Usagi Yojimbo (1987), Volume 18

September 15, 2004
Gr. 8-12. This eighteenth Usagi graphic novel collection follows the continuing journeys of the rabbit samurai across feudal Japan. This time Usagi's exuberant young nephew, Jotaro, is along for the adventure. As they travel, they meet old friends, including Kitsune the thief and Sasuke the Demon Queller, and they come up against new foes such as Boss Hayashi and the evil artist Katsushige. Sakai delivers plenty of martial arts action and solid storytelling. His tone is more relaxed than is usual in the over-the-top " manga" novels, and his well-researched backdrop of feudal Japan makes the story seem more like a fable than a traditional comic book. Packed with action and humor, the entertaining tale is wrapped in detailed art that allows characters to be cute yet believably human--despite their bunny ears.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)