Usagi Yojimbo (うさぎ用心棒 or 兎用心棒, translation: "Rabbit Bodyguard") is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai. Set in the beginning of Edo period Japan (early 17th century), where humans are replaced by anthropomorphic animals, it features a rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, who wanders the land on a shogyusha (warrior's pilgrimage) occasionally selling his services as a bodyguard. The character of Usagi has been inspired by the famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi while the tone and inspirations of the stories are heavily influenced by the films of the acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.

The books consist of short stories, with underlying larger plotlines which culminate in long extended stories. The stories include many references to Japanese history and folklore, and sometimes include mythical creatures. The architecture, clothes, weapons, and other objects are drawn with faithfullness to the period's style. There are often stories whose purpose to illustrate various elements of Japanese arts and crafts, such as the fashioning of kites, swords, and pottery. The grandest example of this is "Grasscutter" a long story arc that featured the mythological and historical background of the legendary sword, Kusanagi before the adventure of Usagi accidentally gaining posession of the weapon.

Usagi first appeared in the anthology Albedo Anthropomorphics, and later in the Fantagraphics Books anthropomorphic anthology Critters, before appearing in his own series. The Usagi Yojimbo series has been published by three different companies. The first publisher was Fantagraphics (volume one; 38 regular issues, plus one Summer Special and four Color Specials), the second was Mirage Comics (volume two; 16 issues), and the third is Dark Horse Comics, at which Usagi Yojimbo is still being published (as volume three).

In addition, Sakai created a short lived spin off called Space Usagi which featured the characters in the original series in a futuristic setting that also emulated Feudal Japan in political and stylistic ways.

Usagi has also appeared several times in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the comic, the animated series, and the toy line), and the Turtles have appeared in Usagi Yojimbo as well. There was also an abortive project for a Space Usagi animated series before the failure of Bucky O'Hare and the Toad Wars discouraged further development.

Collections

1. The Ronin. ISBN 1560971320 (HC); ISBN 0930193350 (TPB).
2. Samurai. ISBN 156097074X (HC); ISBN 0930193881 (TPB).
3. The Wanderer's Road. ISBN 1560971851 (HC); ISBN 156097009X (TPB).
4. The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy. ISBN 1560970553 (HC); ISBN 1560970634 (TPB).
5. Lone Goat and Kid. ISBN 1560970847 (HC); ISBN 156097088X (TPB).
6. Circles. ISBN 1560971479 (HC); ISBN 1103886533 (TPB).
7. Gen's Story. ISBN 1560973056 (HC); ISBN 1560973048 (TPB).
8. Shades of Death. ISBN 156971259X (TPB).
9. Daisho. ISBN 1569712921 (TPB).
10. The Brink of Life and Death. ISBN 1569712972 (TPB).
11. Seasons. ISBN 1569713758 (TPB).
12. Grasscutter. ISBN 1569714134 (TPB).
13. Grey Shadows. ISBN 1569714592 (TPB).
14. Demon Mask. ISBN 1569715238 (TPB).
15. Grasscutter II—Journey to Atsuta Shrine. ISBN 1569716609 (TPB).
16. The Shrouded Moon. ISBN 1569718830 (TPB).
17. Duel at Kitanoji. ISBN 156971973X (TPB).
18. Travels with Jotaro. ISBN 1593072201 (TPB).
19. Fathers And Sons. ISBN 1593073208 (HC); ISBN 1593073194 (TPB).

• The Art of Usagi Yojimbo: 20th Anniversary Edition. ISBN 1593072686.

Spin-offs

• Space Usagi. (A futuristic setting involving a descendant of Miyamoto Usagi.) ISBN 1569712905.

External links:

• The official Usagi Yojimbo website