NYCC 2026 – FIRST LOOK: TMNT: The Last Ronin world expands with The First Ronin from Stan Sakai

Just a few short weeks ago, from SDCC 2026, I reported that we were getting the final Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Last Ronin story with The Last Ronin III but it seems that was a matter of chronology and not an indication that the story would continue.

Sort of.

Now, all the way from New York Comic Con 2026, we have the reveal of that saga’s ‘spiritual predecessor’, TMNT: The First Ronin.

This is a weird one as the book won’t even feature turtles, let alone mutants. as the story from creator Stan Sakai and artist Soo Lee “transports readers to 1600s Japan as the fearsome warrior and tactician General Kameyama is facing impossible odds in a great war. When his allies fall and he becomes the last man standing, the tide swiftly changes when four yōkai – supernatural creatures and monsters from Japanese folklore – who resemble humanoid turtles leap to his aid and defeat his foes. But Kameyama’s battle is far from over as the epic yōkai war approaches”.

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SDCC 2026 FIRST LOOK: TMNT: The Last Ronin III — Return for New York

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Stan Sakai is the creator and illustrator of Usagi Yojimbo, an iconic character in his own right and one that has also tied into the TMNT universe in the past: “I have been a huge fan of the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ since 1984 when both the Turtles and Usagi made their debut,” Sakai said in a statement.

“I enjoyed all of their incarnations, including ‘The Last Ronin,’ so I am really excited to be writing ‘The First Ronin.’ It will have new variations of the Turtles, not mutants this time but yōkai. That is just one of the surprises in store.”

Artist Lee said: “I am so excited and honored to be a part of this new installment of the ‘TMNT’ universe. And to be working with the comic legend, Stan Sakai, is an absolute dream come true.

“If there ever was a ‘TMNT’ story that I would want to draw, this spin on the Turtles team is it. We’re adding a new vision and lore to the already beloved gang so I hope the fans will welcome this new journey and enjoy the adventure with us.”

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Ok, look, The Last Ronin is a gritty tale of loss and revenge, set at the end of the TMNT story; it’s their version of The Dark Knight Returns and it’s superb, and I can’t lie, when I heard about this book, I thought it was just another cash-in and not one I would be excited for but now that I see the talent involved, especially Sakai, I am all-in on this book.

IDW CEO Davidi Jonas said about the new book: “Expanding on its legacy, especially with new creators, is not something we take lightly. But if there’s one person up to the task, it’s living legend Stan Sakai. Along with the amazing artist Soo Lee, we are absolutely blown away by the story they’re crafting. It’s sure to keep fans guessing until the final issue.”

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Don’t forget too that, how you see The Last Ronin in TMNT lore means that this might now act as an original story set before all TMNT stories and that is pretty cool. It also means that even as The Last Ronin comes to an end with the upcoming third series, that world may still have plenty to offer in ways we hadn’t expected.

Thoughts? I know you have them and I wanna hear ’em all.

Check out IDW’s official announcement:

JUST ANNOUNCED AT #NYCC with @TheWrap — Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: #TheFirstRonin!

@usagiguy and @SooDLee are honoring the legacy of the chart-topping triumph TMNT: #THELASTRONIN with a captivating spiritual predecessor.

See more with in bio!

#TMNT #IDW @TMNT https://t.co/iXLipKvdSK

— IDW Publishing (@IDWPublishing) October 8, 2026

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