Usagi Yojimbo: Kaito ’84 #5: Things Left on the Vine

Kaito, Inspector Ame, and Genn are all captured by Momo and his men at the end of their trials for the weapon to slay Jei. With the fate of the world at stake, Kaito and friends enter their final battle.

The final issue of Kaito ‘84 is one I struggle to find a genuine thing to critique. Not because the issue is flawless or anything like that. It’s a rushed conclusion with little build that sets up a sequel that hopefully comes, but beyond that it just feels so standard. Nothing bad, but nothing truly outstanding either. Just set up for a larger narrative to be fleshed out whenever the creative team decides.

Zack Rosenberg ties things up well enough, though like I said a lot of resolution feels rushed. Yuki returns with no real rhyme or reason after not being seen for two issues and the ending fight with Jei is fast-paced, but wraps up a bit too nicely in order to set things in place for the next part of the tale. There is even a preview of this phantom sequel.

Jared Callum’s artwork very much carried a bulk of the story, but that’s not really a bad thing. He brings his A-game for the finale, with his style perfectly suited for this final battle the book has been building towards. The colors especially set the mood, making things very reminiscent of a Don Bluth film from the early 90s.