He also possesses the generous spirit of an educator, keen to share what he has learned about Japanese history, religion and folklore with those who read his comics. He depicts the towns, architecture, clothing, weapons and other objects in each scene with meticulous attention to detail - evidence of his extensive, scholarly research. In his tales of Usagi's exploits, he honors the culture of his Japanese ancestors, painting rich visual and narrative portraits of an important time in the country's history. Each of these tales is built up carefully scene by scene, reaching its conclusion at a satisfying pace for any age.Ĭlearly, honor and loyalty are qualities that are important to Sakai himself. By defeating him, they release the girl from servitude and unite her with her mother.
In one riveting episode, Usagi and Gen help Sakurai rescue a young girl who has been sold by her poor family to the owner of a gambling establishment.
Usagi yojimbo characters series#
Themes of loyalty, honor and generosity are explored with both drama and humor in a series of episodic tales of Usagi's journey from town to town. His sidekick Gen, a rhino bounty hunter whose motives are more often financial than noble, is equally as appealing, as are the many minor characters they encounter, like the feisty and noble-spirited female cat Sakura, who can defend herself against any number of male ruffians. The loyal and honorable Usagi Miyamoto is engaged in a warrior's pilgrimage in order to better himself.
His characters, all anthropomorphized animals, are so thoughtfully evolved that it is easy to forget that they are animals. It is in these three aspects of Usagi Yojimbo where Sakai succeeds the most. These stories of a masterless rabbit samurai who occasionally sold his services as a bodyguard quickly acquired an enthusiastic following.Ĭover of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo Book 26: Traitors of the Earth.
Usagi yojimbo characters full#
In 1984, the character was included in an anthology, and three years later, the first full comic book of the adventures of Usagi Yojimbo was published. One day when he was idly doodling, Sakai drew a picture of a rabbit with his ears tied together in a samurai's topknot, or chonmage, and Usagi Yojimbo was born. At some point in the early 1980s, he had the idea of creating a comic book about a samurai based on Miyamoto Musashi (c.1584-1645), a renowned swordsman of superhuman strength. He decided to move to Los Angeles, the center of the American animation industry and increasingly comic book illustration, and after a few semesters at Art Center College of Design, he began drawing and lettering for comic books. Sakai studied art at the University of Hawai'i and soon knew that he wanted to write and illustrate for a living. Though he didn't read Japanese, his mother read him Japanese comic books, or manga, like Astro Boy by the "father of Japanese manga," Osamu Tezuka (1928-89).
As a child, he devoured DC and Marvel comic books and was particularly fond of Spider-Man and Batman. He had grown up in Hawai'i, a third-generation Japanese American exposed to both Japanese and American culture. The idea of creating a comic book about a rabbit samurai came to Sakai in the early 1980s, shortly after he had moved to Los Angeles. A product of the multi-cultural artistic nexus that is Los Angeles, the series is unlike any other comic book series from the US or Japan: the characters, settings and imagery are Japanese, yet it is written in English and Sakai's drawing, lettering and narrative style originate mostly in the West. Always ready to defend his honor and help those weaker than him, this samurai hero is the star of a highly successful comic book series Usagi Yojimbo ("Rabbit Bodyguard"), created, written and illustrated by Japanese American artist and writer, Stan Sakai. Some are Japanese American others have no blood connection with Japan but have discovered something Japanese that resonates with their artistic vision.Įars drooping in the heavy rain, Usagi Yojimbo glances around menacingly and draws his sword to defend against attackers. Japanese Accents: This is the final article in a series showcasing Southern California artists whose works integrate elements of Japanese art and design, yet speak boldly about our contemporary SoCal lives.
0 kommentar(er)
