Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I'm sure we've done this before, but it's been coming up again a lot as of late.

I've voted 'other', as... well... it's not my call.
what ever it is that Stan has planned for Usagi (and I don't want to know!) I'll be more than happy with.

Just check out my avatar to see what kind of shipper I am.

Chizu is the best, Tomoe is a booring samurai, and i cant imagine Usagi living in Noriyuki's castle...

Veronica !

Archie did... for a little while.


John H.

I think Usagi and Tomoe would make a great couple.

Mariko and Usagi go back the longest, but it's quite clear that they both hold the code of honor far too high to dishonor her marriage with Kenichi. After so much time, I doubt they'll get back together. Besides, Kenichi is really a pretty decent guy... I don't think that's going anywhere.

Kitsune and Usagi I just don't see... she's a thief, after all, and though she seems to like him, I doubt she'd settle down or give up her ways for his sake. Usagi wouldn't be able to tolerate her thieving and it doesn't seem as though she would be able to stop.

Chizu is possible--she's a warrior like Usagi, and clearly is attracted to him. In her current state of exile, she's more likely to be a future ally to Usagi. She is a ninja, of course, which puts her on the other pole of the honor system, but she seems to have gotten along well enough in the past. But it seems like Usagi holds more respect for her than anything else... he likes her and will work with her, but doesn't really seem romantically attracted.

Usagi and Tomoe have the most development, in my mind, though of course Tomoe is currently headed for an arranged marriage. They definitely have a strong attraction to each other--Usagi has often risked death or capture for Tomoe, and Tomoe has done just as much for Usagi. Occasionally they have even jeapordized Noriyuki's position by doing so. Tomoe is also the closest in terms of temperament--she is a samarai like Usagi and follows the same code of honor. Usagi has frequently been offered the position of retainer to Lord Noriyuki, even to a point where he be second only to Tomoe in advising decisions, so station and alliance would not be an issue.

Of course, this is complicated by the fact that Tomoe is currently engaged to an old ugly fart. I have to think that that's going to cause problems when it comes to a head, but if it passes through, then the code would keep him and her from doing anything.

Barring this, however, I consider Tomoe to be the most likely match for Usagi.

I think he should end up with Gen. Old war buddies.

Afalstein wrote:Mariko and Usagi go back the longest, but it's quite clear that they both hold the code of honor far too high to dishonor her marriage with Kenichi. After so much time, I doubt they'll get back together. Besides, Kenichi is really a pretty decent guy... I don't think that's going anywhere.

Agreed. Plus, I'm not convinced that he and Mariko could have a future even without Kenichi (who, I agree, thoroughly deserves happiness). Mariko is a traditional and honorable feudal Japanese housewife, and that does not suit Usagi's lifestyle. He doesn't need an obedient housewife, he needs an equal who can keep up with him.

Kitsune and Usagi I just don't see... she's a thief, after all, and though she seems to like him, I doubt she'd settle down or give up her ways for his sake. Usagi wouldn't be able to tolerate her thieving and it doesn't seem as though she would be able to stop.

Kitsune seems best suited for Gen in my book, though I don't see them ever actually getting together.

Chizu is possible--she's a warrior like Usagi, and clearly is attracted to him. In her current state of exile, she's more likely to be a future ally to Usagi. She is a ninja, of course, which puts her on the other pole of the honor system, but she seems to have gotten along well enough in the past. But it seems like Usagi holds more respect for her than anything else... he likes her and will work with her, but doesn't really seem romantically attracted.

We've seen hints of mutual attraction, but Usagi looks attracted anytime anyone kisses him

Usagi and Tomoe have the most development, in my mind, though of course Tomoe is currently headed for an arranged marriage. They definitely have a strong attraction to each other--Usagi has often risked death or capture for Tomoe, and Tomoe has done just as much for Usagi. Occasionally they have even jeapordized Noriyuki's position by doing so. Tomoe is also the closest in terms of temperament--she is a samarai like Usagi and follows the same code of honor. Usagi has frequently been offered the position of retainer to Lord Noriyuki, even to a point where he be second only to Tomoe in advising decisions, so station and alliance would not be an issue.

Thoroughly agreed.

Of course, this is complicated by the fact that Tomoe is currently engaged to an old ugly fart. I have to think that that's going to cause problems when it comes to a head, but if it passes through, then the code would keep him and her from doing anything.

If anything, I think this just opens up the potential to further explore hers and Usagi's feelings for one another. It's the classic romantic story in which the guy must save the girl from being forced to marry the wrong guy. Maybe Usagi will do it "The Graduate" style

I see Usagi-san making it to a reputable middle to late-middle age, and settling down with a comely widow-- not too young, not too old-- and they live in a secluded village in some mountain area, where no one bothers them. He becomes a gentleman farmer, perhaps, and if the widow is not too old, perhaps he has an off-spring or two to cheer him in his later life. And they both grow to an old and peaceful age, with no regrets about not ending up with any of the others. Perhaps Jotaro visits with his own children, and then Sofu thrills them with stories of "when I was your age"....

wow,now that sounds like a pleasant ongoing to me, cynlee....
i think you all forget two things:
first, love goes and grows wherever it wants...like a wild unknown flower breaking through concrete grounds....and if he is samurai or not, it will affect him and may slightly change his reactions at times...that's also what would make it an interesting story, BECAUSE of his code of honor and knowing what is right to do....
secondly, how many marriages consist of two people fitting best together?romeo and juliette were of befiended clans, sonny and cher didn't get along, and marge is too good a wife for homer....

shaxper wrote:We've seen hints of mutual attraction, but Usagi looks attracted anytime anyone kisses him

True. I imagine that holds for a lot of people.

shaxper wrote:
If anything, I think this just opens up the potential to further explore hers and Usagi's feelings for one another. It's the classic romantic story in which the guy must save the girl from being forced to marry the wrong guy. Maybe Usagi will do it "The Graduate" style

Ordinarily I would agree, but the thing is I can see Stan completely allowing the wedding to go through simply to add another harsh reality to the Usagi world. He seems to do that a good deal. If this were any other strip you would be right, but with Stan it's not so simple. If the marriage will benefit the clan and it has Lord Noriyuki's stamp of approval, Tomoe will probably go along with it. And it's not (directly) any of Usagi's business, so he has no excuse to interfere.

Besides, as far as I know, the Lord that Tomoe is engaged to isn't exactly evil--just old and fat and ugly.

If anything, I see Tomoe's marriage ceremony being completed--if mostly simply to show us how feudal Japanese marriage ceremonies worked--and then interrupted by some violent intrigue. The husband could easily end up murdered (not by Usagi).

Dear Readers,
If Usagi Yojimbo is based on Miyamoto Musashi then who was the wife of Miyamoto Musashi?
The real Tomoe did not marry Musashi.
Does anyone know if Miyamoto Musashi was married and to whom?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Best wishes to all!
go
ps Does Usagi Yojimbo die sitting up leaning on his sword in a cave after having written the book of five spheres?

Afalstein wrote:

shaxper wrote:We've seen hints of mutual attraction, but Usagi looks attracted anytime anyone kisses him

True. I imagine that holds for a lot of people.

shaxper wrote:
If anything, I think this just opens up the potential to further explore hers and Usagi's feelings for one another. It's the classic romantic story in which the guy must save the girl from being forced to marry the wrong guy. Maybe Usagi will do it "The Graduate" style

Ordinarily I would agree, but the thing is I can see Stan completely allowing the wedding to go through simply to add another harsh reality to the Usagi world. He seems to do that a good deal. If this were any other strip you would be right, but with Stan it's not so simple. If the marriage will benefit the clan and it has Lord Noriyuki's stamp of approval, Tomoe will probably go along with it. And it's not (directly) any of Usagi's business, so he has no excuse to interfere.

Besides, as far as I know, the Lord that Tomoe is engaged to isn't exactly evil--just old and fat and ugly.

If anything, I see Tomoe's marriage ceremony being completed--if mostly simply to show us how feudal Japanese marriage ceremonies worked--and then interrupted by some violent intrigue. The husband could easily end up murdered (not by Usagi).

You know that does sound like Stan...the man just loves to torment his creations. I'm waiting for the meteor to land on Usagi's wedding day.

go wrote:Dear Readers,
If Usagi Yojimbo is based on Miyamoto Musashi then who was the wife of Miyamoto Musashi?
The real Tomoe did not marry Musashi.
Does anyone know if Miyamoto Musashi was married and to whom?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Best wishes to all!
go
ps Does Usagi Yojimbo die sitting up leaning on his sword in a cave after having written the book of five spheres?

I think Usagi has evolved pretty far beyond his original concept. I believe I remember reading somewhere that Stan's original plan was to have Usagi die taking down Lord Hikiji one day, but the plans have certainly changed by this point