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Post by stillpoint on Dec 6, 2016 2:11:16 GMT -5
 Published: December 27, 2006 Synopsis: "When the rabbit ronin Usagi Yojimbo agrees to escort a beautiful young woman to the next town, he unexpectedly involves himself in a situation that could have deadly consequences. Upon arriving at his destination, Usagi discovers the town may not be nearly as safe as it first appears. Should he let the woman go, or insist she remain with him because of the danger? If she stays with him, he may be exposing her to even greater peril, but can he really just leave her? It is a difficult decision, one made even more so by the fact that their relationship may be blossoming into something more than just business. " Notes: - Collected in Usagi Yojimbo Volume 23: Bridge Of Tears and The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6
- Alternate ending included in The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6
Discuss the issue and/or post full reviews below! |
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Post by stillpoint on Dec 6, 2016 2:31:06 GMT -5
In a much earlier story, Katsuichi said Usagi's flaw was rashness and rushing into trouble without fully understanding the situation. That's true in the physical realm. If a gang runs a town, he wants to bring it down; if someone is being bullied, he steps in. In the emotional realm, his flaw is exactly the opposite, and it's a greater one. He deliberates and equivocates and avoids, and would rather do so than honor his word. A bit of rashness would have compelled him to tell Jotaro that he's the boy's father. Willingness to face a difficult emotional problem might have saved Mayumi some grief in this issue. She is definitely clingy and won't take a hint (or even an outright declaration), but that's because she has no one else in the world. Having a sincere conversation with her, not abandonment, should have been plan B.
I really feel sorry for Mayumi here. Stan was pretty brave to write a story where the protagonist acts like a jerk, but it's within character.
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,353
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Post by shaxper on Dec 13, 2016 17:17:23 GMT -5
There was an alternate ending to this story that Stan initially published in the sketchbooks and now appears in the Saga edition. I believe Stan said he wavered on which ending to use but, in my mind, it could only end one way.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 26, 2017 11:12:23 GMT -5
There was an alternate ending to this story that Stan initially published in the sketchbooks and now appears in the Saga edition. I believe Stan said he wavered on which ending to use but, in my mind, it could only end one way. With Usagi running through the village at night? Man, I can't imagine this story ending with out that epilogue. |
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Post by usagigoya on Aug 26, 2017 12:09:26 GMT -5
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Post by richarddragon on Aug 26, 2017 21:36:23 GMT -5
Aw, I wanted that one  TBH, I don't see it ending any other way, and I think this particular end would complicate Usagi further down the line. I understand it. But seeing this made me long for what could have been. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 26, 2017 21:58:35 GMT -5
Eh, I much prefer the ending we got.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 27, 2017 7:54:51 GMT -5
Who did the logo for this cover? It's incredible.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,353
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Post by shaxper on Aug 27, 2017 7:56:13 GMT -5
Eh, I much prefer the ending we got. I don't think there's any way the two could have ended up together, but it's nice to know that somewhere, in some alternate Usagi universe, things ended happily for them. |
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Post by brutalis on Aug 10, 2020 13:42:58 GMT -5
Here we get Usagi choosing to break his word and honor in believing he is doing the best thing for Mayumi. It is true they really don't know one another and she had latched onto Usagi only as a means to an end for escaping her dreary village. The longer they remain together the more she will rely upon and "want" Usagi taking care of her. Usagi knows in his heart that he needs to separate quickly for her safety and desire to see her create her own life.
He goes about it all wrong of course since he knows the way of the warrior and not the ways of the heart or women. When realizing he did the dishonorable in essentially running away and leaving Mayumi alone, it is now too late and she is gone, or rather taken away as he will learn later. There are many times that the best of intentions only fall short and do more harm than good.
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