Usagi Yojimbo the rabbit ronin will star in two titles set for release in early 2027. The Usagi Yojimbo Winter Special One-Shot and Space Usagi: Warrior full-color edition come from Dark Horse Comics and Dogu Publishing.

Usagi Yojimbo Winter Special One-Shot

The winter special collects three new stories by Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai and colorist Emi Fujii, Julie Sakai (Chibi Usagi creator), and Zack Rosenberg and Jared Cullum (the creative team behind Usagi Yojimbo: Kaitō ’84).

“I always enjoy sharing Japanese culture with readers and the three stories in the Winter Special each deal with aspects of the culture from the traditional to the modern,” Sakai said.

In one story, Usagi learns about patience and purpose while he learns to shape decorative Dorodango spheres using ancient traditions. Kaitō and Yu attend a Christmas Eve dinner at an orphanage that turns into a high speed chase around Osaka when a local gang hijacks the festive meal. Then an act of kindness and a big surprise help the chibi woodcutters who are having a hard time preparing for the New Year dinner.

“Zack and I see every story as an opportunity to push ourselves with story, humor, color and light. With this story I hope to share a bit of joy and passion for the original series with fellow fans and a bit of excitement racing across the glowing neon sea of a modern city at night,” Cullum said.

“I’m delighted to work with Stan on this little mochi story,” said Julie Sakai, one half of the “Just Sakai” creative team behind Chibi Usagi. “We hope it brings young readers joy while gently encouraging kindness, generosity, and the character to care for others.”

The Usagi Yojimbo Winter Special One-Shot will be in comic shops on January 27.

Space Usagi: Warrior

The full color edition of the Space Usagi trilogy concludes in Space Usagi: Warrior. Sakai originally took Usagi to space in 1992, and the color versions began in 2023 with Death and Honor, followed by White Star Rising. Space Usagi: Warrior three-issue miniseries is colored by Emi Fujii, and each issue contains a three-part backup story by Shawn Daley (TMNT).

Following his father’s unexpected death, Lord Kiyoshi focuses on establishing his reign and searching for the Shirohoshi clan treasure. Luckily protector and friend Miyamoto Usagi is also on the mission when space pirates and aliens disrupt the mission turning it into a life and death battle. Then in the backup story, Usagi is stranded on a planet filled with crystals that contain a dark secret.

“I’m really pleased that Space Usagi: Warrior is back, but this time with Emi’s wonderful coloring,” Sakai said. “This story is a nice cap to the Space Usagi Trilogy… though I may have another story to tell.”

“Like the vast reaches of the cosmos, Usagi’s adventures are constantly expanding. There are endless planets to protect, galaxies to wander, and tales to tell for the spacefaring ronin,” Daley said. “As a lifelong Usagi reader, I’m over the moon to be both writing and painting a part of this chapter. Mister Sakai’s prolific body of work holds an unmatched gravitas, and it’s been an astronomical honor to contribute to his universe!”

Space Usagi: Warrior #1 will be in comic book stores on January 6.