Review: 47 Ronin

Written by Mike Richardson

Cover, Pencils, and inks by Stan Sakai

Colors by Lovern Kindzierski

Lettering by Tom Orzechowski and Lois Buhalis

Editorial Consulting provided by Kazuo Koike

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

FC, 152 pages

The tale of these samurai and their epic mission to avenge their wronged master is the story of Japan. Opening with the tragic incident that sealed the fate of Lord Asano, 47 Ronin follows a dedicated group of his vassals on their years-long path of vengeance!

Now in paperback for the first time.

Last week, a blockbuster re-issue hit stores, and for my first review on this young site, I had to dive into this historical fiction novel and give my thoughts on it. Please, continue to the review beyond the jump!

As previously mentioned, the story is based on a true story about a wronged daimyō who was forced by his superior to commit ritual suicide over a minor slight, which his superior had provoked in the first place. His vassal samurai who remained then committed to revenge. This story was actually adapted into a film with Keanu Reeves around the time the series was being published, as well. 

The story itself is engrossing and filled with intricate Japanese political intrigue and a complex system of honor and ethics. At least, it would be if it were paced a bit better than published. The story is told in a very linear fashion, and as a result, the actual 47 Ronin invoked into the title are not able to get in on the action until very late in the story, and in fact, don’t even enact their plan until the last third of the book. Perhaps this is a nitpick as the story was told as factually as possible due to the exhaustive efforts of Dark Horse Publisher and writer Mike Richardson and the indomitable talents of Usagi Yojimbo’s own Stan Sakai. Now, I’m not saying the story isn’t worth reading! Far from it. Perhaps I’m making too much of a nitpick, but perhaps if the story were told in a non-linear fashion, with the politics told parallel to the revenge plot, the story would have kicked into gear much sooner and the middle slog after the death of the daimyō and before the ultimate revenge of the Ronin forced to restore the honor of their master. Perhaps I also would have enjoyed a peak into the psyche of these men who ultimately sacrificed their lives for their dishonored master. Of course there is a cultural difference here and that is ultimately what invokes my desire for learning for about these men. Their names are listed at the end of the book, but they're still strangers!

But even if the story were a little disappointing and on the slow side, the highlight of this book are the utterly fantastic pencils of the legendary Stan Sakai. For those of you who don’t know him, Stan Sakai created the leporidae warrior and occasional ally of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It might have been a bit jarring to see Sakai draw ronin without bunny ears, but he is at the height of his powers in this book.

Sakai would never be confused for a style that would be in a standard superhero book. Perhaps a comedy book like Groo (which, coincidentally, he lettered for a time), but his style might be considered incongruous with a book starring your average caped crusader. That being said, I would never consider anyone else for a title like this. Sakai’s style is perfect for the story being told and his focus on detail means that, despite there being dozens and dozens of characters who wear similar uniforms. That attention to detail and aversion to artistic shortcuts makes every panel and treat to behold, dig into, and enjoy.

What it all comes down to, is that if you’re a novice, like your humble reviewer, and interested in Japanese history and the Bushido code, this book is for you. It’s closer to the actual story than the Keanu Reeves vehicle (as he was added to appeal to American moviegoers) and told in a much more timeless, if ultimately too linear, fashion with not enough focus on the individual men who fought to defend their master. It’s also worth reading if you’re looking for a story about heroism and honor without a cape or cowl in sight. If you’re more educated on the history of Japan, the story may not satisfy you, but I suspect the art will keep you enthralled from beginning to end.

Final Verdict: 7/10