Stan Sakai’s beloved Usagi Yojimbo comic about a samurai bunny is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2024. With this milestone, Dark Horse Comics is publishing a Usagi Yojimbo: 40th Anniversary Reader to bring in new readers and commemorate the epic comic run with stories personally selected by Stan Sakai to represent the character’s rich history.
Dark Horse Comics has already published a limited edition hardcover set of Usagi Yojimbo in a limited edition, signed by Stan Sakai. Fans have been hoping for a new hardcover edition for their collections with Dark Horse Comics publishing faux leather versions of Berserk, Blade of the Immortal, and Hellsing, but none have been announced yet.
However, as Usagi Yojimbo gets reprinted with new color versions in recent years, more collection options are becoming available for Stan Sakai’s classic.
Dark Horse’s press release for the Usagi Yojimbo: 40th Anniversary Reader stated:
MILWAUKIE, Ore., (January 9, 2024)— The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, Stan Sakai’s award-winning artistic and storytelling epic featuring everyone’s favorite rabbit ronin! Dark Horse Comics and Dogu Publishing invite readers on a journey through the series in the Usagi Yojimbo 40th Anniversary Reader. This new collection of stories presents a selection of hand-picked Usagi tales in color for the first time from Emi Fujii, Tom Luth, and Ronda Pattison. The new cover art is painted by Stan Sakai himself, adding to the appeal for collectors.
This new paperback collection presents eight fan-favorite and Stan-Sakai-selected short stories, including the fan-favorite short story “Chanoyu,” which is appearing for the first time in color! Other stories include “A Mother’s Love,” “Blade of the Gods,” “The Way of the Samurai,” “Cut the Plum,” “The Artist,” “Buntori,” and “Adachi”. Readers are invited to follow Miyamoto Usagi through four decades of comic creativity and adventure. Relive the essential moments of Usagi Yojimbo or invite a new love of Sakai’s worldbuilding into your life or the life of someone you love.
“Stan Sakai is not just a master storyteller, but a member of the Dark Horse family,” said Dark Horse President Mike Richardson. “We are so glad to celebrate Stan and 40 years of his beloved creation, Usagi Yojimbo, here at Dark Horse. I’m thrilled to offer longtime fans and new readers a fresh look at some of our favorite stories over the years, now in one new collection.”
Wish Sakai and Usagi Yojimbo a wonderful anniversary when Usagi Yojimbo 40th Anniversary Reader arrives in trade paperback on bookstore shelves on June 18, 2024, and comic shops on June 19, 2024. Pre-order at your local comic shop, bookstore, or Amazon for $14.99.
What do you think of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo getting a 40th Anniversary Reader from Dark Horse Comics? Leave a comment and let us know.
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I think I’m going to have to get this. 😀