Usagi Yojimbo tv series!!

[Raph's Girl]

OMG! Usagi's getting his own series!! We won't see it till next year as production will start this year but it's CGI and ugh an actiion/comedy aimed towards 6 - 11 yr olds.

http://kidscreen.com/2018/02/06/unleashing-usagi/

[Andrew NDB]

OMG! Usagi's getting his own series!! We won't see it till next year as production will start this year but it's CGI and ugh an actiion/comedy aimed towards 6 - 11 yr olds.

http://kidscreen.com/2018/02/06/unleashing-usagi/

He's certainly earned it.

[Krutch]

Dammit, man! I began that sentence so excited and ended so disappointed!

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Dammit, man! I began that sentence so excited and ended so disappointed!

Yeah... me, too. :tlol:

But hey, at least he's finally getting a show! More publicity for the rabbit ronin.

[plastroncafe]

I will take this as a win until proven otherwise.
Anyone familiar with Gaumont?

[TurtleWA]

Production starts 2018. So 2019 for first episode? That is if everything goes smoothly. If a crossover happens with RiseTMNT it could be in season 3. I wonder if Nickelodeon will pick this show up. Also will be interesting to see what toy company gets in on the show.

[Andrew NDB]

Anyone familiar with Gaumont?

Yeah. They're a French outfit. They co-funded and co-produced the entire "Highlander" TV show in the 90s.

[CyberCubed]

Always baffled me Usagi never got his own kids cartoon after 30 years.

[sdp]

I'm in.

Bad news is that this likely means no more crossovers with TMNT unless it fails. Rise likely wasn't going to feature Usagi and another TMNT show after Rise is likely a decade away so I guess it doesn't matter much but if Usagi became a profitable franchise I don't think we'd ever see a crossover.


In my experience French animated shows tend to be either amazing or lifeless when it comes to stories and animation can also range from excellent to mediocre. And their not mutually exclusive so you can have a lifeless cartoon with great animation or an excellent show with mediocre animation.

Always baffled me Usagi never got his own kids cartoon after 30 years.

Especially after the crossovers with the OT, did Bucky O'Hare really hurt the Space Usagi that much or is it just fan speculation?

[Mayhem]

Especially after the crossovers with the OT, did Bucky O'Hare really hurt the Space Usagi that much or is it just fan speculation?
Yes, and that comes from Stan himself. After Bucky tanked, nobody wanted to touch a Space Usagi project with a barge pole.

[TigerClaw]

I wonder if this series will make some kind of reference to TMNT. Even if its not being produced by the same company.

[TurtleWA]

What if Disney picks it up and Hasbro does the toys? Would Usagi ever be in Nick TMNT again?

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

Yes, and that comes from Stan himself. After Bucky tanked, nobody wanted to touch a Space Usagi project with a barge pole.

What's Bucky O'Hare?

I freely admit I'm a Usagi casual. I've read the entire series once, and the various Mirage crossovers. That's about it.

[plastroncafe]

What's Bucky O'Hare?

I freely admit I'm a Usagi casual. I've read the entire series once, and the various Mirage crossovers. That's about it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucky_O%27Hare

I freakin' loved this cartoon.

[Shark_Blade]

6-11 years old? Is this like Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street? :(

I hope his origin story - the death of his master and him wandering the land alone selling his service as a bodyguard isn't too much for little children. Oh wait, it says action/comedy - probably like Sonic Boom tv series playing it safe. :roll:

Probably there won't be any sword fight, blood or deaths too. :roll:

[newfan]

There's sword fighting in TMNT ...and some death, you won't likely get blood though.

[plastroncafe]

Children's television series can target a wide variety of key demographics; the programming used to target these demographics varies by age and gender. Few television networks target infants and toddlers under two years of age, in part due to widespread opposition to the practice. Children's programming can be targeted toward persons 2 to 11 years of age;[9] in practice, this is further divided into the preschool demographic (2 to 6 years old) and the older children or preteen/tween demographic (6 to 11 years old).

Children's television series: Demographics (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_television_series#Demographics) (wikipedia)

[dl316bh]

6-11 years old? Is this like Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street? :(

I hope his origin story - the death of his master and him wandering the land alone selling his service as a bodyguard isn't too much for little children. Oh wait, it says action/comedy - probably like Sonic Boom tv series playing it safe. :roll:

Probably there won't be any sword fight, blood or deaths too. :roll:
There are a couple different TV ratings meant for that demographic and until we get a concrete idea which they're shooting for, we won't know what's up. But Steven Universe is a series meant for that same age range and it deals with things like genocide, complicated parental relationships, dealing with the problems a dead parent has left behind, trauma from increasingly dangerous situations, war, friends who descend into a mindset that leads them to go too far and even fates arguably worse than death. Hell, a character there since the beginning of the show straight up died this season. Sure, he came back - immediately, but it didn't feel cheap, because it actually gave an answer or two and there are still consequences - but dude had no heartbeat for a bit.

There's a lot you can do with that rating and demographic and plenty of cartoons have. Believe it or not, both Avatar series were Y7. Wasn't 2K3 Turtles Y7? That series did some things I'm still a little surprised at. Blood's probably a no-go - but in the little Usagi Yojimbo stuff I actually have read, it wasn't what I'd consider plentiful anyway - but death could be a maybe, since the comic already has a way of denoting it that's far from graphic (little skull and crossbone speech bubbles).

[Utrommaniac]

6-11 years old? Is this like Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street? :(


How in the world do you think either of those things in the six to eleven age range??? Most kids are usually sick of those shows at six or seven and are going for things more "meaty". Like the shows mentioned above.

As for Steven Universe, they're probably going to really go places with the implication of Lars' half-minute death. Things aren't going to be normal for him anymore...though they stopped being normal even in the couple hours before his brief death.

I very much doubt Usagi will be watered down and will probably be on a level similar to A:TLA or the original Teen Titans cartoon.

[TigerClaw]

What's the age range for Rise of the TMNT? I wonder if its the same for this one.

[CyberCubed]

What's the age range for Rise of the TMNT? I wonder if its the same for this one.

Of course it is, all kids cartoons have the same age range of 6-11.

[dl316bh]

As for Steven Universe
I was only kinda alluding to it just in case anyone isn't caught up, but it's out there now, so screw it. Yeah, it was pretty big. But it's also led to a great turn for the character. Intergalactic pirate's suited him. He'll clearly be an important character going forward and might actually end up being a big deal. There's fear of another war with Homeworld - Lapis left because she's sure it'll happen - and a dude with a cool spaceship, weapons and a crew might come in pretty handy there.

[NinjaPug]

Netflix picks up the series although the main character is a descendent of Miyamoto Usagi.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/stan-sakais-usagi-yojimbo-embarks-on-new-adventure-with-netflix-series-samurai-rabbit-the-usagi-chronicles/

[oldmanwinters]

Netflix picks up the series although the main character is a descendent of Miyamoto Usagi.

https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/stan-sakais-usagi-yojimbo-embarks-on-new-adventure-with-netflix-series-samurai-rabbit-the-usagi-chronicles/

I'm curious as to why they didn't want to use Usagi-classic. Maybe they just wanted to go such a different direction with the show that Sakai preferred it be a new character?

[CyberCubed]

It doesn't sound like Space Usagi either, and Space Usagi is Miyamoto's descendent. Maybe it's something inbetween?

[NinjaPug]

I'm curious if this is the same project that Stan has talked about for the past 1-2 years or if they pivoted to developing this new series that focuses on a different character.

[CyberCubed]

The first announcement said it would be CG, is this still CG?

[sdp]

CG is cheaper and Netflix loves CG so I'm guessing, they're CG shows are usually very good but Netflix originals have for the most part been terrible. I don't have high hopes but I'm glad the show is happening.

Sucks that it'll be a descendant, maybe Stan decided it? Or maybe they wanted to make a "modern" world version of Usagi Yojimbo? I think that's what we could get, a "modern" world furry world with usagi. Hope we get a toyline.

[TigerClaw]

It doesn't sound like Space Usagi either, and Space Usagi is Miyamoto's descendent. Maybe it's something inbetween?
Probably because how the original was set in feudal japan times and Space Usagi was set in the future. It probably make sense for this series to take place during modern times.

[TigerClaw]

Stan Sakai posted an update on his Usagi Netflix series.
https://twitter.com/usagiguy/status/1354926818579591172
And the countdown begins! Who else is eager to watch the Usagi Yojimbo series on Netflix? Updated announcements coming soon. In the meantime, what are you hoping to get out of the series? // Previews World

[CyberCubed]

I legitimately forgot this was happening. Curious to see how it turns out. Hopefully it's not too dumbed down for kids.

[Shark_Blade]

Countdown until when? Is there a target date?

[TigerClaw]

Countdown until when? Is there a target date?
a trailer maybe or some images from it. Who knows.

[TigerClaw]

Here's your first look at Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles on Netflix.
https://twitter.com/NinjaTurtlePH/status/1389630156365393920

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0j1Q0LUUAE20Py?format=jpg&name=medium

I love his new design.

[neatoman]

Here's your first look at Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles on Netflix.
https://twitter.com/NinjaTurtlePH/status/1389630156365393920

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0j1Q0LUUAE20Py?format=jpg&name=medium

I love his new design.

Strange to think an adaptation 40 years down the line would need to change the title.

[IMJ]

They probably felt that the new title was a better gateway to general, younger audiences than "Usagi Yojimbo" was.

[CyberCubed]

Why they give him hair? His design in the Nick 2012 series was fine

[sdp]

Why they give him hair? His design in the Nick 2012 series was fine

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c4/27/de/c427de2f680a4aed4e3971ab49c45567.jpg

[TigerClaw]

Here are Usagi's designs from the Comics, FW, 2003, and 2012.

Comics

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0kfXUzWQAI5xgA.jpg:small

FW

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/41300000/Usagi-circa-1987-TMNT-series-usagi-yojimbo-41397270-640-480.jpg

2003

http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/41300000/Usagi-usagi-yojimbo-41397264-528-528.jpg

2012

https://www.razorfine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tmnt-yojimbo.jpg

[IMJ]

Every single previous iteration is better than that of the Netflix show.

[Sabacooza]

How do we even know this is Usagi? An article I saw on looper.com, (not sure how reliable they are) states this is Yuichi which is a descendant of Usagi. I don't know what to make of any of this. I'm not expecting this to be any good. If it is, I'll be surprised.

[TigerClaw]

How do we even know this is Usagi? An article I saw on looper.com, (not sure how reliable they are) states this is Yuichi which is a descendant of Usagi. I don't know what to make of any of this. I'm not expecting this to be any good. If it is, I'll be surprised.
Another thing is Usagi is a last name also, The original was Miyamoto Usagi.

[sdp]

The new characters full name is Yuichi Yojimbo, it appears they messed up the name of the character as they state her great grand father being Usagi Yogimbo. Also great news, it's just been confirmed that Yuichi will be involved in a love triangle with Okami Oki a wolf and Kitsune Kyand? and the first episode leads to the rivalry of these two for Yuichi over who is going to be able to date her. There isn't going to be a an actual villain they fight and instead they will work out different social issues they are having in their town.

[TigerClaw]

It'll be interesting to see what tone will they go for with this series.

[Wildcat]

Hope the TMNT appear. Wonder what design they’d use. Maybe a new one.

[neatoman]

Hope the TMNT appear. Wonder what design they’d use. Maybe a new one.

They won't, I'm assuming Viacom's license fee is a little too high for this show's budget. Even if it isn't, I don't think they would think it's worth it.

[TigerClaw]

Here's the Comic Con 2021 panel about The Usagi Chronicles.

rwosG89g0Ao

At the end of the panel they show a teaser from the show, Its two clips actually, There are parts where they tell some of the flashbacks through 2D animation, and the other clip is in CGI.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/X6YilFIO1oprmQ2h6BEBDwDKzT4=/0x0:2066x1156/920x0/filters:focal(0x0:2066x1156):format(webp):no_upsca le()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/22736887/Screen_Shot_2021_07_23_at_6.09.56_PM.png

[frank_one]

Mhhm, the style looks quite different, flat. I was hoping for something more in line with the style of Stan Sakai.

[CyberCubed]

No Usagi Yojimbo?

I'm out.

[Andrew NDB]

What's with the hair on his head like a human?

[joe-eyeball]

There isn’t any artistic justification for why an Usagi series would not have Usagi Yojimbo as the “star”? It’s baffling because it’s not like he ever had his own tv series. I’ll probably give it a look but I suspect this one won’t last long at all.

[CyberCubed]

Most netflix shows end early unless they're huge breakout hits.

[TigerClaw]

This show is being described as an action comedy.

[Sumac]

2D art looks quite good.
CGI models look quite meh.

If the show would be mix of both it will be ****ing weird.

[Wildcat]

The CGI models looks really good. The fur, texture and detail are all there. At least in the sword clip at the end which I’m guessing is how it’ll with look.

Didn’t see the whole video and I know nothing about Usagi outside of TMNT but it looks cool.

[TigerClaw]

No Usagi Yojimbo?

I'm out.
Miyamoto Usagi is in this series, But the stuff with him are flashbacks, And the flashbacks are told in 2D animation.

[MrPliggins]

Miyamoto Usagi is in this series, But the stuff with him are flashbacks, And the flashbacks are told in 2D animation.

There was a 3d model sheet of Miyamoto Usagi shown though. Maybe he'll also appear in 3d somehow.

Stan Sakai was very involved in all aspects of the series. I have faith it will be a quality series.

[CyberCubed]

Stan Sakai was very involved in all aspects of the series. I have faith it will be a quality series.

He's not doing any of the writing so it's not going to be the same, I fully expect this to be a kids series.

[Allio]

Usagi itself is very kid friendly. The cartoony skull and Crossbones helps with that.

[King Kahn]

He's not doing any of the writing so it's not going to be the same, I fully expect this to be a kids series.

well yes, that is exactly what it is.

[NinjaPug]

Netflix is releasing the first season on April 28th.

[neatoman]

And now we have screenshots.
https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/samurai-rabbit-the-usagi-chronicles-netflix-release-date-first-look/
I won't lie, this feels wrong on so many levels. I still feel that after nearly 40 years of publication and acclaim, even getting some relatively faithful guest appearances in TMNT cartoons, the first Usagi TV show shouldn't deviate from what the comic is this much.

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2022/03/SamuraiRabbit-TheUsagiChronicles-Season1-Episode5-00-09-57-05-1-1-640x360.jpg.webp

[Sumac]

Looks like a generic Dreamworks genericness.

[Leo656]

Hah! Well, that is... something.

[CyberCubed]

So it's a generic kids show, oh well. Better luck next time maybe

[TigerClaw]

It doesn't look so bad, Check out this one screenshot.

Classic Usagi.

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2022/03/SamuraiRabbit-TheUsagiChronicles-Season1-Episode1-00-00-31-22-1.jpg.webp

[Coola Yagami]

It doesn't look so bad, Check out this one screenshot.

Classic Usagi.

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2022/03/SamuraiRabbit-TheUsagiChronicles-Season1-Episode1-00-00-31-22-1.jpg.webp

But I mean... We want a show about HIM, not his successor. And that just came to mind. So are all his friends like Gen and them also successors to the originals? What an amazing coincidence they all happened to meet and get along just as well as the ancestors.

[IndigoErth]

Looks cute enough I suppose and I'll likely check it out, but I don't really understand why after all this time, when a Usagi animated series actually happens, they make it his descendant and not the original Usagi himself.

Only thing I can take a guess at is that maybe it opens the door to going other directions without stepping on the toes of Stan Sakai and his original Usagi? Though giving him all the same friends, or friends who all somehow happen to be named after their own ancestors, makes it more confusing... :tconfuse: edit: If they were their family names that would make sense, but I think those are all their first names? (Or what we'd call first.)


Or we can just go with a conspiracy that it's a way to snub the Turtles and not have them on for guest appearances after Usagi has been invited in so often in their shows. lol (Though I won't be surprised if there is at least an Easter egg nod. And shame on them if there isn't one.)

[TigerClaw]

This Usagi seems to take place in a more modern setting, So this is new territory for Usagi as we only had feudal japan era, and the future era which is Space Usagi, So this one leans in a more modern age.

[Coola Yagami]

This Usagi seems to take place in a more modern setting, So this is new territory for Usagi as we only had feudal japan era, and the future era which is Space Usagi, So this one leans in a more modern age.

I wonder how modern it will be. Will Usagi drop his sword and just cancel his foes over Twitter?

[TigerClaw]

This series will have vehicles.

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2022/03/SamuraiRabbit-TheUsagiChronicles-Season1-Episode9-00-01-34-01-1-640x360.jpg.webp

[Leo656]

Looks cute enough I suppose and I'll likely check it out, but I don't really understand why after all this time, when a Usagi animated series actually happens, they make it his descendant and not the original Usagi himself.

Only thing I can take a guess at is that maybe it opens the door to going other directions without stepping on the toes of Stan Sakai and his original Usagi?

Going by recent trends, it's probably in that ballpark.

More specifically, it's so a few of them can be gay and they can deflect by saying "Well it's not the original characters so who cares?"

I mean not for nothing but that's the Swishiest Usagi Yojimbo I've ever seen.

I mean we know that "Your show needs to have LGBTQ+ content or your show doesn't get made" is a Hard Rule in 2022. So that's probably the What and the Why, right there.

[CyberCubed]

Stan Sakai is 68 and after he dies they'll probably adapt the run of comics into a series if possible. But knowing how long Asians live for he'll probably live to be 100+ so it'll be a long time yet

[Leo656]

Must be all the karate they do. Keeps 'em young. :lol:

[CyberCubed]

Asians have unnaturally long life spans compared to other humans. I guess because they eat healthy their whole life, they do yoga/meditation, work out, etc. Whenever you hear the oldest person in the world around 110-115 years old dies, they're usually someone living somewhere in Asia. Their diet must be fish and rice for their entire lives.

God it's times like this I wish I was born Asian. Asians are the most enlightened race after all.

[Leo656]

Some of 'em also smoke joints the size of a baseball bat. I'm sure that's got something to do with something. :lol:

[IndigoErth]

Cubed mistaking Asians for Galapagos tortoises. Also Mediterranean people who seem to get more years via their diet.

The Asians I've known (including a friend since age 10) seem to age at the same rate as everyone else. (Granted they're also American by birth or became citizens long ago, so less to do with race and more to do with local health-related habits.)

edit: Okay, but I'll let Cubed have it that supposedly as of Jan. the oldest person is in Japan, but people like that are certainly an exception, not what's common.

Though supposedly the longest lived in history at 122 was French. And the second oldest currently living person is also in France.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Since my exposure to Usagi was through TMNT, I can't say that this bothers me. It is weird that this is the direction they're going for his first cartoon series and it does look a bit on the generic side but I might give the first episode a watch.

[TigerClaw]

Since my exposure to Usagi was through TMNT, I can't say that this bothers me. It is weird that this is the direction they're going for his first cartoon series and it does look a bit on the generic side but I might give the first episode a watch.
Yeah, The first time I saw Usagi was on the original series.

[sdp]

What were the prominent episodes Usagi appeared in 2k3? I know in the battle nexus he appeared constantly but wasn't he just a background character not doing much in most of them? What were the episodes he really was a part of the plot, even if the episode wasn't centered around him.

As far as the show I think it looks like it could be fun. Him not being Miyamoto Usagi is good in case they mess it up big time at least it won't be the "real" one. I hope it's good though Netflix doesn't have a good record of good cartoons.

[neatoman]

What were the prominent episodes Usagi appeared in 2k3? I know in the battle nexus he appeared constantly but wasn't he just a background character not doing much in most of them? What were the episodes he really was a part of the plot, even if the episode wasn't centered around him.

The Real World part 1 and Samurai Tourist are all about him.

[Mayhem]

Stan has had massive creative input into this series. He picked the animation company, has had to approve everything at every step. Sure there’s probably been some compromises to get this to screen as is. And definitely it’s not going to appeal to everyone who is a fan of Usagi. But this is a first step. If it tanks for whatever reason, then the main Usagi brand isn’t harmed. If it succeeds, then may pave the way for something more authentic to the comics.

[TigerClaw]

Stan has had massive creative input into this series. He picked the animation company, has had to approve everything at every step. Sure there’s probably been some compromises to get this to screen as is. And definitely it’s not going to appeal to everyone who is a fan of Usagi. But this is a first step. If it tanks for whatever reason, then the main Usagi brand isn’t harmed. If it succeeds, then may pave the way for something more authentic to the comics.
It could gain new fans that will like this version of Usagi, and might pick up on reading the comics.

[CyberCubed]

The fact that this is on netflix proves it'll probably be canceled after 1 season, maybe 2 at most.

[Sumac]

Trailer, I assume. (https://twitter.com/DarkHorseComics/status/1509957651156799489)

[TigerClaw]

Trailer, I assume. (https://twitter.com/DarkHorseComics/status/1509957651156799489)
Here it is on Youtube

gdvg_6cID0o

[CyberCubed]

Honestly doesn't look too bad. Looks like it can be a fun kids show. I do like how they acknowledge this isn't Miyamoto Usagi but his descendant which explains why his face looks different. Hopefully the original Usagi can appear through time travel at some point

[Chaotix12345]

In a neat move, OG Usagi will be voiced by Yuki Matsuzaki (https://www.twitter.com/Yuki_Mats/status/1509925509332828163), the same actor who portrayed him in TMNT 2012.

Only really familiar with Usagi's world through his appearances in the various Turtles shows, but I'll give this a shot. Always up for an interesting-looking new action cartoon and it definitely has potential.

[CyberCubed]

That's cool, so we will see the original Usagi in a decent role even if only through visions or such.

[Allio]

Still hoping that Sasuke and Jei comes in to ruin Yoichi’s life as they did Usagi’s all those life times ago.

[sdp]

I'm pretty excited for the show, I watched all the Usagi ninja turtles Episodes (http://miscrave.com/articles/usagi-yojimbo-cartoons/), I don't know much about Usagi outside of those crossovers, I'm a super casual so I wonder if we'll get any turtle references, I'm not expecting the TMNT to show up at all but I can see Usagi meeting an anthropomorphic turtle and saying something like "My great grandfather met some Kappas from another dimension once". Since it's the same VA I wonder if perhaps they can hint that Usagi is the same one as he one from the 2012 show. I think we'll be getting flashbacks of Miyamoto from time to time so it should be a fun show even if it gets cancelled quickly as Netflix shows do.

[Mayhem]

Since it's the same VA I wonder if perhaps they can hint that Usagi is the same one as he one from the 2012 show.
Good question, I guess it will depend on the writing.

[IndigoErth]

Bump because is supposedly premiered today! Gonna go check it out in a few. :)

[Mayhem]

Won't have access to Netflix until over the weekend, but the first episode is on YouTube if you wish to at least check it out...

https://youtu.be/0QGARCMvXx4

[neatoman]

I'm three episodes in and the show is kind of... Stupid. It's very much a kids' show with lots of kids' show trappings and the glimpses of the real Usagi just reminds me of what we could have had instead. If you just want to watch a typical kids' cartoon and you don't care about it having anything to do with Usagi, it's fine. As for it being a "Children's introduction to Usagi", I don't think it's such a good idea to let kids watch this, it barely has anything to do with Usagi. If you want kids to get introduced to Usagi, just give them some Usagi comics that aren't too heavy, if they are little brats who refuse to read you are still better off just showing them the Usagi episodes of 4Kids TMNT.

I guess we might as well deal with the inevitable TMNT comparison here. The show's stylistic choices seem to be modeled on the 2012 TMNT show and when I say it's a stupid show, it is stupid in much the same way the 2012 TMNT is a stupid show. Basically, there are enough "serious" elements in the show for me to think people would think it takes itself more seriously than it really does, when it's actually 70-90% stupid. If the stupid in the 2012 TMNT show didn't bother you, I don't think it will bother you here either. For what it's worth, it doesn't seem to fall into the 2012 TMNT show's trap of doing stupid things solely for the purpose of doing stupid things, it's more concerned with doing stupid things for the sake of comedy. In terms of faithfulness to the source material, it lies somewhere between Fred Wolf and Rise, in the sense that it clearly doesn't care about what the source material was like beyond some character names.

[Allio]

Watched the first two episodes. Animation is definitely slow and stiff and the action is less than desirable. Comedy is more generic than what I expect of Usagi.

so far, definitely making me wish we had an actual adaptation of the books.

[Leo656]

I feel like the safest thing to do anymore is just look backwards when it comes to adaptations of things you liked as a kid. Completely ignore the new stuff, don't even pay it a second thought.

If the property is more than 20 years old, you were there for That and they do a new version of it Now... it's best to just ignore the new version, it absolutely isn't for you and will only make you mad. And if you don't love it and say so out loud, it will only invite a bunch of younger people insulting you and loudly reminding you that you're not the audience anyway, they are.

It's like how I'm just plain Out and Done with regard to TMNT. I'm never going to like another version of it, and that's entirely on purpose as per their design, so why would I even care or pay attention to any new cartoon or movie? All I'd get from it is heartburn. Likewise, people who are fans of "classic" Usagi who watch Stuff Like This are only setting themselves up for disappointment. Best to not even bother.

[IndigoErth]

Watched it all last night.

Overall it was relatively decent. Maybe a 6 out of 10. I could have done without some of the pointless dialogue and moments that kind of fell a bit flat. I guess that's supposed to make it feel like it's for kids or be funny to them (or the old make them immature so they show change later shtick), but... eh. A few jokes did make me laugh. Esp the "angriest balloon" comment.

For the most part, I don't mind the animation at all, including the action scenes, and feel that people are way too used to hyper visual spectacle in action scenes these days...but I appreciate when fights like this are not mostly just a blur on screen.

The animation (and design) that did bug me is the citizens of the city. I suppose it was probably budget decisions to not put as much time and effort into these background characters, but they ended up seeming a bit lifeless, robotic, and clone-like.

Cat Karai (Chizu) is easily my favorite. Also really liked the crow yokai, but her wings really could have used a flapping animation, at least a little.

Chizu's ninja master was to me definitely "Poof Ball-Head Cat Shredder." lol

Really though... no turtle people in the background just once, or with all those yokai not a single kappa conveniently designed to give a nod? Or at least art... I keep looking at art, signs, etc in the background for some Easter egg, but nothing. Not even the design on the sewer (or more-so just an underground area) lid. How rude...

Though when it went on to mention "the multiverse" it got my hopes up for at last a nod to them later if it continues.

Disappointed that when Usagi finally did get to train with his sensai...it was via one montage. Having him training to improve as a character, and maybe get a bit more humble, might have been nice as a drawn out thing that felt earned. If it continues I hope this does happen, because so far he's a bit annoying.

Oh, and the one mole can stop saying his own name like that all the time, that is so damn annoying. Took me a bit to determine that they were even moles.

[Allio]

Finished episode 5. Honestly just not for me. The only thing keeping my interest is the “treason” mystery; and even then it isn’t really worth the effort.

[CyberCubed]

Few questions:

1. Is the entire season up or only a few episodes?

2. With netflix recently saying they ended their animation division, is this show already canceled?

[IndigoErth]

It's 10 eps and I assume it's the full season since it wraps it up with its save the world ending, then finishes with the usual kind of hint that it may continue.

Good question, did Netflix make this one themselves or just throw money at someone else to produce it?

I suppose even if they end their animation division that doesn't necessarily stop them from outsourcing animation to other studios.

[neatoman]

Alright, I've seen all of it now. The full thing is even dumber than I expected it to be. The humor is really stupid, a lot of characters are fairly annoying, character development tends to feel sudden and Gen's sister just seems to exist because... I think it's because someone on the show thought the idea of reusing Gen's macho looking character model for a female character was hilarious. If that's the case, I can't say I approve, having two almost identical major characters exist just for a gag seems stupid. Also the idea that people hate one guy after a thousand years is... Odd...

I'll give them this though, I did not expect the twist villains to essentially be the Combine from Half-Life, that was really unexpected after all the focus demons and magic. Maybe they're setting an appearance of the (NOT-)TMNT?

Really seems like the creators went in with the idea that "TMNT is stupid, this is related to TMNT, therefore we should make this stupid". As a kids' show, it's acceptable but I don't like the idea that kids might watch this and grow up with the idea that Usagi should be inherently stupid because "it's about a Samurai Rabbit, you aren't meant to take it seriously". That kind of ******** attitude is what has stifled the potential of TMNT and I don't want to see it happen to Usagi Yojimbo.

Few questions:

1. Is the entire season up or only a few episodes?

2. With netflix recently saying they ended their animation division, is this show already canceled?


Netflix has a weird tendency to carve actual seasons up into chunks marketing them as seasons. Odds are we have at least 10-16 episodes left and that's assuming they didn't order a second actual season. But yes, there is like a 10-25% chance these 10 episodes really were all of season 1.
Possibly, I think Netflix just licensed this from Gaumont though, so it might be safe. Really depends on how much Netflix had a hand in this. Regardless, I doubt this would last much longer anyway.

[Allio]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/38755524

Created a quick story of how I imagine Samurai Rabbit could introduce Jei.

[neatoman]

Alright I watched season 2 (which, given that this is a Netflix show, was probably really just season 1 part 2). It's... More or less the same quality, maybe a little worse because it has a bunch of crap that barely goes anywhere. Not that I think anyone cares but it ends fairly conclusively, so I doubt anyone will be all that torn up if there is no season 3.

[CyberCubed]

It's really bad. It's not even Usagi really, just a bunch of animal characters with vague martial arts thrown in.

[neatoman]

It's really bad. It's not even Usagi really, just a bunch of animal characters with vague martial arts thrown in.

Eh... I still maintain that while, yes, this show is indeed bad, it's still more or less the same quality as the 2012 TMNT cartoon. The main difference is that the I-N-O factor is far greater here and there are fewer episodes to space things out. In many ways, this show seems to have been modelled on the 2012 TMNT show and I can't really think of that many differences in terms of how well anything is executed in an objective manner. What the 2012 TMNT show has over this is that it's (somewhat more) reasonably close to the source material and that there are more episodes to distract from how terrible the over-arching plot really is. But point 1 just made it less likely to get rejected by old fans and point 2 really only earned the show favors if the viewer wasn't attentive enough, they're not really objective measures of quality here.
And I'm sorry if that came across like me trying to find a reason to crap on the 2012 TMNT cartoon, it's just that I know there is a bias problem around here and I really want people to be able rethink the actual quality of the things they like. I don't really want people to think the 2012 TMNT cartoon and this Usagi cartoon are that different in quality because one happens to come closer to what you're used to than the other, despite otherwise being pretty similar.

[CyberCubed]

It's not really the same. The Nick show had better humor/interactions between characters, structured episodes (either one-shot eps or episodes that continued into larger arcs), and less how I do put it, kid-oriented interactions? It's hard to describe, but in the Usagi series a lot of the dialogue and friendship stuff reminds me of things from educational pre-school shows aimed at 3-6 year olds, the Nick 2012 TMNT show never had things like that. There was always a certain "edge" to that show and its dialogue because Ciro and the other writers knew adults were watching it.

[neatoman]

It's not really the same. The Nick show had better humor/interactions between characters, structured episodes (either one-shot eps or episodes that continued into larger arcs), and less how I do put it, kid-oriented interactions? It's hard to describe, but in the Usagi series a lot of the dialogue and friendship stuff reminds me of things from educational pre-school shows aimed at 3-6 year olds, the Nick 2012 TMNT show never had things like that. There was always a certain "edge" to that show and its dialogue because Ciro and the other writers knew adults were watching it.

The thing is though is that I suspect that it's mostly because that show was longer from the get-go. I'm pretty sure season 2 was ordered fairly early on in season 1's production and I think both season 3 and 4 were ordered before season 2 finished (but feel free to correct me, I'm honestly not sure if that's entirely correct). So that was basically a 100 episode guarantee, pretty much from the start. This show is just 20 episodes spread out over "2 seasons", so there's obviously not as much wiggle room to do whatever, which basically forces you to notice how terrible the plot really is.

I get what you're trying to say but trying claiming the 2012 TMNT wasn't particularly childish seems absurd to me, if anything it was extremely childish. "Mike drinks anti-mutagen and gets acne" isn't exactly what I'd call a mature plot, nor are a good chunk of the other episodes either. And the humor wasn't particularity clever wither, much of it was just screaming and dumb things like hallucinating a pineapple head. Maybe I laughed at more jokes but I think that, once again, that has more to do with there just being more episodes and thus it's more likely for it to have more winners so to speak.

And I get what you mean by "edge". It's true that this show doesn't really have it while that show did. But first off, this show is intended for children so calling it childish as a criticism is somewhat strange since that's clearly who they are trying to appeal to and wouldn't really qualify as an objective measurement of the quality. It would be nice if the show tried to appeal to older audience, it's just that I can't really use that against it if I want to be fair in my criticism. And to be honest, the edge tended to give me a bit of tonal whiplash in the 2012 TMNT cartoon, it just felt like I was watching two different shows at times. Even if that wasn't the case, I would still be incorrect in saying having some level of adult appeal made the show objectively better, because it wouldn't.

Again, I don't think this Usagi show is good and I do like the 2012 TMNT cartoon better. It's just that if I look at what both shows were trying to do and how they accomplished it, it's really hard for me to honestly say the Usagi show is much worse beyond any subjective experience.

[Shark_Blade]

They really use a cliche, boring, clumsy teenager called Yuichi Usagi as the protagonist instead of the cool, highly discipline, interesting background lore and admirable moral compass legend that is Miyamoto Usagi?? What idiotic executive made this decision?

Watched the trailer and my initial reaction: it looks like a typical ass cartoon for kids with no edge so I’ll pass.

[Last Ronin]

Watched the trailer and my initial reaction: it looks like a typical ass cartoon for kids with no edge so I’ll pass.

Same here. Saw the trailer and it sucked then watched a best of fight scenes and holy crap were they boring and stale as Fuk.

[IndigoErth]

Second season was... "okay." Still feel the same of it that I did with the first season. There's a lot of stuff I could do without and a lot of attempts at humor that fall flat. A few genuine laughs in there, but sadly not that many.

It has the potential to be a decent show but something about it just feels so...shallow, I guess? Hard to put a finger on it and a problem with a lot of "kid" shows now.

My favorites of it has to be the whole cat ninja thing. I just keep seeing Lady Fuwa as something of a lady cat Shredder. lol And Chizu as rather Karai-like. Though you'd think that if there was a trend of female kittens being kidnapped it MIGHT actually click with people that the local all-female cat ninja group might have something to do with it? No?

Also Karasu-Tengu, that crow yokai, who was sadly barely in this season.

But damn it bugs me that the background townsfolk all have the same bland face models per species. Three or four bear people together.... maybe different body types and fur colors, but the face is all the same one.

[CyberCubed]

The show has been canceled, and won't be getting a third season:

https://www.thenexthint.com/samurai-rabbit-the-usagi-chronicles-wont-return-for-season-3-at-netflix/

Yeah this show was pretty bad.

Maybe one day we'll get a cartoon that accurately adapts the comics into animation like a manga to anime.

[Cowabung-Gal]

It felt too…”kiddy” for my taste. And no one really cares about Usagi’s distant descendant; what they really want is a show about Usagi himself.

Loonatics Unleashed tried that concept too and it also got cancelled after two seasons

[Shark_Blade]

Oh thank God for this cancellation. This calls for a celebration!

Mutant Mayhem then pizza dinner Woot! :tlove:

[CyberCubed]

I don't know why they can't just adapt the comics, there are hundreds of issues of Usagi that can be adapted almost 1:1 to episodes, as I said like manga are adapted to anime. And you wouldn't need "filler" either because Usagi already has so many comics to adapt.

[Shark_Blade]

I don't know why they can't just adapt the comics, there are hundreds of issues of Usagi that can be adapted almost 1:1 to episodes, as I said like manga are adapted to anime. And you wouldn't need "filler" either because Usagi already has so many comics to adapt.

I can only assume they’re lazy to do research and just gave us half ass attempt. Like why even bother doing this spin off at all, should've create their own IP.

[Cowabung-Gal]

I don't know why they can't just adapt the comics, there are hundreds of issues of Usagi that can be adapted almost 1:1 to episodes, as I said like manga are adapted to anime. And you wouldn't need "filler" either because Usagi already has so many comics to adapt.

Maybe because those comics are a bit too “dark” to be adapted into a kids show on Netflix. After all, when someone tries to kill Usagi, he usually doesn’t leave any survivors. There are also seppuku, crucifixion, and murder scenes in the series so yeah, maybe not suited for kids under 12.

It’s like when they adapted Cuphead into a Netflix series for kids. In the games, the characters are drinking, smoking, and gambling, the third of which is what led to Cuphead and Mugman nearly losing their souls to the devil. But in the cartoon, they removed all smoking, drinking and gambling references and instead of meeting the devil at a casino, the brothers meet him at a carnival where Cuphead lost his soul to a toss game. But it’s rather pale and even dumb in comparison to the game that started the franchise

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Mutant Mayhem then pizza dinner Woot! :tlove:

Nah...I'll still to the Super Mario Bros Movie and a bowl of spaghetti and mushrooms, thank you!:lol:

[Cowabung-Gal]

Nah...I'll still to the Super Mario Bros Movie and a bowl of spaghetti and mushrooms, thank you!:lol:

Barbie Movie and a nice cold glass of piña colada for me. ;)

[Powder]

The fact they didn't just give it a 4kids styled treatment is insane to me. You know, adapt as much as you can, lighten the tone when necessary, deaths merely implied, off camera, or swapped out with fainting, etc. There's such a wide breadth of material there, most of which pretty accessible & easy to translate to TV or make kid appropriate when needed. They made a generic Kung-Fu Panda rip-off, instead of using the opportunity to tell so many amazing, culturally rich tales, that showcase Japanese history, the strength of spirit, & value of community/hard work, all the while being incredibly engaging for even young minds. What a waste of a brilliant IP.

[Mayhem]

I can only assume they’re lazy to do research and just gave us half ass attempt. Like why even bother doing this spin off at all, should've create their own IP.
Gaumont worked in full collaboration with Stan. It was their ideas together with the pitch to Netflix. No one gets enough viewing figures for adult themed cartoons any more apparently. The pitch was always going to be a childrens show, and this was the best way to do it, even if I didn’t completely get on board with it either.

Gaumont has also released a statement saying they felt the story had come to an end (having watched it, series 2 does end on a pretty obvious conclusion) and thus it sounds more as if Gaumont are stopping than Netflix actually cancelling.