Usagi Yojimbo
Creation & Design
Usagi Yojimbo was created by Stan Sakai, inspired by Japanese culture and samurai films. The character is a tribute to the samurai tradition and folklore.Early Years
Usagi Yojimbo debuted in 1984 and quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of anthropomorphic characters and samurai storytelling.Character Development
Over the years, Usagi has evolved from a simple samurai character into a complex figure embodying themes of honor, loyalty, and the struggles of a warrior in a changing world.Cultural Reception
Usagi Yojimbo has been critically acclaimed for its storytelling, art, and cultural representation, earning multiple awards.Character Details
Real Name:
Miyamoto Usagi
Aliases:
Usagi, Rabbit Samurai
Species:
Anthropomorphic Rabbit
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Samurai, The Tengu, The Rabbit Clan
Abilities:
Expert swordsman, Martial arts, Stealth
Equipment:
Katana, Shuriken, Armor
Weight:
100lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
black
Hair Color:
white
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Albedo #2
Thoughts & Images
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
Albedo #3
Thoughts & Images
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Usagi Yojimbo and back cover appearance
Albedo #4
Thoughts & Images
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance and second cover appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Critters #1
Fantagraphics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Gen, a rhinoceros bounty hunter
10-page Usagi Yojimbo story
1st appearance of Gen, a rhinoceros bounty hunter
10-page Usagi Yojimbo story
Critters #3
Fantagraphics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Stan Sakai featuring Usagi Yojimbo
Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special #1
Fantagraphics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
One-shot with wraparound cover art by Stan Sakai
First reprint of Usagi Yojimbo first appearance from Albedo #2 (1984)
One-shot with wraparound cover art by Stan Sakai
First reprint of Usagi Yojimbo first appearance from Albedo #2 (1984)
Doomsday Squad #3
Fantagraphics
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
First Usagi Yojimbo story in color
Comics Interview #44
Comics Interview
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring Usagi Yojimbo
Interview with Stan Sakai
Usagi Yojimbo #1
Fantagraphics
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
First solo series featuring Usagi Yojimbo
[July 2020 - an animated series based in the Yojimbo Universe has been announced for Netflix with the plot centered on a descendant of Miyamoto Usagi]
First solo series featuring Usagi Yojimbo
[July 2020 - an animated series based in the Yojimbo Universe has been announced for Netflix with the plot centered on a descendant of Miyamoto Usagi]
Anything Goes #6
Fantagraphics
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Stan Sakai, no interior Usagi story
Usagi Yojimbo #7
Fantagraphics
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and cover of Spot, an small aquatic dinosaur aka, a Tokage
[July 2021 - Spot confirmed for the Usagi Netflix series]
1st appearance and cover of Spot, an small aquatic dinosaur aka, a Tokage
[July 2021 - Spot confirmed for the Usagi Netflix series]
Usagi Yojimbo #10
Fantagraphics
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Jei-san, a wolf and recurring villain of Usagi Yojimbo
Early appearance of Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1st appearance of Jei-san, a wolf and recurring villain of Usagi Yojimbo
Early appearance of Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Usagi Yojimbo #17
Fantagraphics
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Chizu, a member of the Neko ninja clan
Usagi Yojimbo Color Special #1
Fantagraphics
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
Anthology of stories featuring Usagi Yojimbo
Reprinted artwork, mostly covers, from early publications
Anthology of stories featuring Usagi Yojimbo
Reprinted artwork, mostly covers, from early publications
Varmints Special #1
Blue Comet Comics
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
One-shot with Panda Khan story
Back cover art by Stan Sakai featuring Usagi Yojimbo
One-shot with Panda Khan story
Back cover art by Stan Sakai featuring Usagi Yojimbo
Amazing Heroes #187
Fantagraphics
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
Interview with Stan Sakai and an 8-page comic story by Sakai that reveals the creation of Usagi Yojimbo
Interview with Stan Sakai and an 8-page comic story by Sakai that reveals the creation of Usagi Yojimbo
Usagi Yojimbo #32
Fantagraphics
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Kitsune, a master thief
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46
Mirage
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Preview of Space Usagi, 4-page sketchbook of a far future descendant of Usagi Yojimbo
Preview of Space Usagi, 4-page sketchbook of a far future descendant of Usagi Yojimbo
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #47
Mirage
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Space Usagi, 8-page back-up story
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46 previewed Space Usagi in 4 pages of sketches
1st appearance of Space Usagi, 8-page back-up story
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #46 previewed Space Usagi in 4 pages of sketches
Space Usagi #1
Mirage
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of a three-issue series featuring Space Usagi, a far future descendent of Usagi Yojimbo
Premiere issue of a three-issue series featuring Space Usagi, a far future descendent of Usagi Yojimbo
Usagi Yojimbo #35
Fantagraphics
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Ken Steacy
Usagi Yojimbo #1
Mirage
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Mirage begins publishing Usagi Yojimbo (Vol.2), previously published by Fantagraphics (Vol. 1)
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Mirage begins publishing Usagi Yojimbo (Vol.2), previously published by Fantagraphics (Vol. 1)
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Ashcan edition, comic convention giveaway
Usagi Yojimbo #3
Mirage
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, begins in issue #1
Guest appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, begins in issue #1
Usagi Yojimbo #1
Dark Horse
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Dark Horse begins publishing Usagi Yojimo
Dark Horse Presents #140
Dark Horse
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring a Xenomorph and tie-in story to the Aliens: Apocalypse series
8-page Usagi Yojimbo story written and illustrated by Stan Sakai
Cover art featuring a Xenomorph and tie-in story to the Aliens: Apocalypse series
8-page Usagi Yojimbo story written and illustrated by Stan Sakai
Usagi Yojimbo #101
Dark Horse
•
2007
•
Vol. 1
Copies ordered by retailers: 5,836
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Usagi Yojimbo #1
IDW
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
One-shot team-up of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Usagi Yojimbo versus Jei
One-shot team-up of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Usagi Yojimbo versus Jei
Variant cover art by David Petersen
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles / Usagi Yojimbo #1
IDW
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
Variant
Variant cover art by Stan Sakai
Usagi Yojimbo #1
IDW
•
2019
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Premiere issue of a new series written and illustrated by Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai with new publisher IDW
Premiere issue of a new series written and illustrated by Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai with new publisher IDW
Variant cover art by Kevin Eastman
Variant cover art by Ian Nichols
San Diego Comic Con 2019 exclusive, offered by New England Comics
Variant cover art by Ian Nichols
San Diego Comic Con 2019 exclusive, offered by New England Comics
Usagi Yojimbo #6
IDW
•
2019
•
Vol. 1
Anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo's 35th year
Retelling of the first Usagi story "The Goblin of Adachigahara" with 16 additional pages of story from creator Stan Sakai
Origin of Usagi Yojimbo
Anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo's 35th year
Retelling of the first Usagi story "The Goblin of Adachigahara" with 16 additional pages of story from creator Stan Sakai
Origin of Usagi Yojimbo
35th anniversary foil reproduction of Albedo #2 (1984), the first appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
35th anniversary foil reproduction of Albedo #2 (1984), the first appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Variant virgin cover art by Julie Sakai
First standard comic cover featuring a Chibi-style Usagi Yojimbo - Chibi refers to a type of art that depicts characters with large heads and small bodies
Cover art inspired by Albedo #2 (1984), illustrated by the wife of Stan Sakai, Julie
Variant virgin cover art by Julie Sakai
First standard comic cover featuring a Chibi-style Usagi Yojimbo - Chibi refers to a type of art that depicts characters with large heads and small bodies
Cover art inspired by Albedo #2 (1984), illustrated by the wife of Stan Sakai, Julie
Variant cover art by Peach Momoko
San Diego Comic Con 2020 Comic-Con@Home exclusive
Variant cover art by Peach Momoko
San Diego Comic Con 2020 Comic-Con@Home exclusive
Variant cover art by Mateus Santolouco
Variant cover art by Jon Sommariva
Variant cover art by Jennifer Meyer
Variant cover art by Jesus Hervas
Variant cover art by Soo Lee
Variant cover art by Rossi Gifford
Variant cover art by Johnny Desjardins
Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!