USAGI YOJIMBO Reading Order!

Today I do a complete reading order of my favorite Ronin of all time: Usagi Yojimbo. So join me for this look back at Stan Sakai's greatest creation and how to best read it.
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[@MaximumWarp2099]

Soooooo jealous you have all these in hardcover. While I haven’t read the entire Usagi saga, I have such an incredible respect for Stan Sakai. He’s one of the best cartoonists who have ever lived.

[@kytim89]

There needs to be a TMNT reading order to act as a companion to this video.

[@CanaryBricks]

Yes!

[@krishnansutewari470]

Fantastic job Uncanny Omar! My son Jeremy read the entire series when he was 12 and we got to meet Stan when they had a huge exhibition for him at the Japanese American Museum of Art in Los Angeles over a several month period. If you have the single issue of Usagi #134 (if I remember correctly) my son won a competition and was featured on the back cover of the issue.

[@dwaynemuth8775]

Hi! I just started reading Usagi Yojimbo last year! Walter Simonson is a big fan and gave a great recommendation! Stan impressed me with his work ethic,humble professional approach!

[@CraigGrannell]

I live the optimism of “you should be able to find them” re the DH HCs. I’m grateful I managed to get vol 9 from SpeedyHen. From what I can tell, it never made it to general sale in the UK. If you didn’t pre-order *and* get lucky, tough. (Vol 1 was even more of a problem in the UK.) It’d be good if DH would reprint them as a non-signed version to allow more people to have these wonderful books.

[@amead78]

I love that Sakai added little bits of history into the stories like the tea ceremony and making ink for kites. It’s little things like that that help with the world building and immersion.

[@dboutic617]

USAGI YOJIMBO!!! Congratulations to Stan Sakai for his 2021 Eisner Award wins for Best Lettering and Best Continuing Series for Usagi Yojimbo! I was super-late to the party and only discovered Usagi through this channel and and making up for lost time!

[@ET-ki6go]

The Usagi hardcovers look amazing! Thank you for putting together this video, it's super clear esp when you line them up like that 😁👍 keep up the great work, Omar!

[@freddie8354]

So happy to have seen this, thanks to you I picked up a HC of Usagi from a comic book and it was my first. taste of this character and Im so glad I picked it up. Will most definitely picking up the Saga and the reprint of the special edition 👍🏼

[@nathanielcohn9073]

Great video. I've wondered for a long time whether I should read this series. After watching this, I think the answer is yes.

[@thepuppetmaster9284]

Finally the reading order for one of my most favorite comic ☺️ . Thx for the video Omar 👍🙇🏻‍♂️

[@JV-in9kk]

I love Usagi Yojimbo. Just really well done short stories. Doesn’t matter how old you are Those damn hardcovers are all worth 200-300 now good luck finding them now. Your so lucky

[@parthorstensson7252]

Thanks so much Omar for putting this out! Been thinking about reading Usagi for years, but haven't really looked into it due to the sheer mass of story and wanting to read it from start to finish. Getting into comics some 15 years ago I was reminded how much I enjoyed reading the short pieces of Usagi that was in the Swedish edition of the TMNT comics (those contained issues of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures" comics based on the TV show and released by Archie Comics). As it happens this video have shown me that I've read many of the first Mirage Usagi stories that way. But now I have a way to enjoy this series in a more complete way. Thanks again Omar for triggering my longing for some Usagi Yojimbo in my life!

[@AdamSMessinger]

Goddammit Omar, my wallet only stretches so far! It can’t take much more of you making intriguing statements about beautiful books!

[@FearMonarch]

Yooo that shelf looks gnarly with the whole set 😩 having to settle for paperbacks myself (and half of em second prints) but im just happy to have close to a full run soon

[@CraigGrannell]

For parents with younger kids, Chibi Usagi is a good entry point. My 7yo really enjoyed that volume. There’s a fun crossover with actual Usagi too (which some people here might have read in a FCBD edition).

[@dbrooks199016]

Thank you! I'm looking forward to starting my journey with Usagi!

[@NearMintCondition]

Wonderful! And good journey!

[@ashley8321]

I preordered the hardcover set from Cheap Graphic Novels. I am so excited to start this journey. :)

[@Mob-og6xu]

Do you have a link to where I can order it

[@Arian_re15]

So.... How's that journey going so far?

[@HeavyMetal95]

Usagi Yojimbo is my favorite graphic novel comic from legendary Stan Sakai I think I remember reading usagi Yojimbo graphic novel comic books at the library around November or December 2016 which I remembered I might get the usagi Yojimbo graphic novel comic books at one point

[@deathtone1614]

He just won two Eisner Awards this year as well. I had to go the softcover route. My vol 1 saga got canceled. I luckily I had the Fantagraphics hardcovers from the first printing way back when that was released. Probably would have had the hardcovers of Saga when they were first released but I lacked the funds at that time. Great video, Omar.

[@Popesize]

My first introduction to this little rabbit, was some kind of infopage on the back in the swedish edition of TMNT Adventures. I later got the action figure of him. Also a book in swedish at the library. One of my favorite stories is, and will always be about the blind pig, Ino. I started to buy the IDW version from the beginning, last year, and really enjoy it. This is my favorite comic at the moment, and i will probably try to get my hand the other stories from Dark Horse. I will keep an eye out for the reprint of the Fantagraphics. Thanks for a good walking through, Omar. Keep up the good work.

[@turtleanton6539]

Such an awesome series

[@sonicmanic2556]

The hardcovers are so damn expensive on Amazon. I'll have to settle for the paper backs of the Saga series for now but hopefully one day I can get all the hardcovers.

[@tphoto10]

Nice! My all time favorite!

[@DansBasement]

Oh what!? Reprint of the box set! It's a good day!

[@hanak69]

Got 5 volumes already of the same collection, hope one day I got them all. Because they are fantastic.

[@jimjamx6573]

I love this collection.

[@jamestbrown6317]

Jump in and enjoy the Sakai masterpiece! Love the sentiment that these are SO easy to enjoy and re-read.

[@kpark1762]

DAMN!!! I am so jealous of your collection. You have all the hardcover SAGA collection. :*(

[@jrox1904]

The hardcovers box set & saga vol.1 are 2 of the most expensive books I ever bought . I've sold my box set a few years ago but will be getting the reprint hopefully

[@matthewpeterkinaikuruyamot8743]

This is so epic and masterpiece. 🌟🌟🌟⭐⭐⭐👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@Schmohawkz]

Wow thanks. I’ve always wanted to read this series but everytime I go to start the volumes and collections seem wayyy too complicated! So I appreciate the guidance!

[@christophergreeff9879]

Surely IDW will reprint all this in color as a color classics hardcover line (similar to what they did for TMNT)? That will be a great entry point for new readers.

[@newspooiechannel]

I've been reading Usagi since before I got into mainstream Marvel back in the very early 90s. My uncle used to bring my brother and I to his local comic store and one day I spotted Usagi, recognizing him from his TMNT (1987) cartoon appearances. So he picked me up a couple issues and every time I went back, he'd grab me a few more. I stopped collecting the single issues long ago, but I have (I believe) all but 3 of the original trades going back to the 90s as well and started picking up the softcover Saga collections a few years back, just as they were going OOP. I had hoped to the Dark Horse HCs, but with my pre-orders for Vol. 1 and 9 getting cancelled, I figured I would just stick with my softcovers and hope for another HC release down the line (Are you reading this IDW???). I did, however, pre-order the Hardcover set from Fantagraphics and [fingers crossed] it is still on track to show up, so I am looking forward to that. That said, nice video!

[@skarlok1]

Thanks for the video and explanation about the order of the story. Would prefer Usagi without color ...but what can you do.

[@mattthompson3371]

The best there is at what he does.

[@acluda8026]

Thanks!

[@venomspawn5422]

Definitely peaked my interest. Please do deadpool reading order

[@ashleyn1979]

Think im gonna go for the colour editions. Then upgrade to hardcover colour editions in 5 years or when they come out haha!

[@ashvanichaudhary9782]

Hey Hey hey finally some yojimbo goodness.

[@catfancy1708]

I have the softcover versions and im so happy to own them , hard to get now days, I have to pay a fair but to get them all about a year ago

[@frankscomiccastle4928]

Got volume 9 last week to complete my Usagi-Collection 😊😊 I would also recomend 47 Ronin by Sakai, such a wonderful book.

[@JV-in9kk]

That’s the best version of that story I’ve seen

[@shinigamiphantom1391]

This Saga is popular in Poland. We have translations courtesy of Egmont.

[@johnnieriot13]

I’ve always wanted to read this character/run whatever you want to call it. I’m gonna have to pick up these hardcovers. Great video as always

[@NearMintCondition]

Thank you brother.

[@ChrisRamlar]

hey Omar do you know if the HC Set is going to be available from IST or Amazon??

[@projektvyking7521]

Looking forward to the IDW hardcovers

[@JosephAlanMeador]

That is one IMPRESSIVE collection!

[@mnm25chango2]

Omar, I’m torn. I can’t decide if I should pick up the fantagraphics hardcover or these slim versions that are colored. I know it’s not how it was “intended” but I like the look of the colored editions!

[@ryanp8021]

I preordered the Vol 1 hardcover to jump into this. Is it expected they will do the whole run in hardcover? I feel like the hobby has changed and the whole run would sell incredibly well.

[@bigstewinorlando7059]

Hey Buddy are we getting any New Announcements this week ? We are Impatient lol 😁

[@Madboy525]

YEESSSSS

[@Chandasouk]

Oh man. I love color but also like publication release orders...ahhh

[@dankzilla981]

Omar: “they think of furries” Every kid watching “dad what’s a furry?”

[@systemo20]

I've preordered the first and the 9th volume of those last year. Weeks after release-date i've recieved a message from amazon that my order is canceled because of no books available. So i dont get any of those gems and missed the whole reprint i guess. Is there any sign of a additional reprint on the horizon?

[@Jojofermin-rf9ci]

Im getting usagi yojimbo saga book 1 and book 2 soft covers

[@RyanDudziak]

Do you know if IDW will start printing hardcovers as there are more paperback volumes published?

[@fireboy312002]

I started on Book six and didn't know about the Saga softback until 5. I am one of those jerks that got One and Nine in hardbound. I really wish they would release all of these as the deluxe line and forgo the signature myself.

[@HipHopHappens]

I don't understand the significance of an additional autograph. The whole book is his signature!

[@kevinley8970]

Have you heard anything regarding if the IDW issues will ever be collected in black & white?

[@MrGatsu]

If we get an Usagi Jojimbo DLC for shredders revenge, this is what the stats would probably look like Usagi Power:** Speed:** Range:** Tomoe Ame Power** Speed*** Range* Genosuke Power:*** Speed:* Range**

[@julienhill8129]

Can we please get a Superman reading order!??

[@Malachi_Risinger]

You've definitely peaked my interest. 🤔

[@ReaperXC]

How many origins TPB do you think it will take to collect the Fantagraphics box set?

[@paulb6884]

I’m still waiting for that Robin reading order

[@NearMintCondition]

Going up against another book for next month’s Patreon vote.

[@joshearloflemongrab1727]

Just bought the Slipcase because of this Video. Still no sign of a non-signed reprint of the HC's I assume 😢

[@lucylu59]

Just POed these, the special edition set. Looks like most retailers are sold out, but my contact said the distributor still has some available. Fingers crossed.

[@NearMintCondition]

Fingers crossed Indeed.

[@felixwalne3494]

Envious of your full collection!

[@NearMintCondition]

It took years to build.

[@felixwalne3494]

@@NearMintCondition i bet! I am only missing 3 out of the 9 limited edition sagas. They are like gold dust!

[@0zz1eALT]

good afternoon! i dont know if youre still looking at these video's comments, but, question- can you still buy the dark horse hardcovers? if so, where could you find them? im asking because im trying to collect the books to start reading usagi yojimbo :)

[@maximusmagni1]

Has IDW said if they are going to print hardcover editions of the color versions as they get enough material?

[@vincentimbesi3947]

I’d like to see color hardcovers too!

[@CraigGrannell]

Nothing in public to date. I really hope they’ll do HC volumes that are broadly the same height as the DH run. 2-3 books in each would be good.

[@datboisteve6992]

I'm sorry, but just to clarify again: The Classic Color series from IDW collects the BEGINNING beginning of YJ w/ the Fantagraphics run?

[@JonDelArroz]

Nice flex on those hardcovers.

[@tom3151]

Thanks for this Omar I brought the saga vol 9 tpb not that long ago I knew the right went to IDW but I thought that it was a reboot not a continuation so definitely getting those 2 trades and the origins. Thank you

[@FloydBarker]

I want these books, but I'll never get them in hardcover :(

[@jocool7370]

Once there was an 8-bit computer game called Samurai Warrior. Little did I know that it was based on a comic book.

[@CraigGrannell]

That was my intro to the character as well, on the C64!

[@ReaperXC]

How many trades of Usagi origins would it take to cover all the Fantagraphics box set material?

[@CraigGrannell]

That presumably depends on how much of the original IDW decides to print. However, the original Fantagraphic trades averaged out at about 160 pages. The first two IDW ones average out at 168. On that basis, I imagine you’d probably end up with seven books again (give or take one).

[@larryankenmanjr1719]

Does Usagi Yojimbo in Omni in Manga not the big Black Edition

[@sharebear421]

Is this serious more violent and dark like vagabond or more kid friendly like samurai jack? Was always interested in this

[@michaelthomsen1797]

the death count is quite high, but the deaths are usually done in the style of Sergio Aragones' "Groo", with skeleton heads appearing above the victims, so it's not so dark. There ARE exceptions, like a fairly nasty crucifixion in one of the later volumes. Anyway, it's one of the BEST comics out there, so I recommend it!

[@sharebear421]

@@michaelthomsen1797 so kinda in between? Sounds good!

[@ChamarM]

When i saw Usagi Yojimbo on Ninja Turtles shows i thought he was a TMNT character i never knew he was a existing character from a comic who crossover with the Turtles

[@jirotrom]

Sad we are t getting the hard cover again

[@matthewpeterkinaikuruyamot8743]

Miyamoto Usagi is the king of swordman, and a epic. ⭐⭐⭐👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@swampysaurus3711]

Do you know anything about the Neca Usagi figure? Release date or where to buy?

[@NearMintCondition]

Waiting on the the announcement. I love the NECA line and Super7

[@eyalsr167]

Can you do a tmnt reading order? Please 🥺 🙏

[@freddiealonsonido]

Since I'm new to Usagi (yep took years of recommendations) went for the color editions. Digging how easy it is to go between the first volumes and vol 34 on.

[@haywoco2]

*sees an entire set of the Usagi Yojimbo limited editions* "Look here you little shit"

[@NearMintCondition]

Little? I'm tall for my people.

[@yannisdim.4924]

Has IDW said anything about releasing any OHCs with the coloured stories?

[@NearMintCondition]

Nothing yet.

[@yannisdim.4924]

@@NearMintCondition cheers!

[@iwittges]

O - you think Dark Horse would do a re-prints?

[@NearMintCondition]

They did one of volume 1 HC but it was also limitedz

[@gt_5.0_madness]

Well my wallet just took a big hit, I hope it’s worth it!!👍🏼

[@justaguy6415]

Can you do a Superman reading order?

[@NearMintCondition]

After MOS 4 comes out. That will be up for voting.

[@ReaperXC]

Do you have a link or isbn for the hardcover box set reprint? I’ve been looking for them for months and can’t find the reprint information.

[@CraigGrannell]

This is Reed’s preorder page in the UK, which has info: www.reedcomics.com/usagi-yojimbo-special-edition-hardcover

[@ReaperXC]

@@CraigGrannell thanks mate. Is it a DM reprint only? I can’t find it in bookstores but I also didn’t see it in any preorders at my LCS over the last six months.

[@CraigGrannell]

@@ReaperXC I’ve honestly no idea. I suspect a lot of the stock confusion stems from it (in the UK at least) having the same codes as the original run, so it’s mostly not listed as a new release anywhere. Where are you based?

[@ReaperXC]

@@CraigGrannell that makes sense. Australia.

[@CraigGrannell]

@@ReaperXC I guess talk to your LCS and see what they say. In the UK, it’s still listed as OOP pretty much everywhere I shop but Reed, and there are no pre-orders up elsewhere. Fantagraphics has put up its own pre-order page now though, which has the relevant info about this set: www.fantagraphics.com/products/usagi-yojimbo-the-special-edition-2-volume-hardcover-box-set

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

I'm interested... but collecting all those books will cost a pretty penny. Honestly that's what's kept me away so far, but I'll probably give in and get the Fantagraphics reprint and probably continue from there...

[@reflexnight]

Good list, I just wish you had pinned the names of the collected volumes to the notes so we can hunt them down without having to pause the video and squint at the screen to get the name off the video as you quickly flip the page, The list and info is good just would like to be able to get the info in text form as well.

[@NearMintCondition]

The written documentation is on our Patreon. But I can always leave the titles of books up longer.

[@reflexnight]

@@NearMintCondition thank you :) I've been wanting to get into this comic for years and this is the first reading list that I have seen that makes a bit of since so I'm looking forward to dive in.

[@ReaperXC]

Hellboy next please.

[@bennthirteen3701]

2:54 Japaaan

[@Jojofermin-rf9ci]

Why is he mad at the covers

[@tylerpeck9754]

any chance to raffle these, haha!!!!

[@NearMintCondition]

I gave one Limited volume 1 a few years ago.

[@tylerpeck9754]

@@NearMintCondition sweeet

[@drkryan21]

I honestly don't get why they made these limited editions.

[@NearMintCondition]

They really doubted the power of a little bunny.

[@nextimaginaut]

@@NearMintCondition Has Dark Horse communicated any possibility of testing the waters with a non-limited Vol. 1 HC in light of Sakai’s public star finally rising between his Eisner wins this year and the announcement of the Usagi Netflix series?

[@Chandasouk]

Usagi is the Japanese cousin of Bugs Bunny and Bad Bunny

[@hamzadawud]

I'm not gonna lie, this series has never looked appealing to me. An anthropomorphic samurai bunny? I'm starting to get curious because so many people love the series, but no way would my wallet allow me to attempt to collect another entire series in hardcover.

[@CraigGrannell]

The Dark Horse HCs are nightmarish to find. Your best bet is probably to do what I did: put up an eBay search, be very patient, and wait for someone to offload the entire run.

[@hamzadawud]

@@CraigGrannell Thanks, but I'll probably just skip it since I have so many other comic runs to read. Same with Marvel's Conan stuff.

[@CraigGrannell]

@@hamzadawud You could always pick it up in SC. The Saga trades are released in that format too. It’s such a great series-one of the very best-and it’d be a shame to miss it entirely, even if your backlog is huge.

[@hamzadawud]

@@CraigGrannell Good point, thanks! I'll definitely consider that option.

[@Ringmaster138]

Animated show on Netflix...? Yes!! CGI?!.... Ugh

[@rturo22]

Why do you got a million ads this is almost unwatchable

[@NearMintCondition]

Not sure. I usually turn on ads and don’t put where to place them. I can, since youtube seems to put more and more ads when they have control.

[@rturo22]

@@NearMintCondition I usually don't comment on youtube videos but was interested in the content but the ads killed it. anyways thanks for the response.

[@NearMintCondition]

I’ll check it out and take care of it.