Usagi Yojimbo cartoon
 

I don't know if it shall be in TMNT related thread or not, but: -How does it come there has never been an Usagi Yojimbo cartoon featuring Miyamoto Usagi?

because the creator doesn't want his comic waterd down and kiddified by having it turned into a saturday morning cartoon.

Why did they refer to him as Usagi Yojimbo in the original TMNT rather than Miyamoto Usagi, as in TMNT 2003?

There actually was a Space Usagi cartoon in production many moons ago. Jim Cummings voiced Space Usagi. You can find a clip at usagiyojimbo.com or on Youtube. I had heard (although I'm not certain if this was true), that it was scrapped because people would think it too close to Bucky O'Hare.

Tmnt
 

I don't think it would have to bee too kiddified, it can be like the 2003 TMNT cartoon (or maybe a film). I have only read some Usagi Yojimbo stories, appearing as guest comics in the Swedish TMNT magazine. Aren't the 1984 Mirage TMNT comics more violent than Usagi Yojimbo?

The S is Correct. There was a cartoon based on Space Usagi completed but never aired because at the time Bucky ' O Hare was so popular, and the producers didn't want people to think it was a rip off of Bucky O Hare.

FYI : Bucky predated Usagi by 3 years.

You can see the toon on Youtube or usagiyojimbo.com like The S listed.

Too bad about the cartoon, it could have been very interesting. :(

Space
 

Maybe people would have wonder what he was doing in space and not in feudal Japan.

Usagi Yojimbo means rabbit bodyguard.
Miyamoto Usagi is his real name. ( miyamoto rabbit )

I see Usagi Yojimbo not the name of the ronin but the name of the comic series.
Ronin's name is Miyamoto Usagi so 2k3 cartoon did it right imo.

In fact it is a futuristic setting imitating futuristis Edo period and the leading character is a descendant of original Miyamoto Usagi.



I would really like an Usagi Yojimbo animated series tho. But in a much more different way than TMNT cartoons or lots of other cartoons. For me Usagi is the best american comic giving information about Japan history and the show's production team must really be consisting of guys giving importance to the show. The show must have a spirit and taste as Avatar The Last Airbender has.

All I can say... the TMNT Usagi crossover episodes (especially the one where Leo went into his world) proves there's a way to do it.

Personally, I'm also disappointed there was never a Groo series....

Miyamoto Usagi
 

I belive they knew his name was Miyamoto Usagi, but many people already know "Usagi Yojimbo" so it would be easier to introduce him. Even the 1989 action figure (eee http://www.ninjaturtles.com/toys/1989/usagi.htm) was named Usagi Yojimbo. Since he already knew the English language, I think he could say something with: "My name is Miyamoto Usagi, and I am an Usagi Yojimbo, a rabbit bodyguard".