subplots such as Chizu's battle against her former clan and Gen and Stray Dog's pursuit of Inazuma, in order to set up the beautiful and tragic finale of this volume. Bridge of Tears indeed - I had to buck up inside less someone in my office find me sobbing in the lunch room, where I read the final chapters of this book!
One of my favorite Usagi books ever, and that's saying something. For readers less familiar with the long-running storylines, don't worry. The core of the book, Usagi's friendship with Mayumi and the assassin in pursuit, are almost entirely contained within these covers.
The celebrity roast installment was cute, a nice little one-off, and it's fun to see people like Frank Miller, Sergio Aragones, Jeff Smith, Matt Wagner, etc. paying some tribute to Stan's work.
One of my favorite Usagi books ever, and that's saying something. For readers less familiar with the long-running storylines, don't worry. The core of the book, Usagi's friendship with Mayumi and the assassin in pursuit, are almost entirely contained within these covers.
The celebrity roast installment was cute, a nice little one-off, and it's fun to see people like Frank Miller, Sergio Aragones, Jeff Smith, Matt Wagner, etc. paying some tribute to Stan's work.
January 5, 2010
Excellent Stan Sakai. Book 23, Bridge of Tears collects Dark Horse issues 94-102. Brian Vaughan, writer/producer from TV's Lost, said it best in his introduction to this book. "In an era when the best television shows often become stale after just a few seasons, Stan has found a way to keep his serialized epic fresh for decades, always being brave enough to try new things while never being fickle enough to forget what made his story connect with so many readers across the world in the first place."
Both books 22 and 23 have started key story arcs that are clearly building to an exciting climax. I can't wait for book 24.
As an aside, I'm glad they included the Dark Horse issue 100 simply as an appendix. This was just a tribute to Stan by many of friends in the industry and should only be read by those who read appendices. It preserved the flow of the stories in the other issues.
Both books 22 and 23 have started key story arcs that are clearly building to an exciting climax. I can't wait for book 24.
As an aside, I'm glad they included the Dark Horse issue 100 simply as an appendix. This was just a tribute to Stan by many of friends in the industry and should only be read by those who read appendices. It preserved the flow of the stories in the other issues.
March 19, 2024
Bridge of Tears is right.
July 26, 2011
Stan Sakain Usagi Yojimbon saaga jatkuu sarjan 23. osassa "The Bridge of Tears", jossa samuraijäniksemme joutuu vastentahtoisesti jakamaan vaellustaan nuoren naisen kanssa. Matka on vaaroja täynnä, eikä heistä vähäisin ole Usagin kannoilla oleva, taitavana miekkamiehenä tunnettu palkkatappaja Shizukiri. Lisäksi tarinassa törmätään pariin vanhaan tuttavaan, joista mieleenpainuvin on edelleen demonin riivaama "jumalten terä" Jei.
Sarjakuvan lopusta löytyy vielä Stan Sakain sadannen Usagi-numeron kunniaksi laadittu tribuutti, johon osallistuvat mm. Frank Miller ja Sergio Aragones.
"The Bridge of Tears" jatkaa vanhoilla, hyväksi havaituilla linjoilla, joskaan ei myöskään tule jäämään mieleen sarjan parhaana albumina.
Sarjakuvan lopusta löytyy vielä Stan Sakain sadannen Usagi-numeron kunniaksi laadittu tribuutti, johon osallistuvat mm. Frank Miller ja Sergio Aragones.
"The Bridge of Tears" jatkaa vanhoilla, hyväksi havaituilla linjoilla, joskaan ei myöskään tule jäämään mieleen sarjan parhaana albumina.
February 3, 2011
Genre: Comic book, Samurai Fantasy
This was somewhat disappointing, based on the overall quality of the rest of the series. Not that there’s anything wrong with this installment – it’s just not that memorable. It doesn’t help that it doesn’t seem to have an overall theme or story arc – it’s a series of vignettes, which push various reoccurring character’s stories slightly – but I was hoping for more.
This was somewhat disappointing, based on the overall quality of the rest of the series. Not that there’s anything wrong with this installment – it’s just not that memorable. It doesn’t help that it doesn’t seem to have an overall theme or story arc – it’s a series of vignettes, which push various reoccurring character’s stories slightly – but I was hoping for more.
July 9, 2011
It's hard to believe, while reading this volume, that Usagi Yojimbo has been ongoing, in one form or another, for twenty five years. With the 23rd volume, Usagi continues on with his journeys, defeating foes and making new friends. As the years go on, one thing we can be sure is that Usagi will continue to entertain us as we follow him.
March 3, 2013
Encore un recueil d'histoires courtes.
La rencontre avec Muyami est assez spéciale, puisqu'on y découvre un Usagi conscient des risques de sa vie d'errance, et peu désireux de la partager. Peut-être même que se cache un peu de sexisme là-dedans puisque Muyami est ... une femme ... et donc peu apte à supporter les rigueurs de la vie de ronin.
La rencontre avec Muyami est assez spéciale, puisqu'on y découvre un Usagi conscient des risques de sa vie d'errance, et peu désireux de la partager. Peut-être même que se cache un peu de sexisme là-dedans puisque Muyami est ... une femme ... et donc peu apte à supporter les rigueurs de la vie de ronin.
July 17, 2009
Great stuff. And not just because I have a couple of pages in it. :)
January 31, 2010
Mayumi was quite the cliche. It's a little disappointing.
March 28, 2010
Kinda sorta review:
http://everydayislikewednesday.blogsp...
http://everydayislikewednesday.blogsp...
July 30, 2010
Lovely illustration and storytelling. It's amazing how Stan Sakai gets away with characters saying their thoughts out loud. It seems so natural. Thoroughly enjoyable and poignant.
July 15, 2012
Prestado por: Sergio
September 12, 2021
Retroactive Review (12 Sep 2021): Please see my review of the series
here
under the first volume.
May 20, 2013
The usual good stuff you are guaranteed with Usagi.
March 20, 2014
Me han faltado los otros 22 tomos para enterarme bien de que va.
June 22, 2014
The roast of Stan and Usagi included at the end was generally awesome and hilarious.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews