Usagi Yojimbo Volume 19: Fathers And Sons (Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)) [Paperback]

Stan Sakai (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Series: Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse) | Publication Date: August 31, 2005

Breaking into his 20th year of award-winning anthropomorphic samurai adventures, master storyteller Stan Sakai opens this collection with a deadly ambush on the fugitive Lone Goat Assassin and his child, Gorogoro. Lone Goat is victorious, but wounded - and his son is too young to help. Unable to seek proper medical attention, Lone Goat collapses in an abandoned house. What he needs is a knowledgeable ronin, and soon! Elsewhere, Usagi is in a desperate search for his young companion, Jotaro, who has eluded murderous kidnappers. His is a panic that only rises out of fatherly love, though he has kept the secret of Jotaro's parentage from the boy throughout their travels together. If they are able to continue on to Kitanoji Temple, will the rabbit samurai confess before they part ways?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. This is book 19 of the graphic novel series featuring ronin Usagi Yojimbo--a rabbit with ears tightly knotted who roams an inventive medieval Japan populated with bears, lions, and other creatures. In this episode, both Usagi and his "nephew," Jotaro, know they are father and son, but each believes the other is ignorant of the fact and cannot bring himself to speak the truth. Together, they stop gangsters who would do further harm to a wounded goat (who has been traveling the countryside with his own kid); do battle with a deadly fan-wielding villainess; and fend off several groups of ne'er-do-wells in both forest and village. Sakai, known for his solid narratives and energetic art, doesn't disappoint here; characters are expressive, and there's a nice mix of fast action and sentimentality. The idea of the familial secret will extend the appeal of this book beyond series fans to new readers. Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; 1st Fantagraphics Books Ed edition (August 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593073194
• ISBN-13: 978-1593073190
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best of a Series That is One of the Best in Comics, September 25, 2005

By 

Ian Fowler (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo Volume 19: Fathers And Sons (Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)) (Paperback)

In an earlier review, I said how difficult it is to review Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo because of its amazing consistency of quality. Each volume is just a good rousing and satisfying read. However, with this new volume, "Fathers and Sons," Sakai has shown that he is not willing to rest on his laurels, and that he keeps pushing for better things.

Miyamoto Usagi is traveling with Jotaro, the son of the woman Usagi once loved. However, unknown to young Jotaro, Usagi is not merely a beloved "uncle," but his father. Usagi is conflicted. He is escorting Jotaro to Katsuichi, Usagi's sensei, to learn the samurai way. Should Usagi tell Jotaro the truth, or would that cause too much pain for Jotaro? However, there is another secret that Usagi doesn't know that puts a sad and intriguing spin on events.

As the title suggests, the overall theme of this volume is the father/son relationship. The titular story has Usagi and Jotaro coming to the aid of Lone Goat and Kid, Sakai's parody of Lone Wolf and Cub. In "The Pride of the Samurai," Usagi and Jotaro encounter a stubbornly proud but completely destitute ronin and his son as they seek to defend their meager squatter's shack from the local government.

However, not all of the stories concern themselves with paternity. In "Kill the Geishu Lord," Usagi once again crosses paths with the young lord Noriyuki and his vassal Tomoe, as a gang seizes a village to set a trap. It's a straightforward action tale, as is "Hokashi," in which our heroes encounter a group of assassins disguised as street performers. Naturally, this gang has a grudge against Usagi. These stories reveal that Jotaro is quite the formidable little fighter, a chip off the old block. The last story, "Bells," is a tale of Katsuichi-sensei's youth, a sad tale of his love of the woman of another dojo, and the tragedy that resulted.

These are all good stories, but the real impact of this volume lies in Usagi's final decision about telling Jotaro the truth. I won't spoil it, but any astute reader will see it coming, as well as that twist Sakai throws in. Sakai sucessfully writes a very touching moment because it is completely in character for Usagi to make that decision. This attention to character is why this series transcends its furry animal trappings and achieves something quite sophisticated, almost brilliant.

Anyone who hasn't read Usagi Yojimbo should. This volume might not be the best place to start, as it is unusually heavy on past continuity. On the other hand, Sakai makes his work very accessible, even this volume. On its own merits, this volume stands out as one of the best of a series that is in itself one of the best the medium has to offer.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treat for Usagi Fans, April 8, 2006

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo Volume 19: Fathers And Sons (Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)) (Paperback)

The latest Usagi compliation brings us to the end of the travels of Usagi with his son Jothro. It reprints a series of first rate stories (deceptive since there are not more than 5 or 6 that I remember not liking in the entire series.) ending with each of the major characters going their own way.

As a rule the trade paperbacks that deal with a continuing storyline are better since you get the whole story all at once, by rights this volume should be purchaed with volume 18 and read together.

Either way, you will get character development and I think the clue to the way the series will finally end. Sakai said that he had intended to kill off Usagi long before this, I suspect this will wait until Jothro is of age and is prepared to travel on his own.

Either way it is worth your time and money.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun!, March 8, 2010

By 

romevi (Chicago) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo Volume 19: Fathers And Sons (Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)) (Paperback)

Continuing with Stan Sakai's masterpiece graphic novel series, this addition brings a great smile to my face in seeing Usagi and Jotaro venture together.
Though their time with each other is short, each moment was filled with adventure and intrigue, and I really hope Stan has them travel together soon.

From the beginning to the tear-jerking end, this is yet another fantastic addition to the UY series!