Miyamoto Usagi is an anthropomorphic rabbit warrior who is an expert swordsman, a follower of the samurai lifestyle, and protector of those in need. He was created by Stan Sakai, who was inspired by real life swordsman and warrior Miyamoto Musashi.

Usagi debuted 40 years ago in Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 (November 1984) as the son of his village’s headman. While he was traveling to the Dogora school where he would be trained as a samurai, Usagi saw a group of fellow students attacking Katsuichi, a former teacher at the school. Usagi watched Katsuichi easily defeat the group, and immediately wanted to become his student. Initially, Katsuichi refused to take him on as a student, but when Usagi stood outside of his house day and night regardless of the weather, he became impressed by the young rabbit’s dedication.

Once his training was completed, Katsuichi took Usagi to a fencing tournament at the Dogora school. He won match after match, culminating in the final match against the school’s top student, who also happened to be his home village rival, Kenichi. Usagi defeated Kenichi and the regional Lord Mifune offered him a job.

Before entering his service, Usagi consoled Kenichi who was ashamed of his loss and didn’t want to return him. Usagi convinced him to take the journey, and together they saved their village from a gang who was threatening it. Kenichi decided to stay and would later become headman after Usagi’s father died.

Usagi excelled in Lord Mifune’s service and eventually became the personal bodyguard for the Lord and his family. Things were going well until the rival Lord Hikiji sent an assassin to their house and killed Mifune’s wife and son. A war was waged and Mifune was defeated when one of his commanders betrayed him. After the battle was lost, Usagi took Mifune’s decapitated head and buried it so that the enemy couldn’t dishonor him by displaying it.

Now operating as a ronin, Usagi traveled around the region and worked as a Yojimbo, aka a bodyguard for hire. In this new role, he gained many friends like Lord Noriyuki, Inspector Ishida, the bounty hunter Murakami Gennosuke, the petty thief/street entertainer Kitsune, the demon hunter Sasuké, and his cousin Yukichi Yamamoto, another rabbit ronin.