Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends | Writer, Artist, Cover Artist: Stan Sakai
In these forty years of ongoing bunny adventures, Sakai has confessed that drawing Space Usagi at last gave him respite from historical constraints. After all, the Ronin has to live where the trappings of ancient Japan can shine through, which is very similar to the real thing… despite very few tokage, the wild reptiles of this animal-shaped world.
I never read these space adventures, but hearing him talk about them made me rather curious, so I decided to check out this collection, which features classics such as “Death and Honor,” “White Star Rising,” and “Warrior” (more listed below).
Suffice it to say, it does not disappoint! Seeing him draw spaceships, aliens, dinosaurs, and demons is enthralling and refreshing. I deeply admire his command of line and motion; his distinct style has only gotten better with time.
Usagi is essentially the same warrior, a direct descendant of the Ronin. He’s an affable, brave, and loyal companion (that can now steer spaceships and still uses katanas despite all the blasting guns around him) that can be lethal in battle and who always displays his good traits in front of the same old foes: ambition, cruelty, and evil.
This 560-page compilation presents all the black and white Space Usagi story arcs, including Usagi Yojimbo: Senso and the short stories “Under the Same Sky,” “Hare Today, Hare Tomorrow,” and color adventure “Gagged.”
This is a special year for Stan Sakai. You can follow his adventures on his Instagram: @stansakai.
Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends is available on March 27, 2024.
Genre: Kids, Action/Adventure
Format:b&w, 560 pages; TPB;
Price: $29.99
Age range: 10+
ISBN-10: 1-50672-499-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-50672-499-7
Featured image by Stan Sakai, all images belong to Dark Horse Comics
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