Stan Sakai's Fantasy Samurai epic, Usagi Yojimbo is a perfect blend of action, pathos, comedy, and fantasy that contains far more depth than most newcomers might first expect. With IDW rereleasing much of the original series, now is the best time to become acquainted with the character and his universe.
Created by Stan Sakai in 1984, Usagi Yojimbo is set in the early years of the Edo period of Japanese history and stars Miyamoto Usagi, a wandering masterless samurai on a warrior's pilgrimage, He finds mercenary work as a bodyguard, hence the title: Usagi Yojimbo which translates to "Rabbit Bodyguard". The key difference in the world of Usagi Yojimbo and our world at that time is that magic and monsters exist in Usagi's Japan. Most everyone is an anthropomorphic animal. The series was first published by Fantastagraphics, then later Dark Horse Comics before finally coming to IDW where plans are in place to not only chronicle Usagi's current adventures but reprint all his previous escapades in full color.
The series is largely episodic in nature, with subplots developing into larger narratives over the course of the series. Usagi Yojimbo is strongly influenced by previous works of Japanese cinema: particularly the work of Akira Kurosawa (the very title is a nod to Kurosawa's Yojimbo). Other influences include Lone Wolf & Cub, Zatoichi, and even Godzilla. The series makes use of Japanese legend and folklore, with demonic oni, witches, and ghosts featuring in some of the more memorable tales. Of particular note is the mysterious and menacing figure of Jei, a wandering warrior who believes he is charged to cleanse the world of evil, but kills seemingly at random and is determined to kill Usagi himself, believing that doing so will ensure his ascension to immortality. Jei has been killed many times over the course of the series, but he always comes back. Usagi himself is no slouch: a master swordsman, an implacable protector of the downtrodden, he frequently finds himself faced with long odds and emerges the victor, often with the aid of loyal friends like the gruff bounty hunter Gen or the cunning Inspector Ishida.
The beauty of Usagi Yojimbo lies in just how versatile the concept is: Usagi wanders across Japan and frequently finds himself caught up in events that can range from the comic to the horrific to the tragic. One story can feature a cunning thief/street entertainer named Kistune stealing Usagi's wallet and leaving him left to wash dishes to pay for his meal. Another story like "The Duel" can have Usagi drawn into a fight to the death with a rival swordsman who bets on himself in hopes of securing a future for his wife and infant son. The last page depicting the wife waiting with her son as day gives way to night is absolutely heartbreaking. There's also the fact that Usagi left his village to serve his lord as a young man and left the love of his life behind, only to find her married to his childhood rival and with a son that bears a strong resemblance to Usagi himself. Both love each other, but both are bound by their respective duty. It's one of the many tragedies woven into the life of the wandering ronin.
Usagi has also crossed over with Eastman & Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on more than one occasion as well as Dan Brereton's Nocturnals. He's also appeared in animation in a few of the cartoons starring the TMNT.
With the release of the first IDW Usagi Yojimbo collection Bunraku and Other Stories, there's no better time to jump in and enjoy the adventures of Sakai's wandering hero. The stories are engaging, entertaining, thrilling, and evocative of a rich and detailed world that Sakai has based on Japanese history and legend. It's a true delight, and worthy of your hard-earned comics dollar.