Scans_Daily

Well, what else? ;)

With the recent releases of several Usagi omnibus editions (the Sagas, vols. 1 to 7 and Legends), plus a crossover with the TMNT both in print and in the 2012 TV iteration, and a line of toys from Playmate, this is the best time to become a ronin rabbit geek.

Don't take my (insistent) word for it, though. This article, from ComicBook.com, makes a strong case for the series as an all-ages, easy to get, well-written work.

Excerpt: "The phrase “all ages” gets thrown around a lot in entertainment, and it’s typically used as a synonym for “you can give this to kids." A real all-ages comic shouldn’t just be enjoyable for kids though; it should be enjoyable for readers of all ages. That’s a bar Usagi Yojimbo doesn’t just reach, it leaps it like Superman over a tall building. When researching who reads Usagi Yojimbo, you’ll find studied cartoonists, adult comics fans, and entire classrooms of grade school students. These stories are the real deal when it comes to the concept of four-quadrant storytelling.

A large part of Usagi Yojimbo’s success as an all-ages comic comes from its willingness to engage with difficult material. In these stories, characters die and bad things occur. Sakai is engaged with the reality of feudal Japan, and that means often brutal conditions for those living in these tales. Sakai doesn’t revel in the violence or misdeeds of the age though. Instead, he acknowledges them in a manner that isn’t too disturbing for younger readers just learning about the unfairness of life. The stories also make the feelings evoked more understandable, confronting sadness and anger head on. There are plenty of farces and comedic tales in Usagi Yojimbo, but even when things get dark parents shouldn’t avert their children’s eyes. These comics walk the delicate line that allows for adults and children alike to be moved by their stories. That’s a large part of the magic that is Usagi Yojimbo."

If you want to jump in and start with the present arc, it's fine; you won't lose too much. Inspector Ishida and Usagi are trying to catch Nezumi the thief, who's in turn been framed by a conspiracy much bigger than his petty crimes. Part 2 came out last week, in issue #164 (mandatory scan below):

( Ah, Snitch, never change... )

Interested in knowing more about the series? Well, you've got the tags below!