Usagi Yojimbo: A Brilliant Introduction to Japanese History and Mythology

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Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai has been running for over 35 years but is still a very easy comic to pick up because of its episodic nature and willingness to jump back and forth through the main character's life. Usagi Yojimbo is strongly based off of real life samurai Miyamoto Musashi and tells stories about Edo-period Japan, samurai, culture, food, history, and mythology. This video talks about what makes it so special and why it's won so many awards (ten Eisners) by looking at an important story arc: The Grasscutter Saga.

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5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 295

@zegim Год назад

Usagi Yojimbo is such a beautiful comic. The art might look simple, but it's actually incredily well laid out and expressive

@oisintaylor3382 Год назад

I read an issue of Usagi to my nephews and they really got into it. After reading it they wanted to act out the scenes. The storytelling was so clear and easy to follow. Previously when I tried reading them superhero comics it didn’t hold their attention.

@bryanstickell429 Год назад

I had a similar situation with a friends 6 year old daughter. I showed her Grasscutter and she loved the imagery of Izanagi and Izanami and was shocked at Izanami turning into a demon. Sakai is brilliant in that everyone can get into his stories.

@ricosalvaje5802 11 месяцев назад

His stories are easy to follow. The art is so simple but effective. I love reading Usagi before bed. It really relaxes me.

@otaking3582 Год назад

Considering that Usagi Yojimbo's closest mainstream exposure has been TMNT crossovers, I'm sure I'm not the only one that originally thought he originated in TMNT.

@mr.pavone9719 Год назад

I first read Usagi Yojimbo in high school back in the very late 80s. We were big into Eastman and Laird TMNT and other indie comics and this was a great addition to our reading. While Usagi Yojimbo can be on the gritty side, it also has a great sense of humor. Sakai has managed to do a good job of injecting lighter stories within Usagi's saga to keep it from becoming an endless, shoegazing downer. The TMNTs and Usagi have even done a number of crossover stories in which each explores the other's respective worlds. Usagi has made appearances in all the animated series as well AFAIK.

@adumlarp999 Год назад

Definitely one of those who was introduced through TMNT. I still remember seeing a Usagi Yojimbo comic and realizing it was its own series. I picked it up and thumbed through it and was totally blown away by the art, the writing, the story it told. Now I'm a bigger fan of Usagi than I am of the Turtles, and I love the Turtles. And I'm one of those who got to meet Stan Sakai, and he's such a great creator to meet. Fun fact I learned while playing Ghost of Tsushima, the main character, Jin Sakai, is named for Stan Sakai.

@normanlennox4949 6 месяцев назад

Same. I first heard of UY in a Playmates toy commerical for the TMNT line.

@anguishedcarpet Год назад

This is deadass one of the best comics ever made, so slept on in the mainstream

@jamesstewart8500 Год назад

Usagi Yojimbo is a comfort comic for me, as reading it always puts me in a good mood. Thanks for covering it!

@richardleatherman5075 Год назад

Another favorite from when I collected comics in the '80's. I remember the clever use of protruding tongues, "X" eyes, and exhale balloons with skulls gently indicating the demise of combatants.

@gesooi3334 Год назад

I was a DC/Marvel zombie until I discovered Albedo, which led to Usagi Yojimbo, which led to embracing the whole indie scene of the 80s (Eclipse, First, Comico, etc.)....met Stan Sakai many years ago and was the most gracious creator I've met....you did err in that there was not any mention of Sakai's decades long friendship/relationship with Aragones and lettering his own classic Groo

@brucegrossman3531 Год назад

Got to meet Stan Sakai years ago at Boston Comic Con. And we just talked about our love for the writer Ed McBain. And how the movie High and Low is one of the best adaptations. And other Kurosawa films. Just a truly nice person.

@samwill7259 Год назад

As with most people of my age, I got curious about Usagi seeing him in the 2003 TMNT animated series, and i got lucky that my school library had a couple collections in their archives. What a wonderful story, what a wonderful world to fall into.

@AxeMan808 Год назад

Also, Stan Sakai and Sergio Aragones are great friends for many decades; Sakai often does lettering for Groo comics.

@SoulStarSketchin Год назад

God do I love whenever a Usagi Yojimbo comic comes out. It's still one of the best ones when it comes to contained stories all taking place in the same era and never have to worry too much about keeping up with any continuity. So happy you finally got to make a video on this, more people need to read this series.

@gloryfire2161 Год назад

teenage mutant ninja turtles shredders Revenge is getting a new dlc and he is in there as a playable charter

@SoulStarSketchin Год назад

@@gloryfire2161 yup heard about that. looks like i gotta download it once again and replay the game as usagi! Can't wait!

@stevena488 Год назад

I love Stan Sakai MAINLY because it's like a more straight laced take on Groo. I think it's smarter than Groo BUT I adore both Stan Sakai AND Sergio Aragones. I especially love that Usagi Yojimbo is so well written and drawn. In fact? His style influenced mine. Same as Sergio.

@dlee827 Год назад

It's only fitting that a wandering ronin's adventures wander between different publishing companies.

@HeadmasterAutobot Год назад

My brother's been a fan of this series since our preteens--it's an enormous influence on his output as an artist!

@j1zzay Год назад

Hahaha I'm just now hearing about this and it's giving me so much inspiration

@morganweinstock167 Год назад

Usagi Yojimbo is one of my favorite comics of all time! The sheer level of detail and research Stan Sakai includes in his work is awe-inspiring. Any time somebody asks me who my favorite Ninja Turtle is, I always say “the Samurai Rabbit.”

@PatriciaCross Год назад

My favorite Usagi comic is one page. He runs into one of those little dinosaurs that says "Zilla" over and over. So Usagi names it Zilla. He gets jumped by bandits and Zilla saves him by breathing fire. And Usagi asks "Are you a god, Zilla?"

@razrentals8897 Год назад

Awesome review. I just recently began reading Usagi Yojimbo, because I wanted to know more about the character. I mostly grew up thinking of him as just a TMNT character because of the Playmates toy/1987 cartoon. Stan Sakai’s art and writing is great. His art is so clean and expressive and his panels flow together so well. I haven’t read Grasshopper yet, but I’m looking forward to it now.

@tokenbastard4586 Год назад

TMNT is how I knew of the character as a kid, though I know he's had comics for decades. Might have to run down some books now that I'm in my late 30's.

@pujo3756 Год назад

I started reading Usagi Yojimbo during the pandemic in 2019. i really love Stan Sakai's art and story telling. the story' is for all ages but it's just so good and well-written.

@driver8sk Год назад

I've been a fan since the Fantagraphics days. Even after I tapped out in the late 90's and didn't mess with comics for over a decade, I'd still pick up Usagi graphic novels. Stan is one of those rare talent like Jeff Smith or Walt Kelly who can create a world that is both 100% the creators vision and absolutely perfect.

@jessharvell1022 Год назад

yeah i think my first issue was no. 10 of the fanta series, and while i can't say i've read every issue since, the only other series i've been following for so long is love and rockets. i can see all the obvious reasons why it could never become as big as something like jeff smith's bone - it's not as cute for one, and feudal japan isn't as instantly appealing to kids as a tolkien-esque fantasy world - but in a better world it would be.

@KasumiKenshirou Год назад

@@jessharvell1022 # 10: was that the one with the Komori (bat) Ninjas and the backup story where Usagi meets Leonardo? I think that's the first one I read as well.

@YourEvilHenchman Год назад

so this is the video that needed an extra week to get done, interesting. absolutely justified imo, stan sakai and usagi certainly deserve that level of care and effort. and the result speaks for itself, this is a great video on the topic.

@almightytallestred Год назад

As a kid I had (and should still have, actually) a Usagi Yojimbo action figure from the Turtles toy line. Early 90's-ish. Never knew who he was until many years later, because since I'm from Germany that episode hadn't aired here yet. That was true for a lot of figures from the Turtles toy line actually ^^

@bryanstickell429 Год назад

I always loved Usagi. I grew up with TMNT and his toy. I saw a fresh copy of one of the mirage comics at a comic store. Been an even bigger fan ever since. Yes! I knew you'd cover Grasscutter! I highly recommend it to anyone interested. Phenomenal history lesson with visuals that will awe you. Thanks as always, Chris!

@shanelorrison5224 Год назад

I’ve known of the character Usagi Yojimbo for a long time but didn’t know much about the comics themselves. This sounds like a really cool series.

@scottbarrie1279 Год назад

I didn't realize before how Stan nailed the title graphic from day one, with only small variations since.

@TylerSkylionChilders Год назад

I've been with it since 1986

@RyderLComics Год назад

I remember having doubts about checking out the series, but then I met Stan at SDCC and gave it a chance, and have been hooked since. It's an awesome comic for sure!

@Andrematt Год назад

My first exposure to Usagi was the photo of his action figure in the back of the TMNT package when I was a kid and his visual concept made a huge impression in me. Had to wait years to read the collected comics by Dark Horse and it was definitely worth it, such a delightful read. Was so caught up in it that I bought the NECA action figure in the same day. Felt that my 11 year old self was finally fulfilled.

@ShinyRedNothing Год назад

Dude! Thanks for this one. Very nostalgic for me. I discovered Usagi when Mirage had him, and when he appeared on THE TEENAGE FUCKING NINJA TURTLES, I was beyond sold. Cheers!

@schedelworld Год назад

I was one of those who first came across Usagi in TMNT as a tiny kid, then found his comics and a couple figures at my LCS a few years later and was over the moon. Still love him now!! I used to rent as many as I could find from the library, and now I'm getting those big ol' collected tpbs :)

@kbar4462 Год назад

Awesome video, Usagi is one of, if not, the best structured comics ever. Ever panel delivers information, whether direct or indirect and progresses the story. Imo, it's an understatement how much of a well done comic Usagi is.

@MariaVosa Год назад

Agree - they should be using Sakai's work to teach aspiring comics creators.

@allstarsteinman1 Год назад

One of the greatest of all time imo.

@Monkeyshaman Год назад

I'm always envious of sakais hands. It's the kind of mastery that just sublimates into instinctual shorthand.

@randomcoyotestudios986 Год назад

Wow, this was great! I was friends with Dwight Dutton, one of the behind-the-scenes people that helped SA Gallacci with Albedo Anthropomorphics, way way back in the day. I remember seeing the cover with Usagi Yojimbo before it was released to the general public, and a bunch of us gathered around looking at it saying, :this guy is going places". Little did we know that was both literal and figurative.

@OrdinaryTrevor Год назад

I remember checking out the Usagi Yojimbo collections at my local library.

@bigsmith6240 Год назад

Stan Sakai and Usagi Yojimbo are some of comics all time best.

@kapsel-yg2sk Год назад

Usagi actually pulled me into various samurai stories. I started collecting Samurai Executioner and Sword of the Immortal (waiting for Vagabond and Lone Wolf & Cub reeditions in poland), and also watching Kobayashi and Kurosawa films

@richmcgee434 Год назад

Stan Sakai is an amazing artist and writer, easily on par with industry greats like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. Usagi Yojimbo has maintained an almost four decade long level of quality and consistency that simply isn't seen much in Western comics, and rivals the best long-running manga owing to the absolute creative control and level of dedication Sakai shows toward his work.

@NelsonStJames Год назад

Usagi Yojimbo is a fantastic comic that I've urged all American manga and anime lovers to read because I quickly discovered the amazing number of professed western Japanophiles that don't really know a lot about Japanese history. Usagi is a great jumping in point to start.

@gamerhalim4717 9 месяцев назад

I love Usagi Yojimbo during my elementary school, first read at Kinokuniya store Jakarta. I keep reading until afternoon. Oh.. memories. And there was very sad story in this comic during his journey issue no 8.

@normanlennox4949 6 месяцев назад

My two favourite comics, in order, are Usagi Yojimbo and Groo the Wanderer. Great video.

@Sweetmangotango Год назад

I met stan sakai at emerald city comic con a few years ago. I got his autograph and a usagi drawing. Incredibly nice guy.

@Sweetmangotango Год назад

Hi Chris! I really enjoyed the usagi yojimbo video. Good job as always.

@cyric2010 Год назад

I had the TMNT Usagi Yojimbo action figure when I was a kid. It was super cool and I had no idea that rabbit was from a separate universe.

@BigApeBooks Год назад

I've been reading Usagi ofg and on since the late 80s, early 90s. It's a great comic that has long since earned its longevity.

@theoriginalmomomike2869 Год назад

Been an Usagi Yojimbo super fan since the late 80's and an avid collector.

@JW666 Год назад

I used to have a Usagi Yojimbo toy from the 80's TMNT cartoon toyline. Usagi was also in the 2003 version show of TMNT.

@thescamrocks Год назад

Great spotlight on one of the all time greatest creator-owned comics. Sakai belongs on the Rushmore of comic makers.

@inkthinker Год назад

It's a fantastic series, and Stan's still rocking it on the regular with new tales.

@chriscooper654 Год назад

Thanks for this tribute to Usagi and his creator. I've been following the character since his beginnings in Albedo and had the pleasure of making my nephew a fan as well.

@DippedInInk Год назад

I created an Old Man Usagi piece years ago. It’ll be dope to see him age.

@marciamuehlbach1777 Год назад

Great video. I love the Usagi Yojimbo comic. I found some of the comics back in the "Black and White Explosion" days. After finding and enjoying the TMNT, I searched out all sorts of comics that featured anthropomorphic characters. I did end up liking some, but Usagi was the cream of the crop. And still remains one the best written comic I've ever seen.

@LowellLucasJr. Год назад

A great look into Miyamoto Usagi! I always love seeing coverage on my favorite Samurai that occasionally teams up with those ninjas on a half shell! The real treat is the historical stories and mythology used in Usagi is excellent and I greatly appreciate the amount of Japanese research Stan Sakai has done to make every chapter memorable!

@anamount701 Год назад

I was asked what my favorite comic book was a number of years ago. I thought about it for moment and said it was Usagi Yojimbo. Those who asked were confused. They were thinking one of the big two. I had to explain who the character was and why I liked the character. I showed how much I loved the character. I met Stan Sakai at San Diego Comic Con in 1989.

@bercl Год назад

This was the first comic series i collected when i was around 10-11. I used to attend comic festivals with my dad, where i would get the latest issue. Hes not with us anymore, but that connection will always keep Usagi in a special place for me

@demianhutsell5470 Год назад

Thank you, chris, you are most certainly appreciated!

@Dougeb7 Год назад

I've never heard of this comic, but I've read some non-fiction about the history of Japan and it's fascinating. I love the concept of a comic based on that history. Thanks, Chris!

@jarosbodytko6462 Год назад

You’ll love it! It shows a lot of accurate history of Japan, its mythology, the very mundane and the political, … it really covers all bases in a fun and exciting series.

@Nastyn1nja808 Год назад

Holy smokes I love Grasscutter saga

@Gamer12051 Год назад

Thanks Chris. Great episode on a series near and dear to me. Here's an interesting fact about the clothing worn by the characters. They all wear the symbol of their respective clans and the rendering Stan Sakai gives the actual robes, is also related to their respective clans. It's a lot of fun finding and trying to remember characters' affiliation based on the symbols and the clothes they're wearing.

@georgelelandturner Год назад

I adore Usagi Yojimbo and I've been reading over 20 years, since my preteens. Usagi has been an important figure in my life and he taught me what is means to be an honorable and principled person. Thank you Stan Sakai!

@AaronAbernethy Год назад

My all-time favourite comics series. It’s… perfect.

@danielross5292 Год назад

Awwww My Number One Favourite Comic series since I first discovered that character Back in the late 1980s!😉☮️

@zachokkema3976 Год назад

I’ve always been interested in these comics but found the fact it was with different publishers and running so long was intimidating. It’s encouraging to know I can jump on any time. Great video as usual Chris!

@caje41 Год назад

I've always heard good things about this series but this video actually makes me want to check it out. If I ever see an issue out in the wild, I'm picking it up. Thanks Chris!

@LARKXHIN Год назад

I've heard about this but never really knew about it. This sounds amazing.

@sneezingrobo 2 месяца назад

unironically one of the greatest comic book series of all time

@straydog611 Год назад

Love ComicTropes! I asked you about Stan Sakai a few months ago on your live show, so glad to see a Usagi episode! To anyone else, Usagi is so good: I recommend The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy, Grass Cutter, Daisho, and Space Usagi is amazing! Stan sakai is such a comic creator inspiration. He has responded to fan mail on more than one occasion and even Stan Lee said Sakai’s work ethic is second to none. Thanks Chris for two fantastic episodes in a row; appreciate your insight on creation endeavors and your positive review on Usagi, one of my favorites! Keep reading Usagi and Keep reading Comics!!!

@BeingKansai Год назад

Absolutely love Usagi Yojimbo!!

@daydreamsandnightmares9843 Год назад

Love your show! This was an amazing intro to one of my favorite books. If what was said in this video wasn't enough, let it be known that Stan Sakai has always been pleasant and personable with people he meets. Very friendly and thoughtful, which is how his stories read. Those are the kind of people I want to pay my hard earned money to when looking for entertainment!

@Doctor-Shoebill Год назад

Another excellent episode, Chris! Still the best comic channel around!

@mitchschroeder1151 Год назад

Great video. I was hoping IDW would release Usagi Yojimbo in beautiful hardcover IDW Collection books, but I guess that won’t happen now.

@MariaVosa Год назад

O man, this comic is great! I haven't kept up with it so I'm very happy to hear it is still going strong. Very impressed. The comic style was easy and inviting enough for young readers as myself to give it a try, only to realise the story telling and characters are deep and complex and well researched. It is definitely a comic for all ages of readers.

@unsynchronized1 Год назад

Oh man, thanks for this. A buddy has wanted me to read this for a while now and for some reason I needed a RU-vid video to tell me to pull that trigger.

@SpinControlAudio Год назад

My favourite comic, and it has recently become the favourite of my kids as well. Looking forward to this one!

@jarosbodytko6462 Год назад

Fantastic comic. I started reading it after the episodes with him of the 2012 Ninja Turtles cartoon, even if I already knew the character since the very first show. And it never disappoints. The stories are great, the art is crisp and clear and after reading a story, or an issue, you feel like you’ve learned something new.

@gamerbear84 Год назад

This is EASILY one of my all time favorite comics, up there with ElfQuest as a staple of my elementary school and junior high times. The Grasscutter saga is really good stuff and might be the way to really get my bro into the comic too, but featuring the death of Jei makes me hesitant. It works a lot better with the threat better established for the reader as this presence that haunts Usagi and seemingly can't be stopped.

@blackphoenix77 Год назад

I first encountered Usagi Yojimbo on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon. Apparently Stan Sakai is friends with the Turtles' creators (Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird), and because of that, Usagi Yojimbo has appeared in every TMNT cartoon (I'm not sure if he was in Rise of the TMNT because I didn't watch it).

@robertnorton8519 Год назад

I can still remember getting number 1 when it game out

@robertnorton8519 Год назад

I can't reply any other way

@dornravlin Год назад

I loved this series used to read them to my dad

@nicsunderlandbaker Год назад

What an attractive drawing style that' both loose and neat at the same time. Maybe like a samurai - art and purpose combine!

@marnik261196 Год назад

I absolutely adore Usagi Yojimbo, it's just brilliant. You're great by the way! Love from Italy 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹❤️!!!

@traesmith9822 Год назад

GREAT EPISODE I WILL GO READ SOME

@recnepsrc Год назад

So excited to see you cover this series! I'm a longtime Usagi fan, and it's always fun to hear others' thoughts on the series.

@dwaynemuth8775 Год назад

Excellent review! I’ve been wanting to read it for years and finally did when Usagi went to IDW! Stan is very humble creator who shows through hardwork ethic gets things done! 👍😎🎯

@diegoinjapan Год назад

Thanks for the vid. I’ve picked up a few collections and am glad I can read them from any starting point. Cheers.

@Sykdude Год назад

I have the first two omnibuses and I love them. Such a great series.

@astlemonteiro4038 Год назад

Good to know I'm not the only one who loves this series!

@ajclements4627 Год назад

There’s an Usagi related animated series on Netflix about one of his descendants, it’s called Samurai Rabbit.

@crithon Год назад

I love Usagi! Stan Saki is such a wonderful person! It's hard not to love this! Great video

@lukewarwick9350 10 месяцев назад

I remember Susano, the 8 headed beast and the grass cutter sword featuring in the video game Okami.

@atquinn1975 Год назад

I've known about UY and Stan Sakai forever, but only read maybe one or two issues back in the days where I was going to the local comic book shop every week. I'll have to check out the arc you reviewed here.

@kemmdog4444 Год назад

I’m absolutely loving the most current series.

@56sasori65 10 месяцев назад

This was such a great watch!!! Grew up with Usagii Jojmbo and am still in love with it!!! I got got meet Stan Sakai here in Oahu Hawaii and when I get to my locker and get my Usagi Books that Stan Sakai signed and drawed randomg artwork for me, I will send then to you!!!