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USAGI YOJIMBO LETTERS COLUMN
Send comments to: Usagi Yojimbo ~ Letters Column c/o Dark Horse Comics
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STORY NOTES Nezumi Kozo (literally, “Rat Boy”) was a thief who operated in 1820s Edo. He was dressed in black, and broke only into the residences of the rich, there-by delighting the general public. He would escape by nimbly traveling from one rooftop to another, giving the authorities the slip under the cover of night. The rumor spread that the money he stole from feudal lords and rich merchants was given to the poor. The truth was that he spent all that he stole on gambling and drinking saké. He was captured and executed in 1832. This “Robin Hood” later became the hero of kabuki plays, novels, and dramas. Information taken from Who’s Who of Japan, 1990 Japan Travel Bureau, Inc., Japan. |
Dear Stan,
I’ve been a reader of UY since about 1991. Since then, I’ve hunted down as many appearances of long-ears since the Critters days, and kept current with the evolving story. My first encounter with UY was while I was hunting for some TMNT comics at a local shop. I came upon “Blood Wings,” issues 21 and 22 of the Fantagraphics series. Flying ninja bats? Aw, come on! Well, okay, I was hooked!
Anyway, the little graphics on the last few months’ issues have made me realize just how long I’ve been reading, and how long you've been creating UY. Wow. I’ve watched you grow as an artist, and your creations grow as characters. Oddly enough, you and Usagi have been with me as I’ve grown up as well, and have been a part of my life and imagination.
I just wanted to say “thank you” for creating such a timeless and rich world, which has stirred my imagination and given me so many hours of escape from the bustle and stress of daily life. Each time I crack open a new issue of UY, I feel like I’m catching up with old friends. Some of whom haven’t been seen in a while. (Where is Gen? I miss him!)
I absolutely love the current story arc involving Jotaro. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out. This aspect of the story has so much interest for me, being an adoptee, and really touches me close to my heart. I hope that Jotaro will discover that Usagi is his father, but I do not envy him the pain of reconciling his life knowing someone else as his father. I know he will be very angry, joyous, and profoundly confused as a result.
As homage to my love of the furry one, I have dubbed my firewall (I’m somewhat of a geek!) “yojimbo.” (It protects my network. Very apropos, no?) The screen displays ASCII art of Miyamoto Usagi on successful login.
I was recently wondering if you have considered making a feature-length UY animation? I think there are some really cool things you could do visually with a project like this. I think that a lot of your style and the visual devices you use would make great cinema. Anyway, I’m sure you’ve been asked about this a million times, but I had to ask.
For all you have given your fans, especially this one, domo arigato!
Andy Michaels
lego@therac25.net
We are always getting inquiries for TV or feature films, but it is a long, laborious process. Nothing is in the works at the moment, aside from Usagi’s appearances in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series.
Dear Mr. Sakai,
Hello! How are you? I am writing to both thank and congratulate you. First I would like to say that I am a big fan of all your works. Usagi has become one of my favorite books. I also want to thank you for changing my whole perspective on comics. Before I picked up Usagi, I thought that all comics were stories about aliens and mutants and really strong people. When I first read Usagi, it shocked me. This was the first comic in which I saw actual story lines and intertwining plots. I would also like to congratulate you on being the creator of a comic that has brought thrills and entertainment to many fans. Not only do I like Usagi, but I also found your work for The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror very amusing. I hope you get a sense of pride when you read this, knowing that you have influenced and inspired me so.
Scott Rehbein
6595 Clover Road
Bellville, OH 44813
Thank you. Being a big Simpsons fan, I found that Treehouse of Horror story an especially delightful project. I’d like to do another one sometime - maybe transporting the entire Simpsons clan to ancient Japan.
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Usagi Yojimbo, including all prominent characters featured in the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai. Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.