Thread #153268926
HomeIndexCatalogAll ThreadsNew ThreadReply
H
File: cover.jpg (803.9 KB)
803.9 KB
803.9 KB JPG
previously: >>153255039
+Showing all 431 replies.
>>
>>
>>
it's time to relax.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
just love the full ink used to make the scene darker.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153268999
Another thing color cannot replicate.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269041
>doing what a girl needs to do to get by, eh?
Robbing, the correct term is robbing
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153268985
>that middle panel
>>
>>
>>153269122
This is the moment Chizu becomes your favorite character.
>>
>>
>>153268945
>NO
>I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!
>>
>>
>>
>>
it's actually a root, usagi.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269009
This feels like the beginning of a screwball comedy, all that's missing is a smash cut of them handcuffed together.
>>
>>
>>
>>153269211
they make a very funny duo, and kiyoko is just the cherry on top
>>
>>
>>
>fat crime bosses: 3
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269096
Oh Anon, it's a clear case of burglary~
>>
>>
>>
>>153269311
You just know kitsune’s smiling about it cause she knows Usagi won’t let chizu kill her. She knows she’s safe and is being smug about it
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269354
Chizu would settle for a few punches and Kitsune knows it.
>>
>>153269362
why did chizu get her buccal fat removed?
>>
>FLOO!: 28
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269418
>what makes me a good demoman? if I were a bad demoman, I wouldn't be sitting here discussing it with you, now would I!?
>>
>>153268958
This might just take the cake as the worst, most infuriating story of the whole series
>>
>>
>>
>>153269033
>I spoke too soon
Even Mister Meddler has pattern recognition
>hello Kiyoko
And he ignores it
This is why what happens to you happens to you, Usagi
>>
>>
>>
>>
that kitsune-smitten anon must be happy.
>>
>>
by the way, it's around this volume that I notice the artstyle changed again, but I can't quite put my finger where.
>>
>>153269516
>shoot her, stab her, smash her, set her on fire
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269516
Definitely one of kitsune’s worst showings so far, but this story’s certainly one of the most entertaining. Least she gets some pushback
>>
>>153269511
>>153269516
Usagi probably gets a boner when people steal from him now
>>
>>
>>153269547
I see this is the fixed/edited version.
>>
>jizo statues: 229

>>153257368
duly noted and counted, thanks.
>>
>>
>>153269501
Sensing some jealousy here…
>>
>>
>jizo statues: 230
>>
>>
>>153268958
There goes my blood pressure
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269470
>Tags: Ugly bastard
>>
>>
>>
one of the hardest lines ever
>>
>>
>jizo statues: 231
>>
>>
>>
>>153269516
>Kitsune's not so bad!
>This story
>Oh wait
>>
>>
>>
https://youtu.be/SRwrg0db_zY?t=82
>>
to be fair, being the result of very recent volcanic and tectonic activity, I imagine japan does have some very interesting rocks.
>>
>>
>>
>>153269754
https://youtu.be/MgyAWij3SLk?si=7zUmdhvfMxJxQWV6
>>
>>
>>153269350
>STOP
>BEING
>SHIT!!!
>>
>>
>>153269236
>The longer I live the more his power slips
>Especially since he presumably keeps sending loyalists to kill me; right?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269694
Tune in next time for the sequel: "One-Armed Swordsman vs. The Flying Guillotine"
>>
>>
>>
>At the Edge of the World: Don Rodriguez's Theme
https://youtu.be/QrxfKXJMu4s
>>
>>
>>153269354
>>153269311
I also think Chizu is playing it up because she likes Usagi holding her back. If she wanted Kitsune dead she'd just throw a shuriken.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269754
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPlQjENZldU
>>
>>153269877
Even if he has a point, pretty bold of usagi to outright criticize a lord of all people. Can definitely tell he’s seeing through bushido’s lies
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269516
I like this story. Kitsune is super shit in it, but all the characrer interactions are really fun. Till the very last page, that is.
>>
>>153269754
Huh. I thought we did this one. I thought the ice and the rock were spaced out better.
>>
>>
>>
>>153269900
I like to imagine that as soon as Usagi leaves Chizu just bolts back and Izuna drops Kitsune
>>
>>
>>153269893
The most recent chapter to come out when I picked up UY thanks to theses threads.
>>
>>
>>153269979
god today is just a feudal bullshit kind of day.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269122
Man, Chizu looks emaciated
>>
>>
obligatory
https://youtu.be/jcwoBVUqlW0
https://youtu.be/w2A_NISUX-w
>>
>>
>>
>>153270045
>>153270040
It's really frustrating how strong he actually is
>>
>>
>>
my head cannon is Rodriguez is just a swindler pretending to be a special diplomat, but got a little carried away.

>>153270055
iberian genes, son!
>>
>jizo statues: 232
>>
>>
>>153270074
It's just a jizo usagi we've seen hundreds of them
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
now that I think about it, the koroshi do have a bigger presence than I usually remember them having. they're not neko ninja, but they're not at mogura level either.
>>
>>153270106
Yojimboing
>>
>>153269522
Almost correct, my dear Murder! The art style has slightly changed in Senso, which was released directly before the first story in this thread and after a long period of Stan not drawing Usagi. Changes which carried over include Chizu's slimmer face. Probably because in Senso she has been drawn near Tomoe for the first time ever and they looked too similar, so Sakai has updated the design a bit. But the main change, which gives you that weird feel?
The lines are thinner. Just slightly, but your brain notices even if you don't.
WHY are they thinner? I think it's a combination of a long break, new ink and/or pen, and years of stress subtly showing up in Stan's art.

Anyway, want me to post a short comic made by some upstart named Stanley Sakai, age 19, after this storytime is done?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153269754
A fucking rock
>>
>>153270172
He said the word
>>
>want me to post a short comic made by some upstart named Stanley Sakai, age 19, after this storytime is done?
well I couldn't possibly say no to that.
>>
>>
>>
>>153269893
Damn Spaniards
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153270209
I mean how many assassin groups are the really? If someone said THE BASEBALL TEAM in my area am I really being suspicious if I say the Red Sox?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>153270230
Uuuuuuuuuh, Hmm. Does this count as a happy ending or a twist?
>>
>>
>>153269109
He ought to cut her into mulch!
>>
>>
>>153270253
what's mulch?
>>
>>
just look at this pompous bastard
>>
>>
>>153270272
Usagi can be a little stubborn but I wouldn't call him.. oh you meant
>>
>>153269511
Kitsune now has a whole new way of picking pockets.
I want to kiss Kitsune
>>
>>
File: letters1.jpg (489.7 KB)
489.7 KB
489.7 KB JPG
>>
File: letters2.jpg (496.3 KB)
496.3 KB
496.3 KB JPG
>>
File: letters3.jpg (524.7 KB)
524.7 KB
524.7 KB JPG
>>
File: letters4.jpg (505.7 KB)
505.7 KB
505.7 KB JPG
>>
File: letters5.jpg (515.7 KB)
515.7 KB
515.7 KB JPG
>>
File: letters6.jpg (535.1 KB)
535.1 KB
535.1 KB JPG
>>
File: letters7.jpg (328.8 KB)
328.8 KB
328.8 KB JPG
that is it for today, thanks for reading!

unfortunately this sunday I probably won't be able to post like usual. I have a social engagement I can't really miss without losing face, and I don't know if I can get home to dump at a reasonable time. if I do, I'll post Yokai. if I don't, I'd be glad if someone could step up to do it. my sincere apologies.

now, for something different, courtesy of deviant anon...
>>
>>153269516
I could justify Kitsune's bullshit in previous stories to some degree but this one broke me. It's not even that it's a low moral bar, but that she's almost suicidally stupid.
>Chizu almost kills her but Usagi deescalates the situation
>instead of recognizing she's out of her depth she immediately tries to blackmail the dangerous merchant
>he makes the obvious choice to kill her
>Usagi and Chizu bail her out of that situation
>immediately steals from Chizu, who threatened she'd kill her for less and has shown she can track her
>somehow STILL doesn't realize she's out of her depth she immediately plans to blackmail a presumably dangerous lord

I'm pretty sure Kitsune working at the brothel was actually the good ending. I don't know enough about how social class intersected with prostitute class but given that she's actually a fairly skilled performer she might be able to become an oiran like Lady Maple


>>153269978
Many are saying this
>>
>>153270014
He's got the same "I converted to Catholicism to so I can use its organizational power to make people I hate suffer" energy I'm picking up from young men at church these days.
>>
>>153270329
Yeah, about that. Small family emergency, gonna be back in an hour. Please hold.
>>
>>153270416
Kitsune got brain damage after getting possessed
>>
>>153270467
oh shit, good luck.
>>
>>153269754
Here it is new readers! The One! The Original! THE FUCKING ROCK!
The Reason why we keep on freaking out about rocks every time any of those little things appear.
>>
Thanks, Murderanon
>>
>>153269779
This is a GENIUS scam for feudal japan. Get a random rock, don't let anyone see it but constantly talk up how great this rock is and make other people covet it for honor and prestige.

These people would have loved NFTs.
>>
>>153270416
Here's something about Edo-period prostitution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLRzw-PQs_Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5hUQlm_-nY

Hope you get a clue what sorta life Kitsune could have lived.
>>
>>153270416
That she's also in her way actively assisting someone who will bring harm to others for a handful of coin.
>>
>>153270571
>This is a GENIUS scam for feudal japan. Get a random rock, don't let anyone see it but constantly talk up how great this rock is and make other people covet it for honor and prestige.
Hey they're still doing that shit with grasscutter.
>You have a sword and other regalia that directly prove you're connected to the gods?!
>Yes.
>Can I see it?
>No.
>>
>>153269128
Chizu's starting to look more leonine here. I should go back and check how she looked at the end of Volume 4, though of course everyone looked different back then.
>>
>>153269900
Or just cack her while she and Usagi were initially talking. Instead she repeatedly threatens her (almost like she was trying to convince herself) and chases her around with a sword. She doesn't try to leverage Kiyoko as a hostage.
Chizu is a sweetheart and isn't cut out for the rough stuff. Kitsune knows, maybe Kiyoko too.
>>
>>153270571
all fun and games until they call an actual rock appraiser and you're crucified for selling low quality rocks
>>
>>153270650
>implying we just won't send assassins over the rock appraiser
>>
>>153269109
Everyone knows about Usagi's need to meddle but unlike Gen, Kitsune loves it and how it works in her benefit without her trying.
>>
>>153270067
Meanwhile, at Philip III court:
"We have a new report from the Jesuit Chapter in Nippon, my king."
"..."
"Lord Odo is a coward."
"Prepare an envoy to the Nippon King about this cowardice..."
"Yes, my king..."
"Ah... Write how Quark was right again."
>>
>>153270106
>The Koroshi never fails
Historically that's not entirely true
>>
>>153269834
Always appreciate these moments when the nameless thugs just stop being aggro and are practically minded.
>>
>>153270062
Come to think of it, he doesn’t dual wield nearly as much as his namesake
>>
>>153270272
>It's called Baroque, you wouldn't get it
>Just paint the portrait
>>
>>153269983
>you can't fire me, I quit!
>>
>>153270329
Hey Murder, I hope you don't mind if I bump this post from yesterday? >>153257368 I think it got missed and I'm all about pedantic counting, but by Monday I'll probably have forgotten all about it.

Also, thanks for posting!
>>
>>153270416
>there's a timeline where Usagi is friends with the finest prostitute in all the lands, the ethereal beauty Kitsune
>Maple is a thief, constantly on the run with her infant son who is secretly the heir to a lord

This could make for a great RPG adventure.
>>
>>153270815
Oh shit wait, I'm retarded. I'm the one who can't read. >>153269586 My bad and thanks, Murderbro!
>>
>>153270055
Rapier > katana, it's a simple fact.
Katana are top heavy, slow and cumbersome, and these are mostly peace-time samurai. To them a guy with a rapier is like a meteor hammer user to us.
>>
>>153270905
>meteor hammer
That seems impractical
>>
>>153270160
It's by Stanislaus Sakai?
>>
>>153270154
The thing with the league of jobbers is that they dress, act, and fight like regular bandits and brigards, so they feel less memorable.
>>
>>153269516
Karma's a bitch Kitsune. Especially in Feudal Japan.
>>
>>153269754
Usagi you just don't get it man. It's the fucking rock!
>>
>>153271138
Karma seems to be taking it's sweet fucking time with Kitsune
>>
>>153270954
It probably is, but imagine having to fight someone using one. You just don't know where to keep your eyes or how to counter it.
>>
>>153269122
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOV6H4NcGEs
Go ninja Go ninja Go!
Go ninja Go ninja Go!
>>
>>153271189
Just give it time.
You never know where and when karma might strike.
>>
>>153269021
The west hasn't taught Japan "honor among thieves" yet I guess.
>>
>>153271189
Think about how long it's taking for Lord Hikiji
>>
>>153268958
Around the fox, check your locks
>>
>>153269322
Go Kiyoko!
>>
>>153269146
I hope this helps a certain anon relax.
>>
>>153269424
It's hard living as a ninja outcast.
>>
>>153269426
Does it count as a FLOO! if it's a boat?
>>
File: not relax.jpg (280.5 KB)
280.5 KB
280.5 KB JPG
>>153271548
If nothing else I'm happy to have left some mark on the threads
>>
>>153271548
>>
>>153269362
Okay.
We love punished Chizu and we know the little change of artstyle by Sakai... But... why Chizu is becoming Sanshobo
>>
>>153271395
Karma's waiting until he is on the cusp of achieving everything he desires only to then make him lose absolutely everything
>>
>>153271968
The aliens are going to touch him inappropriately
>>
>>153269675
I don't think I ever noticed before that you can actually tell he cuts Te's throat – the necklace is cut from the blow.
>>
File: DANTE 0.jpg (541.3 KB)
541.3 KB
541.3 KB JPG
>>153270494
>>153270467
>>153270329
CRISIS AVERTED.
Now back to our regular programming.

It is the year 1972. In Chronicle, a fanzine for comic book readers and artists, a 19 years old Stanley Sakai publishes his newest work. His very own comic for everyone to see.
It's a glorious mess.

[also censored, because this is a buddhist website]
>>
>>153269709
>Akagawa
That's the faggot who made the ice bet, isn't it?
>>
File: Dante 1.jpg (529.9 KB)
529.9 KB
529.9 KB JPG
>>153272027
I give you what is possibly the first published work of Stan Sakai from 54 years ago.

I give you... Dante!
>>
File: Dante 2.jpg (718.5 KB)
718.5 KB
718.5 KB JPG
>>153272047
Be amazed by the plot!
>>
File: Dante 3.jpg (651 KB)
651 KB
651 KB JPG
>>153272063
>that face
Stan is never beating the furry allegations.
>>
>>153269775
jizo
>>
File: Dante 4.jpg (620.6 KB)
620.6 KB
620.6 KB JPG
>>153272080
Marvel at the action scenes and the very tell-don't-show take on presenting the ongoing events!
>>
>>153269779
>Nudists! Nudists in the rushes!
>>
Book 30
418 Usagis (13606 total)
756 Panels (28575 total)
6 Neko Ninja (1190 total)
No Komori (199 total)
No Mogura (37 total)
No Ninjas of the Dark Light (4 total)
>>153268958
The single worst story. Kitsune's point of no return.
>>153269205
>six neko
>>153269228
>six bodies
Finally some consistency, arigato Sakai-sama
>>
File: Dante 5.jpg (597.5 KB)
597.5 KB
597.5 KB JPG
>>153272100
You may say I am harsh, and I am. But Sakai has made incredible progress over the years and his first comics being messy only make his later work look even better.
>>
My apologies for interrupting the mini storytime, I humbly request a second.
>>
File: Dante 6.jpg (670 KB)
670 KB
670 KB JPG
>>153272141
>>
>>153272150
Go for it, we're at part two, which came out in 1973. Also
>John Byrne
>Chuck Dixon
Holy fuck!
>>
>>153272181
*a second for seppuku
>>
>>153269893
It bothers me more than it probably should that Rowdy Roddy here has a completely ahistorical sword.
>>
File: Dante 7.jpg (342.5 KB)
342.5 KB
342.5 KB JPG
>>153272192
Lmao. Anyway...

Welcome at part 2.
>>
File: Dante 8.jpg (530.4 KB)
530.4 KB
530.4 KB JPG
>>153272262
>>
File: Dante 9.jpg (584.6 KB)
584.6 KB
584.6 KB JPG
>>153272279
The plot thickens!
>>
File: Dante 10.jpg (591.3 KB)
591.3 KB
591.3 KB JPG
>>153272293
Don't you love arrows telling you the reading order?
>>
File: Dante 11.jpg (558.7 KB)
558.7 KB
558.7 KB JPG
>>153272315
We're almost there, sit tight.
>>
File: Dante 12.jpg (543.2 KB)
543.2 KB
543.2 KB JPG
>>153272326
>>
>>153269979
>the tea master is so aesthetic that he has calligraphic eyebrows
>>
File: Dante 13.jpg (493.1 KB)
493.1 KB
493.1 KB JPG
>>153272342
The final fight begins!
>>
File: Dante 14.jpg (529.4 KB)
529.4 KB
529.4 KB JPG
>>153272357
>defeated by rocks
Some things never change.
>>
File: Dante 15.jpg (475.8 KB)
475.8 KB
475.8 KB JPG
>>153272383
And that's the end of this story! While Dante kept occasionally appearing in the Chronicle fanzine, Sakai never did anything more with that character.
>>
>>153272181
>Bob Camp
From Ren & Stimpy?
>>
>>153270081
At this point it seems like riding in a palanquin is basically a death sentence, even if you're a rock. You'd want to get out and walk.
>>
File: Dante 16.jpg (722.7 KB)
722.7 KB
722.7 KB JPG
>>153272405
... apart from this 3 pages long epilogue/backstory, that is.
>>
File: afr01.jpg (460.4 KB)
460.4 KB
460.4 KB JPG
>>153269754
Oh god not this one.
>>153269870
A FUCKING ROCK
>>
File: Dante 17.jpg (537.2 KB)
537.2 KB
537.2 KB JPG
>>153272445
Sooo... imteresting character, yay or nay?
>>
File: afr02.jpg (422.6 KB)
422.6 KB
422.6 KB JPG
>A FUCKING ROCK
>>
File: afr03.jpg (523 KB)
523 KB
523 KB JPG
A FUCKING ROCK
>>
File: Dante 18.jpg (521.2 KB)
521.2 KB
521.2 KB JPG
>>153272471
>Whenever Dante is not in the room with them, other characters should ask "Where is Dante?"
And that's really it for Stan Sakai's Dante. The first known comic by the beloved author of Usagi Yojimbo.
>>
File: afr04.jpg (721.6 KB)
721.6 KB
721.6 KB JPG
>A FUCKING ROCK
>>
File: afr05.jpg (343.9 KB)
343.9 KB
343.9 KB JPG
>>153272509
Happy to hear your family emergency was resolved and thanks for sharing some really obscure Stan lore. But-
>A FUCKING ROCK
>>
File: afr06.jpg (417.6 KB)
417.6 KB
417.6 KB JPG
Suiseki and its consequences have been a disaster for humankind
>>
>>153270160
>I think it's a combination of a long break, new ink and/or pen, and years of stress subtly showing up in Stan's art.
This is just a guess, but a qualified one: in one of the interviews, letter pages or art books, Stan mentioned that his favored nib pen was no longer made. This was years and years ago in comic production terms; my guess is that when he came back from his hiatus he realized his pen was turbofucked and had to get used to a new one. (That sort of thing often happens; you don't really notice how shit your equipment is in the thick of it, but when you put it aside for a while and come back to it, you realize it's a shambles.) That's why the lineart is less uneven in weight from here on in: his new pen has a stiffer nib, or maybe he's even using a marker pen of some type.
>>
File: afr07.jpg (136 KB)
136 KB
136 KB JPG
A rock. Literally a FUCKING ROCK.
>>
>>153270162
>panel 1
Kek, she looks like she aged about 40 years since the previous page
>>
>>153270329
Thanks Murder! Also, did I already miss The Hidden?
>>
File: afr08.jpg (271.3 KB)
271.3 KB
271.3 KB JPG
>>153270329
I'll storytime Yokai this Sunday.
>mfw A FUCKING ROCK
>>
>>153272520
That's a very nice rock. Really ties the thread together.

But something is still missing...
>>
File: afr09.jpg (243.4 KB)
243.4 KB
243.4 KB JPG
>>153272556
We're still a ways away from The Hidden.
>a fucking ROCK
>>
>>153272047
>>153272063
This plot reads like a 90s boomer shooter.
>>153272157
Sewer count +1
>>153272471
>further endowed
Oh my
>Analitical mind
OH MY!
>>153272509
Thanks DeviantArt Anon, it was a painful read, but it's always interesting to see where great people come from.
>>
>>153269137
Greed is an unattractive trait
>>
File: Man 1.jpg (710.2 KB)
710.2 KB
710.2 KB JPG
>>153272561
Like THE SECOND KNOWN OLDEST COMIC by Stan Sakai! From 1975, also published in Chronicle.

I give you: THE MAN.

This one is only 5 pages long, but get ready, it's gonna get MESSY really fast.
>>
File: Man 2.jpg (823.2 KB)
823.2 KB
823.2 KB JPG
>>153272606
I promise this is the last thing for today! Tomorrow we will have something short, relatively new and actually good!
>>
>>153270230
>I have heard they are not very reliable
Kek, even teenage girls are roasting the League of Jobbers.
>>
File: Man 3.jpg (884.7 KB)
884.7 KB
884.7 KB JPG
>>153272621
Why do I get Anakin and the Sand People flashbacks?
>>
>>153272606
>a future of eroded ROCKS
Good. GOOD.
https://litter.catbox.moe/rg336az6ki4lo9yz.mp4
>>
File: Man 4.jpg (647.4 KB)
647.4 KB
647.4 KB JPG
>>153272635
Oh. Oooh nooo...
>>
>>153269199
come on usagi you're a rabbit
>>
>>153270302
It's interesting he still sees Nilson Groundthumper as happening in a real world of northern Europe, despite the fact that it's a much more openly fantastical comic. I wonder if in the same way Usagi's setting evolved from a slightly more fantastical chanbara Japan into pretty much historical fiction, Stan would nowadays have Nilson and Hermy in a more realistic depiction of 17th century Denmark or something.
>>
File: Man 5 .jpg (730.8 KB)
730.8 KB
730.8 KB JPG
>>153272645
Uhhh... So what have we learned?

Truly, the man is the worst monster of them all.

>>153272640
I have only respect for a man with a grudge against a very specific type of inanimate objects.
>>
>>153270620
>It's an Atsuta expression.
>>
>>153270905
It's this. The c. 1600 rapier is such an unbelievable longboi that it fucks the katana user without the rapierist even needing much ability.

That being said, the duel between Usagi and Rodriguez clearly isn't representative of this, what he's actually got is something more like a stage-combat sabre.
>>
>>153272677
>Nilson and Hermy in a more realistic depiction of 17th century Denmark or something.
Nilson and Hermy come across villagers who call Swedes the foreign devils who aren't human.
>>
>>153272027
>Clyde Caldwell
Kek, that's crazy. For those of you who don't know, he went on to become one of the Big Four classic artists of TSR during the '80s, specifically the guy drawing the cheesiest cake in all D&D.
>>
>>153267042
>>153267975
You know who does have a scanner though?
>>
>>153272872
This year will be remembered as the one filled with fanart of a record number of characters and deepest, oldest Sakai lore.

>>153272810
>>153272409
Before the internet, fanzines were THE place for finding talent. Next to conventions, that is.

Here, a little gift for any interested comic book historian:
https://www.kenmeyerjr.com/ink-stains.html
>>
>>153270620
>>153272688
>>
>>153272640
Correct me if I'm wrong, Enma, but all these rocks look like Chinese Scholar's Stones, not the quite different Japanese suiseki rocks.

(TL;DR on the difference is that the Chinese liked "weird rocks that look all fucked up with holes and such" and the Japanese preferred "rocks that look like little bonsai mountains and cliffs")
>>
>>153272645
no johnny, the nipples give you nurishment!
>>
>>153269122
>[Everybody liked that]
>>
>>153268958
this
this is the the one that pushes it over the edge
i didn't get the hate on my first read until this story
>>
>>153273099
No, you're spot on. There are in fact different autists in different parts of Asia obsessed over different kinds of rocks. ROCKS. Pic related
>me and my elephant on the right shaking our damn heads at >a fucking rock
>>
>>153269164
Jesus Christ those insane eyes on kiyoko and Kitsune
They're genuinely fucked in the head
>>
>>153269511
>Kitsune and Kiyoko sieg heil the great dictator
>>
>>153269109
look at the soulless stare in her eyes in panel three
there's nothing there
>>
>>153270621
chizu has had it maybe the worst of the more main characters in terms of often looking pretty different from appearance to appearance
like the part with her talking to saru and her boyfriend her cheeks were like concave that whole issue very weird look
also I get it's kinda there to show how rough off she is on the run but i don't like how plainly ugly she looks at times
>>
>>153269464
>BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT
>>
>>153269900
nah at that point chizu wants the satisfaction of feeling kitsune's life slip away and her death rattle as she chokes her to death with her bare hands (as we all do)
>>
>>153270416
>Besides they were right, and this poor Kitsunefag will soon see for himself why that is.
>>
>>153269445
usagi got that chickenfoot in the middle panel
>>
>>153269625
usagi looking like butthead in the bottom left panel
>>
>>153269307
>Usagi: "Kitsune would not betray us!"
>Morgan Freeman: "She had already betrayed them."
>>
>>153273255
>also I get it's kinda there to show how rough off she is on the run but i don't like how plainly ugly she looks at times
It really isn't, we noticed it this time- her design gets changed to be like this before she's on the run. It's probably entirely because Tomoe was used shortly before that story, making it too obvious to Stan both of them looked the same
>>
>>153269030
Is the kimono of a street wench really indisinguishable from that of a serving-woman in a rich house?

Nice butt tee bee eitch
>>
>>153269920
this fucker caught odo in one hell of a trap
>>
>>153269077
Another man dies so Kitsune can fill her pocket(in her sleeve)
>>
>>153269516
Epilogue courtesy of a drawfriend in a previous storytime to ease the pain
>>
>>153270905
>>153272731
not really a history or martial combat guy but from what i understand real life melee combat in ages past and really now length is pretty much the be-all-end-all
the longer your weapon (that you can still readily heft without wearing out) the better your chances are of reaching your opponent before he you
also the motion of stabbing is simply physically more cost effective than swinging or chopping motions
armor can complicate this some but there's a reason the spear was used much much more than the sword in combat in years past
>>
>>153269569
He has
JUST
ONE
ARM
>>
>>153270416
The cope-canon that Kitsune is steadily losing her marbles and taking more and more foolhardy risks is hard to keep out of one's head.
>>
>>153270062
this is a cool moment as it's sensible technique like this would throw rodriguez off as he presumably didn't fight any that bothered to use the sidearm, and also usagi is very adept with dual wielding as it seems to be the unique aspect of katsuichi's type of sword fighting
>>153270787
he did it a lot more early on
>>
>>153269540
When did Usagi become a near-teetotaler?
>>
>>153269581
No foid is safe around Usagi!
>>
>>153272027
oh, this is interesting
>>153272141
even then, his lettering is alright for being his first comic ever
>>153272509
this was awesome, thanks for posting! it wasn't so bad, I dig it.
>>153272520
actually beautiful. I'd send a bad of thugs or two over these ones
>>
>>153269754
Also known as "Notable Feldspar Tokens" or NFTs.
>>
>>153269694
Averting the feudal revenge-fetish at the last second is interesting, and also "justifies" that he "cheated". Te actually beat him (again).
>>
File: dedtsune.jpg (205.1 KB)
205.1 KB
205.1 KB JPG
>>
>>153269754
>but that can be said of ANY rock
Zen desu
>>
>>153273669
This is honestly the only thing that would make the ending remotely make sense.
>>
>>153270236
man kitsune's eyes are fucked here

also i hate to say it but man the art did take quite a downgrade from this point on
>>
>>153270905
Also rapiers are basically designed for dueling in giving maxinum amount of reach while also being hard to judge said reach as an opponent do to it being held horizontally to the eyeline.

>>153273783
I mean even with the hidden blade he was now fighting with a handicap so I also don't really think you can blame him for the second loss.
>>
>>153273778
kek
>>
>>153269920
>>153273616
I think a lone European braggart coercing his way like this is highly anachronistic for the time period. It's not like he can telegraph his capital and have them send gunboats to intimimate the primitives.
>>
>>153269805
>Kagemaru's log
>Day 512 of the 3-day special mission to eliminate Chizu
>6 more loyal ninja sent out, 0 returned
>Ratio of loyal to disloyal ninja in my ranks continues to worsen
>Still unsure why this is happening
>>
>>153270242
It got counted as a debateable last year, as in entirely came down to ones own viewpoint and interpretation.
>>
>>153269033
He actually said
>except some scavenger lizard lizards
>>
>>153273911
It is probably arguably the biggest anachronism of the whole comic
>>
>>153273977
No gunpowder in Japan is probably bigger.
>>
>>153269150
sometimes you gotta smack a bitch
>>
>>153269911
He's a dick, but he's kinda got a point. The shogun ordered compliance, and the tea master failed to obey, which is valid grounds for his lord to demand he sudoku himself
>>
>>153273977
I mean depends how you define biggest anachronism. Effect on the plot and world? Yeah there is arguement there. Most out of time chronoligcally? Bacteria knowledge and Takoyaki still have it beat.
>>
>>153273669
I wish.
>>
>>153274056
In terms of how hard it is to gloss over. Bacteria knowledge? You can just kinda imagine the character talking about mold and not mentioning bacteria, and the story works fine. Takoyaki? They could just be eating a different snack. But a foreigner getting to wander Tokugawa isolation-era Japan and boss others around is just too big a thing to gloss over, it just openly doesn't work with the general time period of the setting- it's as if a caveman was around.

With that said, >>153273983 is probably right, the lack of gunpowder and firearms is probably a bigger anachronism still.
>>
>>153269418
>drunkenpipebomb.mp3
>>
>>153269086
>Usagi Yojimbo once again flicking his sword so fast it shatters the sound barrier
>two crippled beggars nearby are killed by their eardrums bursting inside their heads
>"This one's for you, Tomiko"
>>
>>153273795
Heh
>>
>>153273208
>>153273843
Oh, so NOW you want to talk about eyes, huh?
>>
>>153272233
>this small historical anachronism has me seething
My friend you're right where you're supposed to be.
>>153270715
>Sorry that's a typo. It should read "The koroshi never. Fail."
>>
>>153270122
Great, she's got a better dairokkan than you at this point, Usagi. You clearly need more bonks on the head!
>>
>>153269311
Fire the Chizu cannon!
>>153269350
Ninja Finger!
>>
>>153273911
>>153273977
>>153274056
>>153274131
ACKSHULLY the total isolationism 'sakoku' policy wasn't issued until 1639 with the total expulsion of the Portuguese and a serious 'we're not joking this time fuck off Amakusa' crackdown on Christianity. And ACKSHULLY ackshully, much like bushidō, 'sakoku' is a more recent term retconned into history. None of this makes Rodriguez or this contrived scenario of On-Demand Access Seppuku any less fantastical, of course
Sorry for over-namefagging ITT I just hate rocks so goddamn much
>>
>>153272872
>enmanon causing me lose face by casually mentioning his scanner
my honor won't stand for this.
Sleep with one eye open motherfucker.
>>
>>153274814
I'm not complaining about the lack of the country being closed and not open, I'm saying this is bascially a cartoon version of the 19th century where Europe rocketed so far ahead of other countries that a blowhard could threaten powerful men in those other countries and they'd have to take him seriously just in case he wasn't actually full of shit.
>>
>>153273351
>quickly became known as... F A T
>>
>>153274814
>>153274131
Imagine if the lord just send a letter back along the lines of "Hey your representative is trying to get my retainers to all commit suicide so he can watch. What's up with that? Please respond at your earliest convenience."

Meanwhile a samurai in France is demanding to sleep with a peasant on her wedding night.
>>
>>153272080
To be fair, he apparently didn't create this character
>>
>>153271138
>>153271189
Karma and FEUDAL JAPAN recognizes Kitsune's game. Same reason the snitch has several layers of plot armor.
>>
>>153272955
>https://www.kenmeyerjr.com/ink-stains.html
fucking awesome, thanks!
>>
>>153269333
I feel Kiyoko tends to emulate Kitsune a lot when they are side by side. Nearly every interaction with Kiyoko Usagi has, when Kitsune is elsewhere, seems to be more calm and reasonable for a kid instead of having the "crazy eye" feel.
>>
>>153272383
>"I can't see his body, so I'll just assume he's dead and will never return again!"
Some things never change.
>>
>>153269228
>>153269236
I swear she's already had this conversation with Usagi. Is this just something Stan put in there for newcomers?
>>
>>153268968
>Must've been the wind
>>
>>153275182
>pre-teen orphan emulates only person who's ever been nice to her
Not big surprise.
>>
>>153275195
This series spans a LONG time. If it brings back something from years and years back it really have better explain for relative newbs.

There'll be tons of this in the soft reboot of the IDW issues.
>>
>>153268973
>>153268981
https://youtu.be/YlJU-SScRHk?si=h5fbH54tbBqBPGCi
>>
>>153269350
>Kitsune almost got the Shinobi rape correction she desperately needed
God damn it.
>>
>>153269501
>>153269511
Wait a minute, I thought kissing was a universal thing...
>>
>>153268985
I see she's subscribed to the Lockpicking Lawyer.
>>
>>153272606
YAMS? Seriously, that's the best name you could come up with for alien invaders? Was The Turnips taken already?
>>
I mean, rodriguez-san wasn't threatening to bomb out lord Odo, he was threatening to call him a bitch in front of the shogun for losing a bet and not making good on it. He didn't have any power but face, Lord Odo simply shouldn't have made a bet to give him anything he wants on conclusion of what should be a friendly duel
>>
>>153269379
oh shit, he said the thing!
>>
>>153269003
https://youtu.be/2P5qbcRAXVk?si=41WheJ1GJWGmr9yB
>>
>>153274451
>The Koroshi? Never! Fails!
>>
>>153269015
Neko ninjas are such fucking jobbers.
>>
>>153271383
>Kitsune
>honor
>>
File: YA-ME-RO.jpg (143.7 KB)
143.7 KB
143.7 KB JPG
>>153274964
But he's not engaging in gunboat diplomacy, he's invoking the authority of the shogun and trying (successfully) to shame Lord Odo by using Feudal Japan's own messed up rules of social etiquette. If we replaced Rodriguez with a native Japanese, someone who has a personal vendetta against the Odo clan, it would be only slightly less ridiculous.
>I defeated all your samurai, Lord Odo. I demand you grant me my boon.
>Very well, Ryouto, name your price.
>I want the tea master Nobu to commit hari-kiri! Otherwise I will let it be known that Lord Odo cannot keep his word!
>>153274870
S-stay back!
>>
>>153269516
>some dipshit child being able to pickpocket a master ninja
jesus christ Stan, I'm not normally one to power-level-fag but this is stupid.
>>
>>153269122
Based Chizu doing us all a favor.
>>
>>153269311
(I'm having trouble following the storytime this year and it shames me to only be able to repost edits from last year.)
>>
I'm gonna come out and say it, rocks are COOL. they're full of MINERALS and CRYSTALS which are also COOL.
>>153273911
I'm telling you, he's full of shit but lord Odo is just too dumb to realize it.
>>
>>153269669
>>153269675
ok, that's clearly cheating
>>
>>153275459
I want to let you know your edits kill my sides every time I read them.
>>
>>153275195
Again, this is right after the three-year hiatus. I don't remember off the top of my head exactly when was the last time before this that Cheese appeared in the comic, but it was definitely before A Town Called Hell, so this is her first showing in, what, eight years? Ten?

Reading at this clip of a volume a day compresses what was often a long-ass production schedule. The way I remember it, back before the hiatus the trades lagged terribly behind the single issues and the hiatus really just allowed them to catch up by publishing one a year. I could be wrong about that though because again, it was fuckin' ages ago.
>>
>>153275195
>I swear she's already had this conversation with Usagi.
Yes. Chizu "Big Kashira" did. But this is Venom Kashira
>>
>>153273795
I had to do it, it's not the same without the funny floating skull
>>
>>153269754
>>153269766
>>153269775
this is some Hyouge Mono type of shit
>>
>>153275465
>I'm telling you, he's full of shit but lord Odo is just too dumb to realize it.
I definitely think a minor thread of the story is that Odo is kind of an unconfident bumpkin who's insecure in his own status. He hired Nobu in the first place so he wouldn't look retarded at court, which by Nobu's implication neither Mifune nor the Geishus would have had an issue with, and in the same way he doesn't have any confidence in his own standing with the shogun even if the shit he refused was obviously retarded. That's why he's susceptible to these dumbass arguments and gets crudely manipulated by Rodriguez (arguably it's also why he was stupid enough to offer whatever the winner of the duel wanted as a reward).
>>
>>153275380
Yeah, and he implies the Shogun told Odo to treat him as a respected guest and show him whatever he wants to be shown. The tea master would be kinda disobeying the shogun's commands by refusing.
>>
>>153275502
Thanks, I'll try to come up with something new when I get some free time.

Reply to Thread #153268926


Supported: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, WebM, MP4, MP3 (max 4MB)