The Worst Ronin
An adventure of samurai, self-discovery, and unexpected friendships.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall author Faith Schaffer illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Published:4th Jul '24
Should be back in stock very soon
In The Worst Ronin, two female samurai embark on a quest that reveals their inner struggles while battling external demons, highlighting themes of growth and resilience.
When an unlikely pair of female samurai join forces, what begins as a standard quest for glory and revenge evolves into something much more complex. Fighting actual demons doesn't mean one is free from their own internal struggles. The Worst Ronin combines humor and depth, presenting a narrative that defies traditional genres while exploring themes of identity and resilience.
Sixteen-year-old Chihiro Ito, daughter of a renowned samurai, is well aware of the challenges that come with the title. While her father is celebrated, Chihiro spends her time idolizing Tatsuo Nakano, the first woman accepted into Kesi Academy, a prestigious samurai school. However, Chihiro's obsession with her idol leaves her feeling unworthy and disconnected from her own potential.
When Chihiro's father is conscripted for service, she jumps at the chance to work alongside Tatsuo on a mission to defeat the yamauba demon terrorizing a village. However, Tatsuo proves to be far from the hero Chihiro envisioned. With a foul mouth, a quick temper, and a troubled past, Tatsuo has turned her back on the samurai way. As they navigate epic battles and twisted conspiracies, Chihiro and Tatsuo must confront their differences and face their inner demons to save the village and themselves. The Worst Ronin is an engaging tale of growth, courage, and the complexities of friendship.
“Maggie Tokuda-Hall's writing is a constant stream of pleasure. Faith Schaffer's art is gorgeously expressive and overflowing with fun. The best swords-and-cell phones epic you will read this year or any year for that matter.” — Jordan Morris, author of Bubble and Youth Group “The Worst Ronin is filled with glee, heartbreak, and hilarity. A laugh-out-loud buddy story that kept me riveted. I love these gals so much!” — MariNaomi, author and illustrator of the Life on Earth trilogy “The Worst Ronin is a wickedly enchanting samurai adventure full of humor and even more heart. Faith Schaffer's captivating illustrations bring to life Tokuda-Hall's deeply emotional story in such a way that made this experience a sheer delight from the first panel to the last.” — Terry J. Benton-Walker, bestselling author of Blood Debts and Alex Wise vs the End of the World “The Worst Ronin is a heartfelt and hilarious journey of self-discovery and worth. Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s delightful writing and Faith Schaffer’s wonderfully expressive art will you keep you engaged and delighted from start to finish. A dream team bringing a dream of a graphic novel to life!” — Stephanie Cooke, author of Pillow Talk and Oh My Gods “In the grand tradition of Ronin and Yokai stories comes this epic collaboration between Maggie Tokuda Hall and Faith Schaffer. Full of dark adventures and epic sword fights, this book sits well with tales like Demon Slayer and Inuyasha.” — Victoria Ying, Harvey Award Winning author of Hungry Ghost! “Themes of self-determination, betrayal, revenge, feminism, and social justice are at the core of this fast-paced, twisty adventure.” — Horn Book (starred review) “Incorporating modern technology and an offbeat contemporary tone, the authors offer an innovative blend of a modern and feudal Japan that balances weightier matters of loss and honor. Schaffer creates a commendably comedic and diverse medievalism in her myriad of goofy expressions, skin tones, and action-oriented art that well-suits the feminist, punk-rock tone of Tokuda-Hall’s writing. Fans of Fumi Yoshinaga’s Ooku: The Inner Chambers and N.D. Stevenson’s Nimona will soon find themselves swearing fealty to this exciting new title.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Female samurai with cell phones and Wi-Fi turn feudal Japan upside down in this humorous, genre-bending graphic novel.” — Publishers Weekly “Entertaining and empowering.” — Kirkus Reviews Thematically bold and consistently inventive, The Worst Ronin should not be missed. I cheered at the ending. — Matt Braly, creator of Amphibia “A samurai story for a new generation. Rising stars Tokuda-Hall and Schaffer partner to create an approachable, surprisingly funny, and female-forward story. Skilled panel layouts and epic action sequences add emotional tension while also creating a solid setting reminiscent of the worldbuilding in Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh’s Squire. Purchase for any graphic novel collection.” — School Library Journal
ISBN: 9780358464938
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 655g
336 pages