The art of Usagi Yojimbo

Sakai's much-loved series Usagi Yojimbo, set in feudal Japan and relating the adventures of the wandering anthropomorphic rabbit samurai Usagi, has won three Eisner Awards and much other acclaim. This well-designed oversized hardcover, published in honor of the series' 20th anniversary, gathers together material relating to the series, including promotional artwork, preliminary sketches, cover art, some excellent drawings done at comics conventions, and highlights from the comic's history. Approximately a quarter of the book is in color, including two complete, previously hard-to-find comics stories, one strikingly painted in watercolors. In two features in comics form, Sakai discusses his creative process and the tools he uses. Also included is Sakai's very first Usagi story (a wordless three-pager) and a gallery of Usagi art by other cartoonists, including Frank Miller, Jeff Smith, and Sergio Aragones. Though it's an American production, the Usagi series is popular with manga fans, and any library where Usagi is popular will find this a worthwhile addition. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.