Awwww...I love Ninja Bunny!!! I don't think it looks ANYTHING like Stans Signature. I mean...is that even a rabbit? I thought the top was a heart coming out of a Christmas ornament, or someone mooning you. I don't get it! Who's the blamer, the kill joy? For that matter, what does Stan think? Sad Bunny... aawww...I want to cry! So does this mean no one can ever draw a bunny ever again in their strips!!? Because Stan's signature...though it doesn't look like one...is supossed to be a bunny?! Heck! It doesn't even have a body...no torso, arms, cute bunny feet or animated eyes. So on that note, how come no one ever accused Warner brothers for copying Stan when they put either hair bands or sweat bands around Bugs Bunny's ears?! Hmmm that's the ticket!!!....maybe Stan copied Warner Brothers Bugs Bunny!!! He after all has been around longer! See how ludicrous that sounds? Well as it also does in this case! So There!!! Get a life people & stop squashig the creative process & killing the cute (although at times, sassy) bunny!

Aloha, Kim... Thanks for the support. I love Ninjabunny too, but I've had SEVERAL accusations from numerous people (almost 20 through the years) about this. Stan Sakai is a very dear friend to me, so I really don't want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship. FOR THE RECORD, FOLKS - STAN SAKAI HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. HE HAS NOT CALLED ME ON THIS OR ACCUSED ME OF ANYTHING! Some of the e-mails I received from other people were downright mean-spirited essentially calling me unoriginal and a ‘biter.’ I grew weary of these negative e-mails so opted to take a different route. Ninjabunny will always have a special place in my heart, but it's time to move on... I'm not saying that nobody can ever draw a Japanese rabbit character, I'm saying that the similarities were a little too great between them. Honestly, for me - if someone drew a character resembling mine, I think I’d be rather perturbed. - Thanks for writing, and for the record, Kim - I really like Stan's little signature. It's a quick brilliant abbreviated little sketch that captures the essence of his character. Don't hate Stan... Again, he has absolutely nothing to do with this... –jon j.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Not Ninjabunny!!! Hidoi! Hidoi! What will we do without his voice of reason! Can't you just 'redress him' or something?

I've entertained that idea several times dressing NB in black - like a typical ninja. But I think it's too hard to keep drawing a sassy character especially when you can't see his mouth. Thanks for the suggestion and I'm still plodding thru all the e-mails for what will replace him...

How about using a dog? Remember me? Ask Buddy the Dog...you can see my old articles under the community tab: local experts. Love your column...sorry da bunny has to go...at least they did not make your whole column go bye bye

Hey, Buddy. Good to see you. Several people have suggested dogs. I will take that into account before the final announcement tomorrow. Thanks for writing! -jon j

What about something uniquely Hawaii? Maybe an opihi!!! [pause] Nah, that idea sucks. What about a pueo? You don't see a lot of those. Geckos and mynah birds have been done to death, anyway. Mongoose too, sort of... [But...snif! I still like Ninjabunny...] And, Buddy, you're kinda mean.

Opihi - sucks? Ha! Who are you MY writer with the bad puns LOL :D I attribute poidogs and opihis to Brian Ito who does the Poi Pounder shirt designs you see all the dads wearing. Pueo (white owl) is an interesting thought. Geckos, mynah birds, and mongooses have also been nominated several times. Thanks for writing, Lori... -jon j.

I have no idea why these guys are so hating. I say keep the bunny away from those guys! Maybe they just want rabbit stew or something. LOL Long live the RABBIT! Just get Sakai-dono to tell everyone it's okay!