What’s Next for Usagi…

It appears that the rest of the year will be a busy one for Usagi Yojimbo as well as his creator, Stan Sakai.

First up, in October we’ll finally see the release of Fantagraphics 2-volume hardcover limited edition release Usagi Yojimbo: The Special Edition. As noted, it is a limited edition run so don’t hesitate too much about your decision to own it, because I don’t reckon it will last long. Following that we’ve got the “Taiko” (Japanese drums) storyline, “Toad Oil,” a one-shot story featuring the Lord of the Owls and more.

Additional commentary on these storylines and an upcoming exhibition featuring Stan can be found in CBR’s recent interview:

Following the Lord of Owls story in January, there will be a two-part arc called ‘The Red Scorpion,’ in which ‘Usagi goes against a gang who are terrorizing the entire area.’ Sakai also noted that #141 will be the 200th issue of ‘Usagi Yojimbo,’ taking into account its runs at Fantagraphics and Mirage as well as several specials.

Next year, Sakai will be the subject of an exhibition at Los Angeles’ Japanese American National Museum. ‘ 2011 will be the Year of the Rabbit, and they want to do a retrospective of my work on ‘Usagi,’ Sakai said. ‘In conjunction with that, they’re doing a little documentary about me. They started filming at San Diego con, so they got interviews with Sergio Aragones, Scott Shaw!, Mark Evanier, Stan Lee and a whole bunch of others. It’s kind of neat. You get to hear your eulogy even before you’re dead!’

You can read the rest of the interview here. Gotta love the Fall! Family, Food, Football…and Usagi!