I found a wonderfully detailed analysis of Satsu’s character on Season 8 of the Buffy comics. Stormwreath studies virtually every panel Satsu appeared in and gives us his own clinical interpretation. Here’s an excerpt:

Recent developments would tend to suggest that Satsu is becoming a major character in ‘Buffy’… In fact, if the show were still on TV instead of in comics I suspect she’d be added to the main credits by now. (Instead, she gets to appear on the alternate cover of 8.11, and in at least one more cover in the current arc). The problem, of course, is that compared to characters who appeared for years on the show - and had a living, breathing actor to depict them - we don’t know that much about her.

That’s not to say she’s a non-entity, though. (And there are plenty of compelling characters who only appear on paper… there are these things called “books” which used to be quite popular once… [g]) So as a hopefully helpful guide to people who want to get to know her better, I decided to put together a giant picspam of all Satsu’s appearances in the comics, and analyse what they say about her character. Some of which is probably self-evident, while other conclusions I come to might be really pushing the evidence to the extreme. I’ll leave you to work out which is which…

Click here to read the complete article: All About Satsu.

Some pictures are worth a thousand words. This one is worth at least a million. When this frame appeared in Issue #12 of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 comics, the Buffy forums went in fire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it that way since the series finale Chosen. A lot of people liked it, and more than a few dissed it. I refrained from writing about the issue for a day or two to ponder, because I didn’t want this post to sound too emotional. Now, let’s take a closer look at the arguments, shall we?

Where did that come from?

While I admit that even I was surprised, upon reflection, I think the nano-second of disbelief at the sight of Buffy and Satsu in bed was more of “Joss actually went ahead with that?!”, rather than “But that’s impossible!”. The Buffy/Satsu thing has been developing for quite some time. I re-read the whole season and came up with this timeline:

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Buffy Season 8 Comics Review

Previously on the BTVS comics: While on a vampire hunt, Satsu admits her feelings to an understanding, open-minded Buffy. The new Big Bad, Twilight, comes out of nowhere and gives them a mean beating, leaving Buffy visibly shaken.

Recap / Review of Issue #12 - SPOILERS ALERT!
It’s a foggy night in Scotland, lit by a beautiful full moon. Renee is on patrol duty at the Slayer Central tower, and Xander is hanging around for company. They spot wolves approaching the castle gate. They sense some weirdness is happening, but they’re not fully aware of any danger. Flirting ensues…

XANDER: Trust me, I’m on my own time here.
RENEE: Really?
XANDER: Are you kidding me? Look out there – the moon is full, the stars are bright, the fog is particularly fog-tastic… who wants to be alone on a night like this?

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Buffy Season 8 Comics Review

If somebody told me that Buffy could possibly be bisexual and that she’s gonna be romantically involved with another slayer, I would have said, “Nice fanfic. Did you write that yourself?” And yet here we are with the latest issue of the Season 8 comics, and we’re faced with exactly that. But the other slayer isn’t Faith, as most of you shippers might be salivating over. It’s Satsu, an apparently lesbian Japanese slayer and Buffy’s best protégé.

See, it all started in Issue #2 - The Long Way Home, when Amy the Witch put a sleeping spell on Buffy, which can only be broken by a kiss of true love. Yeah, yeah, cheesy, I know. But admit it. It was interesting. All the slayers, Xander, and Willow were in the room with our hero. It was suggested that they all close their eyes, and after a few moments, voila! The spell has been broken, Buffy is awake, but our mysterious kisser remained a secret.

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It’s out! After an exciting 3-issue Faith arc, the Season 8 comics kicks off 2008 with an introspective issue. Willow and Buffy re-examine their friendship, Kennedy makes an appearance, Dawn opens up to Xander, and some shocking secrets are revealed. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is alive and well this 2008. Here’s a look at the cover:

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