Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

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!!

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!

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

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....

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!

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!