UY 123: The Death of Lord Hikiji

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 17:30 -0700

Synopsis and cover are up!

http://usagiyojimbo.com/comingup.html#uy123

Jet_Jaguar · Post by **Jet_Jaguar** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 18:20 -0700

Hmm, intriguing title.

Post by **Mayhem** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 19:36 -0700

Indeed... but is it a prophecy or an intent?

Post by **Todd Shogun** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 20:49 -0700

I don't know but this sounds like the type of story I have been waiting for for a long time...Usagi seeking revenge against Hikiji for the murders of his father, Lord Mifune and his family, as well as countless others. Will Usagi actually meet Hikiji in combat? What are the circumstances under which Usagi agrees to join the Mifune loyalists seeking vengence? I can't wait!!!!

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:32 -0700

Wow.

Uh...is Stan really going ahead with this? He's kept Hikiji in the shadows for so long (since Book One, come to think of it), I started to believe another direct confrontation between Usagi and Hikiji would never come to pass.

It remains to be seen if this turns out to be the real deal, or if Stan pulls a "psyche!" on us at the last second. He's nothing if not sneaky.

The plot summary also sounds VERY reminiscent of the 47 Ronin saga.

estee · Post by **estee** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 13:33 -0700

It's about time Usagi went in revenge for his Lord's death!

Woo-hoo. Can't wait.

Stan rocks.

Ronin-K · Post by **Ronin-K** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 16:58 -0700

Hmm. I don't think Usagi will actually fight Hikiji face to face (too many frickin bodyguards, the coward), but if he does, I wonder if Hikiji is a better swordsman than our favorite Rabbit Ronin.

estee · Post by **estee** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:40 -0700

Many years have passed since they last fought and Usagi has drawn his sword many times since then, while I'm sure Hikiji's blade has remained in its scabbard.

Usagi is the better swordsman now.

Give it to the Rabbit Ronin 8/10, without prep, 10/10 with prep.

Ronin-K · Post by **Ronin-K** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 16:53 -0700

estee wrote:Many years have passed since they last fought and Usagi has drawn his sword many times since then, while I'm sure Hikiji's blade has remained in its scabbard.

HEY, we can all assume that, but we don't know for sure, do we? How do you know Hikiji hasn't spent all that time practicing to defeat the Shogun in a duel or something, and he's really the best? Think about it.

estee · Post by **estee** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:41 -0700

Practice is good...up to a point.

Actual experience in the field is better.

Usagi knows the tricks of the trade by now, how to head fake, hoodwink his adversary.

But the fight between them would rock.

Still giving The Rabbit the majority of fights.

Krogu · Post by **Krogu** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:50 -0700

I don't really think Hikiji will die, a pity it would be very very surprising.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 9:31 -0700

Does anybody know if this is the first issue in a story arc, or just a one-off?

Bogus · Post by **Bogus** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:44 -0700

Just saw this thread, but here is my reply from another section of the forum:

I think it's difficult to say. Hikiji is a sneaky guy, to say the least. With a worse case scenario, I would say that a body double is killed or the Dark Lord himself is seriously wounded and presumed dead.

Also, another thing to consider: if the up-and-coming Usagi vs. the Flying Saucers is to take place, Hikiji, or at least his heir, is currently at odds with a now grown Geishu lord.

Also, the story blurb says that Usagi is pivotal in the Mifune loyalist's plans... does that necessarily mean that he wants to participate? Usagi's character suggests that he isn't one to be an assassin. He has always aided his friends and allies against Hikiji, but the only time he actually attempted to strike directly at him was on a battlefield.

Also, even if Usagi or the others manages to slay him I doubt that would be an end to everything. Just as there are many opposed to the Dark Lord, there are many who are his allies as well. Surely there are those who would come after him/them.

Anyhow, those are just a few of my thoughts on the subject. I'm just excited to get my hands on it!

oxthowe · Post by **oxthowe** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 19:13 -0700

I for one am ultra-psyched about this!

I hadn't thought about Hikiji in recent years, but come to think of it, it's about time we had another Hikiji story. The synopsis really reminds me of the Japanese classic "Chuushingura" ("Treasury of Loyal Retainers" or more commonly known as "The Forty-Seven Ronin"). In it, a daimyo named Lord Asano is provoked into assaulting another lord, Lord Kira, inside the shogun's castle. He is subsequently executed via seppuku. A group of his retainers secretly pledge to avenge Lord Asano by assassinating Lord Kira. They wait over a year before they exact their vengeance.