‘Usagi Yojimbo’ Ordered at Netflix

[Gaffey]

Ha! I was writing a reply to the original post before it disappeared into the ether.

https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/usagi- ... ssion=true

Anyway, congrats to Stan! Is it safe to assume this guy is Yuichi?

[Angilasman]

It was my original post and I deleted it. Even though I think the things I said were pretty fair, in the end I don't want to be one of those folks who's just so negative online - especially when it's on something as trivial as comics and cartoons! (no matter how much we love them)

Of course, congrats to Stan for finally, finally, finally, finally having the darn thing got done! It couldn't happen to a nicer, nor more talented, guy.

[Maka]

It was my original post and I deleted it. Even though I think the things I said were pretty fair, in the end I don't want to be one of those folks who's just so negative online - especially when it's on something as trivial as comics and cartoons! (no matter how much we love them)

Of course, congrats to Stan for finally, finally, finally, finally having the darn thing got done! It couldn't happen to a nicer, nor more talented, guy.

I was writing a reply to your post, Angilasman. But then it didn’t exist. .

Here’s my reply to the post that doesn’t exist.

——

“These are not the Usagi cartoons you are looking for…”

I have no idea what the business contracts, merchandise licenses, etc are. But I do know that Netflix is the business associated with streaming services at the moment. For me, it would on the same level if Usagi Yojimbo trades were published by Scholastic. Scholastic is the number one publisher of graphic novels. Usagi will instantly Get more eyes on it.

Am I disappointed that we will not see storylines and characters from the comics? Yes. But exposure at this level could lead to new opportunities in animation in the future. Stan’s involved. Let’s see what happens. I hope it will be great.

I’ve been waiting for Usagi to hit mainstream for almost 30 years. This isn’t the Usagi I know and love. But I’m still looking forward to it. A lot. Peace, maka

[go]

Congratulations Sensei Sakai!
Thank you very much for the fun.
Best wishes to all.
go

[Casey Burns]

... exposure at this level could lead to new opportunities in animation in the future. Stan’s involved. Let’s see what happens. I hope it will be great.

This is my thinking as well. I don't care what form this is taking, I'm very excited to see Stan's vision get a wider audience. Sounds like the studios may want to start with a series that hits some buckets that are proven sellers with viewers, and that's certainly not uncommon practice. Like Maka says, if it does well, Stan may get more and more opportunities to explore other storylines or concepts down the road once a TV fanbase is established.

I'm so excited for Stan, congratulations! And of course, very excited to see the series itself.

[david20009]

My original posting got seems to be gone. Don't feel like retyping it all so will simply say

Congratulations Sensei Sakai. I am very much looking forward to this.

[maichan]

As usual, I am late to the party. Apparently I missed something, but I've been following this topic on Facebook throughout the day.

First and foremost I want to congratulate Stan on this achievement. And even though it is not Usagi, I am looking forward to watching, and hopefully enjoying this series.

As Maka touched upon licencing and contracts, I'm sure there is a lot that has taken place behind closed doors that we can't even imagine. I wonder if this way, let's call it a spinoff of the Usagiverse, with an all new cast of characters and a new setting, is a way that Stan can maintain his rights (and control) of Usagi & team & story that we all know and love.

As others have stated, while it may be a disappointment to many fans that this won't be the Usagi Yojimbo series we've been waiting for, that might actually be a good thing. An animated series with new characters, and exposure on Netflix is bound to bring in a new crop of fans into the Usagiverse. If things go well, perhaps doors will open for a true Usagi series, or maybe even a feature film. Maybe this will lead new comic book series... perhaps even non-canon stories that can be penned and drawn by other writers and artists, without affecting the core Usagiverse storyline. The possibilities are endless.

In the end, I look forward to watching this new series. As long as I'm entertained, I'll be happy.

[Angilasman]

* puts on speculation hat *

I think the reason it's not called Space Usagi is because they decided on more of a future Earth setting instead of lots of space travel.

I mean; I get it. You can have a retro-future with Japanese influences and not have to tackle the concepts of life and death, political maneuvering, class divisions, ritual suicide that are the bread-and-butter of the comics more realistic feudal Japanese setting. Still, there are probably something like a thousand Japanese children shows over the years they have kept the historical setting but still remained kid friendly. I'm not saying it's easy, but it is possible. It's been done.

[jabba359]

I'll give the show a chance. That said, I'm more excited for Stan to get new fans and Usagi awareness to increase than I am about the show concept itself. I do hope it's successful and leads to more open doors for Stan in the future.

If things go well, perhaps doors will open for a true Usagi series, or maybe even a feature film.

And I know a guy that would love to do a true-to-Usagi movie trilogy. Just saying, this certain someone who shall not be named might already have pretty solid ideas for the first and second movies and a general direction to take a third, or so I hear... Studios do love their trilogies.

So for me, that a "real" Usagi show isn't being made, just means that opportunity is still out there somewhere and they'll have to find someone to do it eventually.

[Trevis Woods]

This is such amazing news! So happy for Stan and all of us that are Usagi fans. If I can’t see Usagi himself I’ll still take something like this with Stan involved over nothing at all.
I imagine it will lead to many amazing things and who knows, maybe they will have a few flashback episodes or a time travel episode arc and Usagi, Gen and the rest of the crew will make an appearance:)
Congrats Stan!!!

[Randy Clute!]

I also want to chime in and say how excited I am about the announcement, and explain my perspective on it! While I understand the thread's stance on wanting the series to feature Miyamoto Usagi, I think that the decision to not include him will actually fair well in our favor as fans. I think the golden dream would be to have an exact reproduction of the comic series in animated form, but, unfortunately, off the top of my head, I can not think of a single American series that has ever done this. Sure, there are several anime series that did achieve, or came close to achieving, this ideal, but that is unfortunately still not the norm in American comic book adaptations. I think the chances of the series hitting our standards as fans is probably better this way, since the series will not be a watered-down version of its source-material. It will instead give the creators, including Stan Sakai, a chance to branch off into new stories and ideas. It will also not infringe upon the merits that Usagi Yojimbo has been so careful to achieve and maintain. Things like historical accuracy, varying genres, and other aspects of Usagi Yojimbo that make it stand out have no chance of being marred when put before a broader audience. These uncompromising facets are part of what makes Usagi so special, since it is one of the few existing things that has lasted for so long whilst maintaining a strong sense of integrity. I think that Stan Sakai's devotion to maintaining this integrity is evident in the fact that the series is named "Samurai Rabbit: the Usagi Chronicles."

Basically, I believe that the reason this series isn't what may have been expected is because television is not made by one man, and Usagi Yojimbo is (save a few guest appearances from his wonderfully talented wife, Julie Sakai ). If any other voice were to interfere with Stan Sakai's, it would most likely lose its touch. So, that was a long-winded way of saying it's going to be good, I bet!

[Steve Hubbell]

I also want to chime in and say how excited I am about the announcement, and explain my perspective on it! While I understand the thread's stance on wanting the series to feature Miyamoto Usagi, I think that the decision to not include him will actually fair well in our favor as fans. I think the golden dream would be to have an exact reproduction of the comic series in animated form, but, unfortunately, off the top of my head, I can not think of a single American series that has ever done this. Sure, there are several anime series that did achieve, or came close to achieving, this ideal, but that is unfortunately still not the norm in American comic book adaptations. I think the chances of the series hitting our standards as fans is probably better this way, since the series will not be a watered-down version of its source-material. It will instead give the creators, including Stan Sakai, a chance to branch off into new stories and ideas. It will also not infringe upon the merits that Usagi Yojimbo has been so careful to achieve and maintain. Things like historical accuracy, varying genres, and other aspects of Usagi Yojimbo that make it stand out have no chance of being marred when put before a broader audience. These uncompromising facets are part of what makes Usagi so special, since it is one of the few existing things that has lasted for so long whilst maintaining a strong sense of integrity. I think that Stan Sakai's devotion to maintaining this integrity is evident in the fact that the series is named "Samurai Rabbit: the Usagi Chronicles."

Basically, I believe that the reason this series isn't what may have been expected is because television is not made by one man, and Usagi Yojimbo is (save a few guest appearances from his wonderfully talented wife, Julie Sakai ). If any other voice were to interfere with Stan Sakai's, it would most likely lose its touch. So, that was a long-winded way of saying it's going to be good, I bet!

Very nicely worded, Randy!

Of course, there are the conflicts between what is acceptable (and normal) in a normal Usagi Yojimbo story and what is acceptable on television in a cartoon with a target audience age of single digits (violence for one thing). A Usagi Yojimbo animated series for the target audience would have to be so watered down as to be unrecognizable compared to the comic.

[Stan Sakai]

Thank you for the encouragement, all.

As I said on the Mark Evanier's Groo Chat the other night, there is a reason why this series is not centered on the original Usagi. I cannot talk about it yet but, when you find out, you will think it's really awesome.

One thing I can talk about is the demographics of cartoon watchers. The range for the typical cartoon watcher is 2-6 years old. By the time they are six or so, they are on to video games. Usagi is aimed at the 6-12 year old market. That is the same as the TMNT series that Usagi last appeared in. TMNT was quickly losing its audience so they rebooted it for a younger viewership. A show like Samurai Jack was aimed at a older audience but, by industry standards, the series was a failure. We are hoping the characters, action, humor, and setting will keep its audience.

[Angilasman]

As I said on the Mark Evanier's Groo Chat the other night, there is a reason why this series is not centered on the original Usagi. I cannot talk about it yet but, when you find out, you will think it's really awesome.

Oooh, interesting.

Thanks for the update!

[Mayhem]

That’s quite sad about the short and early age range for cartoons now... was never the case when I was a kid...