Usagi Yojimbo #56

Usagi Yojimbo issue 56, published in 2003, is part of the long-running comic series created, written, and illustrated by Stan Sakai. Set in an anthropomorphic version of Edo-period Japan, the series follows the ronin rabbit Miyamoto Usagi as he traverses the countryside following the way of the warrior. This issue is a chapter within the Grasscutter II: Journey to Idzu story arc, a pivotal narrative that explores the legendary sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi and the political machinations of the shogun's court.

Sakai, a Japanese-American cartoonist, designed the series to blend historical drama with folklore and action-adventure, heavily influenced by the films of Akira Kurosawa and the manga Lone Wolf and Cub. The aesthetic is marked by Sakai’s clean, brush-heavy ink work and expressive character designs, which emphasize fluidity and kinetic storytelling. Upon its release, the issue was well-received by the established fanbase, lauded for its intricate world-building and the consistent, grounded character development that has defined the series throughout its decades-long publication history.