Lady Tomoe's Wedding: Any predictions?

[Ben]

Probably one of the most anticipated future story arcs in USAGI YOJIMBO at the moment is Tomoe's wedding.

Stan has an innate talent at toying with -and even subverting - the expectations of his fans. Does anybody have any theories as to how it might turn out?

[estee]

She will go through with her obligation to her family and marry the guy. She is, after all, a Samurai.

Which sucks royally!

Of course, seeing that Usagi has mellowed in the past few years, he may finally profess his love and the woman will run off with him. Where they will wonder the earth, poor as dirt but happier than the Emperor.

[shaxper]

I think she'll back out at the last minute, leaving Noriyuki to turn his back on her and dismiss her from service. She'll be turned into a ronin, just like Usagi. This will make her a more tragic, compelling character who will have a far easier time turning up in Usagi stories on a semi regular basis.

It's also occurred to me that, as a woman conflicted between her duty to her lord and her own feelings, she might see fit to commit seppuku. I really hope it doesn't end that way because I LOVE Tomoe and have always felt she and Usagi belonged together, but that would be one heck of a conclusion.

[cynlee]

She'll marry that ugly guy, then he will die "naturally" and she'll be a rich widow.

>.>


Okay, maybe not. I think that she will do her duty-- she doesn't seem like the type to refuse.

Unless I've misread her after all this time, that is.

[Mayhem]

I've got a couple of interesting ideas for what "could" happen at the buzzer but I'm not gonna say just in case Sensei somehow comes up with the same thoughts (don the tin foil helmet!) and is gonna use them himself...

[Martin]

I suppose it's entirely possible that the lord will somehow turn out evil, and Noriyuki will call off the wedding. But I've a good feeling it will be more complex than that.

I like the angle of her becoming a ronin, though that might be a bit repetitive, considering how the same thing sort've happened to Chizu. I believe Tomoe may be the only non-wandering member of the regular cast!

[shaxper]

, maybe not. I think that she will do her duty-- she doesn't seem like the type to refuse.

Unless I've misread her after all this time, that is.

A few years ago, I would have agreed, but she's clearly getting boxed out of Lord Noriyuki's favor anyway and may come to realize that she has no chance of maintaining her standing under his lordship. Sure, she places honor and loyalty above all else, but when her lord is entertaining the influence of blatantly corrupt forces, forces that are both dangerous to the province and out to ruin her own life, I'm convinced that she might feel differently.

[Ben]

A few years ago, I would have agreed, but she's clearly getting boxed out of Lord Noriyuki's favor anyway and may come to realize that she has no chance of maintaining her standing under his lordship. Sure, she places honor and loyalty above all else, but when her lord is entertaining the influence of blatantly corrupt forces, forces that are both dangerous to the province and out to ruin her own life, I'm convinced that she might feel differently.

Tomoe says she values honor and loyalty, but did anyone else notice her visibly bristle when she was forced to apologize to the loathsome Horikawa? Men like him often twist such words to their own ends.

After Inazuma's melancholic death, I can't help but feel it's time for a storyline featuring a major female character that concludes on a more confrontational, explosive note.

[estee]

That's why a person's obligations are so highly regarded in Japan. You have to bear them even when you know you're getting the short end of the stick.

Okay here's my scenario...

Usagi tags along with Noriyuki to meet with Tomoe's new husband soon after the wedding. Usagi manages to finagle a one-on-one meeting with Tomoe. There he sees she has a bruise under her eye and a swollen lip. She had 'fallen'. Well Usagi can well guess at the truth.

He bristles for days with the sight of Tomoe being hurt.

Then he meets Tomoe's husband at dinner. Where upon the old man describes how to treat a woman properly and how he had to do so with his own wife.

Well...let's just say Usagi does not take kindly to that. Blood is quickly spilt.

And in the ensuing melee...he snatches Tomoe and they rush off.

But soon Tomoe realises she has made a terrible mistake and returns to the castle.

Though she does lie and says she was kidnapped by the mad Usagi. She becomes a nun.

Now Usagi is a hunted man. Can you imagine Gen picking up that bounty?

I know...the story is a bit conventional even cliched, but I think it would work.

[Lady Keiko_ronin Usagi]

*crosses fingers* Tomoe and Usagi could run off together... *fingers still crossed*
Or... she'll just keep her loyalty to Noriyuki and get hitched to whats-his-face. There is only two choices here, and I pick (obviously) that Tomoe and Usagi run off together.
Oh, the drama!

[Bluetailslover]

Hi,

Was just reading the post on Usagi Yojimbo Board - Tomoes wedding?

I didn't know there was any reference to an engagement? Could you tell me which books/vol/issue I might find this in?

Your help would be apprieciated.

Thanks

Bluetailslover

[runnah4life808]

Hi,

Was just reading the post on Usagi Yojimbo Board - Tomoes wedding?

I didn't know there was any reference to an engagement? Could you tell me which books/vol/issue I might find this in?

Your help would be apprieciated.

Thanks

Bluetailslover

Mother of Mountains TPB and Tomoe's Story TPB.

[Heero]

Usagi tags along with Noriyuki to meet with Tomoe's new husband soon after the wedding. Usagi manages to finagle a one-on-one meeting with Tomoe. There he sees she has a bruise under her eye and a swollen lip. She had 'fallen'. Well Usagi can well guess at the truth.

I SERIOUSLY doubt this for two reasons. First and foremost, Tomoe is NOT that kind of woman. She does her duty and she would be loyal to Noriyuki, but if her "I don't love him" husband struck her, I think she'd strike him back. Secondly, I don't think Noriyuki would have her stay with an abusive husband. Noriyuki is being blinded and is unaware of some of the intrigue around him, but he's been maneuvered into the engagement with a comment about "Tomoe's happiness" (which this would NOT be, but she would NEVER say). If there was such a VISIBLE sign of her ABUSE, I think Noriyuki would try to bust the marriage as the mistake that it is.

(Out of ALL the women in Usagi (excepting Mariko simply because of who her husband is) I will be MOST disappointed if there's ever an "abusive husband/lover" storyline for Tomoe Ame. I would PREFER Usagi have an abusive companion (which he KIND OF did with the fox) rather than Tomoe ever having one, because it just seems so antithetical to her character)

[estee]

Just expressing a rather cliched story line.

Who knows, Tomoe may end up being the lady of a Province herself. THAT would rock!

[Toshizo]

I think that this storyline would be a perfect time for Noriko to return, and that would make the whole thing much more complicated.