shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jul 24, 2016 19:49:03 GMT -5
 Published: September 1991 Synopsis: Tomoe's origin Notes: Though written relatively early on, Stan always intended for this story to take place at a much later point in Usagi continuity, when Usagi would return to the Geishu Province for a time. Discuss the issue and/or post full reviews below! |
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Post by stillpoint on Nov 29, 2016 1:24:32 GMT -5
According to the backmatter in Usagi Yojimbo Saga #5, when it came time to finally collect this story in v22, the original art was lost, so Stan redrew it. Saga #5 also collects it, and the backmatter includes selected pages of the original (de-colored) and the redrawn version side-by-side for comparison. Kudos to Dark Horse and collection editor Brendan Wright for that; it's a fascinating feature.
Those side-by-side pages don't include page 5, however. The redrawn version shows Noriko in the background of panel 1 on that page. I've never read the color special; I wonder who or what is in the background of page 5, panel 1 there.
Changing topic, early in this story Usagi says he was one of only three that Katsuichi taught. I don't believe he's including Shunji and Jotaro there, but I'm drawing a blank. Have other Katsuichi "graduates" appeared in the series?
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Nov 29, 2016 10:29:52 GMT -5
Changing topic, early in this story Usagi says he was one of only three that Katsuichi taught. I don't believe he's including Shunji and Jotaro there, I assumed he was. I don't believe so. |
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Post by stillpoint on Nov 30, 2016 1:13:00 GMT -5
Changing topic, early in this story Usagi says he was one of only three that Katsuichi taught. I don't believe he's including Shunji and Jotaro there, I assumed he was. I don't believe so. It wouldn't be the first time I overanalyzed something, but here's Usagi's line: "I am one of just three to whom [Katsuichi] taught this new style...and I am far from the best." The use of "taught" had me thinking some time had passed since the instruction took place, whereas Jotaro is still a student of Katsuichi's and Shunji has just gone to learn a different style. And "far from the best"? Usagi is clearly the best among those three. He would have to be referring to Jotaro's aptitude or potential. Maybe Shunji's too. In short, the phrasing tripped me up, but in all likelihood Usagi means himself, Shunji, and Jotaro. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Nov 30, 2016 7:57:22 GMT -5
I assumed he was. I don't believe so. It wouldn't be the first time I overanalyzed something, but here's Usagi's line: "I am one of just three to whom [Katsuichi] taught this new style...and I am far from the best." The use of "taught" had me thinking some time had passed since the instruction took place, whereas Jotaro is still a student of Katsuichi's and Shunji has just gone to learn a different style. And "far from the best"? Usagi is clearly the best among those three. He would have to be referring to Jotaro's aptitude or potential. Maybe Shunji's too. In short, the phrasing tripped me up, but in all likelihood Usagi means himself, Shunji, and Jotaro. I took it as humility, as well as a recognition that Jotoro has the potential to one day surpass him. I can definitely see your interpretation as well. |
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Post by randomjc on Mar 31, 2017 12:40:06 GMT -5
According to the backmatter in Usagi Yojimbo Saga #5, when it came time to finally collect this story in v22, the original art was lost, so Stan redrew it. Saga #5 also collects it, and the backmatter includes selected pages of the original (de-colored) and the redrawn version side-by-side for comparison. Kudos to Dark Horse and collection editor Brendan Wright for that; it's a fascinating feature. Those side-by-side pages don't include page 5, however. The redrawn version shows Noriko in the background of panel 1 on that page. I've never read the color special; I wonder who or what is in the background of page 5, panel 1 there. Changing topic, early in this story Usagi says he was one of only three that Katsuichi taught. I don't believe he's including Shunji and Jotaro there, but I'm drawing a blank. Have other Katsuichi "graduates" appeared in the series? I checked the original color special because I was curious about Noriko and the background, that panel, in the color issue, features no one else in the panel. And the Three Katsuchi taught, I have in my head that Nakumura Koji mentioned dueling someone else taught by Katsuchi, but I've binged 5 saga books and the fantagraphics collection in a month, so could be wrong. [br |
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Post by usagigoya on Apr 1, 2017 1:47:11 GMT -5
Between having read the color specials long before Jotaro ever began studying under Sensei Katsuichi, and the comment by Koji about having met someone previously who had been taught by Sensei Katsuichi, I always presumed that Usagi was the third student and Shunji and Jotaro were Sensei Katsuichi's fourth and fifth students.
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Post by stillpoint on Apr 4, 2017 0:26:42 GMT -5
Those side-by-side pages don't include page 5, however. The redrawn version shows Noriko in the background of panel 1 on that page. I've never read the color special; I wonder who or what is in the background of page 5, panel 1 there. I checked the original color special because I was curious about Noriko and the background, that panel, in the color issue, features no one else in the panel. Thanks for letting me know! |
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Post by stillpoint on Apr 4, 2017 0:50:15 GMT -5
Between having read the color specials long before Jotaro ever began studying under Sensei Katsuichi, and the comment by Koji about having met someone previously who had been taught by Sensei Katsuichi, I always presumed that Usagi was the third student and Shunji and Jotaro were Sensei Katsuichi's fourth and fifth students. After reading some of those early issues I'd glossed over before, this is what I think, too. There was also Shunji's brother Shunichi. He was apparently the one killed by the swordsman who Usagi killed in "The Duel" (v1 #26). He came after Usagi, too, so he wouldn't be one of those first two students, which means there's still one Katsuichi student we've never met. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 24, 2017 16:12:17 GMT -5
It's crazy that this was written so early on considering how well it fits in the Saga collection.
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Post by richarddragon on Aug 25, 2017 9:45:45 GMT -5
Changing topic, early in this story Usagi says he was one of only three that Katsuichi taught. I don't believe he's including Shunji and Jotaro there, I assumed he was. I don't believe so. When he meets Katsuichi-sensei again in "Circles", I think... they mention Shunji's brother, who had left to hone his skills. Earlier on, before the duel in, well, "The Duel", the reigning champion mentions that he had defeated someone who used the same techniques as Usagi, but not so well. Later, we find out it was Shunji's brother, who was killed by that same samurai. So for me the three graduates are Usagi, Shunji and Shunji's brother, who was named in the series. I'd have to check his name at home. However, when the sensei was talking to that good friend of his (the one that took over the school), I thought he was implying that he had other students before Usagi. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 25, 2017 9:49:57 GMT -5
I assumed he was. I don't believe so. When he meets Katsuichi-sensei again in "Circles", I think... they mention Shunji's brother, who had left to hone his skills. Earlier on, before the duel in, well, "The Duel", the reigning champion mentions that he had defeated someone who used the same techniques as Usagi, but not so well. Later, we find out it was Shunji's brother, who was killed by that same samurai. I'd completely missed this. Thanks much for catching it! |
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Post by richarddragon on Aug 25, 2017 15:34:19 GMT -5
When he meets Katsuichi-sensei again in "Circles", I think... they mention Shunji's brother, who had left to hone his skills. Earlier on, before the duel in, well, "The Duel", the reigning champion mentions that he had defeated someone who used the same techniques as Usagi, but not so well. Later, we find out it was Shunji's brother, who was killed by that same samurai. I'd completely missed this. Thanks much for catching it! My pleasure!  Shunji's brother was named Shunichi, which makes me think he was the oldest brother. Regarding the conversation, it was with Isao on "Crows pt. 1". |
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Post by brutalis on Jul 3, 2019 7:34:40 GMT -5
Having read this last week in the Saga volume, the redraw comparisons helps to show just how much Stan has grown in his design, layout and faces over the years. I adore that full page splash face off and the "duel" between Tomoe and Usagi. Really like the surprised look from Tomoe when Usagi asks if she will concede as well as the sly smirk of satisfaction he wears. You can tell that both were not holding back and taking the sparring very seriously and enjoying the testing of their skills. This also highlights their bond as friends and "more" that they feel but can never express or experience and they can let themselves go and savor the competition and closeness without any hesitation or restrictions when sparring. There is such an intimacy and connection they can share openly while sparring together which speaks volumes of all the hidden deeper depth of their feelings for one another.
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