Usagi Yojimbo Book 18: Travels with Jotaro
Usagi Yojimbo Book 18: Travels with Jotaro, by Stan Sakai, Dark Horse Books
A FUNNY animal samurai series that’s been in pretty regular US publication for several decades now. How did a story about a rabbit in feudal Japan succeed when original epics like Lone Wolf and Cub fell by the wayside? Some things appeal more than others, connect better culturally, go for a different nuance or are just darned better.
When manga had its first boom period during the eighties it was apparent that as worthy as Lone Wolf and Akira were, American readers were generally attracted to the cartooning styles and more humorous aspects of the genre. Usagi being pretty much a home-grown creation fitted the bill on several counts, including the fact a few funny animal comics, per se, were finding a plentiful audience back then too.
But the fact of the matter is, the long term reason for this series’ success is down to creator Stan Sakai’s talent: a fine cartoonist, whose characters can fly off into well choreographed fight sequences, scenarios that are well thought out with logical conclusions and sometimes in philosophical manner; though rarely in too patronising or cute a manner, and all featuring a lead character with virtues and qualities most can admire... And he’s a rabbit, and who never liked Bugs Bunny?
Sakai is a longstanding professional comic book letterer in his work elsewhere, but his commitment to this series, and his obvious love for his creation shine through. Way back when, I bought the first year’s run of the monthly series published by Fantagraphics, but while it became harder to get on British shores it has not stopped US publishers printing it and fortunately collections are easier to come by, so thank you both Dark Horse and Birmingham’s Yardley library for that.
Within this 18th volume we find that Usagi is now travelling with a bunny named Jotaro, who is referred to as his nephew but it is intimated might be his son. The younger character leads the story into more amusing moments and also by his naivety into danger as Usagi meets old friends and new enemies along the open road.
From female ninjas trying to kill them in their sleep, to themselves attempting to trick and punish cruel warlords with magic lanterns at night, we are asked to question trickery, friendship, honour and valour and enjoy some funny moments too. The book concludes with an epic dark fantasy saga, one that must lead straight into the next book as its events conclude. A very entertaining package suitable for most age ranges.
Sponsored by Target Media.
