Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 1

Loved this and plan to collect them all. Complex character development, fascinating storylines, and gritty portrayal of life in 17th century Japan for a traveling samurai who happens to also be a rabbit. It feels like the storylines come before the drawings, and are supported by the framing. There’s some innuendo, and violence that’s at times disturbing but not gratuitous - I think this is fine for 10+ although I don’t really consider it a kid’s series.

For whatever reason, the first book begins with the 8th comic, so this isn’t the true beginning of the series. I don’t feel that negatively impacted the story in any way (starting with Saga Book 1). There’s an introduction to primary characters at the beginning, and a note referencing the original comic when they first appear.

I appreciated the more educational elements that cover some aspect of life at that time (kelp farming). There are also explanatory pages in this edition.