Usagi Yojimbo is a comic book series about the character Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit.
Publication history[]
The character of Miyamoto Usagi first appeared in Albedo #2, published November 1, 1984.
Usagi got his own series in 1987, when Fantagraphics released Usagi Yojimbo #1 (following the release of their Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special in 1986). They ran the series for 38 issues, ending in 1993. This is generally called Vol.1 (not to be confused with the trade paperback volumes).
At that point, Usagi immediately moved over to Mirage for a brief 16 issue run (starting with issue #1 again), which comprises Vol. 2 (again, not to be confused with the volume numbering of the trades).
After a half year hiatus, Dark Horse began releasing the third volume of Usagi in 1996, once more beginning with an issue #1. The series continues to be published with Dark Horse to this day.
| Earliest Short Stories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Albedo Anthropomorphics v. 1 | issue #2 | Nov. 1984 | Usagi Yojimbo | first appearance of Miyamoto Usagi later renamed The Goblin of Adachigahara |
| issue #3 | Apr. 1985 | Lone Rabbit and Child part 1 | first appearances of Tomoe Ame, Lord Noriyuki, and the Neko Ninja | |
| issue #4 | Jul/1985 | Lone Rabbit and Child part 2 | ||
| Critters | issue #1 | Jun/1986 | Bounty Hunter | first appearance of Gennosuke Murakami |
| issue #3 | Aug/1986 | Horse Thief | ||
| issue #6 | Dec/1986 | A Quiet Meal | ||
| issue #7 | Jan/1987 | Blind Swordspig | first appearance of Zato Ino | |
| issue #10 | Mar/1987 | Homecoming part 1 | first appearances of Mariko, Kenichi, and Jotaro | |
| issue #11 | Apr/1987 | Homecoming part 2 | ||
| issue #14 | Jul/1987 | Bounty Hunter 2 | ||
| issue #23 | Apr/1988 | One Night in the Cold | ||
| issue #38 | Jul/1989 | The Tangled Skein | ||
| issue #50 | Mar/1990 | Yurei | ||
| Doomsday Squad v. 2 | issue #3 | Oct/1986 | Village of Fear | first Usagi Yojimbo story published in color |
| The Fantagraphic Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special | issue # 1 | Oct/1986 | The Goblin of Adachigahara | originally titled Usagi Yojimbo in Albedo #2 |
| Lone Rabbit and Child | originally published in Albedo #3 and #4 | |||
| The Confession | ||||
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 1 | issue # 1 | Jul/1987 | Samurai part 1 | |
| Samurai part 2 | ||||
| issue #2 | Sep/1987 | Samurai part 3 | ||
| Samurai part 4 | ||||
| issue #3 | Oct/1987 | Samurai part 5 | ||
| Samurai part 6 | ||||
| issue #4 | Nov/1987 | Samurai part 7 | ||
| Samurai part 8 | ||||
| issue #5 | Jan/1988 | Silk Fair | ||
| issue #6 | Feb/1988 | Kappa | ||
| Zylla | ||||
| The Test | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue #7 | Jul/1987 | The Tower | first appearance of Spot, Stan starts numbering his pages in this issue | |
| issue #8 | Mar/1988 | A Mother's Love | ||
| issue #9 | Jul/1988 | Return of the Blind Swordspig | ||
| issue #10 | Aug/1988 | Blade of the Gods | first appearance of Jei. Includes The Crossing story by Peter Laird. | |
| issue #11 | Sep/1988 | The Tea Cup | ||
| issue #12 | Oct/1988 | The Shogun's Gift | ||
| issue #13 | Nov/1988 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 1
The Clouds Gather |
||
| issue #14 | Jan/1989 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 2
The Winds Howl |
||
| issue #15 | Mar/1989 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 3
Downpour |
||
| issue #16 | May/1989 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 4
Thunder and Lightning |
||
| issue #17 | Jul/1989 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 5
In the Heart of the Storm |
||
| issue #18 | Oct/1989 | The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 6
Storm Clouds Part |
||
| The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy part 7
Fate of the Blind Swordspig |
||||
| issue #19 | Dec/1989 | Frost and Fire | ||
| issue #20 | Feb/1990 | A Kite Story | ||
| issue #21 | Apr/1990 | Blood wings part 1 | ||
| issue #22 | May/1990 | Blood Wings part 2 | ||
| Usagi's Ark | featuring Miyamoto Usagi and the crew of the Space Ark | |||
| issue #23 | Jul/1990 | The Way of the Samurai | ||
| issue #24 | Sep/1990 | Lone Goat and Kid | ||
| issue #25 | Nov/1990 | The Bridge | ||
| issue #26 | Jan/1991 | The Dual | ||
| issue #27 | Mar/1991 | My Lords Daughter | ||
| issue #28 | May/1991 | Circles part 1
Winds over the Tombstones |
||
| issue #29 | Jul/1991 | Circles part 2
Remembrances |
||
| issue #30 | Sep/1991 | Circles part 3
Shroud over the Mountain |
||
| issue #31 | Nov/1991 | Circles part 3
Shroud over the Mountain (continued) |
||
| Circles part 4 - Closing the Circle | ||||
| issue #32 | Feb/1992 | Kitsune | first appearance of Kitsune | |
| Gaki | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue #33 | Apr/1992 | Broken Ritual | story idea by Sergio Aragones | |
| issue #34 | Jun/1992 | Gen part 1
Lady Asano's Story |
||
| issue #35 | Aug/1992 | Gen part 2
Sins of the Father |
||
| issue #36 | Nov/1992 | Gen part 3
Lady Asano's Revenge |
||
| issue #37 | Feb/1993 | The Return of Kitsune | ||
| issue #38 | Mar/1993 | The Last Ino Story | ||
| Usagi Yojimbo Color Special | issue #1 | Nov/1989 | Tomoe’s Story | |
| Village of Fear | originally published in Doomsday Squad #3 | |||
| issue #2 | Sep/1991 | The Doors | ||
| issue #3 | Sep/1992 | Fox Fire | ||
| More Short Stories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Turtle Soup
(Mirage) |
issue # 1 | Sep/1987 | Turtle Soup and Rabbit Stew | featuring Miyamoto Usagi and Leonardo |
| Shell Shock
(Mirage) |
issue #1 | Dec/1989 | The Treaty | featuring Miyamoto Usagi and Leonardo |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(Mirage) |
issue #47 | May/1992 | Hare Today, Hare Tomorrow | featuring Miyamoto Usagi and “Space” Usagi |
| The Mirage Series | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 2
(Mirage) |
issue # 1 | Mar/1993 | Shades of Green part 1 | featuring guest appearance of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
| Jizo | ||||
| issue # 2 | May/1993 | Shades of Green part 2 | featuring guest appearance of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | |
| Usagi's Garden | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue # 3 | Jul/1993 | Shades of Green part 3 | featuring guest appearance of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | |
| Autumn | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue # 4 | Sep/1993 | Shi part 1 | ||
| issue # 5 | Dec/1993 | Shi part 2 | ||
| issue # 6 | Jan/1994 | The Lizard's Tale | incorporates One Night in the Cold from Critters #23 | |
| Battlefield part 1 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue # 7 | Apr/1994 | The Music of Heaven | ||
| Battlefield part 2 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue # 8 | Jun/1994 | The Gambler, the Widow, and the Ronin | titled Blood Money on the table of contents page | |
| Battlefield part 3 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue # 9 | Aug/1994 | Slavers part 1 | ||
| issue # 10 | Oct/1994 | Slavers part 2 | ||
| Nature of the Viper | featuring Jei San | |||
| issue # 11 | Dec/1994 | Daisho part 1 | ||
| Mongrels | featuring Gennosuke and Stray Dog | |||
| issue # 12 | Feb/1995 | Daisho part 2 | ||
| issue # 13 | Apr/1995 | Runaways part 1 | ||
| Black Soul | featuring Jei San | |||
| issue # 14 | Jun/1995 | Runaways part 2 | ||
| issue # 15 | Aug/1995 | Kaiso | ||
| issue # 16 | Oct/1995 | A Meeting of Strangers | first appearance of Inazuma | |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #1 | April/1996 | Origin Tale | |
| Noodles part 1 | ||||
| issue #2 | May/1996 | Noodles part 2 | ||
| issue #3 | Jun/1996 | The Wrath of the Tangled Skein | ||
| The Bonze's Story | ||||
| issue #4 | Jul/1996 | Bats, the Cat, and the Rabbit | ||
| issue #5 | Aug/1996 | The Chrysanthemum Pass | ||
| issue #6 | Oct/1996 | Lightning Strikes Twice | ||
| issue #7 | Nov/1996 | The Withered Field | ||
| issue #8 | Dec/1996 | A Promise In The Snow | ||
| issue #9 | Jan/1997 | The Conspiracy of Eight | ||
| issue #10 | Feb/1997 | Return to Adachi Plain | Revised from watercolor version in Book 4 s/n ltd edition | |
| The Crossing | featuring Jei San | |||
| Patience of the Spider | featuring General Ikeda | |||
| issue #11 | Mar/1997 | The Lord of Owls | ||
| The First Tenet | featuring the Neko Ninja | |||
| issue #12 | Apr/1997 | Vampire Cat of the Geishu | also titled “Obakeneko of the Geishu Clan" | |
| issue #13 | Aug/1997 | Grasscutter prologue 1 - Izanagi and Izanami | ||
| Grasscutter prologue 2 - Susano-o | ||||
| Grasscutter prologue 3 - Yamato-Dake | ||||
| issue #14 | Sep/1997 | Grasscutter prologue 4 - Dan-No-Ura | ||
| issue #15 | Oct/1997 | Grasscutter chapter 1 - Jei | ||
| issue #16 | Nov/1997 | Grasscutter chapter 2 - Heike Gani | ||
| issue #17 | Jan/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 3 - Inazuma | ||
| issue #18 | Feb/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 4 - Noriyuki and Tomoe | ||
| issue #19 | Mar/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 5 - Ikeda | ||
| issue #20 | Apr/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 6 - Tomoe and Ikeda | ||
| issue #21 | Jun/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 7 - Usagi and Jei | ||
| issue #22 | Jul/1998 | Grasscutter chapter 8 - Sanshobo | ||
| issue #23 | Sep/1998 | My Father's Swords | ||
| issue #24 | Oct/1998 | The Demon Flute | ||
| issue #25 | Nov/1998 | Momo-Usagi-Taro | ||
| issue #26 | Jan/1999 | The Hairpin Murders part 1 | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #27 | Feb/1999 | The Hairpin Murders part 2 | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #28 | Apr/1999 | The Courtesan part 1 | ||
| issue #29 | May/1999 | The Courtesan part 2 | ||
| issue #30 | Jul/1999 | Tameshigiri | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #31 | Sep/1999 | The Inn on Moon Shadow Hill | ||
| issue #32 | Oct/1999 | A Life of Mush | ||
| Deserters | featuring the Neko Ninja | |||
| issue #33 | Nov/1999 | A Potter's Tale | ||
| The Missive | featuring “Young” Usagi | |||
| issue #34 | Dec/1999 | Mystery of the Demon Mask chapter 1 | ||
| issue #35 | Jan/2000 | Mystery of the Demon Mask chapter 2 | ||
| issue #36 | Feb/2000 | Mystery of the Demon Mask chapter 3 | ||
| issue #37 | Apr/2000 | Kumo | featuring Sasuké, Demon Queller | |
| Usagi Yojimbo Color Special | issue #1 | Jul. 30, 1997 | Green Persimmon | colored by Tom Luth |
| Some More Short Stories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Art of Usagi Yojimbo | issue #1 | Apr/1997 | The Courage of the Plum | featuring “Young” Usagi |
| issue #2 | Jan/1998 | |||
| Trilogy Tour 2 | issue #1 | Jun/1998 | The Guardian | watercolor painted story |
| Dark Horse Presents.... v. 1 | issue #140 | Feb/1999 | Death and Taxes | |
| Dark Horse Presents.... Annual 1999 | issue #1 | Aug/1999 | A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Tournament | featuring “Young” Usagi |
| Wizard: The Comics Magazine | issue #97 | Sep/1999 | Netsuke | |
| Oni Double Feature | issue #11 | Feb/2000 | The Leaping Ninja | |
| Dark Horse Extra | issue #20 | Feb/2000 | Tsuru part 1 | |
| issue #21 | Mar/2000 | Tsuru part 2 | ||
| issue #22 | Apr/2000 | Tsuru part 3 | ||
| issue #23 | May/2000 | Tsuru part 4 | ||
| Nocturnals: Troll Bridge | issue #1 | Oct/2000 | The Tanuki Daimyo's Candy | the “unofficial” title for the portion of the issue long story in which Usagi appears |
| Dark Horse Maverick 2001 | issue #1 | Jul/2001 | Usagi and the Kami of the Pond | featuring “Young” Usagi |
| Dark Horse Extra | issue #45 | Mar/2002 | A Lesson in Courtesy part 1 | featuring “Young” Usagi |
| issue #46 | Apr/2002 | A Lesson in Courtesy part 2 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |
| issue #47 | May/2002 | A Lesson in Courtesy part 3 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |
| issue #48 | Jun/2002 | A Lesson in Courtesy part 4 | featuring “Young” Usagi | |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #38 | May/2000 | Reunion | |
| issue #39 | Jul/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine - Prologue | ||
| issue #40 | Aug/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 1 - A Whisper of Wings |
||
| issue #41 | Sep/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 2 - Scent of the Pines |
||
| issue #42 | Oct/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 3 - The Hunger for Death |
||
| issue #43 | Nov/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 4 - Visions in the Shadows |
||
| issue #44 | Dec/2000 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 5 - The Feel of Salt |
||
| issue #45 | Jan/2001 | Grasscutter 2: Journey to Atsuta Shrine
chapter 6 - In the Realm of Senses |
||
| issue #46 | Mar/2001 | Showdown part 1 | ||
| issue #47 | Apr/2001 | Showdown part 2 | ||
| issue #48 | May/2001 | Escape! | featuring Chizu and the Neko Ninja | |
| issue #49 | Jun/2001 | Three Seasons | ||
| issue #50 | Jul/2001 | The Shrouded Moon part 1 | ||
| issue #51 | Aug/2001 | The Shrouded Moon part 2 | ||
| issue #52 | Oct/2001 | Kitsune's Tale | featuring Kitsune and Gennosuke | |
| issue #53 | Dec/2001 | Vendetta | ||
| issue #54 | Jan/2002 | The Return of The Lone Goat And Kid | featuring Lone Goat and Kid | |
| issue #55 | Feb/2002 | Images From A Winter's Day | ||
| issue #56 | Apr/2002 | Koji | ||
| issue #57 | May/2002 | Crows part 1 | ||
| issue #58 | Jun/2002 | Crows part 2 | ||
| issue #59 | Jul/2002 | Crows part 3 | ||
| issue #60 | Aug/2002 | Duel at Kitanoji | ||
| issue #61 | Oct/2002 | Out of the Shadows | ||
| issue #62 | Nov/2002 | Ghost Warriors | ||
| issue #63 | Jan/2003 | Komainu | ||
| issue #64 | Feb/2003 | Tamago | ||
| issue #65 | Mar/2003 | Usagi and the Tengu | ||
| issue #66 | May/2003 | Sumi-e part 1 | featuring Sasuké, Demon Queller | |
| issue #67 | Jun/2003 | Sumi-e part 2 | featuring Sasuké, Demon Queller | |
| issue #68 | Jul/2003 | Sumi-e part 3 | featuring Sasuké, Demon Queller | |
| issue #69 | Sep/2003 | Fathers and Sons part 1 | featuring Lone Goat and Kid | |
| issue #70 | Oct/2003 | Fathers and Sons part 2 | featuring Lone Goat and Kid | |
| issue #71 | Nov/2003 | Bells | featuring Katsuichi Sensei | |
| issue #72 | Jan/2004 | Kill the Geishu Lord | ||
| issue #73 | Feb/2004 | The Pride of the Samurai | ||
| issue #74 | Mar/2004 | Hokashi part 1 | ||
| issue #75 | Apr/2004 | Hokashi part 2 | ||
| issue #76 | Jun/2004 | Contraband | ||
| issue #77 | Jul/2004 | After the Rat | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #78 | Aug/2004 | Samurai for Hire | ||
| issue #79 | Oct/2004 | Dreams and Nightmares | featuring Inazuma and Jei San | |
| Gen and the Dog | featuring Gennosuke and Stray Dog | |||
| issue #80 | Nov/2004 | When Rabbits Fly | ||
| issue #81 | Jan/2005 | Into The Mist | featuring Tomoe Ame | |
| Nocturnal | featuring Sanshobo | |||
| issue #82 | Mar/2005 | Vendetta's End | ||
| issue #83 | Apr/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 1 | ||
| issue #84 | May/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 2 | ||
| issue #85 | Jun/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 3 | ||
| issue #86 | Aug/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 4 | ||
| issue #87 | Sep/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 5 | ||
| issue #88 | Oct/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 6 | ||
| issue #89 | Nov/2005 | The Treasure of the Mother of the Mountains part 7 | ||
| issue #90 | Jan/2006 | The Ghost in the Well part 1 | ||
| issue #91 | Feb/2006 | The Ghost in the Well part 2 | ||
| issue #92 | Mar/2006 | The Thief and the Lotus Scroll | ||
| issue #93 | Apr/2006 | Chanoyu | ||
| issue #94 | Jun/2006 | Remnants of the Dead | ||
| issue #95 | Jul/2006 | Shizukiri | ||
| issue #96 | Aug/2006 | Boss Hamanaka’s Fortune part 1 | ||
| issue #97 | Sep/2006 | Boss Hamanaka’s Fortune part 2 | ||
| issue #98 | Nov/2006 | The Return of the Black Soul | Retitled to Rain and Thunder for the trade paperback release | |
| issue #99 | Dec/2006 | Bridge of Tears | ||
| issue #100 | Jan/2007 | Centennial issue Celebrity Roast | ||
| issue #101 | Mar/2007 | Fever Dream | ||
| issue #102 | Apr/2007 | The Killer | ||
| issue #103 | May/2007 | The Darkness and the Soul part 1 | ||
| issue #104 | Jul/2007 | The Darkness and the Soul part 2 | ||
| issue #105 | Aug/2007 | Sparrows part 1 | ||
| issue #106 | Sep/2007 | Sparrows part 2 | ||
| issue #107 | Nov/2007 | Sparrows part 3 | ||
| issue #108 | Dec/2007 | Sparrows part 4 | ||
| issue #109 | Jan/2008 | Sparrows part 5 | ||
| The Most Recent Short Stories | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| More Fund Comics
Sky Dog Press |
issue #1 | Sep/2003 | Ninja Hunt | Benefit book for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund |
| Drawing the Line
benefit book to raise money for Princess Margaret Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children, for cancer research |
issue #1 | May/2004 | Cooking Lesson | featuring “Young” Usagi |
| MySpace Dark Horse Presents.... | issue #18 | Jan/2009 | Saya | |
| Free Comic Book Day 2009: Star Wars / Dark Horse All Ages | issue #1 | May/2009 | One Dark and Stormy Night | Free Comic Book Day release for 2009 |
| MySpace Dark Horse Presents.... | issue #36 | Jul/2010 | Cut the Plum | |
| Dark Horse Presents.... v. 2 | issue #7 | Dec/2011 | Buntori | |
| issue #35 | Apr/2014 | The Artist part 1 | ||
| issue #36 | May/2014 | The Artist part 2 | ||
| The CBLDF Presents Liberty Annual 2014 | October/2014 | issue #1 | Gagged | featuring Sasuké the Demon Queller |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 3) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #110 | #169 | Mar/2008 | Kitsune Gari | |
| issue #111 | #170 | Apr/2008 | Sakura part 1 | ||
| issue #112 | #171 | May/2008 | Sakura part 2 | ||
| issue #113 | #172 | Jul/2008 | Snitch | ||
| issue #114 | #173 | Sep/2008 | The Beggar | ||
| issue #115 | #174 | Oct/2008 | The Fortress | ||
| issue #116 | #175 | Dec/2008 | The Outlaw | ||
| issue #117 | #176 | Jan/2009 | Traitors of the Earth part 1 | ||
| issue #118 | #177 | Feb/2009 | Traitors of the Earth part 2 | ||
| issue #119 | #178 | Mar/2009 | Traitors of the Earth part 3 | ||
| issue #120 | #179 | May/2009 | What the Little Thief Heard | ||
| issue #121 | #180 | Jun/2009 | The Hidden Fortress | ||
| issue #122 | #181 | Aug/2009 | A Place to Stay | ||
| issue #123 | #182 | Sep/2009 | The Death of Lord Hikiji | ||
| issue #124 | #183 | Nov/2009 | A Town Called Hell part 1 | ||
| issue #125 | #184 | Dec/2009 | A Town Called Hell part 2 | ||
| issue #126 | #185 | Feb/2010 | Nukekubi | ||
| issue #127 | #186 | Mar/2010 | The Sword of Narukami | ||
| issue #128 | #187 | Apr/2010 | Teru Teru Bozu | ||
| issue #129 | #188 | Jun/2010 | Encounter at Blood Tree Pass | ||
| issue #130 | #189 | Jul/2010 | Return to Hell part 1 | ||
| issue #131 | #190 | Aug/2010 | Return to Hell part 2 | ||
| issue #132 | #191 | Oct/2010 | Taiko part 1 | ||
| issue #133 | #192 | Nov/2010 | Taiko part 2 | ||
| issue #134 | #193 | Dec/2010 | Toad Oil | ||
| issue #135 | #194 | Feb/2011 | The Return of the Lord of Owls | ||
| issue #136 | #195 | Mar/2011 | Those Who Step on the Scorpion's Tail part 1 | ||
| issue #137 | #196 | Apr/2011 | Those Who Step on the Scorpion's Tail part 2 | ||
| issue #138 | #197 | Jun/2011 | Those Who Step on the Scorpion's Tail part 3 | ||
| issue #139 | #198 | July/2011 | Murder at the Inn part 1 | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #140 | #199 | Aug/2011 | Murder at the Inn part 2 | An Inspector Ishida Mystery | |
| issue #141 | #200 | Oct/2011 | Two Hundred Jizo | The 200th issue of Usagi Yojimbo | |
| issue #142 | #201 | Nov/2011 | The Ice Runners | ||
| issue #143 | #202 | Jan/2011 | Shoyu part 1 | ||
| issue #144 | #203 | Feb/2012 | Shoyu part 2 | ||
| Short Stories Collected | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Color Special: The Artist One Shot | issue #1 | #204 | Jul 9, 2014 | Saya, Buntori, The Artist, and Cut the Plum | Collects stories from Dark Horse Presents #7, #35, and #36, and MySpace Dark Horse Presents #18 and #35! |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 3.5) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #1 of 6 | #205 | Aug. 6, 2014 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. |
| issue #2 of 6 | #206 | Sept. 3, 2014 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. | |
| issue #3 of 6 | #207 | Oct. 1, 2014 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. | |
| issue #4 of 6 | #208 | Nov. 5, 2014 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. | |
| issue #5 of 6 | #209 | Nov. 26, 2014 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. | |
| issue #6 of 6 | #210 | Jan. 7, 2015 | Senso | Usagi fights off an alien invasion. | |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 4) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #145 | #211 | May/2015 | The Thief and the Kunoichi part 1 | |
| issue #146 | #212 | Jun/2015 | The Thief and the Kunoichi part 2 | ||
| issue #147 | #213 | Jul/2015 | The Thief and the Kunoichi part 3 | ||
| issue #148 | #214 | Sep/2015 | The One-Armed Samurai | ||
| issue #149 | #215 | Oct/2015 | The Distant Mountain | ||
| issue #150 | #216 | Nov/2015 | Death of a Tea Master | ||
| issue #151 | #217 | Jan/2016 | The Bride | ||
| issue #152 | #218 | Feb/2016 | The River Rising | ||
| issue #153 | #219 | Mar/2016 | Kyuri | ||
| issue #154 | #220 | May/2016 | Kazehime | Komori ninja | |
| issue #155 | #221 | June/2016 | The Secret of the Hell Screen part 1 | An Inspector Ishida mystery | |
| issue #156 | #222 | July/2016 | The Secret of the Hell Screen part 2 | An Inspector Ishida mystery | |
| issue #157 | #223 | Aug/2016 | The Secret of the Hell Screen part 3 | An Inspector Ishida mystery | |
| issue #158 | #224 | Oct/2016 | The Fate of the Elders | featuring Ichiro | |
| issue #159 | #225 | Nov/2016 | The Hatamoto's Daughter | An Inspector Ishida mystery. Toto, the "Sakana-Shogun", is based on Stan Sakai's real life father-in-law. | |
| issue #160 | #226 | Dec/2016 | Death by Fugu | An Inspector Ishida mystery, featuring Toto, the Sakana-Shogun. Includes the 5-page backup story Chibi Usagi and the Big, Bad Jei by Julie Fujii Sakai. | |
| IDW crossover | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo | July/2017 | Namazu | One-shot featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jei |
| The Dark Horse Series (section 5) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #161 | #227 | Sept/2017 | The Body in the Library part 1 | An Inspector Ishida mystery featuring Kitsune. |
| issue #162 | #228 | Oct/2017 |
The Body in the Library part 2 |
An Inspector Ishida mystery featuring Kitsune. | |
| issue #163 | #229 | Nov/2017 | Mouse Trap part 1 | An Inspector Ishida mystery featuring the Black Goblin Gang. | |
| issue #164 | #230 | Dec/2017 | Mouse Trap part 2 | An Inspector Ishida mystery featuring the Black Goblin Gang. | |
| issue #165 | #231 | Jan/2018 | Mouse Trap part 3 | An Inspector Ishida mystery featuring the Black Goblin Gang. | |
Beginning in 2018, Dark Horse and Stan Sakai decided to initiate a new numbering system, as having such a high issue number on the cover could dissuade new readers from trying the book, as many feel they need to read all the preceding issues. By changing to a mini-series numbering scheme (such as Hellboy employs), it gives new readers an easier jumping in point, as each major story-arc/mini-series gets reset to #1. This won't change the way Stan does anything, so long time readers can expect to enjoy the series just as they always have. In the inside of the cover, they will continue to list the issue number within the Dark Horse (v. 3) series, as well as the overall issue number of the entire series (including the Critters, Fantagraphics, Mirage, and Dark Horse runs - I assume not counting the Albedo issues since they were only partial issues and combined/reprinted as an official "Usagi Yojimbo" title in the Summer Special). For our purposes, we will list the issue # on the cover, the issue # within the Dark Horse (v. 3) run, and the issue # within the whole series.
| The Dark Horse Series (section 6) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | v. 3 # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 3 | issue #1 of 7 | #166 | #232 | Mar. 21, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. |
| issue #2 of 7 | #167 | #233 | Apr. 18, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. Includes page 1 of the backup story Chibi Tomoe and the Zō Ninja by Stan and Julie Fujii Sakai. | |
| issue #3 of 7 | #168 | #234 | May. 16, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. | |
| issue #4 of 7 | #169 | #235 | Jun. 20, 2018 |
The Hidden |
An Inspector Ishida mystery. | |
| issue #5 of 7 | #170 | #236 | Aug. 15, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. | |
| issue #6 of 7 | #171 | #237 | Sept. 19, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. | |
| issue #7 of 7 | #172 | #238 | Oct. 24, 2018 | The Hidden | An Inspector Ishida mystery. | |
In February 2019, it was announced that Usagi Yojimbo would be moving from Dark Horse Comics to IDW, with the first issue due in June 2019. The comic will also be moving to a full color format, with coloring provided by Tom Luth.
| The IDW series (section 1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 4
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | #239 | Jun. 19, 2019 | Bunraku part 1 | Tale of Bunraku (Japanese puppetry). Featuring Sasuke the Demon Queller. |
| issue #2 | #240 | Jul. 17, 2019 | Bunraku part 2 | Tale of Bunraku (Japanese puppetry). Featuring Sasuke the Demon Queller. | |
| issue #3 | #241 | Aug. 07, 2019 | Bunraku part 3 | Tale of Bunraku (Japanese puppetry). Featuring Sasuke the Demon Queller. | |
| issue #4 | #242 | Sept. 04, 2019 | The Hero part 1 | ||
| issue #5 | #243 | Oct. 2, 2019 | The Hero part 2 | ||
| issue #6 | #244 | Nov. 13, 2019 | The Goblin of Adachigahara | Celebrates the 35th anniversary of Usagi's first appearance by retelling and expanding The Goblin of Adachigahara (Albedo #2/Fantagraphics Summer Special #1) and Return to Adachi Plain (DH #10). | |
| issue #7 | #245 | Dec. 04, 2019 | The Swords of the Higashi | Featuring Gen and Stray Dog. | |
| issue #8 | #246 | Feb 05, 2020 | Tatami part 1 | Featuring Chizu. | |
| issue #9 | #247 | Mar 18, 2020 |
Tatami part 2 |
Featuring Chizu. | |
| issue #10 | #248 | Jul. 22, 2020 | Mon | ||
| issue #11 | #249 | Aug. 05, 2020 | The Return part 1 | Featuring Mariko and Kenichi. | |
| issue #12 | #250 | Sept. 02, 2020 | The Return part 2 | Featuring Mariko and Kenichi. | |
| issue #13 | #251 | Oct. 14, 2020 | The Return part 3 | Featuring Mariko and Kenichi. | |
| issue #14 | #252 | Nov. 18, 2020 | The Return part 4 | Featuring Mariko, Kenichi, Jotaro and Katsuichi. Last issue colored by Tom Luth before retirement. | |
| issue #15 | #253 | Dec. 09, 2020 | Sojobo | Featuring Sojobo | |
| issue #16 | #254 | Jan. 06, 2021 | Tengu War! part 1 | Featuring Sojobo | |
| issue #17 | #255 | Mar. 24, 2021 |
Tengu War! part 2 |
Featuring Sojobo | |
| issue #18 | #256 | Apr. 14, 2021 | Tengu War! part 3 | Featuring Sojobo | |
| issue #19 | #257 | Apr. 21, 2021 | The Master of Hebishima | ||
| issue #20 | #258 | Jun. 16, 2021 | Yukichi, part 1 | First appearance of Yukichi | |
| issue #21 | #259 | Jul. 21, 2021 | Yukichi, part 2 | feat. Yukichi | |
| issue #22 | #260 | Sept. 15, 2021 | Ransom, part 1 | feat. Yukichi, Kitsune and Kiyoko | |
| issue #23 | #261 | Oct. 27, 2021 | Ransom, part 2 | feat. Yukichi, Kitsune and Kiyoko | |
| issue #24 | #262 | Nov. 24, 2021 | Ransom, part 3 | feat. Yukichi, Kitsune and Kiyoko | |
| issue #25 | #263 | Jan. 19, 2022 | Crossroads, part 1 | feat. Yukichi, Jei, and Keiko | |
| issue #26 | #264 | Feb. 16, 2022 | Crossroads, part 2 | feat. Yukichi, Jei, and Keiko | |
| issue #27 | #265 | Mar. 16, 2022 | A Ghost Story | feat. Yukichi | |
| issue #28 | #266 | May 18, 2022 | The Long Road | feat. Yukichi | |
| issue #29 | #267 | Jul. 20, 2022 | The Secret of the Green Dragon, part 1 | feat. Yukichi, Chizu | |
| issue #30 | #268 | Aug. 17, 2022 | The Secret of the Green Dragon, part 2 | feat. Yukichi, Chizu | |
| issue #31 | #269 | Sept. 21, 2022 | The Secret of the Green Dragon, part 3 | feat. Yukichi, Chizu | |
In preparation for releasing the entire back catalog of Usagi in full color, IDW began releasing individual issues as they were colored.
| The IDW series (section 2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | Jan. 29, 2020 | Samurai parts 1 & 2 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 1, now in color. |
| issue #2 | Feb. 26, 2020 | Samurai parts 3 & 4 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 2, now in color. | |
| issue #3 | Mar. 25, 2020 | Samurai parts 5 & 6 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 3, now in color. | |
| issue #4 | Jul. 8, 2020 | Samurai parts 7 & 8 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 4, now in color. | |
| issue #5 | Jul. 29, 2020 | Samurai part 9 | Reprints the conclusion to the Samurai storyline, now in color. | |
| issue #6 | Aug. 12, 2020 | Lone Swordspig / A Quiet Meal | Reprints Usagi stories from Critters issues #6 and #7, now in color. | |
| issue #7 | Sept. 9, 2020 | Lone Rabbit and Child | Reprints Usagi stories from Albedo issues #3 and #4, now in color. | |
IDW's recoloring of classic Usagi back issues is continued in this newly renamed set of 6 issue.
| The IDW series (section 3) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Wanderer's Road
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | Nov. 25, 2020 | The Tower | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 7, now in color. First appearance of Spot, Stan starts numbering his pages in this issue. |
| issue #2 | Dec. 30, 2020 | A Mother's Love | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 8, now in color. | |
| issue #3 | Jan. 27, 2021 |
Return of the Blind Swordspig |
Reprints Fantagraphics issue 9, now in color. | |
| issue #4 | Feb. 24, 2021 | The Blade of the Gods | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 10, now in color. | |
| issue #5 | Mar. 31, 2021 | "The Tea Cup" | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 11, now in color. | |
| issue #6 | Apr. 28, 2021 | "The Shogun's Gift" | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 12, now in color. | |
| The IDW series (section 4) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Dragon Bellow Conspiracy
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | Jun. 30, 2021 |
The Clouds Gather |
Reprints Fantagraphics issue 13, now in color. |
| issue #2 | Jul. 28, 2021 |
The Winds Howl |
Reprints Fantagraphics issue 14, now in color. | |
| issue #3 | Aug. 25, 2021 | Downpour | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 15, now in color. | |
| issue #4 | Sept. 29, 2021 | Thunder and Lightning | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 16, now in color. | |
| issue #5 | Oct. 20, 2021 | In the Heart of the Storm | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 17, now in color. | |
| issue #6 | Nov. 17, 2021 | Storm Clouds Part and Fate of the Blind Swordspig | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 18, now in color. | |
| The IDW series (section 5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo Lone Goat and Kid
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | Jan. 26, 2022 | Frost and Fire | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 19, now in color. |
| issue #2 | Feb. 23, 2022 | A Kite Story | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 20, now in color. | |
| issue #3 | Mar. 30, 2022 | Blood Wings, part 1 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 21, now in color. | |
| issue #4 | Apr. 27, 2022 | Blood Wings, part 2 | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 22, now in color. | |
| issue #5 | May 25, 2022 | The Way of the Samurai | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 23, now in color. | |
| issue #6 | Jun. 22, 2022 | Lone Goat and Kid | Reprints Fantagraphics issue 24, now in color. | |
After completing the main series IDW run, there was a TMNT/Usagi Yojimbo crossover mini series.
| TMNT/Usagi Yojimbo WhereWhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Notes |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo WhereWhen
IDW Publishing |
issue #1 | Apr. 12, 2023 | Introduces the all new character Dr. WhereWhen |
| issue #2 | May 3, 2023 | ||
| issue #3 | May 24, 2023 | ||
| issue #4 | Jun. 22, 2023 | ||
| issue #5 | Jul. 19, 2023 | ||
In September 2022, it was announced that Usagi Yojimbo would be moving from IDW back to Dark Horse, with the Dogú Publishing imprint operating under the Dark Horse banner. The press release said they plan on continuing Chibi Usagi, the "Color Classics" line, and expanding the Usagi universe with other creators.
| The Dark Horse series (section 1) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Series # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Usagi Yojimbo v. 5
Dark Horse/Dogū |
issue #1 | #270 | Sept. 13, 2023 | Ice and Snow, part 1 | Featuring Jei. |
| issue #2 | #271 | Oct. 25, 2023 | Ice and Snow, part 2 | ||
| issue #3 | #272 | Nov. 29, 2023 | Ice and Snow, part 3 | ||
| issue #4 | #273 | Jan. 10, 2024 | Ice and Snow, part 4 | ||
| issue #5 | #274 | Feb. 14, 2024 | Ice and Snow, part 5 | ||
| issue #1 | #275 | Apr. 3, 2024 | The Crow, part 1 | Featuring Gen and Stray Dog. | |
| issue #2 | #276 | May 8, 2024 | The Crow, part 2 | ||
| issue #3 | #277 | Jun. 12, 2024 | The Crow, part 3 | ||
| issue #4 | #278 | Jul. 17, 2024 | The Crow, part 4 | ||
| issue #5 | #279 | Aug. 21, 2024 | The Crow, part 5 | ||
| issue #1 | #280 | Mar. 5, 2025 | Ten Thousand Plums, part 1 | ||
| issue #2 | #281 | Apr 2025 | Ten Thousand Plums, part 2 | ||
| issue #3 | #282 | May 2025 | Ten Thousand Plums, part 3 | ||
| issue #4 | #283 | Jun. 2025 | Tabo, part 1 | ||
| issue #5 | #284 | Jul. 2025 | Tabo, part 2 | ||
Collections[]
Trade Paperbacks[]
- see also Collections
Each trade paperback collects a year's worth of issues into one book.
Saga Editions[]
- see also Usagi Yojimbo Saga Editions
Each Saga edition collects 3 trade paperback's worth of issues, beginning with the Mirage issues (published by Dark Horse in trade paperback form) and covering the Dark Horse releases. The first 7 trade paperbacks, which are published by Fantagraphics, have been compiled into a single, two-book volume called The Special Edition.
Space Usagi[]
All the Space Usagi issues have been compiled into a trade paperback (and signed and number hardcover). It is currently out of print, but has been republished in a "Saga-like" release, The Usagi Yojimbo Saga: Legends. Beginning in 2023, Space Usagi is getting a color reprint.
| Space Usagi | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Space Usagi v. 1 | issue #1 | June 1992 | Death and Honor pt. 1 | Published in black and white |
| issue #2 | July 1992 | Death and Honor pt. 2 | Published in black and white | |
| issue #3 | August 1992 | Death and Honor pt. 3 | Published in black and white | |
| Space Usagi v. 2 | issue #1 | November 1993 | White Star Rising pt. 1 | Published in full color; colors by Mary Woodring. |
| issue #2 | January 1994 | White Star Rising pt. 2 | Published in full color; colors by Mary Woodring. | |
| issue #3 | March 1994 | White Star Rising pt. 3 | Published in full color; colors by Mary Woodring. | |
| Space Usagi v. 3 | issue #1 | January 1996 | Warrior pt. 1 | (notes) |
| issue #2 | February 1996 | Warrior pt. 2 | (notes) | |
| issue #3 | March 1996 | Warrior pt. 3 | (notes) | |
| Space Usagi (color reprints) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publication | Issue # | Date | Story Title | Notes |
| Space Usagi v. 1
Dark Horse/Dogū |
issue #1 | Nov. 29, 2023 | Death and Honor pt. 1 | Color reprint |
| issue #2 | Dec. 2023 | Death and Honor pt. 2 | Color reprint | |
| issue #3 | Jan. 2024 | Death and Honor pt. 3 | Color reprint | |
| Space Usagi v. 2
Dark Horse/Dogū |
issue #1 | Oct. 2024 | White Star Rising pt. 1 | Color reprint, 8 page Akemi story |
| issue #2 | Dec. 2024 | White Star Rising pt. 2 | Color reprint, 8 page Akemi story | |
| issue #3 | Jan. 2025 | White Star Rising pt. 3 | Color reprint, 8 page Akemi story | |
Usagi Yojimbo/TMNT: The Complete Collection[]
Reprints all the Usagi and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossovers in one volume. See Usagi Yojimbo/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Collection.
Other media[]
A virtual reality exhibit based on Usagi Yojimbo was produced in 2017. [1] There was also a stage play based on the series. [2] [3] [4]
Among other productions are
Games
- Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo, released for various computer systems in 1987
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus for Gamecube, PS2, Xbox, and PC; released in 2004 features Usagi as a boss character.
- Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin, released in 2013 for mobile platforms [5]
- There have also been three role-playing games based on Usagi, one by Gold Rush Games [6] [7] and two editions by Sanguine Productions [8] [9]
Animation
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series), featured Usagi as a guest star in two episodes.
- Space Usagi had a short pilot made in 1994, but was never picked up as a series. [10]
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003 TV series), featured Usagi, Gen, and several other related characters as guest stars in multiple episodes.
- A Life of Mush motion comic produced by Dark Horse. [11]
- Usagi Yojimbo: The Last Request stop-motion short. [12] A stop-motion feature from the same crew was planned, but ultimately canceled. [13]
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series), features Usagi and Jei in a three-episode arc (season 5, episodes 7-9).
- Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles animated series. Announced in early 2018, it premiered in 2022. The series is about Usagi's teenaged descendent Yuichi and takes place in the far future.[14]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.kyotomm.jp/en/event/eve_stansakainosekai/
- ↑ http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-large/usagi-yojimbo/
- ↑ http://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-usagi-yojimbo-southwark-playhouse/
- ↑ http://portlandtribune.com/ttt/89-news/280143-155985-pcc-stages-us-premiere-of-usagi-yojimbo-play
- ↑ http://www.usagiyojimbogame.com/
- ↑ http://www.goldrushgames.com/uy.html
- ↑ https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/classic/rev_479.phtml
- ↑ http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?p=8814&sid=c6fe0d39e95517249b5ee22273e52626
- ↑ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sanguine/usagi-yojimbo-tabletop-role-playing-game-second-edition
- ↑ http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/space-usagi/
- ↑ http://geekandsundry.com/dark-horse-usagi-yojimbo-a-life-of-mush/
- ↑ www.cbr.com/watch-usagi-yojimbo-the-last-request-stop-motion-short/
- ↑ http://usagiyojimbo.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8008
- ↑ {cite news|url=https://media.netflix.com/en/press-releases/comic-legend-stan-sakai-and-usagi-yojimbo-embark-on-a-new-adventure-with-netflix-in-an-all-new-animated-kids-series-samurai-rabbit-the-usagi-chronicles%7Ctitle=Comic legend Stan Sakai and ‘Usagi Yojimbo’ embark on a new adventure with Netflix in an all-new animated kids series ‘Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles’|date=2020-07-15|accessdate=2020-07-15|website=Netflix Media Center}}