Is Usagi Yojimbo an important part of the TMNT?
 

https://i.ibb.co/j6pgG8p/1044746-gau...gi-yojimbo.jpg

Is Usagi Yojimbo an important part of the TMNT or does he not matter that much in it at all?

Not in the slightest.
He is a cool character with his own legacy, but I don't think his presence makes any difference for the TMNT.

I would say he matters "a little" but there seem to be a lot of people that act as though Usagi and TMNT are like intrinsic to one another. Which really isn't based in reality, I think.

Well sure, not intrinsic, but I don't think it can be argued that he isn't important. Sakai, Eastman, and Laird were all good friends, and Usagi is at the level of "significant recurring character," having appeared in both the Mirage and IDW comics, as well as 3 of the 4 cartoons. That's more appearances across the franchise then some of the actual TMNT characters.

Not really, since he isn't really a part of TMNT, just a visitor. But I'll give him points and vote him "a little bit" since he's always pretty much been Leo's closest friend outside of his family (and franchise) and wouldn't want to take away his only real buddy and like that he's made repeated appearances.

Important to the story and franchise though, no.

In the sense that he pushes any of the characters into greater development or is essential to the ongoing narrative, I'd say no, not in any media incarnation to date. However, he is an iconic piece of the franchise's lore, and a key figure in "world building" (or at least multi-verse building). Knowing that some version of him is out there in almost every Turtle-verse makes things feel a little more exciting.

Usagi is not important to the TMNT. What's noteworthy however is that the TMNT may be important to Usagi, I don't believe I would have been aware of Usagi if it wasn't for his appearances in the 4Kids show and I suspect it's similar for a lot of us. The same thing goes for Cerebus, I mainly knew about him because he was in Mirage and I don't think I would have bothered reading that series otherwise.

I guess in my mind, in this context at least, "important" just means "notable." But it would seem the lot of you are looking at this more from a logistical standpoint.

I watched all the ninja turtles Usagi Yojimbo crossover episodes to prepare for the new show and I'd say he's an important part. In just two episodes he was able to be super memorable in the 87 cartoon which is full of memorable mutants. In 2k3 he took place in the battle nexus arc and was featured plenty of times. And finally he had his own arc in the 2012 show so he's always been something special. I hope we get more TMNT crossovers in the future with Miyamoto.

Admittedly, saying that Usagi is important to TMNT is kind of like saying Cerebus, Savage Dragon, Batman or Flaming Carrot are. Arguably his particular crossovers are more notable but he's still a crossover character.

I mostly liked his appearances in 2k3. He actually was useful there. In the FW series not really. In fact he looked like an idiot on the 2nd episode.

Does he ever appear in Mirage?

So, I'd say no. He's pretty much just a guest star. Nothing wrong with that.

When he is around, yes but otherwise not really at all, no...