Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Okay UY fans, the exclusive alternate ending to the Bridge of Tears (page 24). You'll see that the endings greatly influenced the storyline for issues 101 and on. In the unused ending, Mayumi does not meet Shizukiri, but continues on with Usagi. Who knows what could have happened? We can thank Diana Schutz for this one. Discussion is open on these two endings!

[Click to enlarge!]

Cool!

Aside from saying the obvious, I just have to say the obvious.
This is a completely different story!!
Interesting what one critical page does for a story, to the characters...
As sad as the printed issue is, somehow it's a much deeper story for it, and certainly more of a cliffhanger.

How awesome we got to see it!

God, I think I'm becoming more cynical every day, because I like the downer ending that was used.

Still, Mayumi might be okay.

This was the more predictable ending. Of course Usagi would return. He took Mayumi under his protection, and he gave her his word that he would return. And Usagi is an honorable samurai.

Thanks to Editor Diana, who gave me that extra page, I got to end it with a cliffhanger of Shizukiri's appearance, and have Usagi return, albeit much too late.

I let Diana choose the ending she prefered. I'm glad she chose the one she did.

Too bad we can't do an entire issue like this--sort of like the "choose your own adventure" books: If Usagi returns to the bridge, skip over to page 12. If he abandons her, continue on to page 20.

I enjoyed those kind of books ("choose your own adventure") when i was younger ! That's a great idea to dig, perhaps for UY #200 ?

Thanks for sharing this awesome alternate ending.

The ending in the comic left me wondering a lot of things. Particularly, I'm pretty shocked that Mr. Sakai can wait until the last minute to make such a huge decision about the direction of the book for the next few issues. I know often times he's planning years in advance...

Also, I can't wait for issue 100! I've been following Usagi for almost 20 years, and I'm ecstatic to see UY hit this milestone.

Stan Sakai wrote:This was the more predictable ending. Of course Usagi would return. He took Mayumi under his protection, and he gave her his word that he would return. And Usagi is an honorable samurai.

Thanks to Editor Diana, who gave me that extra page, I got to end it with a cliffhanger of Shizukiri's appearance, and have Usagi return, albeit much too late.

I let Diana choose the ending she prefered. I'm glad she chose the one she did.

Too bad we can't do an entire issue like this--sort of like the "choose your own adventure" books: If Usagi returns to the bridge, skip over to page 12. If he abandons her, continue on to page 20.

Actually the downer ending makes Usagi more human, as we've all done things to other people that we've regretted, things that we thought were justified, and are tormented with the consequences. He shouldn't be honourable all the time that wouldn't be natural. He should lapses like this more often.

Personally, I like the ending that was printed. Usagi can't always win the day...and that makes the times when he DOES win all the more powerful & cathartic.

Still, I really hope Mayumi doesn't hold a grudge against Usagi that turns her into some kind of villainess in later issues. She's showing so much promise as a character, it'd be depressing to see her go down that route.

Ben wrote:Personally, I like the ending that was printed. Usagi can't always win the day...and that makes the times when he DOES win all the more powerful & cathartic.

Still, I really hope Mayumi doesn't hold a grudge against Usagi that turns her into some kind of villainess in later issues. She's showing so much promise as a character, it'd be depressing to see her go down that route.

Actually, I think Mayumi is at the bottom of the river. Though we don't know for certain, it looks highly probable that Shizukiri dispatched her there. At least that's the impression I have, I hope I'm wrong.

Well, I have to say I'm glad we have seen the alternative ending; wondering what it would have been would have meant even more sleepless nights than usual....

I furthermore think the printed ending is by far the most dramatic, but also the most human ending:
Dramatic in that we know Shizukiri will use poor Mayumi as a bait and hostage for Usagi (Funny; does he really think Usagi is so formidable that such an unhonorable move is neccessary?!? ); what will be her fate when the two confront each other? Will she realize that Usagi had left her to prevent such a thing or will she blame him for not being there to protect her?

And, yes, human in that Usagi has doubts as to which path he should choose. He does seem to have feelings for Mayumi, but he wants to keep her out of danger, knowing that he attracts danger like light attracts flies (or was it moths? ). He gave her his words to stay with her; after he left her with the reward, he must have been nagged by his bad conscience (and by his affection towards Mayumi, who knows...), so he returned, blaming himself on the way for being heartless.

Sensei, I'm thankful for the extra page, too. It showed us a human Usagi, who errs like everybody else; but it also showes that he is "man" enough to admit when he was wrong.

Admireable....

This press release from DHC on UY 102 may explain a bit about what happens with poor Mayumi...

http://usagiyojimbo.com/upcoming.html

Note: the press release is for issue #102....

issue #101 has Usagi battling the effects of the poisoned dart after trying to help Chizu against the Neko ninja.

One thing it doesn't mention is that Usagi is still under the influence of the poison ninja dart he suffers in 101. Who knows how that will affect him when he confronts Shizukiri?

Stan Sakai wrote:This was the more predictable ending. Of course Usagi would return. He took Mayumi under his protection, and he gave her his word that he would return. And Usagi is an honorable samurai.

Thanks to Editor Diana, who gave me that extra page, I got to end it with a cliffhanger of Shizukiri's appearance, and have Usagi return, albeit much too late.

I let Diana choose the ending she prefered. I'm glad she chose the one she did.

Too bad we can't do an entire issue like this--sort of like the "choose your own adventure" books: If Usagi returns to the bridge, skip over to page 12. If he abandons her, continue on to page 20.

I loved those books. I remember my Mom got me four of them for Christmas one year. Great stuff!