Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

Early on in the series, the two seemed fated to have a final dual someday, but Usagi no longer seems particularly driven to avenge the wrongs Hikiji committed. I can't even remember the last time Usagi thought of Lord Mifune.

Inevitably, characters and stories evolve beyond their original premise, but is Hikiji still somewhere in Usagi's future? And, if not, is this because he was shown to be human?

I didn't know Usagi had finally confronted Hikigi. What story/issue number was it in?

SonicSamurai wrote:I didn't know Usagi had finally confronted Hikigi. What story/issue number was it in?

I believe it was shown in Return to Adachigahara Plain. In a flashback, we see that Usagi confronted Hikiji during the battle that led to Mifune's death, and Hikiji gave Usagi his scar.

This brings up a subject that I was curious about. Since Usagi was a member of Lord Mifune's army, which was defeated at the Battle of Adachigahara, does that mean Usagi is still a fugitive from the battle and Lord Hikiji's forces? What will happen if Usagi does run into some of Lord Hikiji's men?

Steve Hubbell wrote:This brings up a subject that I was curious about. Since Usagi was a member of Lord Mifune's army, which was defeated at the Battle of Adachigahara, does that mean Usagi is still a fugitive from the battle and Lord Hikiji's forces? What will happen if Usagi does run into some of Lord Hikiji's men?

A very good point. I don't know if there's an explicit geography for where these territories all fall out, but I've always kind of assumed that Usagi passed through Noriyuki's lands, and so that has served as a buffer between him and Hikiji all this time.

Excellent point Steve. He still wears the mon of the Mifune Clan quite prominently. It wouldn't take much for a retainer of Hikiji's to know exactly who he is. Perhaps he simply has avoided the Mutsu province, where Hikiji reigns. And perhaps in his maturity, no longer wants revenge against Hikiji (did he ever though? Not sure.) We already know that both Hebi and Hikiji know he's out there, and know him by name (Lone Rabbit and Child).

Both Mifune and Usagi's father died honorable samurai deaths. Perhaps Usagi can take comfort in knowing he did his duty, both to his Lord and father, where others failed. Maybe that's all he needs to move on without the need to avenge them.

@ Sonicsamurai: The confrontation between Usagi and Hikiji was last published in "The Art of Usagi Yojimbo", as a reprint of a color special, I think. That story also reveiled the mystery of Usagi's scar.

I for one think Usagi does not seek revenge, but, given the opportunity, would fight Hikiji to the death; alas, that opportunity might never come. Hikiji is a powerful lord, who would certainly be escorted by a huge and skillful entourage, if he travels at all. Attacking him and his escort would be suicide, even for Usagi.

It's very likely that Mifune loyalist would still be hunted in the now Hikiji governed provinces if they were noticed by military forces; Hikiji's occupation of Mifune's territory has happened just a few years ago. But inspite of the risk, Usagi has visited his hometown twice so far, so either that hometown is in a remote part or directly on the border to Noriyuki's territory. To venture further into Hikiji's territory, or even into his heartland would be suicide (again).

But I believe, if he had the opportunity to honorably fight against Hikiji, he would do so; after all, Hikiji has killed his father.

"A samurai can not live under the same sky as the murderer of his father", or something along that line....

And although Usagi has matured a lot in the time after the battle of Adachigahara Plain, he would not be as forgiving as, let's say, Ikeda for example (to choose a name not totaly at random ).

I personally feel Usagi confronting and/or killing Lord Hikiji would be a lot like discovering the identity of Laura Palmer's killer; as soon as it happens, the series would be essentially over.

Hikiji should remain a permanent off-screen antagonist, elusive and indestructible; he could even still be "out there" by the time the series finishes (or Stan leaves the title, which would pretty much mean the same thing).

Ben wrote:I personally feel Usagi confronting and/or killing Lord Hikiji would be a lot like discovering the identity of Laura Palmer's killer; as soon as it happens, the series would be essentially over.

I would have agreed with that notion ten years ago, but Usagi's story has moved well beyond that original plot line. Usagi seems to have completely moved on from thoughts of Hikiji or Mifune (even though he still wears Mifune's crest). I think there's plenty of opportunity for Usagi to move on once this storyline was resolved, perhaps even just having Lord Hebi assume Hikiji's position of power, thus maintaining the persistant ninja threat. I'd just love to see an epic climax to resolve this essential plotline.

My opinion is that Usagi's anger and thirst for revenge against Hikiji has gradually faded away. In Book 17, when Nakamura Koji quotes the saying, "The way of the warrior is found in death", Usagi clearly states : "Yes, I know it... and believed in it -- but not anymore."

Perhaps Usagi's anger was subsided by the execution of Gunichi.

Perhaps his old sense of "duty" can only be awaken by a dramatic event, an unexpected encounter. But it'd almost certainly lead him to death. Let's hope it never happens !

Thomas Froehling wrote: And although Usagi has matured a lot in the time after the battle of Adachigahara Plain, he would not be as forgiving as, let's say, Ikeda for example (to choose a name not totaly at random ).

I am surprised Cosmo didn't comment on this....

It is Adachi Plain or Adachigahara, not supposed to be a combination of both.

Yup, speaking of "Adachigahara plain" is pleonastic, like if you said "the Fuji-san mountain", "san" already meaning "mountain".

It's splitting hair, ain't it ?

Cosmo wrote:My opinion is that Usagi's anger and thirst for revenge against Hikiji has gradually faded away. In Book 17, when Nakamura Koji quotes the saying, "The way of the warrior is found in death", Usagi clearly states : "Yes, I know it... and believed in it -- but not anymore."

Perhaps Usagi's anger was subsided by the execution of Gunichi.

Perhaps his old sense of "duty" can only be awaken by a dramatic event, an unexpected encounter. But it'd almost certainly lead him to death. Let's hope it never happens !

Excellent point.

Cosmo wrote:Yup, speaking of "Adachigahara plain" is pleonastic, like if you said "the Fuji-san mountain", "san" already meaning "mountain".

It's splitting hair, ain't it ?

Kind of like the Jidai Geki / chanbara fans main criticism with the Criterion Collection release of the Musashi film Samurai II - Duel at Ichijoji Temple - the title of which translates as Duel at Ichi temple temple.

I've always wanted to see Usagi get in touch with some other former Mifune retainers and start some kind of rebellion or plot against the Dark Lord.

Or at least have those retainers try to employ Usagi's skills. But Usagi's desire for revenge is gone and refuses. He finds out weeks later that an attempt by Mifune loyalists to overthrow Hikiji was crushed. The last panel is of Usagi heaving a heavy sigh.