An unexpected crossover event between Usagi Yojimbo and the original Power Rangers is coming later this year. The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are quite experienced when it comes to making strange bedfellows in unexpected crossovers. The last few years have seen everyone’s favorite teenagers with attitude meet with the Justice League and cross paths with Godzilla. Plus, they’ve been frequent collaborators with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for decades.
In an exclusive from Looper, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1 by Ryan Parrott, Shawn Daley, and James Fenner is set to be the next mind-blowing surprise team-up for Zordon’s pupils. The one-shot’s main cover art by Taurin Clarke can be found below, with variant covers from Stan Sakai, Emi Fujii Goni Montes, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Jared Cullum further below. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Usagi Yojimbo #1 is currently slated for a September 25 release date.
Not only does this instantly rank among one of the more surprising crossovers in Rangers lore, but it’s rightfully eagerly anticipated.
Usagi Yojimbo Will Meet The Power Rangers This September
Who Is Usagi Yojimbo?
The breaking news comes with a solicitation for the issue to come, which reads:
During a routine Rita Repulsa attack, the Rangers’ morphers do something unexpected…by hurling them back to the Edo era of Japan! Upon arriving at their historic destination, the mysterious Ogasawara begs the Rangers for their help. But the enemy they face isn’t what they were expecting…and our band of heroes will have to face a painful revelation if they want to save the day and return home.
As it turns out, the Rangers may be dealing with some sort of malfunction with their morphers that sends them into the past. That may prove to be a dilemma all in itself, but thankfully, at least half of their problems are off their shoulders, since they won’t be in the Edo era alone. They’ll be joined by Miyamoto Usagi, one of the most captivating samurai characters in comics history.
For Power Rangers fans who are not familiar with the character or their books from Dark Horse and IDW, Usagi Yojimbo follows Miyamoto Usagi, a rabbit rōnin whose adventures take place at the beginnings of the Edo era of Japan. Created by Stan Sakai in 1984, the expert katana-wielding swordsman travels the world as a yojimbo (Japanese for bodyguard) for hire. It seems like, given the unfortunate circumstances of their travel through time, the Power Rangers may need a bodyguard’s help and protection. As Zordon would say, may the power protect them.
What Can Readers Expect From This Dream Crossover?
Why Usagi Yojimbo Teaming Up With The Power Rangers Is So Exciting
It’s hard to predict what could happen in such an unexpected crossover. Ryan Parrott acknowledges just how unexpected this crossover is and admits the unexpected crossover concept is, to him, “one of the most exciting elements of comics.” Understandably, anything can happen in such a crossover. Parrott says that the only thing fans should expect is “an insanely fun, one-of-a-kind ride that hopefully both Ranger and Samurai fans will enjoy.” Truthfully, that’s promising in itself, especially as Parrott mentions he’s a fan of Sakai’s work. This is a crossover from someone well-versed in Power Rangers lore and who is a fan of Usagi Yojimbo, which is undeniably a marriage destined for success.
Source: Looper
