Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

After three years of listening to my endless babbles about Miyamoto Usagi and Stan Sakai, my wife finally decided that she wanted to try an Usagi story or two tonight. After pinching myself to check if I was dreaming, I quickly rummaged through my collection and selected a few issues that would work as strong entrypoints to the series.

IT WORKED!

Eight issues later (in one sitting), she is addicted and is looking forward to reading more. I thought it would be interesting to chronicle my reading selections (and reasons) as I put her on a fast track so that she can catch up to the current storylines without reading everything. Here's what I've laid out for her so far:

The Teasers: For her first experience with Usagi, I wanted to select issues that were the most likely to catch my wife's attention and affection. My wife adores animals, so I decided to begin with the original Spot (Usagi vol. 1 #7-9). They capture the innocence and charm of Usagi (as revealed by Spot) amidst the chaos and violence of his time period.
#7 ("The Tower") features Usagi's first adventure with Spot.
#8 ("A Mother's Love") is a particularly touching story in and of itself, but also features Spot.
#9 ("Return of the Blind Swordspig") is my favorite story for both Spot and Ino. Very heartwarming. Naturally, I had to offer some backstory on Ino when she read this one.
#20 ("A Kite Story") I added this one because it really draws attention to Stan's passion for researching this time period. I wanted her to get a feel for the history and culture in these stories that might not have been apparant in the other three issues.

She loved the stories and was quickly ready for more. This is when I decided to start her at the begining and provide her with the best and/or most essential storylines, skipping over some other (excellent) stories in order to get her up to the newer stuff. I'd say "what's the rush?" but I honestly feel that Usagi has jumped light years ahead in quality since Grasscutter, and I want her to experience those stories (hopefully, some at the same time that I am) first and foremost. After, she can always backtrack and read what she's missed.

So here are the "essential" Usagi stories I've selected for her. I'd love to hear your opinions as I continue to formulate the list.

Essential issues thus far

Summer Special #1 - I wanted her to see where Usagi began, to learn about Lord Mifune, and to see Usagi meet Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki for the first time.
Critters #1 - The first Gen story. How could I not have her read this one?
UY #1-4 - The Samurai storyline, which explains Usagi's origin and sets up several major characters (especially Katsuichi). I really want my wife to read Circles and I know she'll love Jotoro, so much of the content in this storyline was essential to her understanding as well.
Critters #10-11 - "Homecoming". Major developments as Usagi meets Jotoro and learns that Mariko and Kenichi have married.
UY #13-18 - The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy. Not only is it a great story, but it lays the groundwork for so many later developments (especially much of the premise of Grasscutter).
UY #21-22: I was on the fence about including these, but I thought she might be lost without understanding the Komori ninja and their relationship to Hebi, Hikiji, and the Neko Ninja.
UY #23: "The Way of the Samurai". This story was just too excellent to skip. General Oyaneko was a truly amazing character.
UY #24: "Lone Goat and Kid". Another story and character that simply couldn't be skipped.
UY #25: "The Bridge". This was the first Usagi story I ever read and still one of my favorites. The tone, timing, and perspective of this issue are exceptionally brilliant (even moreso than usual).
UY #28-31: "Circles". The introductions of Jei and the big revelation about Jotoro. Usagi stories don't get much more essential than this. I also think this story marks a major transition in Usagi's life, changing the reason for his endless wanderings as a ronin.
UY #34-36: "Gen". It seemed cruel to cheat my wife out of this valuable insight into Gen's character and past.
UY #38: "The Last Ino Story". I adore Ino and, while this issue doesn't really feature him, it's arguably his most important tale. I think it's a very sweet story, and I'm always pleasantly surprised by the ending.


My wife has now read up to UY #3 and has only stopped because she needs to get up early for work tomorrow. I'll keep you all updated on her progress and look forward to your suggestions!

What about UY #8 - A Mother's Love? Or the Kite Story in #20? You've got the Last Ino Story, but what about the first one from Critters #7?

Todd Shogun wrote:What about UY #8 - A Mother's Love? Or the Kite Story in #20? You've got the Last Ino Story, but what about the first one from Critters #7?

#8 and #20 are on the list (they were among the first four I gave her).

I thought the first Ino story was skippable. Very good, but not essential. I don't think Ino really begins to reach his potential as a character until UY #9, where we get to see more of who he is beneath the vengeful and quick to anger facade. Besides, since I started my wife on UY #7-9, I'd already had to explain the contents of Ino's first meeting with Usagi to her.

Okay, now I'm working on the list for vol. 2. For some odd reason, vol. 2 tends to be my least favorite, which is a silly thing to say considering there was no break in publication between the volumes. Still, most of my selections here are stories that introduce characters and plotlines, not anything that I feel is particularly the best of the best. Here's what I've selected:

Essential vol. 2 stories

UY (vol. 2) #1-3 "Shades of Green" this is just a really fun story. I've mentioned it to my wife before (particularly the part where the turtles ask if Usagi and Gen have tails). I almost left this one out (just because it's neither an important story nor the best of the best), but remembered Usagi meets Chizu for the first time here, so I think I'll include it.

UY (vol. 2) #9-10 "Slavers". I'm honestly not a big fan of this story (it bothers me that Usagi is so easily defeated by a band of rogues), but it's a prerequisite for reading "Daisho".

UY #11-12 "Daisho". I think this is a key story for understanding who Usagi is. It also introduces Stray Dog (who I believe will become an important character in later issues). I'm also fond of how the backstory in #11 ends up intertwining with the main story.

UY #13-14 "Runaways". I'm bothered by this story only because this romance of Usagi's detracts from his initial devotion to Mariko in my eyes. Still, it's a good story and, most importantly, the backstory to #13 features Keiko first meeting up with Jei.

UY #16 "A Meeting of Strangers". Usagi first meets Inazuma. I thought this would be an important introduction considering what happens to Inazuma down the road.

I'm on a roll. Of course, who knows if my wife will ever read this far?
When it comes to vol. 3, I'm still reading these myself (currently up to #39, Grasscutter II), so please don't give anything away in your suggestions that I shouldn't know yet.

Essential vol. 3 stories

UY (vol. 3) #1-2 "Noodles". I'm really on the fence about this one. For some reason, I really dislike Kitsune (and think my wife would too) so I've avoided all Kitsune appearances until now. Still, I know my wife would really empathize with Noodles.

UY #3 "The Wrath of the Tangled Skein". The introduction of Priest Sanshobo.

UY #4 "Bats, the cat, and the rabbit". A great story, plus I think Chizu is a great character.

UY #6 "Lightening strikes twice". I'm really not sure whether or not to include this one. I still find Inazuma's story a bit unbelievable (that someone training on their own without help could become skilled enough to become Usagi's equal or better), but I'd hate for my wife to be left wondering what Inazuma's story is.

UY #7 "The Whithered Field". The first time I found Usagi's defeat at the hand of an enemy to be believable. I also really like Koji and await his rematch with Katsuichi.

UY #8 "A Promise in the Snow". Just an excellent story.

UY #9 "A Conspiracy of Eight". Essential backstory plus the involvement of Sanshobo and Chizu, two great characters.

UY #10 - The story of Usagi's scar and the reemergence of Jei and Keiko. You've got to love this one.

UY #11 - I'm suspecting that Tadanori will play an important part in later events, so this is his first encounter with Usagi. There are also some important developments with the Neko Ninja in the backstory.

#13-22 "Grasscutter". Usagi stories don't get much more essential than this.

#23+ This is really the point that I want my wife to get to. I'm now up to #39 and have not read a single issue since Grasscutter that wasn't among Usagi's best.

shaxper wrote:After three years of listening to my endless babbles about Miyamoto Usagi and Stan Sakai, my wife finally decided that she wanted to try an Usagi story or two tonight. After pinching myself to check if I was dreaming, I quickly rummaged through my collection and selected a few issues that would work as strong entrypoints to the series.

IT WORKED!

Eight issues later (in one sitting), she is addicted and is looking forward to reading more.

Stan's plan for World Domination continues to move forward. Once the entire world is addicted to the Rabbit Ronin...he will become our Lord and Master...bwahahahahahah!

Wonderful! Even my own wife Sharon has not read Usagi in years. Whenever someone at a San Diego Con asks her a question, she refers them to a Dojo member (there is usually at least one close by).

Stan Sakai wrote:Wonderful! Even my own wife Sharon has not read Usagi in years.

It is hard to believe ! Was Sharon a big fan of your work years ago ? or did she have only interest in Usagi because it was your work ?

Stan Sakai wrote:Wonderful! Even my own wife Sharon has not read Usagi in years. Whenever someone at a San Diego Con asks her a question, she refers them to a Dojo member (there is usually at least one close by).

I'd imagine Sharon is in a unique situation though in that Usagi is her competition for your attention

She read more today! 12 issues, and she only stopped because it was time for bed. She finished "Samurai" and "Homecoming", sped through "Dragon Bellows Conspiracy" and even crammed in "Blood Wings". Every issue, she'd occasionally glance up to comment on something, either to sigh at the revelation that Mariko had married, laugh at Katsuichi calling Usagi "fool", ask questions about the complex events of Dragon Bellows, lament Spot's final fate, laugh at Gen losing his horn, or sympathize with Ino's quest for peace.

I really think we've found a lifetime fan here. I suspect it'll be some time before I'm able to lure her on to the Dojo though.

Oh, and she's loving the fact that Stan Sakai himself thinks her getting into these issues is "wonderful"

Fanfan wrote:

Stan Sakai wrote:Wonderful! Even my own wife Sharon has not read Usagi in years.

It is hard to believe ! Was Sharon a big fan of your work years ago ? or did she have only interest in Usagi because it was your work ?

Sharon did not grow up reading comics. She did read the first 10 years of Usagi (and Groo), though. Son Matthew reads most of the Usagi comics, but daughter Hannah is into manga.

Stan Sakai wrote:...daughter Hannah is into manga.

Tell her to put that manga down and get back to studying!

My wife finished the Fantagraph series tonight and loved every moment of it. She was particularly pleased with the big revelation about Jotoro's father and The Last Ino story. Of course, she also adored Lone Goat and Kid.

She's now demanding that Stan license tokage stuffed animals. She wants one quite badly...

She's also decided to attend Anthrocon with me next month so that she can meet Stan!

As of tonight, my wife is up to Grasscutter. There's no stopping her now...

My wife is caught up as of last night. She finished #93 and is looking forward to more. In the meantime, now I need to find her some other comics to read...