Over the course of 30+ years of stories, Usagi has changed tremendously in his character and values to the extent that the original Samurai bunny might almost be unrecognizable when compared to the protagonist of today. We saw Usagi first begin to soften up when he met Gen in Critters #1, gain deep feelings and the ability to be imperfect and internally conflicted in "Circles," question the bushido code in "Dual at Kitanoji, and almost completely turn away from it in "The Death of Lord Hikiji". In that time, we've also seen Usagi become more reluctant to fight, often even choosing to fight with his sword sheathed when bandits and assailants are clearly no match for him.

These days, he feels more like our modern definition of a hero, saving innocents no matter the situation, abhorring violence and bloodshed except as a last resort, looking after innocent children, and respecting women as equals.

And that brings me to "A Life of Mush" (Usagi vol. 3 #32). In that story, a pretty modern-seeming Usagi refuses to allow a child to follow him, not because the road is too dangerous, but because peasants cannot be Samurai warriors.

Of course, neither can women (as folks keep telling Tomoe).

So that has always thrown me. It was historically accurate, but is social class the final frontier for Usagi's ever evolving sense of morality and justice?


Or am I reading waaaaay too much into this stuff, as I tend to do?