Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #5

IDW Publishing

Writer/Artist: Stan Sakai

It’s time for the fifth entry in the Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics series. Throughout the previous issues, this comic has been presenting the “Samurai” storyline. A retelling of Usagi’s origins. We’ve seen him as a small child finding his master, earning his swords, and saving his village. Last issue the ronin rabbit found employment as bodyguard to Lord Mifune. A rival lord ordered the assassination of Mifune’s family though and now Usagi has been forced onto the battlefield.

The first chapter of this fifth issue wraps up “samurai”. We see the outcome of the battle between Mifune and Hikiji’s forces and it’s pretty dark. One of the things I’ve grown to love about Sakai’s work is that there isn’t always a happy ending. A lot of comics try to force one. The hero always beats the bad guy in the end and no one ever dies permanently. Sometimes Usagi’s stories go that way but they can also be bittersweet, he can even outright lose to the villain. Despite this being a comic that’ll appeal to children there’s no attempt to hide the possibility of a bad outcome. It’s realistic and it’s the best thing about this series.

The chapter itself is a satisfying end to the storyline. We see the reason why Usagi killed Gunichi at the start of “Samurai”. It also shows us how Usagi went from being a lord’s bodyguard to a wandering ronin. In the process, a major antagonist of the series is thoroughly established. This finale also does a great job of displaying Usagi’s sense of honour. No spoilers, naturally but towards the end he carries out an act that really highlights that aspect of his personality. It’s a fantastic chapter with excellent artwork. There’s very little humour outside of a couple of subtle facial expressions. This is a very grim portion of the story so it makes sense not to break that tone with comedy. I loved this and it’s made me appreciate the previous chapters even more. Just, a brilliant end to a great origin story.

The second chapter, “Kappa”, is the first standalone chapter from the “Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics”. Here, a wandering Usagi comes across some wild cucumbers while passing a river. He encounters a kappa, a water-demon who demands a toll before he’ll let Usagi pass. The rabbit pays with the cucumbers before coming across a house owned by an old woman. The bunny is shocked when he learns the cucumbers were specifically grown so her visiting son could pay the toll. Naturally, our hero sets out to do the honourable thing and save the son from the wrath of the kappa.

It’s another great chapter from this issue. It’s got some really nicely done supernatural themes. The kappa is explained in a manner that’s easily accessible for those unfamiliar with Japanese folklore. The action, particularly the underwater combat is inventive and handled well and “Kappa” has a nice, albeit somewhat cliched ending. I enjoyed it.

Sakai’s artwork throughout this issue is as fantastic as always. The expressions on these characters are so well-drawn and add a lot to what’s going on in the stories. Usagi’s facial expressions in particular do a lot to add intensity to the kappa fight. Then there’s the use of shading. Most characters wear helmets in the final chapter of “Samurai”. It’s a natural reason for faces to be partially obscured in shadow. Sakai uses this to help add emotion to Usagi, Gunichi and Mifune throughout the battle. I also loved the backgrounds. They’re simple for the most part but there are little touches that make them stand out. The rains of arrows during the battle, the different facial expressions on nameless soldiers. It just makes the “Samurai” finale feel epic.

Finally, there’s the lettering and I mostly have positive things to say here. There’s a lot of dialogue written purely in bold early in this issue. The characters are shouting orders and threats. It helps make the situation they’re in seem more serious and desperate. There’s also little touches like blank speech bubbles being used to signify someone has been brainwashed by the kappa. My only complaint was that the narrative boxes keep changing colour. They go from yellow-white for seemingly no reason. White speech bubbles appear when he’s shown speaking in the present. In the past, though they’re yellow in one panel then white in the next and back again repeatedly. It’s a tad distracting.

Overall, this was a good issue though. We’re treated to the ending of a phenomenal origin story and a great one-off tale based on Japanese mythology. I really enjoyed this book. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the remaining two issues of this series. “Samurai” Has taken up 5 of 7 issues now so I’m hoping IDW will consider expanding the series. Still, even if we just get a couple of issues of standalone stories then I can’t wait to read them. This has been such a good, accessible series of colour reprints and I highly recommend this latest entry.