Usagi Yojimbo Volume 17: Duel at Kitanoji

Nothing comes easy for rabbit ronin Usagi, not even being a spectator at the planned duel between his former teacher Katsuichi and Katsuichi's rival Nakamura Koji. Before the duel even begins, Usagi becomes embroiled in a dispute between Koji and a local fencing school. Along the way, Usagi discovers a devastating secret - a weakness in Koji's style. It's a secret that could save his teacher's life, but at the cost of his own honor. This 17th volume of Usagi Yojimbo collects issues #43-60, including the entire "Duel at Kitanoji" story, and a handful of other great shorts. And, as a special treat for our longtime fans, this collection features - for the first time! - preliminary sketches and designs by Sakai. Read more Continue reading Read less FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Adult/High School--In Seasons (Dark Horse, 1999) , Nakamura Koji discovered that the mysterious samurai who defeated him and started him on his warrior's pilgrimage was Katsuichi, Usagi's teacher. After defeating Usagi in a duel, he instructed him to inform Katsuichi that they would duel at Kitanoji in one year. Duel covers the last weeks of the journey to Kitanoji as the parties involved meet up with one another, and concludes with the titular conflict. Sakai includes helpful cultural notes about the place of vendettas in samurai culture and some rough sketches of cover images for the graphic novel, which show the evolution of his ideas. The story is full of detail, in both pictures and text, of historical Japan, although the characters are all anthropomorphic animals. The black-and-white art is crisp and attractive, with masterful pacing and touches of humor. This book will appeal to manga fans, but it has a lot to offer anyone.--Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
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