Usagi an intro to samurai cinema.

[Robert Wetherelt]

I first got hooked on Usagi Yojimbo in college. This was when he was only in "Critters". And was over-joyed when he finally got his own title. I have followed him from there to Darkhorse.
I ate up every issue that I could get my hands on,plus, the trade paperbacks. That is until my comic shop decided not to carry Usagi anymore! It's been almost three years without a new issue of Usagi!! But...I digress...

It was Usagi who got me interested in japanese samurai cinema. I started with the classics; Yojimbo,Sanjuro,The Seven Samurai,Sword of Doom and they lead to the Zatoichi films and the Lone wolf and Cub movies. I have since gone on to collect many other titles in this genre.It also re-ignited my love for "period" Kung Fu films as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sakai-sensei for this. Your wonderful comic has (and still does ) inspired me to pursue my own artistic passions. I am currently working on a "funny-animal" Kung Fu/ Swordplay comic of my own.
You have been (and still are) an inspiration to me and my endeavors! You were even kind enough to print two of my Usagi "fan-art" drawings in the back of an issue of Usagi and that was a real thrill for me!

And you introduced me to a wonderful genre of movies that I continue to enjoy.
So...go out and rent or buy some of these wonderful films! You won't regret it!

Domo arigato gozimas!!

Abayo!!

[Robert Wetherelt]

Isn't there anyone else out there into Samurai Cinema!!?? Sorry...just looking for a little dialogue here. Write me a line(or two...or three...) Let me know that your out there!

Abayo!

[Maka]

Hello Robert,

I'm not a huge fan but I like them. One of my favorite movies is Kobayashi's Hara-Kiri / Seppuku. It's a slow pace film that doesn't have a lot of sword fighting. But it deeply examines the samurai code, honor, hypocrisy and the human condition. I highly recommend it.

Peace, maka

[Steve Hubbell]

I think one of my favorites would have to be Hideo Gosha's first film "Three Outlaw Samurai" from 1963 which was a theatrical take on a television series of the same name which he had been working on previously.

I just recently got to watch the first two (excellent) episodes of a 1970's television series he directed which was a take-off of the film. Pretty cool how the story managed to go full circle, first starting on television, transitioning to cinema, then reinventing itself again back on tv....

[Robert Wetherelt]

I've never been able to find this film. But, I hear good things about it. I do like Tatsuya Nakadai's acting style. But, Mifune-sama will always be my favorite.

Abayo!

[Powder]

I'm totally with you on this, dude! I love yojimbo & alot of the other films you've mentioned. I initially 'liked' samurai material when I was first introduced to it (teenage mutant ninja turtles 3 ugh LOL) but it wasn't until I was heavily into Usagi that I took enough interest to seek out films. Ya gotta love em!