The greatest swordsman in the Usagi world?

[Dave]

There have been a couple of characters who've appeared to be even more dangerous swordsmen than Usagi himself: Katsuichi, Koji, The Lord of Owls, Shizukiri, possibly the Tengu or Lord Hikiji himself (Can anyone think of more?).

However I've seen 2 seemingly conflicting quotes from Mr.Sakai about who is the greatest swordsman of his world:

"Ino was one of my favorite characters and the most skilled of all the swordsmen of Usagi's world."

"So far, the best of the swordsmen I've introduced is Inazuma."

Obviously Inazuma should be superior with an additional demonic 'power-up', but who was the greater without this unfair advantage?

Was the intention perhaps that Ino was the greatest because he did so well despite his blindness and could beat anyone without that limitation?

Wouldn't it be fun if Ino (who I like) would gain some well-deserved official respect from the other elite swordsmasters or if his help was required to handle the new virtually unbeatable Jei/Inazuma?

Any thoughts surrounding these topics would be appreciated.

[shaxper]

I've never been able to understand why Inazuma was superior to Usagi with the sword. After all, she trained herself as an adult whereas Usagi studied from youth under possibly the greatest swordsman of his time. I understand that, in addition to training, there's some degree of natural skill involved, but this still doesn't sit right with me.

[shaxper]

Wouldn't it be fun if Ino (who I like) would gain some well-deserved official respect from the other elite swordsmasters or if his help was required to handle the new virtually unbeatable Jei/Inazuma?

Ino's already had his exit from the Usagi universe, and it was a brilliant one. It would be a shame to bring him back.

Perhaps this is why Stan no longer considers Ino when deciding who the greatest swordsman is.


By the way, welcome to the Dojo!

[Spot the Tokage]

Is "The Last Ino Story" from vol. 7 truly that, the last Ino story? If so, then yeah, it was a nice exit.

[Todd Shogun]

Stan has maintained that Ino will not return. You have to consider the fact that he is based on a pre-existing character (Zato Ichi) that Stan didn't create. Many of the characters are loosely based on pre-existing or historical characters in one way or another, but Ino moreso than others. I bet Stan prefers using characters that are 100% his creation...the same treatment would apply to Yagi and Gorogoro (seeing as how they appear very infrequently). This is all spculation on my part, but would seem a logical assumption...

As far as Inazuma being the strongest swordsman in Usagi... Stan didn't specify if that was pre- or post-possession (or did he?). It could be that the Black Soul itself is the soul of an evil, high skilled ancient warrior. When possessing it's hosts, it can combine it's own skills with those of the host and thus become even more powerful. Perhaps the original Jei host was nothing more than a simple farmer with little to no skills with the blade...Guess we'll have to find out when Stan reveals the origin of the Black Soul.

[Steve Hubbell]

Is "The Last Ino Story" from vol. 7 truly that, the last Ino story? If so, then yeah, it was a nice exit.

It was definitely the last story in which Zato Ino has appeared. Thinking about it, the character was Stan's tribute to the film and television character Zatoichi, portrayed by actor Shintaro Katsu in 26 films and approximately 100 television episodes.

Zatoichi wandered around the back-roads of feudal Japan for many many years looking for a place where he could live in peace and quiet, but never found it. He was never able to settle down somewhere and be a ordinary person instead of a deadly killing machine, always being compelled to fight and then move on.

Stan allowed his tribute character to find the peace and quiet, the retirement from the long search which Shintaro Katsu's character was never allowed to find.

Zato Ino was and is a great character, but he has earned his right to a happy, peaceful, and obscure life.

Abayo

[Dave]

I've never been able to understand why Inazuma was superior to Usagi with the sword. After all, she trained herself as an adult whereas Usagi studied from youth under possibly the greatest swordsman of his time. I understand that, in addition to training, there's some degree of natural skill involved, but this still doesn't sit right with me.

Well, sometimes people just have an immense natural affinity for a certain subject and, when finally subjected to it, quickly immerse themselves as if trained from birth. It's not fair but it happens in the real world too. :\

Ino's already had his exit from the Usagi universe, and it was a brilliant one. It would be a shame to bring him back.

I disagree. As long as the purpose of the Last Ino Story isn't messed with (i.e. his family and happy ending isn't taken away) I don't at all mind seeing a more relaxed Ino temporarily leave that behind to help with a particularly vital mission in the outside world. I read in the FAQ that Mr. Sakai would bring Ino back if he'd come up with a good enough story/reason to warrant it.

He's one of Mr. Sakai's greatest characters so I'd be very glad to see him again, especially to give him a chance to shine and finally show us the full range of his accredited skill (I.e. just why he's considered the greatest). It would be great fun to eventually see Usagi assemble the most formidable good guys he knows (Ino, Katsuichi, Sasuké) for a final confrontation with Jei.

Perhaps this is why Stan no longer considers Ino when deciding who the greatest swordsman is.

Perhaps, though there are other possibilities as well.

By the way, welcome to the Dojo!

Thank you! I'm glad to visit.

As far as Inazuma being the strongest swordsman in Usagi... Stan didn't specify if that was pre- or post-possession (or did he?). It could be that the Black Soul itself is the soul of an evil, high skilled ancient warrior. When possessing it's hosts, it can combine it's own skills with those of the host and thus become even more powerful. Perhaps the original Jei host was nothing more than a simple farmer with little to no skills with the blade...Guess we'll have to find out when Stan reveals the origin of the Black Soul.

That's an interesting theory, though I think I'd prefer if Inazuma was the greatest/second greatest even before gaining additional skill and demonic power to make her particularly formidable. With the exception of the Tengu as a child, I don't remember Usagi to have ever been set against a foe so far beyond him before.

[Stan Sakai]

With the exception of the Tengu as a child, I don't remember Usagi to have ever been set against a foe so far beyond him before.

Well, he did fight Jei in Grasscutter. The only reasons Usagi won was because Jei was distracted, his back was turned toward Usagi, and Usagi had Grasscutter. But then, before he was possessed, Jei was a--well, that's another story coming up soon.

[Dave]

Well, he did fight Jei in Grasscutter. The only reasons Usagi won was because Jei was distracted, his back was turned toward Usagi, and Usagi had Grasscutter. But then, before he was possessed, Jei was a--well, that's another story coming up soon.

You never disappoint so it’ll be fun to read it.

Could we perhaps get an official answer to Ino or Inazuma?

[Stan Sakai]

Could we perhaps get an official answer to Ino or Inazuma?

Inazuma

[estee]

There is the concept of being a "natural". Inazuma was just born with the skill of being good with a blade. Of course she has to practice like everybody else, mostly on the hapless killers who want the bounty, but its all good.

Though in a fight I'd have to give it to Usagi. He's had more time to hone his skills in duels and in war.

Inazuma would be a close second, able to defeat everyone else, which includes Tomoe.

[Stan Sakai]

Usagi is not the best swordsman around. He had lost to Nakamura Koji, who, himself, was defeated by Katsuichi. However, Usagi is better than most. Also, his "unusual style" gives him an advantage.

If I remember correctly, that comment about Ino being the best was made before Inazuma was introduced. Ino's story is finished (unless I think up a good story for him), but Inazuma will be back in UY 98 as she takes on Gen and Stray Dog.

[estee]

Usagi is not the best swordsman around. He had lost to Nakamura Koji, who, himself, was defeated by Katsuichi. However, Usagi is better than most. Also, his "unusual style" gives him an advantage.

I'm thinking this needs to be ret-conned and fast.

Usagi is da best!!!!

Hey, Marvel would do it.

[shaxper]

I like that Usagi isn't the best. In the early issues, there was tremendous charm in those simple stories where Usagi would encounter some form of injustice and there was never any doubt that Usagi (as the agent of righteous justice) would win in the end. But Stan has worked to evolve Usagi as a character and an ongoing story, adding much more complexity to Usagi's once relatively simple characterization and universe.

These days, Usagi is just one extraordinarily unique character in a land of many extraordinarily unique characters. He can win or lose, be right or wrong, in the know or completely oblivious. He's a much more human character than he was when he began as a perfect, disciplined practitioner of the bushido code. Now we know that he was a very undisciplined child, can still be very rash in his actions and judgments, that he doesn't always know right from wrong, and that his moral code is often inconflict with that of a samurai's.

In short, the early Usagi is very different from the one we read today. I personally love both, but feel that Stan explored the first one as far as he could. The "revised" Usagi has many more possibilities since he is a more complex, flawed, and vulnerable hero.

At least that's how I see it...

[Dave]

He's also turned more sympathetic with the years. Since I began to read later volumes I was rather shocked to read volume two and find out that he basically murdered Gunichi, despite that the latter didn't appear to be an evil man, simply because he had retreated from a battle which was already lost.

While I suppose it was in line with a very strict form of bushido this act still seemed very cruel and unjust compared to the more conflicted and moral older Usagi we've come to know.