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April 2003 - Stan Sakai's samurai rabbit, Usagi Yojimbo, is about to take shape as a special eight inch soft vinyl figure. The character is the hero of a long-running and award-winning series of graphic novels. The figure, based on special illustration designs by Sakai, is in production and scheduled for release in August, 2003.

"Next year will mark Usagi Yojimbo's twentieth anniversary of continuous publication", Dark Horse product development head David Scroggy noted, "and we wanted to start the party early with this project. We are very happy with the faithfulness of the sculpture to Stan's original designs, and feel it captures the unique essence of this important character. Although there were a couple of action figures of Usagi many years ago, we feel that this eight inch version will be the best representation of Usagi of all time."

Usagi Yojimbo is a samurai in 16th century Japan. Although the characters are anthropomorphic animals, the stories themselves touch on a wide range of human emotions. The research into medieval Japan is extensive, resulting in costumes, settings and situations that reflect a high degree of historical accuracy. It has grown a loyal following both inside and outside the comics industry.

Stan Sakai has won many awards for his work, including the Eisner Award and the Parent's Choice Award. This year he is nominated for the National Cartoonist Society's Reuben Award in the comic book category. This is considered to be The "Oscar" of cartooning.

The figure is made of a soft vinyl material using both rotocast and injection mold technology. It is full color, non-articulated. It is packaged in a full-color window box packaging, with Sakai's illustrations reproduced on the box. Suggested retail price is $24.99.