Usagi Yojimbo, sometimes translated as Rabbit Bodyguard, is one of the longest-running comics to be written and drawn by a single person. Miyamoto Usagi is a ronin wandering through early Edo period Japan after the death of his lord. His journey leads him across the islands, where he meets—and fights—all manner of people. But wherever …
Usagi Yojimbo: Stan Sakai’s Portrait of Life as a Ronin Read More »
The manga Vagabond by Inoue Takehiko is one of the world’s greatest martial art epics. It tells the story of Miyamoto Musashi, ronin, philosopher, and quite possibly the most renowned Japanese swordsman who ever lived. Musashi’s story has been told and retold many times since his death in 1645. Vagabond’s melancholy, violent take on his …
According to Akira Kurosawa’s perspective, “the Japanese see self-assertion as immoral, and self-sacrifice is the sensible course to take in Life.” This is because one must serve their master, the shogun, or the emperor. However, this hypothesis is challenged in Seven Samurai, a classic film that inspired Roger Ebert to write: “Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai …
Seven Samurai and the Birth of the Samurai Movie: Tale of Ronin’s Origins Read More »
Nisio Isin, stylized NisiOisiN, is an incredibly prolific Japanese writer whose works are designed to play with audience expectations and feelings. He’s written across a wide variety of genres and mediums, including samurai drama. As one might expect, his take on the genre ended up equal parts bizarre and compelling. The 12-volume-long series Katanagatari, released …
Katanagatari: NisiOisiN’s Chaotic Alternate Early Edo Period Read More »
Sumi-e, also known as Japanese ink painting, is one of the most striking traditional Japanese art styles. Artists use a combination of ink and negative space to capture the beauty of the natural world. Although the paintings must be monochrome, all gradations of ink are available. This allows the painter to create a wide range …
Tale of Ronin and Sumi-e: The Art of Japanese Ink Painting Read More »
How does one describe the movie Yojimbo? This Akira Kurosawa samurai film contains so many striking images that it’s impossible to pick just one. In Yojimbo, a dog trots down the main street of a deserted town carrying a human hand in its mouth. The town itself is an urban warzone between the private armies …
Yojimbo and Tale of Ronin: Playing to Win in a Rotten World Read More »
Tezuka Osamu has been called the “Father of Manga,” and he’s widely credited with laying down the foundations for the art form. Throughout his life, he created over 700 comics for a wide variety of genres. Dororo was Tezuka’s take on a samurai story. Dark, cinematic, and often disturbing, the series was one of the …
The word ‘samurai’ comes from “saburai,” and it means “to serve” and “to keep watch.” Samurai were warriors who served a lord known as a daimyo and followed the values of Bushido, “the way of the warrior.” This chivalrous code of honor was based on moral principles such as bravery, sacrifice, and honesty. Needless to …
Samurai Movies and the Human Side of the Samurai Read More »
We will be releasing a few comics in order to further introduce you to the game world and the characters. The first one, an introduction to Tale of Ronin is ready now, enjoy!
The great comic artist, Frank Miller, has a very interesting quote about the ronin. He had done extensive research about samurai culture for Daredevil and later on worked on the Ronin comic series. Frank Miller: “The aspect of the samurai that intrigues me most is the ronin, the masterless samurai, the fallen warrior. … This …