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Post by Roquefort Raider on Mar 7, 2017 15:42:32 GMT -5
Whenever I see such information, I feel like shutting my eyes and plugging my ears for fear of being spoiled!!!  Even reading Senso was a dicey idea, its "imaginary" status notwithstanding! It really doesn't give anything away about future stories. Just indicates where Winter is shown and approximates how much time has passed. Yeah, I got lucky! I was afraid to learn things like "Usagi lost an eye in 1997" or "Jotaro is dead". |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 7, 2017 17:26:51 GMT -5
It really doesn't give anything away about future stories. Just indicates where Winter is shown and approximates how much time has passed. Yeah, I got lucky! I was afraid to learn things like "Usagi lost an eye in 1997" or "Jotaro is dead". Actuallu, Jotoro lost the eye, and Usagi is dead  |
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Post by stillpoint on Mar 22, 2017 0:01:47 GMT -5
That's quite a coincidence. The night before I revisited this thread, I saw a timeline of Usagi's life in the first Usagi Yojimbo role-playing game (from Gold Rush Games, 1997). It had apparently been put together by members of the dojo board back then ( it only went up to Grasscutter). It used to be online, but the only link I found to it is dead. Anyway, this timeline had the Battle of Adachigahara in 1600 and the events in Grasscutter beginning in late 1605. By the way, this timeline is loaded with spoilers (from 1984-1997). |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 22, 2017 4:49:59 GMT -5
That's quite a coincidence. The night before I revisited this thread, I saw a timeline of Usagi's life in the first Usagi Yojimbo role-playing game (from Gold Rush Games, 1997). It had apparently been put together by members of the dojo board back then ( it only went up to Grasscutter). It used to be online, but the only link I found to it is dead. Anyway, this timeline had the Battle of Adachigahara in 1600 and the events in Grasscutter beginning in late 1605. By the way, this timeline is loaded with spoilers (from 1984-1997). Wow. I've always thought about acquiring that game. This just pushed me over the edge. |
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Post by stillpoint on Mar 22, 2017 22:31:40 GMT -5
That's quite a coincidence. The night before I revisited this thread, I saw a timeline of Usagi's life in the first Usagi Yojimbo role-playing game (from Gold Rush Games, 1997). It had apparently been put together by members of the dojo board back then ( it only went up to Grasscutter). It used to be online, but the only link I found to it is dead. Anyway, this timeline had the Battle of Adachigahara in 1600 and the events in Grasscutter beginning in late 1605. By the way, this timeline is loaded with spoilers (from 1984-1997). Wow. I've always thought about acquiring that game. This just pushed me over the edge. I don't think you'll be disappointed. As an RPG it's easy to learn but limited in some character building and doesn't really impart a sense of wonder. However, as a resource for Usagi fans it's great! In addition to the timeline there's a map of Japan with all the provinces (Geishu is much farther south than I envisioned) and an index of every named character up to that point (another product of the DojoBoard). Edit to add: That rulebook also includes a reprint of the story "Hebi". For anyone else interested, this is the old out-of-print Usagi Yojimbo RPG, written by Greg Stoltze and published by Gold Rush Games. There's a newer game by a different author and publisher (I haven't read that one yet), so don't get them confused. |
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Post by richarddragon on Aug 29, 2017 19:18:48 GMT -5
This issue shares a glimpse into Usagi's emotions and thoughts as he learns the trade of being a seaweed farmer. Truly interesting learning about what seems such a simple throwaway skill and yet Usagi finds a sense of peace and strength in what he finds with these farmers. Even so much as to imagining himself to become a farmer and settling down in a life without constant bloodshed where the fighting is merely to live life. We also see how smart and intuitive Usagi is becoming as he doesn't jump to the same conclusions as everyone else about the neighboring farmers and proves that Yamanaka was the true villain with a simple statement which sets everything up for the truth coming out. I could see Usagi wishing for such a life of hard work and simple pleasures and wondering what if he had chosen another path. This is something we all ponder many times throughout our lives to wonder what if... I remember getting into a debate with another member in some other thread in regard to this story, my sense always being that Usagi is sorely tempted to put down his swords and live a life like this one, whereas the other member interpreted it as Usagi just being friendly/helpful. It seems like all the great warrior myths, from Miyamoto Misashi to Beowulf finally arrive at their inner peace by settling down and leading the quiet lifestyle of the commoner. Don't forget Cincinnatus, who is probably the inspiration for Gen. Ikeda. But Usagi is not really willing to settle down, and IMHO it is all because of one thing and one thing only: his deep attachment to his past. He's got it all with Tomoe - an equal, a partner, someone who understands him - and a place to call home in the Geishu province. But he is unwilling to be with Tomoe because he still wants Mariko, and he will not serve Lord Noriyuki because he's still loyal to Lord Mifune. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Aug 29, 2017 20:48:02 GMT -5
But Usagi is not really willing to settle down, and IMHO it is all because of one thing and one thing only: his deep attachment to his past. He's got it all with Tomoe - an equal, a partner, someone who understands him - and a place to call home in the Geishu province. But he is unwilling to be with Tomoe because he still wants Mariko, and he will not serve Lord Noriyuki because he's still loyal to Lord Mifune. I have to disagree with you on this one. I think The Death of Lord Hikiji established pretty clearly that Usagi has moved on from his past and no longer concerns himself with loyalty to Lord Mifune. As for Tomoe, "Chanoyu" felt very much like a goodbye, and not just in a "until the next time I'm back in town" sort of way. Usagi has had many love interests, and he and Tomoe had their chance, but putting down new roots with the Geishu Clan is a prerequisite to seeking a future with Tomoe, and that isn't where Usagi's karma is taking him. I don't think Usagi is attached to anything beyond his ever evolving moral code and affection for well-meaning people. I want him to end up with Jotoro, Tomoe, and Gen beside him, but that doesn't seem to be what the character wants these days. |
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Post by richarddragon on Aug 29, 2017 21:01:48 GMT -5
But Usagi is not really willing to settle down, and IMHO it is all because of one thing and one thing only: his deep attachment to his past. He's got it all with Tomoe - an equal, a partner, someone who understands him - and a place to call home in the Geishu province. But he is unwilling to be with Tomoe because he still wants Mariko, and he will not serve Lord Noriyuki because he's still loyal to Lord Mifune. I have to disagree with you on this one. I think The Death of Lord Hikiji established pretty clearly that Usagi has moved on from his past and no longer concerns himself with loyalty to Lord Mifune. As for Tomoe, "Chanoyu" felt very much like a goodbye, and not just in a "until the next time I'm back in town" sort of way. Usagi has had many love interests, and he and Tomoe had their chance, but putting down new roots with the Geishu Clan is a prerequisite to seeking a future with Tomoe, and that isn't where Usagi's karma is taking him. I don't think Usagi is attached to anything beyond his ever evolving moral code and affection for well-meaning people. I want him to end up with Jotoro, Tomoe, and Gen beside him, but that doesn't seem to be what the character wants these days. Regarding Lord Mifune, I think you're right, and I stand corrected. As for Tomoe, I think we are kind of agreeing. I was just saying what could have been with her. |
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Post by shaxper on Aug 29, 2017 21:35:26 GMT -5
As for Tomoe, I think we are kind of agreeing. I was just saying what could have been with her. Yes. Really, it just comes down to a question of why Usagi is still travelling and unwilling to put down roots. It used to be about loyalty to Mifune, but now that it's not, what keeps him wandering? We actually had a solid discussion about this a long while back. |
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