( 7 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 10 2009
Usagi Yojimbo is the kind of quality work that transcends time, genres, demographics, and even age groups. It crafts a delicate and beautiful balance between honor and savagery, cute innocence and dark brutality, simple heart-warming stories and multi-part epics that shape a dense continuity. Whether or not you've ever been a fan of feudal Japanese culture, furry anthro characters, or independent, non-superhero comics, Usagi Yojimbo is a comic that can't help but impress even the harshest critic. By the time the Grasscutter storyline began publication, Usagi Yojimbo had already been in print for 13 years, constantly developing in complexity, depth, and scope to the constant delight of its fans. Still, in this volume, creator Stan Sakai kicked the series into a whole new gear that shook Usagi's world. Twelve years later, fans still feel the tremors. Unexpectedly, Sakai begins the 10 part epic with a heavily researched crash course in Japanese mythology. 24 pages worth of masterfully drawn prologues tell the story of the creation of Japan and its deities, as well as the origin of Kusanagi, the legendary Grasscutter sword. He then spends another 24 pages on one final prologue, detailing the loss of the sword and the beginning of the ensuing power struggle over the throne that would continue into Usagi's day. The brilliant audacity of this undertaking is beyond description. It was one thing for Sakai to create a cute, furry anthropomorphic character and enmesh him in a rich and well researched world of brutal Feudal Japanese culture, but to now research and portray the mythological history of Japan and then connect it directly to Usagi's world...It simply awes the mind. Once the story finally begins, Usagi discovers the lost Grasscutter sword and finds himself caught up in a world of intrigue, politics, black magic, intense combat, and potential anarchy as a result. This one has everything, from Lady Tomoe's finest moment to Gen and Lord Noriyuki both nearly dying, Inazuma undergoing an unforgettable transformation, and Usagi's final epic confrontation with Jei...or is it? In Grasscutter, thoroughly researched mythology and political history take the center stage in a story featuring all of Usagi Yojimbo's best loved characters as they fight ferociously for the destiny of the entire nation. Ask any fan what the most memorable Usagi storyline was, and they will all tell you "Grasscutter." Though Usagi's is a constantly evolving story that continues to get better and better after this, his stories certainly never get bigger. This is the one that rocked the boat, ladies and gentlemen. It's a great intro to Usagi as well as the quintessential read for anyone who already loves him.
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Posted: May 15 2009
I love Usagi Yojimbo the series provides a unique comic experience that is thoroughly enjoyable. Don't be turned off by the funny-animal ascetic, you will like it.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 28 2005
The first four prologue chapters outlines the origins of Japanese history starting with the creation of the world by the gods. Then we fast forward to the time of the ruling Taira (Heike) family in 12th century Japan. They are overthrown by the Minamoto family faction. At that time, one of the symbols of the emperor, the ancient sword named Grasscutter was lost in the Inland Sea. The Heike crabs in the sea, have the appearance of the lost Heike warrior's faces (Google the image of these crabs, they are amazing!). Fast forward again to Usagi and the ongoing plot to restore the emperor to power and overthrow the shogun. In this volume, brilliantly as ever penned and written by incomparable Stan Sakai, Usagi stumbles literally upon Grasscutter. The conspirators had enlisted supernatural powers to secure the sword, and it is up to Usagi to prevent Grasscutter from falling into evil hands. Other highlights of this volume include Usagi's on-again, off-again bounty hunter sidekick Gen, and the supremely evil Jei, emissary of the gods. Sakai never fails to disappoint and is able to maintain an amazingly high standard for his graphic novels.
