On June 1, 2020, Sanguine Games followed up their successful Kickstarter for USAGI YOJIMBO ROLE-PLAYING GAME 2nd Edition with a campaign to convert the project into Spanish. Jason Holmgren of Sanguine Productions and I did an interview for that campaign but, unfortunately, the project failed to meet its goal and I did not run the article. However, Sanguine rolled with that punch and pivoted to a new opportunity, kickstarting the BOOK OF CORALS – New Options for the IRONCLAW role-playing. To draw some attention to their latest IRONCLAW sourcebook and to mention that USAGI YOJIMBO is coming to Netflix as an animated series, I decided to share the original interview with Jason about USAGI YOJIMBO and its Spanish language Kickstarter.
Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo is a geek culture touchstone, the story of a rōnin rabbit in an anthropomorphic, historic Japan. It sprang up the same year as the debut of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and has crossed over with them at various points in their respective careers. Recently, the English-language version of USAGI YOJIMBO ROLE-PLAYING GAME 2nd Edition debuted. From it, Sanguine Games is funding a conversion to Spanish. Jason Holmgren, director of Sanguine Games, talks about the game as well as the conversion to Spanish.
EGG EMBRY (EGG): Thank you for talking with me about this RPG. Tell us what you’re doing in your current crowdfunding campaign?
JASON HOLMGREN (JASON): Thanks for taking time to talk with us. And yes, we’re running a Kickstarter for our first Spanish-Language game, a translation of our USAGI YOJIMBO game.
EGG: For those that don’t know, what’s the pitch for USAGI YOJIMBO ROLE-PLAYING GAME 2nd Edition?
JASON: USAGI is a fantasy set in 17th-century Japan, the Tokugawa era where the shogun rules the land and the samurai hold sway. It’s written and illustrated by Stan Sakai, who has been making these cartoon stories for over thirty years. His characters are cartoon rabbits, dogs, cats, and other animals, and the stories are rich in period detail, character development, and story-telling.
EGG: With the second edition, you moved from the original system to Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA). What inspired that shift?
JASON: We first made an USAGI game back in 2005, and our audience found the game to be quite a challenge. The PbtA system is immediate and accessible, players describe what they want their characters to do and then the results are quick and immediate. Since USAGI brings in people who may not be familiar with the war-gaming tradition of RPGs, we felt that the lighter touch of PbtA would be a better fit.
EGG: Are you planning any Usagi Yojimbo supplements in English or Spanish?
JASON: Our first Kickstarter was so successful that we folded our supernatural rules into the main book. We’d love to expand the line, and as a licensed property, that involves negotiations with Mr. Sakai, so we’re hoping that our support remains strong.
EGG: Correct me if I’m wrong, but USAGI YOJIMBO ROLE-PLAYING GAME 2nd Edition was your most backed crowdfunding project to-date?
JASON: Sanguine Games has made over 18 crowdfundings, back from before “Kickstarter” was a thing, and our USAGI was our best showing to date. Thanks to everyone who supported us!
EGG: That’s a major accomplishment! Congratulations. Since 1984, Stan Sakai’s comic series and character have been ingrained in geek culture. I remember playing with a Miyamoto Usagi action figure from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toyline, the character has appeared in multiple cartoons with TMNT, twelve years ago I had a conversation that stuck with me when a DC Comics editor shared their praise for Stan’s business model, there’s been hundreds of comics featuring Usagi, multiple Eisner awards, Rolling Stone, Empire magazine, and IGN have ranked this character highly, and, of course, there’s been the roleplaying games. In your opinion, what made Stan’s creation such an enduring part of our culture?
JASON: There’s a lot of things that make USAGI great. I’ve been a fan since the original stories showed up as back-up features in obscure comics like Albedo or Critters, so I’ve watched the series grow into the series it is today. Sakai has always been committed to telling stories about people, and his storytelling makes it quite clear who these people are and why they do what they do. There’s both long-running story arcs and one-and-done short stories, so anyone can pick up the series at any point without feeling lost. The history and the lore is presented in a way that invites you in, where you care about what’s going on. I’m a long time fan who’s still finding something new to enjoy after thirty years. So yes, everything you heard about how great this comic is, is true. 😊
EGG: You’re handling the translations in-house?
JASON: We’re working with translator and RPG writer Txabier Etxeberri, who has done a lot of work for Ed Greenwood’s [of Forgotten Realms] company.
EGG: What drove the decision to translate this from English to Spanish as opposed to licensing it to a third party publisher to translate and market in Spanish speaking nations?
JASON: Back in 2006. our first USAGI roleplaying game was licensed to an outside company. Our involvement was minimal, so we never sure how successful the book was.
EGG: Beyond this project, what else are you working on?
JASON: We’re adding onto our flagship line, the IRONCLAW fantasy role-playing game. This next book is an exploration of strange islands, and the effects of piracy, navies, and colonization.
EGG: Thanks for talking with me. Where can fans learn more about the campaign and follow you?
JASON: We maintain our own website, and you can find us on Twitter at @SanguineGames. Our USAGI en ESPANOL Kickstarter is online (here) .
JdR de Usagi Yojimbo 2da Ed. en ESPAÑOL from Sanguine Productions LLC
End Date: Wed, July 15 2020 11:59 PM EDT.
“La fantástica visión de Stan Sakai acerca del Japón del S. XVII, en un Juego de Rol, utilizando el sistema ‘Powered by the Apocalypse’.”
“Enter the world of Usagi Yojimbo! Stan Sakai’s award-winning comic series tells the story of Miyamoto Usagi, a swordsrabbit with the heart of a hero, as he wanders a fantastic version of 17th-century Japan. Now, Sakai’s Japan and its cast of anthropomorphic characters come to life in stories you write yourself. Explore immense castles and humble villages; meet bounty-hunters and crime bosses; battle ninja spies and scheming lords; and encounter monsters from beyond the natural world.
- Complete game in one volume: This latest edition of Usagi has been updated and revised with material from over thirty years of award-winning Usagi comics.
- Character creation: Take on the role of a fearless samurai, a crafty ninja, a wise priest, or other adventurer in fantasy Japan.
- Rich story: Immerse yourself in a richly-detailed world with valiant Usagi, sly Kitsune, gruff Gennosuke, clever Ishida, and other heroes from the comics.
- Thrilling Adventure: Face the challenges of Usagi’s world: violent bandits and criminal overlords; corrupt lords and dreadful schemers; maleficent sorcerers and foul demons; and more!
- Powered by the Apocalypse: easy to learn, but full of complex choices. A roll of the dice makes the difference between safe & sure… or bold & dangerous!
- Work together: A unique system of story, support, and setback points helps you and your fellow players pool your resources, bolster each other, and face your challenges as a group.”
BOOK OF CORALS – New Options for the IRONCLAW role-playing from Sanguine Productions LLC
End Date: Fri, July 31 2020 11:59 PM EDT.
“New species, classes, and high adventure for anthropomorphic role-play.”
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