Dogu Publishing and Dark Horse Comics take the heroic epic of the rabbit ronin into the electrifying age of the 1980s with Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ’84, a five-issue series, story by Zack Rosenberg and Jared Cullum, script by Rosenberg and featuring full watercolor art with hand lettering by Cullum, winner of the National Cartoonist Society award.
Each meticulously crafted issue features a cover by Cullum and two variants including one from Sakai himself as well as a thrilling lineup of artists like Eisner and Ignatz Award-winner Jim Rugg, superstar creator Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), indie sensation David Petersen (Mouse Guard), BAFTA award-winner Kim Hu (Killtopia: Nano Jams), and the unmistakable Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers) across the series, which begins in March 2026.
“I had pitched a series of Usagi stories spotlighting descendants of the original Usagi,” confirms Sakai. “Space Usagi was the first of these. Now to have a limited series with Kaitō, a 20th century descendant, in Osaka is exciting. This is a wonderful story by Zack Rosenberg featuring characters new though familiar, and beautiful watercolor art by National Cartoonists Society award winner Jared Cullum. This is something to look forward to!”
In 1984 Osaka, the bloodline of Miyamoto Usagi lives on through Kaitō, a cunning rabbit thief with a rebellious spirit. He embodies his ancestor’s legacy in a way the stoic samurai we know and love never could. A daring new heist for a legendary spear sets Kaitō down a perilous path, forever altering his destiny and placing the fate of Osaka, and perhaps the world, on his shoulders.
“The world Stan Sakai created is one of the most beloved in comics,” said Rosenberg. “Our goal with Kaitō ’84 was to honor that incredible legacy while delivering a high-stakes, action-packed adventure that feels distinctly new. We are truly excited for readers to meet Kaitō and join him on his journey.”
Cullum adds, “I spent much of the early 1990s, as a kid, carrying around a tattered Usagi Yojimbo action figure in my pocket and filling countless notebooks with poorly drawn bunny-eared and bandana-clad stick-figure comics. To say Kaitō ’84 was a childhood dream project wouldn’t be correct because I never even fathomed this as a possibility. It’s such a deep, humbling honor to play in this sandbox. I wake everyday hoping to improve my craft and focus enough to rise to a modicum of our ambition for the stories. It’s only by the grace, generosity and kindness of Stan, Julie, and his family, and the erudition of Zack and Justin, I’m able to continue going about my life, filling notebooks with these little pictures.”
Get ready for a new legend to begin in Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ’84 #1 when it arrives in comic shops on March 11, 2026, for $4.99. Visit Comic Shop Locator for more details and stores near you.
