Netflix just picked up an animated TV series adaptation of Usagi Yojimbo, reports Deadline. Stan Sakai’s 1984 comic book series classic follows adventures of a rabbit ronin in medieval Japan populated by anthropomorphic animals of all kinds. Despite its seemingly silly premise, Sakai’s love towards Japanese samurai films as well as Italian spaghetti westerns shines through this surprisingly somber comic book that generations of fans all over the world fell in love with over the past three decades.
Horror filmmaker James Wan of the Saw, The Conjuring, and The Aquaman fame will executive produce this series titled Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles. French studio Gaumont Animation and Mumbai-based studio 88 Pictures will produce the CGI-animated show. The series will follow young rabbit warrior Yuichi who wants to become a samurai. On his quest, Yuichi is accompanied by a roguish bounty hunter, a cunning ninja, an acrobatic pickpocket as well as by his faithful pet lizard. Together, they travel around Japan fighting enemies like metal-tipped winged bats and depth-charging moles.
Until now, Usagi appeared only on several episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Hopefully, this new cartoon series will expose Sakai’s creation to a whole new generation of readers.
