Usagi Yojimbo is a long-running comic set in seventeenth-century Japan, with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, featuring the lovable rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi, who wanders the land as a shugyosha (student warrior on a pilgrimage), occasionally selling his services as a yojimbo (bodyguard). Usagi Yojimbo is one of the most celebrated ongoing comics, adored by critics and fans of all ages for the last twenty-five years.
Some of you may remember Usagi from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles television show during the late 80s to early 90s. He had an action figure come out in 1988 through the TMNT line, but this is the first plush doll to come out based on the character.
Stan Sakai's original artwork is located below. The doll will be in this month's Diamond catalog, and it will be available in May 2010.This new toy stands fourteen inches tall from his carefully detailed sandals to the tips of his movable ears. Stan Sakai, who provided extensive reference art for the project, oversaw every detail in the design process. “I have always thought that a doll of this type would be an excellent presentation of Usagi,” Sakai remarked, “and have been happy to assist as the prototype evolved with commentary and revisions. I think he came out very well indeed.” “We at Dark Horse couldn’t be prouder to be associated with one of comics’ most cherished characters and its creator,” product development head David Scroggy said, “and feel that this might just be the best 3-D way to present him. One thing’s for sure—it is by far the cutest presentation!
It's pretty cool to not only see the final product, but also the original artwork that went into the toy. I think the doll is down right adorable, and I'm enjoying this new underground trend of plush toys instead of vinyl figures.
Anyone here read the book? Who's going to buy this, other than me? Will you sleep with it next to you every night? (I will! And I'll cuddle with it)
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