shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 16, 2016 20:15:14 GMT -5
   Published: January thru June 1994 Synopsis: Young Usagi's ideals about war come face to face with its gritty realities in his only multi-part story. Notes: Backup feature across three consecutive issues of Usagi Yojimbo Usagi's first encounter with Lord Mifune and Gunichi, though none of the parties realizes this. Discuss the issue and/or post full reviews below! |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Mar 25, 2016 16:08:21 GMT -5
Another morality play given to us in the form of a flash back from Usagi's youth, which is actually a pretty genius device when you think of it. We learn most of these life lessons on morality as children so it's much more impactful to read stories with similar messages when they feature a young character than an old one as you can empathize with the younger character by comparing his trials with those you faced as a child yourself.
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Mar 25, 2016 16:23:08 GMT -5
Another morality play given to us in the form of a flash back from Usagi's youth, which is actually a pretty genius device when you think of it. We learn most of these life lessons on morality as children so it's much more impactful to read stories with similar messages when they feature a young character than an old one as you can empathize with the younger character by comparing his trials with those you faced as a child yourself. Just wait until you get to "A Lesson in Courtesy"  |
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Post by brutalis on Dec 22, 2016 8:10:09 GMT -5
Who hasn't gotten into trouble (almost deadly trouble at that) as a child like Usagi does this time around? I liked that it shows Usagi is young and learning (the hard way as most of us do) that sometimes what we think and feel and believe about something isn't always necessarily correct. Also that we need to listen to what others are trying to tell us because they may actually know better than us. At the same time it was nice to see that Usagi's actions haunted him and he grew from his fear and made the right choice to return the stolen sword to the fallen warrior. If Usagi had truly listened to what the escaping soldier's story was and not fallen prey to his own misguided beliefs then he wouldn't have had to face some harsh truth and be saved by his future Lord. Usagi was lucky and that is what happens in life many a time as we rashly make choices and rush headlong into something that we either get lucky and survive and learn from or for many end up hurt or dead.
Stan is a master at using these short stories for delivering such deeper inspiration and teaching.
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Post by usagiguy on Dec 22, 2016 12:29:07 GMT -5
These Young Usagi stories are written with a moral or lesson at the end. I want to emphasize that he is a samurai in training and want to bring the reader along as he learns what it is to become a warrior. It is not all about fighting. Sometimes it is about morality or mortality, philosophy or practical knowledge. I really enjoy these stories.
I should note that these Young Usagi stories are very different from the Chibi Usagi stories which are just fun and silly. I've just written a Chibi Usagi which is a take off on the very first Usagi story, The Goblin of Adachigahara. Julie and I just need to find somewhere to publish it.
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Post by brutalis on Dec 22, 2016 13:26:24 GMT -5
These Young Usagi stories are written with a moral or lesson at the end. I want to emphasize that he is a samurai in training and want to bring the reader along as he learns what it is to become a warrior. It is not all about fighting. Sometimes it is about morality or mortality, philosophy or practical knowledge. I really enjoy these stories. I should note that these Young Usagi stories are very different from the Chibi Usagi stories which are just fun and silly. I've just written a Chibi Usagi which is a take off on the very first Usagi story, The Goblin of Adachigahara. Julie and I just need to find somewhere to publish it. And we enjoy these stories too! You manage to capture the essence of youth with these stories of Usagi's training. The eagerness and enthusiasm along with the mistakes (sometimes both misguided) as well as the growth and learning that is received from the teaching and training. We as readers also learn and grow right along with Usagi |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Dec 22, 2016 13:33:25 GMT -5
These Young Usagi stories are written with a moral or lesson at the end. I want to emphasize that he is a samurai in training and want to bring the reader along as he learns what it is to become a warrior. It is not all about fighting. Sometimes it is about morality or mortality, philosophy or practical knowledge. I really enjoy these stories. It makes complete sense, and yet it's not something you often see with heroes. We're usually expected to believe they were just born awesome (Conan The Barbarian) learned everything from one key moment (Spider-Man, Iron Man) or were largely self-taught in terms of morality and ethics (Batman, Captain America). The idea of allowing the character to be profoundly flawed at the beginning, shaped by his mistakes as much as his successes, is such an honest approach, and it makes Usagi all the more powerful in contrast. Now when do we get a Young Katsuichi story?  |
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