I just bought and downloaded issues 155-157 in one fell swoop, myself. It's only the second Ishida story I've read, but I can see how much Stan enjoys using him, and it's quickly making Ishida one of my favourites. Page 21 in #156 well displays one of the things I like about his character and demeanour: he speaks softly and carries a big
jitte... I'm also impressed by the deftness with which the enemy is given a sympathetic twist, to some degree. And I didn't see it coming. Trying not to spoil anything, but maybe I was thinking too much of another character with points of similarity.
And the Hell Screen, and the depictions of Enma. I've only seen one other before this, and here the eyes follow you about the page! I have to compliment the art, especially the energetic inking, in the nightmare; and the duel in front of the screen, as if the souls are reacting to the viciousness of the fight. Very strong.
The letters page in #156 brings up #154. Kazehime not cute enough? Well, her face is all twisted and wrinkled into feverish grimaces, suspicious scowls, and a proper Komori
'Skree!' She's fine!
Seriously, though, this is one example of where I think Stan's funny animal characters can seem more human than a lot of human characters in comics. I like the 'imperfect' faces, myself.
Although in deference to Julie, I'm getting a kick out of the chibi watercolours on the back covers, too.
I agree with Charles about the 'pity' of that issue, but that it serves the story that was told, and also with Stan's response. I had a feeling Kyosai would be back before too long, after his first appearance, and I'm interested to see how he further compares to Usagi's other friends and occasional travelling companions, and just how they might butt heads, down the road.
And since it was brought up, I've been curious about Komori wing blades for a while. How do they fit? Are they... permanent?
There was a fair potential, there. For one example, again, in #156's letters pages: Stan talks about exploring Komori society. Something I'm interested in too, beyond wing blades. (Maybe I'm missing something previously shown, though. Grasscutter II is still on my reading list, and any other Komori stories around it) Kazehime, the first(?) sympathetic Komori ninja, might've been a doorway of sorts into the clan, as Shingen and Chizu were for the Neko clan. But I still appreciate the story that was told, tragic as it is, and if Shingen and Chizu are anything to go by, there's always the possibility of a sibling waiting in the wings. Er, no pun intended.