A Fresh Chapter from Stan Sakai and new horizons for Dogu Publishing

Dark Horse Comics and Dogu Publishing are thrilled to announce an all-new, full-color story arc of the iconic Usagi Yojimbo series launching in March 2025. In this latest saga, Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai continues to captivate readers with his unparalleled storytelling, compelling artwork, and legendary lettering.

Join Sakai and an array of stunning cover artists—including Mitsuhiro Arita, Eric Talbot, Hitoshi Ariga, Jennifer Meyer, and special three-part interlocking covers by the Escorza Brothers!—with this emotional new entry in the continuing tales of legendary rabbit ronin Miyamoto Usagi.

This latest series contains two complete stories across five issues. Up first in “Ten Thousand Plums,” when Usagi, Yukichi, and Gen are found wandering in a huge field of the Shogun’s prized plum trees, one of the Shogun’s samurai strongmen becomes immediately suspicious. With a series of strange events gripping the local village with fear, can their appearance be a mere coincidence? Or maybe they will stop the cycle of tragedy. Find out with another gut-punch ending from Stan Sakai!

In the two-part “Tabo,” Usagi and Yukichi find themselves among a band of pilgrims in search of the miraculous goddess known as “The Mother.” The skeptical ronin’s doubts recede as the desperate plight of their new friends unfolds, revealing the obstacles that stand between them and salvation. Will the goddess Kannon come to Tabo’s rescue? Discover the answers in this captivating and highly-personal two-part tale!

“‘Tabo,’ is very personal to me,” explains creator Stan Sakai. “It was written as a tribute to my younger brother, Kenneth, a month after he passed away and was inspired by his struggles during his last days. I cherish the time growing up with him in Hawaii. When she saw how deeply I felt about this story, Emi (Fujii) volunteered to color it as she knew Kenneth and his gentle spirit.”

Strengthening Dogu’s Capabilities

It’s an exciting new era for Dogu Publishing as the company continues to grow its publishing roster and expand its creative vision. To help lead this charge, Dogu is proud to announce the addition of Justin Eisinger, award-winning graphic novel author and editor, as the company’s first Editor-in-Chief. Best known for his work as co-author with George Takei on the graphic biography “They Called Us Enemy” and the just announced “It Rhymes With Takei,” Eisinger’s passion for inspired storytelling and knowledge of the publishing marketplace will help position Dogu for continued success.

Bringing years of experience from IDW Publishing where he climbed the ranks to Editorial Director, Graphic Novels & Collections, Eisinger worked with some of the industry’s most celebrated creators while the company transformed from scrappy upstart to industry mainstay. He brings a confident hand to talent relations and publishing strategy, using a deep understanding of the mass market publishing ecosystem, comic retailer mechanics, customer behavior, and trend analysis to provide indispensable perspective.

“Working closely with Stan Sakai is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” says Eisinger. “After a career working with so many different licensed properties and an assortment of creator-owned stories, it’s an absolute pleasure to spend every day focused solely on Usagi—which I tell the team every chance I get. Now keep an eye out for what we’ve got coming because we can’t wait to show off what’s cooking over here at Dogu.”

The decision for Dogu Publishing to enhance its publishing capabilities and fully leverage its valuable partnership with Dark Horse Comics coincides with Usagi Studios preparing for additional mass media opportunities.

Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums #1 (of 5) arrives in comic shops March 5, 2025. Pre-order the first issue today for $4.99.

Praise for Usagi Yojimbo:

“Stan Sakai has successfully brought to American comics a collection of Japanese fables well told in the American style. Usagi Yojimbo is an enduring work. Bravo.” —Will Eisner

“Sakai is a master of his craft.” —IGN.com

“To say that Stan Sakai is an amazing storyteller seems silly this far into his fantastic career, but it is the truth. His characters are wildly expressive, and his skills as a cartoonist are as sharp as ever.” —Comicosity