Miyamoto Usagi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miyamoto Usagi
Cover art of Usagi Yojimbo Volume 3, Issue 93. Art by Stan Sakai.
Publication information
Publisher	Dark Horse Comics
First appearance	Albedo Anthropomorphics Vol 1 #2: The Goblin of Adachigahara (1984)
Created by	Stan Sakai
Voiced by	Townsend Coleman (1987) Jason Griffith (2003) Yuki Matsuzaki (2012)
In-story information
Species	Rabbit
Place of origin	Earth (1987)
Partnerships	Leonardo (close friend) Raphael Donatello Michelangelo
Abilities	Expert swordsmanship (with a katana) Highly skilled in Bushido Stealth tactics Natural leadership skills

Miyamoto Usagi (Japanese: 宮本 兎) is a fictional character, who appears in the American comic book Usagi Yojimbo, a Dark Horse Comics book created by Stan Sakai. Usagi is an anthropomorphic rabbit (Usagi is Japanese for "rabbit") and a ronin now walking the musha shugyo (warrior's pilgrimage). The character has frequently crossed over with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In May 2011, Miyamoto Usagi placed 92nd on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time. He also placed 31st in The 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters in Empire.

Creation

Miyamoto Usagi is the main protagonist of Usagi Yojimbo, whom Sakai has said was inspired by the life of legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Originally intended to be a human, Sakai was inspired to anthropomorphize the character after doodling a rabbit with its ears bound in a style reminiscent of a samurai topknot.

In other media

Usagi has appeared in various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-related media.

Animation

TMNT (1987 animated series)

Usagi makes recurring appearances in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, voiced by Townsend Coleman. He lives in Feudal Japan on an alternate Earth where other animals and not humans have evolved into the dominating species.

TMNT (2003 animated series)

Usagi makes his debut in Season Two of the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series, voiced by Jason Griffith. He first appears in "The Big Brawl, Part Two", where he comes to Leonardo's aid when the Turtle was attacked by shadow monsters. He addresses Leonardo as kappa and the two master swordsmen forge quite a close friendship. They later become competitors in the Battle Nexus Tournament, both fighting with honor and moral purpose. He expresses concern over Leonardo when he was poisoned by a dart, which was fired by the Ultimate Ninja himself, the power-hungry son of the Daimoyo. Wanting to help his new friend, he had Donatello allow him to use knowledge in basic healing abilities to try and counteract the venom within Leo's system. The three later worked together in defending the Daimoyo from the Ultimate Ninja's assassins. Usagi went on to make several other appearances, including as Leonardo's guide when the turtle was accidentally sent to his world, and as an attendant of the wedding between April O'Neil and Casey Jones.

TMNT (2012 animated series)

Usagi appears in the fifth and last season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, voiced by Yuki Matsuzaki. The Turtles are whisked away to his dimension, (in the episodes Yojimbo, Osoroshi no Tabi and Kagayake! Kintaro) where he forges a close friendship with them; especially with Leonardo, as they are both levelheaded, quick-witted and highly skilled in "the ways of the sword."

In his home dimension (presumably an alternate reality of Feudal Japan), Usagi clashes with his archenemy, the wolf-demon Jei, who escapes from him yet again. He comes across a ransacked village and meets an extraordinary child by the name of Kintaro. He is tasked with protecting the boy from Jei until he realizes his own inherent superhuman abilities at the sacred Temple Palace. While setting camp, Usagi is ambushed by the Ninja Turtles who are controlled by Jei's evil magic, after brought from his dimension. He welcomes the newcomers and explains his history as a samurai of great strength and skill. Disguising themselves, Usagi and the Turtles try and pursue Jei's Sumo Kuma but are discovered and fall off a cliff.

(Osoroshi no Tabi) In a haunted forest of yokai spirits, Usagi helps the Turtles fend off shapeshifting spirits that capture Michelangelo and Raphael. He appeases them by offering a carrot as a peace offering. Upon entering a cave full of giant spider webs, he is compelled by the voice of his good friend Akemi who is, in fact, a spider.

(Kagayake! Kintaro) Usagi, the Turtles and Kintaro continue their way in the snowy mountains, until they are ambushed by Jei's white ninjas. After defeating to white ninjas, Usagi, the Turtles and Kintaro to reach the Temple Palace, until they discover that Jei was waiting for them. Having the Turtles under his mind control again, Jei captures Kintaro for the ritual, but is attacked by surprise by them, and Kintaro breaks free by displaying his great power, Usagi confronts Jei, until he finally defeats him and throws a bottomless precipice. The Sumo Kuma is also released from Jei's control by revealing himself as head monk of the Temple. After Kintaro sends the Turtles back to their dimension, Usagi leaves to help other innocents, knowing that he will soon visit Kintaro.

Upcoming CGI-animated series

In the upcoming Netflix CGI-animated series titled Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, the show revolves around rabbit teenager Yuichi (who is a descendant of Usagi) and his group of eccentric companions.

Video games

Miyamoto Usagi is also featured in Samurai Warrior: The Battles of Usagi Yojimbo. Usagi's first appearance in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus, based on his appearance in the 2003 animated series. He was a combatant in the game's Battle Nexus mode, but was not a playable character.

See also

In Spanish: Miyamoto Usagi (personaje) para niños