General discussion about Usagi Yojimbo, the comics, the stories, the characters, collectibles, TV appearances, Stan Sakai, Space Usagi, Nilson & Hermy, and all other related topics.
I have no idea if this is actually a partial source for this scene, but I wanted to comment on it anyways.
Over the last few months, I have been working my way through various film versions of the Lone Wolf and Cub story, having recently watched (or re-watched) the films with Wakayama Tomisaburo as Itto Ogami, the 1978 New Year's Drama Special which featured Hideki Takahashi as Itto Ogami (and Tomisaburo Wakayama as Retsudo Yagyu), and most recently the first two seasons of the 1970's television series featuring Kinnosuke Yorozuya (Nakamura) as Itto Ogami.
In all these versions of the epic Lone Wolf and Cub story, there is an episode where Itto Ogami saves a young girl from the Bohachi and a life as a Annya or prostitute. The girl initially seeks refuge in the room of the Lone Wolf and Cub after escaping from the procuror who bought her from her impoverished parents. When the authorities come barging in to search the room, much like what happens in UY #112, Ogami Itto gives a very similar reply as Usagi concerning the significants of a rented room to a traveller.
Here is a panel from Chapter 18 of Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 3: Flute of the Fallen Tiger:
Here is a panel from page 3 of Usagi Yojimbo #112:
Last edited by Steve Hubbell on Fri May 30, 2008 10:08 -0700, edited 1 time in total.
Well, sometimes Diamond can be really fast: I was able to pick up my copy today already!
I liked the interaction between Gen and Usagi, as usual; but then again, I can't understand why Usagi does not order a meal for three when he knows he'll be eating with Gen...
Wasn't it considered ultimately rude in feudal Japan to belch the way Gen does? I kind of thought it could be considered a major offence....
On the other hand, Gen does not need to be asked to help Sasuke on her quest; seems he's been brooding over a plan, while we thought he was only filling his stomach.
And, of cource, Usagi does not want to have a bloodbath in that town, but he does not hesitate to jump into action to defend innocent peasants from ruthless gangsters; that's what we love him for...
Greetings from overseas
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* Everybody is an alien.... in almost all parts of the universe !*
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I was able to pick up UY #112 Saturday afternoon and made it a point to read it last night prior to hitting the hay as I was already several days behind you folks (no doubt) and was champing at the bit to read the conclusion. The short version: I loved it. This was a fun 2-parter and I appreciated the happy ending! There's an awful lot of sadness to go around in the world Usagi resides and I welcomed this feel good story after so much tragedy the last few story lines. They all have a place of course, but I reckon I just needed a happy ending this time around and was glad when it came. Some nice surprises along the way, a mystery figure that I see I wasn't the only one to pick up on, and a neat twist at the end to boot.
"No good deed goes unpunished" seems to be a recurring theme in USAGI YOJIMBO these days. The little girl berates Sakura for her mother being kidnapped, all thanks to Sakura's act of kindness. Heaven forbid the yakuza boss was the one who did all the kidnapping.
I hope Stan doesn't get carried away with this philosophy, with moments of goodness being shouted down or dismissed; I feel that often leads to a defeatist mindset. Usagi's world would become a cruel, vicious place where Jei's "Dark Gods" reign supreme.
