5 out of 5

Another killer tale, upping the art ante from last issue even further with experimental layouts – one long top panel spanning the gap, then two panels on each left and right page – and new additions to Stan’s backgrounds, such as some worship idols.  But it’s the packed action sequences that show Sakai as the master of sudden frenzy and quiet; rows of warriors decimated save Usagi and a warrior named Yoshi, communicated with the creator’s trained eye for pacing and framing.

Here again we find a story that progresses as a usual Usagi tale, which the rabbit ronin honorably taking over a task for Yoshi’s master, but it’s the laughably (laughing along with Usagi) mean-spirited ending which turns things on its head.  It’s expected, to a certain degree, but I feel like that expected comeuppance would usually arrive via a different avenue…  As delivered, it feels like a refreshed, playful Sakai, ready to delve into a new era of Usagi tales, and I, similarly, felt refreshed when reading that final page.  I suppose I’ve taken for granted the high quality of Usagi; it’s pretty awesome to be looking forward to these as surprises from issue to issue, though perhaps it was just the absence of the ongoing that’s rekindled by appreciation.