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Post by stillpoint on Dec 20, 2016 1:08:01 GMT -5
 Published: September 24, 2008 Synopsis: "People tend to ignore the homeless and destitute, but not Usagi--especially when he discovers the same beggar in every town to which he travels! Curious, Usagi begins a search to uncover the mendicant's identity. Little does he know, the Neko Ninja Clan is after the beggar as well. Indeed, there is more to this figure than meets the eye, but no one would guess that the mystery leads all the way to the Shogun!" Notes: Collected in Usagi Yojimbo Volume 25: Fox Hunt and The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6Discuss the issue and/or post full reviews below! |
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Post by stillpoint on Dec 21, 2016 2:00:10 GMT -5
This is a 20-page story spread over 24 pages, which means we see more than the usual number of panels of characters walking silently through towns and countryside. And I actually really like that. I especially love the street scenes Stan draws (in any issue, not just this one) and picking out characters from the bird's eye view. I think I would enjoy an issue that was nothing but Usagi wordlessly traipsing through bustling towns and towering forests.
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,333
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Post by shaxper on Dec 21, 2016 9:12:51 GMT -5
I think I would enjoy an issue that was nothing but Usagi wordlessly traipsing through bustling towns and towering forests. Absolutely! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 29, 2017 14:12:40 GMT -5
The details in that town were really fantastic, and I agree I think Stan could easily pull off a wordless Usagi story.
The ending confused me a bit though, as it always seemed that Usagi was for the Shogan so destroying the spy's report seemed counter to that.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,333
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Post by shaxper on Aug 29, 2017 14:24:28 GMT -5
The details in that town were really fantastic, and I agree I think Stan could easily pull off a wordless Usagi story. The ending confused me a bit though, as it always seemed that Usagi was for the Shogan so destroying the spy's report seemed counter to that. In the early days, Usagi seemed to take the Shogun's side, but I think it was more that his lord supported the Shogun and that folks working against the Shogun usually seemed to be the ones doing something awful (especially Lord Hikiji). But we've seen Usagi grow a lot more a-political since then. The Death of Lord Hikii storyline really cements the idea that Usagi is beyond allegiances and taking sides now (other than where the Geishu Clan is involved), and that leaves me wondering if Stan is done with doing political mega storylines in the vein of the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy and Grasscutter I and II, each of which required Usagi to take a side. On a related note, Usagi spends all of his time in provincial towns and farming communities. I wonder if he'll ever go to Edo. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 29, 2017 14:31:14 GMT -5
The details in that town were really fantastic, and I agree I think Stan could easily pull off a wordless Usagi story. The ending confused me a bit though, as it always seemed that Usagi was for the Shogan so destroying the spy's report seemed counter to that. In the early days, Usagi seemed to take the Shogun's side, but I think it was more that his lord supported the Shogun and that folks working against the Shogun usually seemed to be the ones doing something awful (especially Lord Hikiji). But we've seen Usagi grow a lot more a-political since then. The Death of Lord Hikii storyline really cements the idea that Usagi is beyond allegiances and taking sides now (other than where the Geishu Clan is involved), and that leaves me wondering if Stan is done with doing political mega storylines in the vein of the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy and Grasscutter I and II, each of which required Usagi to take a side. On a related note, Usagi spends all of his time in provincial towns and farming communities. I wonder if he'll ever go to Edo. I'm really excited to get to the Death of Lord Hikiji story. It's a shame that the polotical stories are at an end as Dragon Below and the Grasscutters were my favorite "big" stories. And I'd love to see Stand draw Edo, I love how detailed he sometimes gets with the little villages so a bustling metropolis would no doubt look amazing. |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,333
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Post by shaxper on Aug 29, 2017 14:45:59 GMT -5
In the early days, Usagi seemed to take the Shogun's side, but I think it was more that his lord supported the Shogun and that folks working against the Shogun usually seemed to be the ones doing something awful (especially Lord Hikiji). But we've seen Usagi grow a lot more a-political since then. The Death of Lord Hikii storyline really cements the idea that Usagi is beyond allegiances and taking sides now (other than where the Geishu Clan is involved), and that leaves me wondering if Stan is done with doing political mega storylines in the vein of the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy and Grasscutter I and II, each of which required Usagi to take a side. On a related note, Usagi spends all of his time in provincial towns and farming communities. I wonder if he'll ever go to Edo. I'm really excited to get to the Death of Lord Hikiji story. It's a shame that the polotical stories are at an end as Dragon Below and the Grasscutters were my favorite "big" stories. It's a pattern in the samurai tales on which Usagi is so lovingly based for the wise samurai to lay down arms and seek a life of peace in his later life. While I doubt Usagi is going to stop travelling all together and pick up a plowshare (though it would make for a GREAT story arc if he did, and then an old rival came calling for him), he's certainly matured in recent years and calmed down quite a bit. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 29, 2017 15:02:13 GMT -5
I'm really excited to get to the Death of Lord Hikiji story. It's a shame that the polotical stories are at an end as Dragon Below and the Grasscutters were my favorite "big" stories. It's a pattern in the samurai tales on which Usagi is so lovingly based for the wise samurai to lay down arms and seek a life of peace in his later life. While I doubt Usagi is going to stop travelling all together and pick up a plowshare (though it would make for a GREAT story arc if he did, and then an old rival came calling for him), he's certainly matured in recent years and calmed down quite a bit. I'd love to see Old Man Usagi some day, although I loved Senso that definitely wasn't the end for Usagi in my mind. |
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Post by brutalis on Dec 6, 2020 13:41:13 GMT -5
Nice one and done which still connects and even advances storylines. Of course Usagi destroys the book as it provides too much valuable information on himself and others which he knows. Knowledge is neither good or evil but dependent upon who owns such knowledge it can be turned to evil usage. If it can be lost or destroyed then it will be valueless and those reported upon are essentially safe.
I am another in the camp for a silent issue filled with travels through the surrounding forests and villages. Stan draws such towns details exquisitely and his skillful touch provides mountain forestry and majesty in splendid beauty. A full story would be very special and magical.
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