Usagi Yojimbo #20

Usagi Yojimbo #20 begins a new arc with the introduction of young swordmaster Yukichi Yamamoto who meets Miyamoto Usagi for the second time. The pair's first meeting is shown in a flashback in which Yukichi retells the meeting where the young pupil was too slow to recognize Usagi's skill with a blade denying a meeting for the rabbit ronin with Itsuki-Sensei. Now with his master dead, Yukichi travels to deliver Itsuki-Sensei's sword his nephew Daido.

The flashback meeting, which Usagi has long ago forgotten about, and hold no ill-will, but which still haunts Yukichi, offers an interesting way to pair the two together as something more than just simple companions on the road. It turns out Yukichi is thankful for Usagi's company as some local marauders take interest in the two travelers (and aren't too happy with being publicly rebuffed).

As the villains plot their revenge, Usagi decides to help the swordmaster on his quest which no doubt will run into more trouble before long.

[IDW, $3.99]

• Title: Usagi Yojimbo #20
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Stan Sakai
• Artist: Stan Sakai