Cover Image: Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming

Usagi Yojimbo: Homecoming

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Member Reviews

This is the first Usagi Yojimbo I've read and it was a good place to start as it gave a flavor of the depth of the backstory, the cartoonish whimsy and action of the art, and the nice combo of fight scenes and emotional depth. It's interesting reading this after working my way through the Lone Wolf and Cub series, as there are clear homages and common themes, and I am tickled by how cute the fierce cartoon animals are when they're gutting each other with Samurai swords. Looking forward to reading more of this series.

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I can't say enough good things about this series. The amount of thought and detail Sakai puts into these stories make you feel like you're there, and the way he adds in Japanese historical and cultural information so naturally, without feeling like an info dump, is great. In this volume, we learned about tatami, mon, and kamon in three stories centered on Usagi returning to his home province to pay his respect's at his old master's grave. He finds himself caught in a conflict between various clans trying to take control of the province, ending up in his home village, a place he hadn't intended to return to. There's lots of action in this volume, with some awesome fight scenes. We get some flashbacks as Usagi's memories surface, letting us get to know him a little better. The stories are compelling, and the art is so cinematic, I had a movie going in my head while reading this. Just do yourself a favor and get this, along with anything else Usagi Yojimbo you can find.

#UsagiYojimboHomecoming #NetGalley

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I had a blast reading this graphic novel. Each story was exciting, full of action and had plenty of dramatic moments. To see Usagi in action was a true sight to behold. They never wanted to fight anyone, but when provoked they pretty much always ended up the victor. Once they get to their old village, much has changed over the years. Yet when something bad is going on, Usagi is more than happy to help. As this graphic novel came to a close old wounds get healed and the this journey has come to an end.

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This is volume 2 of the Usagi Yojimbo Homecoming series which has issues 8-14 of the series. It follows Usagi Yojimbo as he goes home to pay his respects. I only recently started reading Usagi Yojimbo. I remember him from the cameos he would make in the TMNT cartoon. My husband is a huge fan and now I can totally see why.

I love how Stan Sakai explained Japanese culture. He uses the Japanese words instead of English ones for Japanese cultural things that English just doesn't have the right words for. Then it is explained at the bottom of the page. The stories are usually short arcs that are wrapped up in a few issues, but there is one overall theme that goes through the entire book. It makes it very easy to get sucked in.

I read the single issues as they were released and even though this was my second time reading them I loved it just as much. I can't wait to get my hands on the trade!

Creative Team:
Writer, Artist, and Letterer: Stan Sakai
Colors: Tom Luth

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In this volume, we first see Usagi join a group that is transporting tatami mats. He assists them in protecting the mats that are going to be used for an important tea ceremony. Then, Usagi is passing through his old master's region when a group of samurai take offense to his loyalties and attack him. He defeats them, but is injured and falls into a boat. The boat ends up in his old village which he was trying to avoid. While in his old village, he must rescue the villagers, his old friend, and his love interest from a coup.

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