Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Since most of my collection is in the graphic novel format... Its my favorite way to read through everything... I noticed a completely different way that katsuichi sensei is drawn. To me they look like 2 totally different characters, the earlier I thought was much more expressive while the new one seems to be more of a talking mustache... I wonder if there is any reason for this change.... I was wondering what everyone else thinks

Lions change. Especially those allegedly dead.

Katsuichi has indeed changed in design over the past 20 or so years now. Stan's drawing style, while still very similar during these two decades, has also evolved, and that's why Katsuichi looks so different. If you'll notice many of the characters have evolved quite a bit as well, including Usagi. Stan has always said these changes were totally subconscious on his part. That's what happens after 20 years of drawing the same characters...

Heh yea, when i was looking at the old usagi covers that were published over 20 years ago and compared the art style back then to the newest artwork, I actually thought that a different artist drew those comics then Stan. Even so, current Usagi definitely is an improved version of old Usagi.

I actually thought that a different artist drew those comics then Stan.

Interesting. I never thought that myself. I suppose if you started reading within the past few years it may seem like a huge difference. But being there issue after issue the change would be just as gradual to the reader as it would be to Stan, so much so it would be hardly noticeable.

styles do change over time of course, and originally i didnt notice until after grasscutter II... Where he just seems much more muscular and more of a bad BADWORD