In a faraway village, children have gone missing, and parents feared the worst. Fifteen-year-old Chihiro was offered the chance to prove her fighting skills to battle the demon terrorizing the village. But to succeed, Chihiro must convince her idol, Tatsuo, to train and fight alongside. Tatsuo was the first and only girl admitted to the prestigious Keisi Academy for the most promising warriors. But in recent years, Tasuo has fallen from grace, seemingly unable to face her own demons. Despite the embarrassing video clips of Tatsuo in drunken brawls, Chihiro remained committed to her favorite samurai.
The Worst Ronin transcends the boundaries of a typical coming-of-age samurai story. Writer Maggie Tokuda-Hall delves deep into the realms of self-discovery with a feminist twist. Tatsuo, a once-promising warrior, is now on a journey of self-redemption, battling her innermost fears. The narrative, with its poignant exploration of grief, betrayal, and sorrow, is punctuated with well-timed moments of levity, creating a narrative that is both inspiring and deeply relatable.
One aspect that particularly struck me was the unique setting of the story. Faith Shaffer’s illustrations beautifully depict a world that seems to belong to a bygone era, with its traditional attire and architecture. Yet, the characters’ modern technology, such as watching videos on their phones and relying on cell towers for Wi-Fi, adds a contemporary twist.
