Usagi Yojimbo, Book 3: The Wanderer's Road [Paperback]

Stan Sakai (Author), Robert Asprin (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1989

Perhaps the best samurai rabbit story ever told. With "The Tower" (introducing Spot the Wonder Lizard), "Return of the Blind Swordspig," the hilarious Groo tribute "The Tea Cup," and a crossover with the Ninja Turtles!

Usagi Yojimbo Book 3 collects full-length Usagi stories from issues #7 through #12 of the original Fantagraphics series, including "The Tower" (which introduces Usagi's traveling companion Spot the Wonder Lizard), "Return of the Blind Swordspig," "A Mother's Love," "Blade of the Gods," "The Shogun's Gift," and the hilarious Groo tribute "The Tea Cup," co-starring the amoral mercenary rhino Gen. ("Gen does what Gen does best!") Plus, the little-seen Usagi team-up with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, "Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew," written and drawn by Sakai. A must-have for adventure lovers of all ages! Black-and-white comic throughout

Editorial Reviews

Review

“These bittersweet adventure stories offer entertaining reading, especially for young Asian-Americans who feel excluded from mainstream juvenile literature.” (Los Angeles Times )

“One of the most original, innovative, well-executed comic books anywhere to be found.” (Stan Lee )

“I’ve just finished the fourth Usagi Yojimbo trade and the fifth is sitting next to me... If you’re like me, throw away your preconceptions about anthropomorphic comics and get on board. As a fan of samurai fiction (to the point of having a Seven Samurai tattoo) and comics, I can’t recommend Stan Sakai’s beautifully drawn, note-perfect reinvention of the genre highly enough.” (Kevin Church - BeaucoupKevin.com )

About the Author

Stan Sakai is a third-generation Japanese American and multiple Eisner-Award-winning cartoonist, creator of the popular and long-running Usagi Yojimbo comic book. Born in Japan, he grew up in Hawaii and lives in Pasadena, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Fantagraphics Books (November 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156097009X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560970095
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 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 (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The bunny with the skills, June 26, 2001

By 

Ron Tothleben ([e-mail]) (Tilburg, Netherlands, Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo, Book 3: The Wanderer's Road (Paperback)

Just a little clearifying in advance (because I was getting a bit confused myself seeing a title that says "Usagi Yojimbo book 3" and then a subscription that says "Usagi Yojimbo book 2" and THEN a review that says "Usagi Yojimbo book 6", this review is for volume THREE which collects #7-12 of the Fantagraphics volume).

Okay, let's get on with it: I think the strength in this book lies in the fact that it can be enjoyed by people in many different ages and points of interest. It has something for everyone. For some people it's a book filled with fun, easy to follow stories about a Samurai-bunny who wanders around the country and gets involved into all sorts of adventures. Some more seriously (see "A Mother's Love"), some more funny (See "The Tea Cup"). To others it's also a collection of stories with real good characterization. All the characters are portrayed as animals, but the sort of animal each character portrays is far from randomly chosen. The sort of animal is clearly chosen on the personality of that certain character, without using cliches to do so. And the interaction between the characters works really well. Both in dialogue as in 'screenfilling'. Next to that Stan Sakai has also worked in some really nice references, traditions and customs of the old eastern philosophy which will be appreciated by those who have eye for it. Stories about the honor of a clan, the tea ritual and sacred swords. Overall it's like I said a very nice read for many people. The only minor-point to it (for me at least) is that's it over before you know it. For $13 it's an awfully quick book to finish, which is partially due to it not being a very text-heavy book and also partially due to it being a little short (140 smaller-than-regular-comic-format pages. If you know the book "Maus" you know what format I mean). But about the story itself you're not likely to be disappointed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Usagi kicks into high gear!, June 14, 2008

By 

shaxper (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo, Book 3: The Wanderer's Road (Paperback)

Usagi Yojimbo is the kind of quality work that transcends time, genres, demographics, and even age groups. It crafts a delicate and beautiful balance between honor and savagery, cute innocence and dark brutality, simple heart-warming stories and multi-part epics that shape a dense continuity. Whether or not you've ever been a fan of feudal Japanese culture, furry anthro characters, or independent, non-superhero comics, Usagi Yojimbo is a comic that can't help but impress even the harshest critic.

"The Wanderer's Road" (volume 3 of the series), is really where so much of this title's charm first begins to shine. We begin with "The Tower," a truly touching story in which Usagi risks everything to save the life of an innocent creature, gaining an unforgettable traveling companion in the process. In contrast, "A Mother's Love" was the first of many Usagi stories to paint a tragedy so rich that it brought me to tears. This is quickly surpassed by "Return of the Blind Swordspig," a story which not only brings back a fantastic character (you'll want to go back and consult volume 1 for the genesis of this conflict), but also concludes with an incredibly touching resolution. "Blade of the Gods" introduces "Jei," Usagi's greatest and most disturbing nemesis in a story that isn't easily forgotten. Finally, the Tea Cup is a fun and intriguing Usagi & Gen team-up (Gen also first appears in volume 1), and The Shogun's Gift brings back Lady Tomoe and Lord Noriyuki while also resurrecting and developing the threat of the Neko Ninja Clan.

All in all, Volume 3 brings back many early characters to help build and expand upon Usagi's world, all while painting rich, memorable stories that will pull on the heart strings as easily as they pump your adrenaline. This is the first of many times that Sakai really seems to outdo himself, taking his work to a whole new level of art and storytelling. Don't miss it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Fun Collection, September 24, 2006

By 

Alexander Heaukulani (Hilo, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Usagi Yojimbo, Book 3: The Wanderer's Road (Paperback)

In this collection we are introduced to Spot (the pet lizard), Jei (demon samurai), and Shingen (leader of the Neko Ninjas). We are also treated to the first meeting between Leonardo (of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Miayamoto Usagi.

Chapter One:
A lizard is chased up a tower by a cruel cook. Usagi climbs the tower to save the creature. He ends up naming him Spot and adopting him as a pet.

Chapter Two:
Usagi and Spot meet an old woman on their travels. After accompanying her back to her village it is revealed that her son is an evil money lender who rules the town with an iron fist. Usagi is shocked after the old woman asks him to kill her son.

Chapter Three:
Usagi vs. Ino 2

Chapter Four:
Usagi gets stuck in a storm. He shares a hut with a samurai who wields a black blade named Jei. The two end up in a duel with a shocking ending.

Chapter Five:
Usagi meets up once again with Gen. This time the pair set out to deliver a valuable tea cup to it's rightful owner...for a price of course.

Chapter Six:
Lord Noriyuki has had a sword specially crafted for the Shogun. A ninja named Shingen steals the blade but runs into Usagi along the way. After a series of mind games Usagi returns the blade to Noriyuki.

Bonus (not affiliated with a storyline):
Leonardo (TMNT) somehow ends up in Feudal Japan. He ends up in a battle against a horde of Samurai. At the same time Miyamoto Usagi runs into a horde of Ninjas. After dispatching the hordes Usagi and Leonardo mistake each other for enemies and prepare to do battle.

Like almost every Usagi novel this one is great for the whole family. I strongly recommend this for any Miyamoto fans or to anyone looking for a fun quick read.

(Note: The photo on amazon shows the cover of "Book 2: Samurai" but don't worry...This is indeed "Book 3: Wanderer's Road.")