The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, art by Faith Schaffer. HarperAlley, 2024. 9780358464945. 336pp.
Tatsuo Nakano is a ronin with a deadly reputation and, maybe, a drinking problem. Chihiro idolizes Nakano. Her father is training her to become a warrior, and she really wants to attend the Keisi Academy to help her along that path. The Daimyo calls Chihiro’s father back into service to take care of a monster that’s been stealing children; Chihiro wants to go in his place in the hope that the experience will help her get into the academy. Her parents agree, provided she hires a ronin or two. It’s not too much later that she crosses paths with a broke Nakano and hires her to help. (Cue a few intense training montages as they travel together; Nakano does not think Chihiro is ready to be a samurai, but Chihiro is determined to prove otherwise.)
This graphic novel takes place in a not-quite historically accurate version of Japan that has cell phones and TVs. It’s a light-hearted, quick read that’s fun despite the betrayal and heartbreak at the heart of both Nakano’s and Chihiro’s stories.
Tokuda-Hallur is the creator of one of my favorite historical picture books, Love in the Library, as well as the werewolf graphic novel Squad.
