Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

If you were to put together a list of Japanese films that you would consider "mandatory" viewing for UY fans, what would they be? Here are a few that I would consider "mandatory" because they're referenced in UY, they include subject matter that is also featured in UY, they're aesthetically similar, or just because it's likely that fans of UY would enjoy them (I'm sure that I'm probably forgetting a few, but I don't want to make this list too unwiedly):

* All of the samurai films by Akira Kurosawa, particularly Yojimbo, for obvious reasons. It's not exactly a samurai movie, but I would also add Rashomon, and while we're at it, let's throw in Stray Dog/Nora Inu since there's a UY character named after the film.

* Hiroshi Inagaki's Samurai trilogy (The first film is going to be on IFC this Saturday, and I assume II and III will be shown on the 12th and 19th, respectively)

* Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan (One segment depicts the naval battle between the Heike and Genji that's in the fourth prologue of Grasscutter)

* At least one or two of the 1970s Lone Wolf and Cub films (Source of Lone Goat and Kid)

* At least one or two Zatoichi movies (Source of Zato-Ino)

* Ishiro Honda's Gojira (Source of "Zilla," obviously, and just an essential Japanese movie anyway)

Optional but still recommended:

* Yoji Yamada's The Twilight Samurai, just because I think that it's somewhat aesthetically similar to UY and because I think that UY fans will probably like it

* Yoshiyuki Kuroda's Yôkai daisensô (aka Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare): it features some of the obakemono featured in UY vol. 3 #31. Takashi Miike's The Great Yokai War (2005) probably does too, but I haven't seen that movie.

* Takeshi Kitano's Zatoichi (2003)

* Kinji Fukasaku's Message From Space (1978) (I would throw this in for Space Usagi fans, they might enjoy it. Yes, it does "borrow" quite a bit from a certain George Lucas movie, but at the same time, the climactic battle in 1983's Return of the Jedi looks suspiciously similar to the one in this film). Unfortunately, it's not available on DVD, and it's a little bit hard to see right now, but hopefully that will be corrected soon.)

I think that list is a pretty good start for a list of "must see" Japanese movies for UY fans. What would you add? There are probably Japanese movies that deal with the same mythology presented in Grasscutter that could go on this list too, but I don't think I've ever seen any.

While it isn't a Japanese film, Shogun was a great TV mini-series that Usagi fans should watch. The political upheaval, sword battles, ninja scenes, and foreign conflict storyline make for some great viewing. It's one of my personal faves. Not sure how much Stan drew upon Shogun for Usagi, or even if he did at all, but the main female character is named Mariko and the love triangle between her, Lord Buntaro and Anjin-san is similar to that between Mariko, Usagi, and Kenichi in ways. The ninja-storming-the-castle scenes are also similar to the attack on Mifune's castle by the Neko Ninja Clan. Overall it's a classic American series that blows away anything similar, including The Last Samurai.

I would move the Zatoichi remake (2003) to required. I loved that film. Watching it I felt like I was reading some of Stan's work.

Is there any chambara that features Tomoe Gozen? I tried looking around but could only find a drama series Yoshitsune which featured the character.

You might want to include the Friday the 13th films as well (Jei).

Anything with the name MIFUNE in it.

HIs movies all rock!
And if one runs across Rikisha Man, GRAB IT. Ultra rare on VHS. Notta Samurai movie but fantastic. He is so good in it.

You've forgotten about Masaki Kobayashi's Seppuku and Samurai Rebellion Maybe not as inspiration of Usagi but just like great samurai movies