TOP 10 USAGI YOJIMBO STORIES - Fiction Addiction

[@koskazoli2841]

Oh Man, yes. That Noodles story! My sister couldn't read it twice it was so heartbreaking. I never knew that crucifiction was a thing in feudal Japan.

[@starhustler1453]

Koska Zoli it shows up like 80 times in Kamen rider

[@mastersplinter8072]

Nickelodeon needs to make a Usagi Yojimbo series......there are so many great stories they could cover. Fun, historical and entertaining...and think of the toy line...win win.

[@nathanunck7134]

I know this comment is three years too late, but Netflix is making a Usagi Yojimbo animated show. From what I understand, it's set in the future, with a descendant of Usagi, but there is still traditions like those in Feudal Japan, and Usagi does have a part in the show, but as of July 4th, 2021, that's all of the details I can find about it.

[@sethcarlow8363]

it's not a bad idea,it's a wonderful idea.

[@jarosbodytko6462]

I started reading Usagi a week ago (he was on my radar for a long time) after the Nick show did such a great job of portraying him, and man, I am not disappointed. I started with the Dark Horse book and Noodles was definitely an impressive story. Can't wait to get my hands on the other books and the Fantagraphics books because I want to read this thing from the start.

[@cbake76]

What a great list! Noodles is a fine choice for No. 1 -- I don't think anyone can call themselves human without having an emotional reaction to his death scene. Such powerful stuff, and such a great series overall.

[@almostideal1306]

My favorite Usagi moment, not story, was the death of General Ikeda in Grusscutter 2.. it was a tearbreaking, badass and a monumental scene.

[@ESophora]

My favorite story is “The Duel”. Mirage no. 8. It shows that people are more than who they are and that because someone is polite and kind that doesn’t mean they are weak. In also contains my favorite quote, “what fools we have In the world....to have mistaken honor for weakness.”

[@FictionAddiction]

Moral of the story - one doth not fuck with the wife of a swordsman.

[@anamount701]

I've been a fan of Usagi since nearly the beginning since stumbling upon him after being introduced to TNMT by Eastman and Laird in the Mirage days. Good to know there are other fans out there. I had the good fortune to meet Stan Sakai back in 1989 at SDCC.

[@Disciple_Of_Lerxst]

One of my favorite stories final battles can be seen at about 8:57 where a samurai drags his wife and baby from town to town dueling for money where he has always been victorious but his wife knows his luck will eventually run out. And it does when he meets Usagi. The final page always made me sad where the wife is waiting outside the town for the samurais return and each panel is of the day growing longer ending with her sorrow knowing he will never return as the sun is setting in the distance.

[@finickiest4940]

Thank GOD the Gambler got what was coming to him. The Duel was a tragedy that’s stuck with me for years.

[@adventarchivist5789]

You know what I wish has a reboot, Cowboys of Moo-Mesa. Think about it, their literal "Cow" boys that's part of the trinity of action animal Comics (sort of). TMNT is the modern city story. Usagi is the ancient Samurai story. However, the Cowboys could be the Western story to balance them out, but that's just me.

[@zemox2534]

Great list dude. I have recently started reading Usagi Yojimbo stories and I have fallen in love with the series. Stan is a genius and his series is amazing.

[@keithcommuneswithhorses1321]

'Music of heaven'. Noodles was great also, as well as Grasscutter. On Jei, when Lightning Flash was ill, he consented to the will of his 'niece' to take her to a nearby monastery for healing. Interesting character.

[@krraika1847]

At first I wasn't sure when you started talking about Noodles, but seeing the panels made me remember INSTANTLY. It must be one of the earliest Usagi Yojimbo comics I read (from my local library, I think), and I'm surprised how much I can still remember the impact it left even if I had forgotten bits of it. Really good stuff.

[@xanderfoley6641]

My favorite is when he steals a dead soldiers short sword and he feels guilty and goes back. Its a good lesson and my explanation doesnt do it justice its in the first volume

[@FictionAddiction]

The Kid Usagi stories are great, a good luck into what shaped his morals. Good choice.

[@wiibrockster]

A Mother's love Actually made my friend Cry and Noodles almost made my cry

[@crimsonflame2k]

A MOTHER'S LOVE, MAN. THAT SHIT WAS DEPRESSING. EDIT: That aside, I really have to thank my dad for introducing my eldest sister and I to these comics. Unfortunately, I have been only able to read the stories by Fantagraphics Books (through those compilation books), and have long since misplaced my copy of Book Seven. Believe me, I was quite upset about that.

[@dinocomics4ever482]

I love how Stan Sakai uses innocent looking images to present bloody stories Good video man!

[@ftloc]

Terrific video! For fans of the rabbit ronin, this is pure joy. And although it's geeky enough for the fans, it's also a wonderful introduction for newcomers (minus the spoilers, of course).

[@susiearnold]

it has been years since I read these comics I only really remember three stories. one of which you showed in this video was that of the mother who had to kill her son in particular where she sang an old lullaby to him as her son dies in her arms. the second is the story where Usagi met the lizard that always follows him where the lizard is on top of a tall rickety tower scared of a shop-keep below and how Usagi stayed up there with the lizard for days to get it to come down willingly Usagi eventually saved the lizard when the angry shop-keep cuts down the tower and thus Usagi gain a loyal traveling companion. the third story is where Usagi and Gen try to trick each other into paying the inn tab causing both of them to leave without paying and get chased out of town.

[@FictionAddiction]

boy buster2 wow, these are old school Fantagrsphics stories! The Tower is awesome, and was on the list of candidates, very nearly making it into the honorable mentions, but I HAD to keep it down. A Mother's Love and Noodles are easily tje closest I have come to a comic book making me cry. I have memories of getting teary eyef jusy describing them to a friend once.

[@205mohamad]

The Father & Son arc actually had me tearing up at the end. Its for sure one of my favorites.

[@FictionAddiction]

"USAGI! YOU ARE MY FATHER!" Strong stuff.

[@205mohamad]

Fiction Addiction God dang it man, I read that line and it hit me again.

[@Mextlatec]

@@FictionAddiction are you going to make a video on the Usagi Yojimbo Netflix TV show called Samurai Rabbit Usagi Chronicles

[@FictionAddiction]

@@Mextlatec Once it airs, absolutely.

[@Mextlatec]

@@FictionAddiction ok thank you

[@qweenbean5036]

I started reading Usagi when I was I think…14 years old and when TMNT released the Usagi arc I was beyond hyped. As for my favorite story I would have to say it’s either “Runaways” or “Kaiso”. Runaways because it shows a glimpse into Usagi’s days as a samurai but it’s also a nice little forbidden love story involving Usagi and the princess he was protecting. As for Kaiso, I love it because it’s just a fun story of him learning about kaiso (seaweed) farming and it’s a bit wholesome P.S. Noodles fucking broke me when I read it. I have friends who are on the autistic spectrum and seeing how Kitsune reacted after Noodles dies just killed me

[@finickiest4940]

For my favorite right now, I’ve gotta go with Runaways. I’m re-reading the series and trying to tally up all the kills in each book, but Runaways I had to reread it so many times because I was looking for details like Shingen lurking in the background, underlaying themes of honor and suffering to live and authentic life, and so many more. A heartbreaking story to think that Usagi’s entire life could have been different if he had chose to go live happily. The last few panels of him watching the Kago walk by and fail to see Kinuko’s flower just… it’s indescribable. I’ve been an avid fan of this series for like 6 years now and that one has always stuck with me.

[@SKDocumentaries]

Thank you for making this video. I haven't been able to read any of the stories that preceded "Grass Cutter". It's also good to see that some one other than me is a huge Usagi fan.

[@jasoncustomizer56]

I'm very curious about this series now I'll have to check it out! I also wanted to say Esh that your fan art is very well done.

[@TheBlindDM]

Respect. I hope the Netflix version keeps of the respect

[@EliseDaSnareChick]

I love this series! I plan on adding the rest of the comics into my collection, since I only have volumes 1(Ronin), 3(The Wanderer's Road), and 4 (The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy). Here's my favorite part that stuck out to me in Volume 4. Usagi is speaking to Captain Torame, and Torame starts talking about the riddles of Bushido. Torame: "which more exemplifies Bushido--A samurai who serves a good and fair lord or one who faithfully serves a wicked lord?" Usagi: "The one who is loyal to his evil lord, of course!" Loyalty is the first principle of Bushido! Ha! I haven't heard that one since I was a tot! Torame: Do you know this one: "Is there ever a circumstance when *rebellion* against one's lord can be justified?" Usagi: "Never!" Torame: Ah...but it CAN be justfied...if the rebellion SUCCEEDS!

[@SenZo816]

Awesome list! Im glad to see you added blood wings as an honorable mention. Usagi Yojimbo #10. Blade of the gods is number one on my list!

[@warwulf1889]

12:19 Guido Mista: Those assassins never stood a chance. They should've known not to have four members in their group.

[@kyleedc1987]

my fav book of usagi yojimbo is duel at kitanoji love it when usagi reunites with katsuichi and jotaro

[@FictionAddiction]

kyleedc1987 Duel at Kitanoji was definitely high on the list!

[@UTYuetu]

A mother's love made me cry such a striking tale

[@jadominek7116]

Thanks for the videos - never heard about UY before and because of them I've started reading the comic just yesterday. I'm highly impressed already :)

[@berserksamurai]

Kinda surprised there was no love for Duel at Kitanoji nor that Grasscutter didn't make the top 10

[@colorado13]

Big Usagi fan here, and also a recent convert (actually started last year). Saw you doing a shameless plug of your channel on the forums ;) and decided to follow it. Very good stuff indeed! :)

[@FictionAddiction]

colorado13 nevet clained to be a proud samurai

[@colorado13]

"Ah, you're a man after my own heart" (Gennosukke) BTW, did you get to read Legends? I liked 'Senso', and I can see Space Usagi's appeal, but I was never a big sci-fi fan

[@misstary13]

my personal favorite is promise in the snow.

[@FictionAddiction]

misstary13 spooky! Good stuff!

[@NickJohnCoop]

This was one of the best assessments of Usagi they’re ever could have been. I salute a true Usagi fan

[@FictionAddiction]

Than you! There's a couple more Usagi related videos on my channel, and I have plenty ideas for future ones. Stay tuned!

[@pierrelewis6819]

I will love to see a non-canon, crossover with Usagi Yojimbo and Inuyasha or Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon.

[@TheImaginator972]

I really like to thank you for talking about your favorite books. Yesterday I have finally got my package of "Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 1" and I have always enjoy the awesome samurai rabbit from TMNT, and I really need to know about this awesome samurai ronin. Usagi Yojimbo really reminds me like Samurai Jack, and I hope you'll talking and review about the characters.

[@FictionAddiction]

Glad I've convinced you to give it a go. There's still plenty of Usagi material to talk about, so don't worry, I've got a bit planned still

[@Sohave]

Bridge of tears is brutal, one of the darkest Usagi stories ever. only rivaled by its prologue: A crippled beggars son gets killed by a samurai who wants to test the new sword he has bought, a beggars association hires the assassin to enact revenge, the assassin and his prostitute fiancé promises each-other to retire after their final job but, (spoiler alert) the assassin mistakes her for someone else and accidentally cut her down in a dark alley. This causing the assassin to loose all hope in obtaining happiness.

[@PunkerMike]

Great Video Mate!!

[@revenauts]

I love the Ishida stories and mysteries the best.

[@Sohave]

Oh yes the mother of the mountains! Noodles was really sad and also really cool and I love Kitsunes character but for some reason it did not end on my personal top shelf. Kitsunes story is also an interesting issue.

[@alexphillips4644]

I met Stan Sakai yesterday at a signing event at Knowhere Games and Comics in San Marcos, CA.

[@alexphillips4644]

@max123994 he was okay with a smile on his face. I even asked an interesting question about a crossover with a mainstream superhero like Batman/TMNT. His response: Wolverine...which makes sense because he has the heart of a samurai since the 1980s.

[@violindeer1648]

Does anyone else besides me try and like put yourself into the Usagi story’s or is it just me?

[@fruitbat422]

You'er too late, I already have Usagi Yojimbo volumes 1, 2 and 3.

[@thecinematicmind]

Thank you for introducing me fully to Usagi Yojimbo.

[@MeloTheHuman]

ok quick question so which do you recommend? Usagi Yojimbo : The Special Edition or Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volumes

[@FictionAddiction]

You can honestly do either. The only difference is that one starts earlier in the series' run. "Special Edition" collects all the books published by Fantagraphics, while Saga starts with the short Mirage run, and then contains all of Dark Horse. I personally started with Saga vol. 1 because I got it as a christmas gift and read all the earlier stuff later. Thanks to Usagi being largely episodic, this is not a hindrance at all. As far as I know, Special Edition is a bit harder to come by and more expensive than the Saga books (makes sense considering it contains like 8 collections), so Saga 1 is a perfectly fine place to start and pick up the rest later. Hope I helped.

[@wiibrockster]

Usagi is One of the best Comic Series I've ever Read! He deserves his own Series! I know there was a Pilot for Space Usagi in 1994 but they could try again

[@SpedeVesku]

I'm sure that I'm not to first to say this, but this video made me check out Usagi. I was little curious before, thanks to his guest appearences in TMNT cartoons, but this video gave me an idea/taste, what his own stories are like, which was the final push I needed. Now, I own and have read the Special Edition of the Fantagraphics run, the first two Saga collections from Dark Horse and The Legends collection, and I recently started the third Saga collection. I don't think that there has been a single story that I outright disliked so far and Usagi quickly became one of my all-time favorite comics.

[@FictionAddiction]

That's awesome! Glad I can get people to check out some cool stuff.

[@RPGGamer]

People think that because Usagi has anthropomorphic animals starring it's childish, but when you see one of those brutally crucified, it definitely proves otherwise.

[@wiibrockster]

Usagi can be really Deep sometimes

[@frankrwalsh]

I love the little dinosaurs.

[@toadiefrogvideo9579]

My favorite thing about these storys is how acurete it can be ro actual japan

[@Elfos64]

After seeing him in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the 2003 series and learning that he's from his own comic series written by someone who's close personal friends with Peter Laird and then seeing him in the 2012 series, I was curious to read where this Bushido Lagomorph came from. My brother gave me 3 trade volumes of Usagi Yojimbo comics. I started with Grasscutter. Why? Literally no other reason than I recognized everyone on the cover. I was like "Hey, that's Genosuke and Tomoe, they were in the 2003 series, and that's Jei in the background, he was in the 2012 series"., and thusly assumed it had the highest chance of me being able to follow along with it. I was a little disappointed with Grasscutter, the prologue was way too long and felt like an extra convoluted and yet somehow too cut down version of Japanese Mythology I already knew. Even barring that, the story just felt kind of... mediocre. It wasn't bad, but I was expecting to like it a lot more than I did.

[@helious5056]

Have you red elf quest yet

[@FictionAddiction]

holozlaer 235 I haven't. I remember them being in my school library, but I was too young to get into them at the time.

[@helious5056]

Fiction Addiction dude the main line series elf quest comics are amazing and I highly recommend them. There some of the best story's I have ever read and some of the best art to along side world building that could easily be considered among the ranks of star wars, lord of the rings and others. Sorry if it sounds like I'm kinda over hyping the sires but it is truely a astonishing story that is sadly often overlooked and forgotten by many people. I think the husband and wife dou have released alot of there comics on there website or amozon also has them In fiscal form but be careful because if I remember there are two volume ones with one being for the original sires and the other for the continuation witch I have not read yet so I can't attest to its quality. Sorry if my spelling is not the greatest. And consider this a simple recommendation from a fellow fiction addict.

[@keithcommuneswithhorses1321]

Agree. I started reading Elf Quest around 1983. Great series. Adult oriented, yet ok for most kids.

[@warwulf1889]

Is Jay under the employ of Izanami, that would explain a lot.

[@frankrwalsh]

I am a long time fan of Usagi Yojimbo.

[@0ned]

Nice list, thanks. Any New York City viewers, our public libraries have an extensive collection of most Usagi reprints available for lending. I would have picked a different list for myself, as everyone has a different perspective from which to view, but it was nice to hear from someone else on the subject. The war scenes in volume two of the original Fantagraphics reprints comes to mind as my number one, and Daisho as my number two, but I definitely remember Noodles as a standout. I may have given more attention to Jotaro, and certainly the stories of Usagi's own childhood were among those I enjoyed most, but you definitely have a good grasp of the drama and tragedy that makes it award winning literature, and not just funny animal cartoons Lastly, I would have drawn attention to the lettering and backgrounds. Sakai's lettering is award winning on its own, but the backgrounds are often ignored, though, like the tea ceremony, are integral to Sakai's interpretation of Japanese culture in expression of nature. Thanks again for a fun recap. I hope you enjoy following the series's development. I've been a reader for over twenty years and have probably read the first twenty-five reprint volumes twice at least. I came across your video looking for Usagi cartoons and liked the one you did about that, so I'm glad I took the time to watch this one. Let me know if you have any plans to do a presentation on Barefoot Gen by Nakazawa Keiji, and I'll subscribe to your channel. It's not easy to criticize the classics, but you did well with Usagi Yojimbo, so keep up the good work! Cheerio!

[@FictionAddiction]

Glad you enjoyed. The video was meant to simply highlight stories I like - I am not qualified to speak in detail at processes like lettering, I feel. If you are curious about further stories I enjoy, I did actually make a sequel to this video that you can find on my channel. As for Barefoot Gen, hoo boy. I have only really seen the movie, and I can't say when I will get around to the actual comic - or in what context I'd even bring it up on this channel either. But it might be something worth bringing up sometime.

[@0ned]

@@FictionAddiction heavy, very heavy, but fictionalized... ;)

[@sergioarroyo1923]

Fantagraphics was the best run!

[@irishknight6893]

This is the video I actually meant to comment on ha, I love usagi! I’m a huge comic fan, usagi has some of the best life lessons and stories, do you read a lot of comics and manga??

[@FictionAddiction]

I mostly read superhero comics, IDW Turtles, Usagi and some graphic novels. The only Manga I have bought in a while would be various Junji Ito work, but I do enjoy Manga and have my old ones from when it started to gain traction on Denmark.

[@irishknight6893]

Fiction Addiction nice! For manga I would highly recommend Vinland saga, berserk! Idw turtles is excellent, I would recommend reading invincible if you love super hero comics like I do as well,hellboy,bprd,sixth gun,sandman, also if you like some horror ,you play games at all? I want ghost of Tsushima, last of us 2 and cyberpunk 2077 very badly!

[@jarrodlee1506]

Got book one in 1992.always loved it. It's my only one. May get back into it

[@gawreluck]

why didnt i read these comics before tell me where did you find those usagi volumes in having trouble finding them any info would be helpfull thank you

[@larrsstine-updegraff6796]

Kitsune and gen would a great couple. Hope noriko and tome have if in the art of combat.

[@ricardoramos1059]

I want a usage anime style series or a movie trilogy and don't tell me there isnt material. There's a boat load of stories to make up to 3 movies or a 25 ep 3season series

[@saudade1236]

Just askin where did u get the usagi comics at

[@gutsonthemic5261]

i hope the animated series is this good

[@Usagi_Shane]

Great video. Danm you got it.

[@danielross5292]

Ahhh My favourite as well But Very Rare to Find in Australia So Sad!😢

[@jarrodlee1506]

Daniel Ross .got book one in Melbourne in 1992.

[@user-fg5te4vz2n]

Where was the lone goat and son?

[@johncaulfield8935]

18:08 DAYUM! Usagi is ripped!

[@KL-os2sr]

Usagi coming to Netflix!

[@mailyshoyoux5825]

Bonsoir, Votre vidéo promettait d'être intéressante , car j'adore Usagi (😻😻😻), mais malheureusement pour moi vous parler trop vite je n'ai pas su lire les sous-titres étant donné que je ne comprends pas l'anglais. J'espère que vous saurez répondre à ma question. Est-ce que vous connaissez le comics ''Dead on the cross''? Il parait que dans cette œuvre Gennosuke devienne l'ennemi juré de Usagi, mais je voudrais bien savoir pourquoi ! En vous remerciant d'avance pour votre aide, je vous souhaite une excellente soirée !

[@FictionAddiction]

I still have to respond to this in english, as I do not speak french. I hope you have an easier time in writing. Apologies for speaking too fast. I tend to do that. As for the story, I am pretty sure I own all Usagi comics by now, but I don't remember one where the two become enemies. The closest I can think of is the Space Usagi mini series where they start out this way, and where an evil impostor once disguised himself as Gen. This sounds intriguing. Do you have any links to anything about it? Or is this a recent story?

[@mailyshoyoux5825]

Good morning or good evening, I am using google translate to answer you. Thank you for having been able to find the time to answer me. I can understand that your love for Uagi made you speak at the speed of light, it is not me who will blame you! ;) I saw this information on "Usagi Yojimbo Wikipedia" (in French) below the summary on Gennosuke. Here is the link: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usagi_Yojimbo Thanking you in advance for your lights, I wish you a pleasant day or evening!

[@ortegascz343]

Is Senso good or not?

[@joshuaunderwood7178]

1 of my fav's is the roin and the dragon down below too💀SoulReaper 💀✌Out I'm 👻

[@pierrelewis6819]

I wonder, do Japanese people know about Usagi Yojimbo. I feel Japanese American people know about Usagi Yojimbo, but I don't know about Japanese people from Japan. 🗾

[@solartiger346]

I see many of stories you list make they way into usagi's cartoon

[@FictionAddiction]

solartiger346 that would be fantastic. Dragon Bellow Cobspiracy a d Treasure of the Mother of Mountains could both be a badass multi-part and season finale!

[@solartiger346]

indeed would fantastic

[@Espada2234]

I hated what nick did to his character. The 2003 version is my fave

[@tayojones9460]

What was wrong with the Nick version?

[@Espada2234]

In the 2003 version he was serious but pleasant much like Leo. he and leo get along ya know like actual friends as they supposed too. In the nick version he is extremely judgmental hostile and he and leo hate each other's guts for 90% of the time

[@TheHeroOfTomorrow]

God, I wish I could find more of this comic...

[@Usagi_Shane]

I love you man.

[@deltasquad8817]

Furries

[@jackthunderbolt4307]

you did actually lol. that and @gaijingoombah which samurai video on him