It's amazing to think what strange situations walkin' and talkin' animal characters can find themselves in. This long-running series by Stan Sakai features a ronin (masterless samurai) in feudal Japan. The ronin, fierce with his sword and living with the shame of a lord slain under his care, is a rabbit.

Miyamoto Usagi is ruled by guilt ever since his master was killed in battle. Now he wanders the tracks of Japan, righting wrongs where he may, taking mercenary or bodyguard jobs when available. His sword smells of blood.

Did I mention he's a rabbit?

This, the second book of the series collected by Fantagraphics, certainly has its portion of cartoony violence. But don't make the mistake of assuming it's silly. This series of tales is fascinating, packed with historical detail and completely absorbing.

A trio of stand-alone tales follow the main focus of the book, an episodic story titled "Samurai." In it, Usagi flashes back to his younger days, when he and his companion -- but not friend -- Kenichi set out to learn the arts of swordsmanship and honor from a renowned school for samurai. But Usagi takes a different path, learning instead from a disgraced and solitary teacher whose methods of instruction are nontraditional, to say the least.

The story details Usagi's training, as well as his early years of service and the battle that led to his master's death. It also touches on matters of friendship, loyalty, betrayal and longing for an unattainable romance.

Although Samurai is only my second foray into Miyamoto Usagi's world, it is sufficient to convince me that Stan Sakai has both a winning idea and the talent to write and draw it. I highly recommend the series, and urge anyone with even a passing interest in feudal Japan to give these collections a try.

by Tom Knapp
Rambles.NET
3 December 2005