Post by usagigoya on Feb 24, 2021 16:54:25 GMT -5
COMIC BOOK HERO: USAGI YOJIMBO!
by LOIS KAJIWARA (THE PRISM #6, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA, WINTER 2014)
A tough-as-adamantium masterless samurai rabbit for the main character in a successful independent comic book series? Who would have thought? Fortunately for his fans, Stan Sakai, the creator of Usagi Yojimbo, came up with that brilliant thought. Since its start in 1984, Usagi Yojimbo has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary – truly amazing! – of Stan Sakai’s world of Usagi Yojimbo. Popular in the U.S. as well as internationally, Usagi Yojimbo has been published in countries such as Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Sweden.
Set in early seventeenth century feudal Japan, this comic book series features anthropomorphic animals, instead of people, as the characters. The main character is Miyamoto Usagi (usagi means rabbit in Japanese), who is a student warrior on a pilgrimage, occasionally selling his services as a yojimbo (bodyguard). The character of Usagi is inspired by the famous Miyamoto Musashi, known for his innovative swordsmanship and for The Book of Five Rings.
Stan was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to Hawai‘i with his family when he was two years old. Growing up, he took an interest in comic books and Japanese samurai movies. Little did he know at that time that this combination would be very useful for his future. He graduated from UH Mānoa with a Fine Arts degree and moved to the mainland to make a living as an artist.
Stan is a four-time winner of the Eisner Award (the comic book industry’s most prestigious award, with past winners including Frank Miller [Sin City, 300] and Alex Ross [Kingdom Come]), and has won numerous other awards including a Parents’ Choice Award, an Inkpot Award, an American Library Association Award, and a National Cartoonists Society Division Award. A total of 29 Usagi Yojimbo books have been published so far. He has also worked with Stan Lee on the Spider-Man Sunday strips.
I had a chance to interview Stan recently:
THE PRISM: Why did you choose to study at UH Mānoa?
STAN SAKAI: I didn’t want to go to a mainland school, so I chose UH Mānoa for the fine arts program.
THE PRISM: What inspires you to draw and create art?
STAN SAKAI: Well, I have no other skills (LOL), so I enjoy it. As an artist, I’m able to work at home, there’s no commute, and I make my own hours.
THE PRISM: Why did you choose a rabbit as your main character?
STAN SAKAI: At first, I was planning to draw all humans but then I drew a rabbit with a chonmage (topknot). It was a unique but simple design.
THE PRISM: Why do you think Usagi Yojimbo has lasted so long and is still going strong?
STAN SAKAI: I have no idea! I’ve been told that I’m a writer who draws, rather than the other way around. (Note: Stan is both the artist and writer of Usagi). I think the writing keeps the fans interested.
THE PRISM: How will this year’s 30th anniversary be celebrated?
STAN SAKAI: Hard cover editions will be published and I’ll be traveling a lot!
THE PRISM: What is the most satisfying thing about being the creator of Usagi Yojimbo?
STAN SAKAI: The readership – having a core of loyal readers that have followed me through the years, but also gaining new readers.
THE PRISM: How is it to work with Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk)?
STAN SAKAI: I’ve known him for 30 years. One day, Stan Lee called me out of the blue and asked if I wanted to letter Spider-Man. Of course, I said yes! Stan Lee also wrote the introduction to one of my books. He’s a really nice guy.
THE PRISM: What is your fan base like?
STAN SAKAI: Usagi has wide appeal. The fan base ranges from kids to grandparents.
THE PRISM: Where have you traveled for your work?
STAN SAKAI: Australia, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain, Japan, France, Croatia, and many other places.
THE PRISM: Not only for entertainment, comics can also educate. Did you set out to educate your readers on Japanese culture?
STAN SAKAI: Not at first, but I do a lot of research for the stories, so teachers have told me that they enjoy reading Usagi. I’ve spoken at various institutions including the College of William & Mary, Johns Hopkins University, and the Connecticut Historical Society.
THE PRISM: How many years have you attended Comic-Con International?
STAN SAKAI: I’ve been going for 35 years consecutively, and I’ve also been invited as a special guest to this year’s Comic-Con.
THE PRISM: A recent project that you worked on was the 47 Ronin five-issue miniseries. The story of the 47 Ronin, dating back to eighteenth century Japan, is still relevant today. Why does the 47 Ronin story interest you?
STAN SAKAI: Because it is one of the most important and revered incidents in Japanese history. I first heard about it when I was in the third grade and it made quite an impression on me. To work on the mini-series, I took a one year hiatus from Usagi.
THE PRISM: What is your favorite TV show, superhero, and local food?
STAN SAKAI: The Amazing Race, Spider-Man, and laulau.
THE PRISM: What advice would you give to our students?
STAN SAKAI: Set flexible goals in life and when you attain those goals, make new goals.
THE PRISM: What are your proudest professional and personal accomplishments?
STAN SAKAI: The fact that I have been in the industry for so long that I am now regarded as the old-timer. I was also able to meet my heroes – Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, and George Takei. Personally, I’ve been married for 36 years and have two children.
Thinking back over the years, Stan fondly recalled a story about his decision to move to the mainland to work. Although uneasy about that decision, Stan’s father changed his mind upon seeing the standing-room-only crowd at Stan’s first book signing in Hawai‘i. His father said, “Well, guess he’s doing okay.” Perhaps Stan himself is the most surprised at how things have turned out. Considered a living legend in his industry due to his many achievements, Stan’s career has taken him on quite a journey…and there is more to come with the continuing adventures of Usagi Yojimbo!
manoa.hawaii.edu/international/prism/PDF/The_Prism_Winter_2014.pdf
by LOIS KAJIWARA (THE PRISM #6, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA, WINTER 2014)
A tough-as-adamantium masterless samurai rabbit for the main character in a successful independent comic book series? Who would have thought? Fortunately for his fans, Stan Sakai, the creator of Usagi Yojimbo, came up with that brilliant thought. Since its start in 1984, Usagi Yojimbo has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary – truly amazing! – of Stan Sakai’s world of Usagi Yojimbo. Popular in the U.S. as well as internationally, Usagi Yojimbo has been published in countries such as Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Sweden.
Set in early seventeenth century feudal Japan, this comic book series features anthropomorphic animals, instead of people, as the characters. The main character is Miyamoto Usagi (usagi means rabbit in Japanese), who is a student warrior on a pilgrimage, occasionally selling his services as a yojimbo (bodyguard). The character of Usagi is inspired by the famous Miyamoto Musashi, known for his innovative swordsmanship and for The Book of Five Rings.
Stan was born in Kyoto, Japan and moved to Hawai‘i with his family when he was two years old. Growing up, he took an interest in comic books and Japanese samurai movies. Little did he know at that time that this combination would be very useful for his future. He graduated from UH Mānoa with a Fine Arts degree and moved to the mainland to make a living as an artist.
Stan is a four-time winner of the Eisner Award (the comic book industry’s most prestigious award, with past winners including Frank Miller [Sin City, 300] and Alex Ross [Kingdom Come]), and has won numerous other awards including a Parents’ Choice Award, an Inkpot Award, an American Library Association Award, and a National Cartoonists Society Division Award. A total of 29 Usagi Yojimbo books have been published so far. He has also worked with Stan Lee on the Spider-Man Sunday strips.
I had a chance to interview Stan recently:
THE PRISM: Why did you choose to study at UH Mānoa?
STAN SAKAI: I didn’t want to go to a mainland school, so I chose UH Mānoa for the fine arts program.
THE PRISM: What inspires you to draw and create art?
STAN SAKAI: Well, I have no other skills (LOL), so I enjoy it. As an artist, I’m able to work at home, there’s no commute, and I make my own hours.
THE PRISM: Why did you choose a rabbit as your main character?
STAN SAKAI: At first, I was planning to draw all humans but then I drew a rabbit with a chonmage (topknot). It was a unique but simple design.
THE PRISM: Why do you think Usagi Yojimbo has lasted so long and is still going strong?
STAN SAKAI: I have no idea! I’ve been told that I’m a writer who draws, rather than the other way around. (Note: Stan is both the artist and writer of Usagi). I think the writing keeps the fans interested.
THE PRISM: How will this year’s 30th anniversary be celebrated?
STAN SAKAI: Hard cover editions will be published and I’ll be traveling a lot!
THE PRISM: What is the most satisfying thing about being the creator of Usagi Yojimbo?
STAN SAKAI: The readership – having a core of loyal readers that have followed me through the years, but also gaining new readers.
THE PRISM: How is it to work with Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor, and Hulk)?
STAN SAKAI: I’ve known him for 30 years. One day, Stan Lee called me out of the blue and asked if I wanted to letter Spider-Man. Of course, I said yes! Stan Lee also wrote the introduction to one of my books. He’s a really nice guy.
THE PRISM: What is your fan base like?
STAN SAKAI: Usagi has wide appeal. The fan base ranges from kids to grandparents.
THE PRISM: Where have you traveled for your work?
STAN SAKAI: Australia, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain, Japan, France, Croatia, and many other places.
THE PRISM: Not only for entertainment, comics can also educate. Did you set out to educate your readers on Japanese culture?
STAN SAKAI: Not at first, but I do a lot of research for the stories, so teachers have told me that they enjoy reading Usagi. I’ve spoken at various institutions including the College of William & Mary, Johns Hopkins University, and the Connecticut Historical Society.
THE PRISM: How many years have you attended Comic-Con International?
STAN SAKAI: I’ve been going for 35 years consecutively, and I’ve also been invited as a special guest to this year’s Comic-Con.
THE PRISM: A recent project that you worked on was the 47 Ronin five-issue miniseries. The story of the 47 Ronin, dating back to eighteenth century Japan, is still relevant today. Why does the 47 Ronin story interest you?
STAN SAKAI: Because it is one of the most important and revered incidents in Japanese history. I first heard about it when I was in the third grade and it made quite an impression on me. To work on the mini-series, I took a one year hiatus from Usagi.
THE PRISM: What is your favorite TV show, superhero, and local food?
STAN SAKAI: The Amazing Race, Spider-Man, and laulau.
THE PRISM: What advice would you give to our students?
STAN SAKAI: Set flexible goals in life and when you attain those goals, make new goals.
THE PRISM: What are your proudest professional and personal accomplishments?
STAN SAKAI: The fact that I have been in the industry for so long that I am now regarded as the old-timer. I was also able to meet my heroes – Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Neal Adams, and George Takei. Personally, I’ve been married for 36 years and have two children.
Thinking back over the years, Stan fondly recalled a story about his decision to move to the mainland to work. Although uneasy about that decision, Stan’s father changed his mind upon seeing the standing-room-only crowd at Stan’s first book signing in Hawai‘i. His father said, “Well, guess he’s doing okay.” Perhaps Stan himself is the most surprised at how things have turned out. Considered a living legend in his industry due to his many achievements, Stan’s career has taken him on quite a journey…and there is more to come with the continuing adventures of Usagi Yojimbo!
manoa.hawaii.edu/international/prism/PDF/The_Prism_Winter_2014.pdf