When Star Wars Visions was announced back during Disney’s Investors Day presentation, beyond it just being labelled “Star Wars anime”, it was promised that the new series would take the Galaxy Far, Far Away to places it had never been before. Star Wars: Visions has more than delivered on that front. The same holds true for Emma Mieko Candon’s tie-in novel, Star Wars Visions: Ronin.

The world of Ronin is unlike anything Star Wars has seen before, not just in terms of what planet they’re on, or the technology they use. It’s clear that by having seven Japanese animation houses create the shorts for Star Wars Visions, that Lucasfilm hoped to return Star Wars to the source of its influence. That hope and that influence have extended into Ronin as well.

As it always does with Star Wars, the question of “is this canon?” will no doubt arise in the wake of the novel’s release. As of the writing of this review, the answer to that question is unclear. For myself personally, I couldn’t help but wonder when this was supposed to be set within the larger context of things. Is this a legend passed down to the era we are most familiar with, or is this so far in the future that the characters we all know and love have passed beyond legend themselves, and are now forgotten entirely? It doesn’t especially matter, but it was on my mind throughout.

Ronin, inspired by the Visions short “The Duel”, follows the titular character, known only as “The Ronin” as he journeys the Outer Rim in search of something, and guided along the way by a mysterious voice. He is confronted in a small settlement by a woman determined to kill him, and narrowly escapes with the crew of the Poor Crow, to whom the voice guided him. Not willing to let her quarry escape, the woman pursues the crew across the Outer Rim. What starts off as a fairly straightforward chase takes several turns into the unexpected.

Though this is a story of powerful Force users, it is not the dichotomous world of light and dark that so many have come to expect from Star Wars storytelling. There are characters you root for, but no one is really a “good guy” or a “bad guy”. The terms Jedi and Sith don’t even really mean what they usually do in our general understanding of them. These are not the Jedi and Sith of the Skywalker Saga. It is far more fluid than that. Anyone with any sensitivity to the Force views it in both light and dark. They don’t possess the rigidity of the Jedi Order we know.

The Jedi Order in Ronin is not what we recognize it to be in any way, structured more like a system of houses and clans than one unified order. The system of government is also worth drawing attention to. There is an Empire, but it can hardly be Palpatine’s “First Galactic Empire”, which left me wanting to know more about the world. It felt a little unsettling while reading, both familiar and unfamiliar all at once. It also left me wishing that we had gotten more development of each of these ideas.

Ronin is the kind of book that definitely warrants a reread. It is, as previously stated, unlike anything seen in Star Wars before. Where the Visions shorts are stories distilled to their most crucial elements, the set-up of the larger world around the characters in the book takes some time to get accustomed to. From the established systems in place that govern the galaxy and its denizens, to the possibilities of the Force, these things are mentioned as part of the character’s way of life, but not given much time or attention beyond that. At times, that made it a little unclear for me what the characters wanted and why they cared at all. There is something to be said for letting a story just be, without overexplaining, but I couldn’t help but wish for just a little more context overall. Emma Candon brought fascinating concepts to the Galaxy Far, Far Away. I just wish we had a little more time to explore them.

Late 2020, Lucasfilm introduced a concept: Star Wars Visions. We didn't know much about it, save that it was an anime take on the franchise. As more details emerged: a non-canon collection of anime shorts by big-time anime production companies, with some big name voice actors, it was easy to see why this series was hotly anticipated. In the lead-up to the series, the novel Ronin was introduced, promising an expansive alternate history of the galaxy that we've come to know and love. And, now having both read the novel and seen the series, I can definitely say that both were absolutely worth the wait and worth all of the hype.

To remain spoiler-free, I won't talk much about the story that you cannot read from official sources. I will, however, talk pretty openly about the short. Let me tell you this, though: I am dying to talk about the spoiler-y stuff. Even though I am refusing to do so now, I cannot wait until this novel makes the rounds and is widely available and widely read, as it deserves. There's a lot to unpack and I am excited for the conversations that will rise from it.

There is a lot to commend author Emma Mieko Candon for with this novel. First, they introduce an amazingly expansive world based around a 13-minute short that doesn't do a lot of world-building. Having read the novel before seeing the short, I was impressed by how well Emma built the world of "The Duel." Now, having seen the short, and seeing that the short really doesn't do a lot of world-building, I am floored by how well they built an entire narrative and universe around something as seemingly sparse as a few characters, a few kyber crystals, and a few visual hints. Out of the short, Emma is able to weave a grand narrative about the familiar battle between the Jedi and the Sith, and of a galactic Empire, but do so in a fresh way. Without revealing anything not on the cover of the book, the Jedi serve the Empire, and the Sith were those who refused to serve a Master. Even this small twist is able to wring out a lot of story juices, bringing in the familiar language of the franchise but using them in fresh new ways.

One thing I loved about the novel was how well the world-building was integrated with the story. I always wanted more information about the state of the galaxy and the important factions (Empire, Jedi, Sith), and I think I was regularly rewarded for my patience. But, the information was never given as a mere expositional dump. The Ronin never spends too much time sitting around to read the History of the Galaxy to the people he interacts with, but I felt like it all mostly came pretty naturally. Sometimes, you figure out information at the same time as the characters, which leads to a genuine sense of discovery. In other cases, characters withhold helpful information, which brings you into the moment when the other character learns the revealed information. I would love to spend more time in this galaxy - and I would love Emma to be the guide.

But Ronin does not simply exist in an interesting and well-defined galaxy. It also introduces us to a likeable and compelling cast of characters, as well. Primarily, the short presents the Ronin as a wanderer, a somewhat gruff man with maybe some eccentricities. The novel presents him as a fully-well rounded man, hounded by a dark past he'd rather forget, but refuses to forget him; a man with a vision for a future rooted in making right the past. The novel also presents the Sith bandit as a well-rounded character as well, with hopes and fears, and ambition and agency, and...well, I won't say more. But I am now consistently impressed by the side cast. Honestly, there are few novels where I've been as interested in the side characters as I am the main characters, but I would love to see more of the cast from the novel. They seem to start as tropes - a storyteller, an aunt, a pilot - but it turns out that there is so much more to them than just that.

I want to also commend Emma for the way that they combined Japanese culture with the Star Wars aesthetics as well. In some of the shorts from the show, you'd see lightsaber katanas, Eastern-influenced Jedi statues, and shrines. Ronin also integrates Japanese dishes and aesthetics into the story, which makes it feel coherent with the visuals of the series. I don't have a ton to say about this except that it really brought a depth to the culture of the galaxy, which I appreciated.

There are a few quick notes I'd like to make, as well. As a story, the novel is well-paced and brisk. I never felt like we moved at too slow of a pace, but I never felt like we rushed through anything that needed some more time. I felt like even the C-list characters and below were given both something to do and something to be defined by. The prose is also excellent - and that's coming from someone who isn't a fan of flowery prose. Honestly, my prosaic preferences feel more..like a non-fiction description of events rather than a story. But even I loved the way that Emma wrote this book, bringing in a good balance of poetic meter and sometimes straightforward storytelling.

Before wrapping this up completely, let me just make a formal request to Del Rey: PLEASE bring Emma Camdon back to the franchise. I would love if they could write more Ronin, for sure, but I'd be curious how they'd write other shorts, or even something in the "mainstream" series. Their excellent world-building, compelling characters, and incredible depth of storytelling is astounding. I would love to have them back and I'm excited for everyone to have a chance to read this.

Links will be posted at Mynock Manor.com when the embargo has lifted.

Ronin – A Visions Novel, written by Emma Mieko Candon, is one of a kind in so many ways, all of them stupendously good. Based off Star Wars Visions’ “The Duel,” Ronin expands on the short’s world, diving deep into its memorable characters and ripening its already intriguing story/take on the galaxy far, far away, resulting in a refreshing read that has all the hallmarks of the franchise wrapped in its original influences, explored with engulfing conversations and revelations that’ll stick with readers long after they finish.

Readers can easily enjoy Ronin without having seen Star Wars Visions’ “The Duel,” as it sucks you into its world thanks to Emma Mieko Candon’s deft, detailed prose, building up the feudal Japanese world envisioned by the team at Kamikaze Douga with lush descriptions and metaphors which anchor the story in its vibrant representation of the culture. Having watched “The Duel” after reading Ronin, I was surprised how much Candon expanded on the world, as the opening few chapters are the entirety of the short, but how much they added is almost shocking, but in an amazing, exciting way that help propels Ronin into one of Star Wars novels’ greats. I could almost argue you don’t need to watch “The Duel,” Ronin is so good, but it would do all the team’s a disservice, as there cannot be one without the other; as Luke Skywalker says, “Powerful light, powerful dark,” a theme that weaves it way through Ronin as usage of the Force is described as white or black currents.

In the world of Ronin, which wears its feudal Japan influence all over its sleeves, Jedi clans run by many different Lords vied for power, using their Knights and Guardians as pawns in their own games to gain control. One Jedi Knight decided to stand up for their fellow Jedi and leads a Rebellion against their Lords’ over the mistreatment of the lowly soldiers, earning them the title of the dark lord and their rebellious followers the Sith. The Sith and their rebellion fizzled as fast as it started, for mysterious reasons readers uncover in Ronin, which picks up 20 years after the rebellion ended. Out of its ashes came an Empire, a poor excuse for peace, as Jedi Lords still secretly clash for power and violence still rules the land. The eponymous Ronin wanders the galaxy in self-imposed exile for his part in the rebellion, but a voice in his head haunts him, guiding him towards his fellow Sith comrades despite his attempts to avoid violence and his complicated past. While “The Duel” only hints at these elements, Ronin develops them into a sprawling, entertaining, and enchanting story and world that feels so distinct yet so much like the Saga we all know and love. In fact, there were times while reading I almost forgot it was Star Wars, in a good way, that when familiar terms like kyber crystals, lightsabers, the Force, hyperspace, and more popped up again, it grounded it back in the overall universe.

The characters breathe so much life into Ronin’s story, it simultaneously feels like I’ve read countless stories with them before and feels so refreshingly new at same time. Of course the big focus is on the Ronin himself, but the group of characters that weave into the story leave an indelible impression on Ronin’s tapestry, sometimes more so than the old man himself. With Ronin, the book’s slow but purposeful dive into his past is a rewarding journey, due more from the emotional side of the tale as he come to terms with what he did and how to best atone for it, less his actual past. His relationships with the rest of the characters, as their secrets or journeys come clear as well, are the backbone of the story and what help sympathize him for readers, as all of their experiences and choices also help him see his path forward, even if he loses his way a few times. It’s far more than I expected from the mainly silent protagonist of “The Duel,” and while he remains very silent in the novel, his few words are cutting and often funny, while Emma’s internal dialogue for him, especially as he speaks with the other voice in his head, paint a fuller picture of the man and how he went from his past to his current, almost mute-like state. B5, the adorable astromech with the straw hat, offers some hilarious commentary on the Ronin’s words and actions, but their unbreakable friendship betrays their outwardly rude behavior towards one another. He's an interesting focus for the novel and his story, which was left open with a few questions in the short, is an expansion I hope to one day see for other shorts in the Visions catalogue.


Out of the rest of the fantastic cast of characters, Kouru is my overall favorite. If you’ve watched “The Duel,” then you're probably already a fan of her too: she’s the Sith Bandit Leader, with that brilliant umbrella lightsaber contraption. Yes, she died at the end of the short, but her continued presence in Ronin, and how it ties into the story’s past and present, are secrets I won’t reveal here but suffice to say they are vital to what makes this such a special, memorable read. Kouru’s battle for autonomy, as a voice in her head (is it the same as the one in Ronin’s or different?) pushes against and with her impulses, which starts by trying to return the favor Ronin paid her. Her journey grows far beyond such impulses and her struggle to find her purpose, especially after her death, is a haunting examination of a second chance, but also a hopeful though grounded take on gaining back control in one’s life. It’s weird to say grounded, given how fantastical Ronin gets by its end, but I feel like Kouru’s struggles translate despite it all. Her conversations with the pilot Ekiya are my favorite of the novel, as it’s two women helping one another accept and come to terms with their decisions in the past, present, and future, despite vast differences (one's dead, technically!) and it was something very refreshing to see in a Star Wars novel. I feel like Kouru will come to be many reader's favorites so come join our fan club once you're done reading!


The Traveler, or Fox as they are more affectionately called by the crew of the Poor Crow, is the book’s most enigmatic character, though hints are littered throughout which reveal the truth they so desperately hide or can't remember themselves. As much as I enjoyed Ekiya and Kouru’s conversations, Fox and Ronin’s are next, as neither one is willing to reveal much about themselves, and when either do, it’s more riddles wrapped around vague but impactful answers. Fox is a storyteller by nature, despite their often deflections about themselves, and some of my favorite little sections of the book are their stories, which disappointingly go away towards the end, though the ultimate revelations about their role in everything more than make up for it, especially as their connections to certain characters come clear. Ekiya was a fun character to throw into the mix, this story's Han Solo to some extent considering she's the pilot, doesn't have any connection to the Force, and doesn't have time for everyone's drama, but she actually has a crusade in this game and her disconnect from all the other characters' problems allows her to be the anchor for the team. She helps Kouru the most, as I mentioned earlier with their excellent conversations, while she helps keep everyone from fighting everyone else as revelations arise, in some of the books funnier scenes. Lastly there's Chie, an old woman everyone calls 'Aunty,' who has her own set of secrets and alliances, and underestimating her due to her age is the biggest regret anyone will ever have.

While there is plenty of action in Ronin, what I appreciated the most was how it's not the focus of the novel, as most conflicts are resolved through other actions and words between characters. It was nice to have a book that allowed characters to resolve things in such a way, as while violence and action do occur, it's purposeful and part of the story, rarely feeling like a big action scene just to have a big action scene. Like a samurai battle between two great sword masters (or long time foes), the action is quick, brutal, and never lingers longer than it needs to. On top of that, the book's finale is one of the most imaginative, wild, wonderful, emotional rides in recent Star Wars history, topping even the spectacular Chapter 18 in Alphabet Squadron: Shadow Fall. While it's clear throughout Emma Mieko Candon has had carte blanche with this world and its take on Star Wars, they take it all into hyperdrive and reveal just how much freedom they had, delivering a finale that builds on everything before it, introduces some stellar and memorable concepts, and contains a twist so obvious in retrospect you're eager to reread the entirety of Ronin. On top of all that, it's emotionally rewarding, both for the characters and the readers, as they all grow, change, and make choices that'll change the future of the world in Ronin forever. The story of Ronin all stems from the cyclical nature of life and conflicts, represented in a wonderful way with the final chapter or through its white/black currents, and I guess it's ironic in a way you'll want to reread it when it's over.

Here are a few other things:

I've been playing PlayStation's Ghost of Tsushima for the past few months, totaling over 40 hours so far, and am getting near to completing the game. Reading Ronin while playing Tsushima was a great experience, as there were similarities over the way characters talked and interacted, while a riff between a ruling lord and a main character played similarly as well. Both pay reverent homages to samurai cinema and it was easy to see Ronin's world being translated into a Tsushima like game, even if for a small DLC (downloadable content) pack. How about it, Sucker Punch?!

Emma Mieko Candon's Ronin — A Visions Novel is not the Star Wars we all remember but it's Star Wars to its core, as it's so reverent of both its source material of the Star Wars Visions short "The Duel" and the Saga itself that it creates a wholly memorable universe with a set of characters and story readers won't want to miss.

I will start off this review with this: I cannot wait to read this book again, a second, maybe even a third time. I went into this book knowing I might not enjoy it as much because it's just one of those periods of time I'm struggling to focus on stories that take me out of the real world. But overall, the book itself is something unlike anything Star Wars has handed to us in a while, and it is more than worth celebrating.

Ronin is one of the most beautifully written Star Wars books I've come across in a very long time. Emma's mastery of language and stortyelling is evident within the first page. While this may not have been a novel in a style I normally gravitate toward, that's the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five. Aside from my personal connection with it the first time around, it's a fantastic book and worth a try even if it doesn't end up being a Star Wars book "for you."

Appreciate it for what it is: a unique, breathtaking and worthwhile addition to the Star Wars bookshelf. And if you do end up loving it, make sure you let the author and everyone at Del Rey know. Star Wars needs and deserves more books like this sooner rather than later.