Usagi Yojimbo Getting Netflix Animated Series Adaptation

Netflix will soon adapt comic creator Stan Sakai's long-running Usagi Yojimbo, which will be re-named Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles for a new animated series. Deadline reported that Sakai will also serve as an executive producer for the series, along with Aquaman director James Wan.

Unlike the Castlevania adaptation, Samurai Rabbit will be made using CGI animation and will use classic Japanese historical references alongside high-tech imagery. The original comic book series, which debuted in 1984, tells the story of Miyamoto Usagi who lived in 17th century Japan. The Netflix series will focus on Miyamoto's descendant Yuichi as he goes on a quest to be like a true samurai.

According to the report, Yuichi will be joined by a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket, and a faithful pet lizard as he seeks to become a great warrior and fight strange monsters and beings from other dimensions.

This would not be the first time Sakai's creations have jumped to the world of animation, as in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series had a crossover with Usagi and, most recently, in TMNT from Nick. It had some appearances by the ronin rabbit who was voiced by Yuki Matsuzaki.

No release date or cast has been announced yet for Samurai Rabbit.