Usagi Yojimbo

[Todd Shogun]

Throughout the years, throughout every single issue, I have yet to see any character in the pages of UY refer to Usagi as "Usagi Yojimbo". It could easily happen, right? Has it already happened and I just haven't seen it? We've seen him referred to as "Long Ears", Long-eared Samurai", "Uncle Usagi", "Usagi-San", "Miyamoto's Little Boy", "Mendicant Ronin", "Boll Weevil", etc...but never as the name appearing on every cover. I'd like to one day see a reference made within the story itself to Usagi as "Usagi Yojimbo". Who's with me???

[shaxper]

I think I made a post a long while back in which I made the same observation, but ran the other way with it. I kind of wish Stan Sensei would change the title at this point, since it doesn't really fit the character anymore. After all, in twenty years, I think Usagi has performed as a yojimbo (bodyguard) all of three or four times. The term that better describes him is "Ronin," although "Usagi Ronin" doesn't sound anywhere near as good.

I'd push for keeping the same, memorable "Usagi" logo, but instead of writing "Yojimbo" beneath it, writing "Miyamato" above it.

That's my pipe-dream anyway.

[Cosmo]

Frankly, I don't think that would be appropriate. What defines Usagi in the eye of the beholder ? Not the fact that he sometimes earns his living as a yojimbo. Usagi is a rônin, and he could after all earn money in many other ways (including quite dishonest ones...), so I don't see why people would call him a "yojimbo".

It seems logical that most people refer to him as a "samurai" (because he has swords) or as a "rônin" (because he's obviously a wandering, masterless samurai).

But calling him "Usagi yojimbo" would sound unnatural - even in feudal Japan.

When I go to the grocery next door, I don't call the shopkeeper "Grocer Muhammad", although it is his name and his work.

One more thing ! "Usagi yojimbo" could be translated in many ways, which are all accurate :

- Bodyguard Rabbit ?
- Rabbit the Bodyguard ?
- Yojimbo Rabbit ?
- Usagi the Yojimbo ?
- Rabbit the Yojimbo ?

So, which one sounds better ?

[MikeM]

I dont think you can change the title of Usagi Yojimbo. Thats what everyone knows the book as.

Also good news. Last week when I was at my friendly local comic shop, I met another Usagi fan! How cool is that?

MikeM

[Steve Hubbell]

Also good news. Last week when I was at my friendly local comic shop, I met another Usagi fan! How cool is that?

MikeM

Very cool!

Every once in a while, when I am wearing a Usagi t-shirt, I run into people that recognize the character from the TMNT tv show (or possibly the video game), but I have yet to physically meet another reader of the comic, not counting employees at the comic shop. I have been told that there are a number of customers who buy it every month, but I have never met them.

[tayocham]

Also good news. Last week when I was at my friendly local comic shop, I met another Usagi fan! How cool is that?

MikeM

Very cool!

Every once in a while, when I am wearing a Usagi t-shirt, I run into people that recognize the character from the TMNT tv show (or possibly the video game), but I have yet to physically meet another reader of the comic, not counting employees at the comic shop. I have been told that there are a number of customers who buy it every month, but I have never met them.

I know the feeling. I *know* there are Usagi fans in my area, as all copies of the comic sell out pretty quickly. Still, I've only met a few. Not counting the people I lent my comics to who became fans.

[Fanfan]

I have been told that there are a number of customers who buy it every month, but I have never met them. Sad

Perhaps you should change your schedule, people often go the same day at same hour to buy comic.

ut never as the name appearing on every cover. I'd like to one day see a reference made within the story itself to Usagi as "Usagi Yojimbo". Who's with me???

Todd, what about this story inside Glimpses of Death : samurai for hire
It is really funny, for one time he is a yojimbo !!


Oh guys, i just received my fist Hardcover Edition !!!! Tsubarashi desu !

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/3910/youpitr7.gif

[Steve Hubbell]

[Todd Shogun]

I just thought it'd be kinda neat to see the words "Usagi Yojimbo" actually spoken within the comic. Maybe as a one time thing. While he is mostly wandering around looking for employment, he has been hired on or has assumed the role as a yojimbo on many occasions. Things is, he is obviously very picky about whom he works for (see #96 for some good examples). Most of his potential employers are probably crime bosses or crooked merchants, people who are in danger of being killed at a moment's notice and need a yojimbo.

Maybe if one of my predictions about future plotlines comes to fruition, and Usagi becomes a wanted man, perhaps on the wanted signs it actually says "Usagi Yojimbo"...and that is what everyone after the bounty on his head refers to him as. Just a thought....it's a slow day at work today

[shaxper]

Every once in a while, when I am wearing a Usagi t-shirt, I run into people that recognize the character from the TMNT tv show (or possibly the video game), but I have yet to physically meet another reader of the comic, not counting employees at the comic shop.

That's because you're not converting enough of your friends!

I didn't have anyone to talk Usagi with in real life until I converted my wife and my best friend. Now they get more excited for the new issues than I do. Sadly, there's only one other guy (who I have never met) that buys the new Usagi issues at my local store.

[Steve Hubbell]

That's because you're not converting enough of your friends!

Technically. I've gotten both of my nephews completely hooked on Usagi Yojimbo. They are also smart enough to save their money because they know I'll pick up a copy of each new book for them soon after it's released.

I have only known a couple people, adult aged, that read and collect comics, and they all seem to have their own personal (superhero) preferences clouding their judgement.

I do have a customer who stops in where I work who is familiar with Usagi, and I think he might actually read it as well. We usually only get an odd minute or two to talk when he comes in, and usually it has been about Lone Wolf and Cub, Lady Snowblood, and the other new Koike and Kojima projects from Dark Horse. I think I've talked to him maybe a half dozen times over the last year and a half.

Abayo.....

[go]

Throughout the years, throughout every single issue, I have yet to see any character in the pages of UY refer to Usagi as "Usagi Yojimbo". It could easily happen, right? Has it already happened and I just haven't seen it? We've seen him referred to as "Long Ears", Long-eared Samurai", "Uncle Usagi", "Usagi-San", "Miyamoto's Little Boy", "Mendicant Ronin", "Boll Weevil", etc...but never as the name appearing on every cover. I'd like to one day see a reference made within the story itself to Usagi as "Usagi Yojimbo". Who's with me???

Dear Readers,
Shredder calls him "Usagi Yojimbo" in the cartoons.
Oh Mighty Shogun, I am with you!
Best wishes to all!
go

[MikeM]

My local comic shop only gets two issues of Usagi in and both are pulled for customers. They don't get any for the shelf.

I go pick up my comics Wednesday after work and meet my one friend there and hang out for an hour. Lately there has been another fellow there at the same time the last several weeks and as comic fans do, we began talking about comics. We then stumbled upon the fact that we are both big Usagi fans. Well that lead into a half hour conversation about the comic and us trying to convert the other people in the shop to Usagi

MikeM