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Usagi Yojimbo (Literally "Rabbit Bodyguard," or phonetically usagi yojimbo or usagi yojinbo) is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai.
Usagi Yojimbo is set in the beginning of Edo period Feudal Japan (early 17th century) with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, and features a ronin rabbit, Miyamoto Usagi, who wanders the land as a shugyosha (student warrior on a pilgramage) occasionally selling his services as a yojimbo (bodyguard). Hence the title "Usagi Yojimbo". The character of Usagi has been inspired by the famous Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi while the tone and inspirations of the stories are heavily influenced by Groo the Wanderer, Lone Wolf and Cub and the films of the acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.
History of Usagi Yojimbo - Everything you've ever wanted to know about how UY got started... from the early pre-Albedo days to Usagi's first ongoing series to his TV appearances...it's all here!
Usagi's TV Appearances - A page dedicated to tracking info down on Usagi's TV appearances on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series
UY Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to all sorts of questions about Usagi, Stan, Nilson, Space Usagi, other characters by Stan, Feudal Japan, Stan's comics, ninja, samurai....and lots more
History of the UY Dojo - How did this website become the Official Usagi Yojimbo Website? Check this page out to get the full history of how Todd Shogun took the UYD from a simple fan page to one of the most comprehensive comic book-related websites ever produced
Usagi's World - Under Construction
UY Character Overview - Click on any of the characters on the following page to learn more about all the interesting people in Usagi's continuity
More About Usagi
The books consist of short stories, with underlying larger plotlines which culminate into longer, extended story arcs. The stories include many references to Japanese history and Japanese folklore, and sometimes include mythical creatures. The architecture, clothes, weapons, and other objects are drawn with a faithfulness to the period's style. There are often stories whose purpose is to illustrate various elements of Japanese arts and crafts, such as the fashioning of kites, swords, and pottery. Those efforts have been successful enough for the series to be awarded a Parent's Choice Award for its educational value. The series also follows the standard Japanese naming convention for all characters, being surname given name. (thanks to Wikipedia for putting it so eloquently)
Summarized Usagi Info:
Usagi Yojimbo first appeared in 1984 in Thoughts and Images' Albedo Anthropomorphics comic book series
Usagi is written and drawn by Stan Sakai, a 3rd-generation Japanese American who lives in Pasadena, CA
Usagi has been published by several comic book publishing companies, including Thoughts and Images, Fantagraphics Books, Mirage Studios, Radio Comix, and Dark Horse Comics
Internationally famous, Usagi has been published in other countries and languages, such as Latin America, Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy, Finland, Sweden...but not Japan! (At least not yet)
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What is Usagi Yojimbo?