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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1
Summary
The story reveals how B5 came to be with the Ronin, having belonged to this Maul-esque swordmaster first.
Just like the original animated episode, this new Visions comic showcases classic samurai themes wrapped in Star Wars visuals, including this surprise nod to Darth Maul.
The Ronin from Star Wars Visions returns thanks to Marvel Comics, starring in a brand-new tale that pits him against a dynamic version of Darth Maul. Resembling feudal Japan and the classic Akira Kurosawa films that inspired George Lucas with Star Wars itself, the Star WarsVisions episode “The Duel” first introduced the former Sith known only as Ronin. However, the character has received multiple spin-off comics as well as a novel. Now, the newest Visions one-shot comics reveals an exciting lightsaber duel as well as the origins of B5-56, the Ronin’s loyal astromech companion.
In the new one-shot Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1, the Ronin’s newest tale is written in a uniquely non-linear format, though it remains focused on how B5 came to join the adventures of the Ronin himself. Originally, B5 belonged to a masked Sith swordmaster named Master Okinaa, and the duo lived together peacefully among the members of a small fishing village for 10 years. However, Okinna also received a vision of B5 traveling with the younger Ronin who ends up arriving at the village and challenging the swordmaster not soon after, a duel that reveals Okinaa’s surprising identity:
The Ronin proves to be the victor by using his lighstaber to create a cloud of stream, temporarily blinding his foe before going in for a final strike. However, Okinaa’s mask is broken as well, revealing his true face as a Zabrak from Dathomir complete with Sith tattoos just like Darth Maul.
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The Ronin’s Adventures Are Classic Samurai Tales Wrapped In Star Wars Visuals
Including A Nod To Darth Maul
Written and drawn by Takashi Okazaki who worked on the Ronin’s original Star Wars Visions episode as character designer, concept artist, and artistic director, the detail featured in his second Visions one-shot is remarkable. Rather than being set in the established Star Wars canon, this alternate world instead utilizes elements from the galaxy far, far away while still being in an age resembling the Edo period. Ronin, samurai, and shogun abound, all of whom are wielding lightsabers as their weapons of honor.
Case in point, Okinaa is clearly meant to evoke Darth Maul who first appeared in The Phantom Menace before becoming one of the most beloved Star Wars villains of all time. The Maul face reveal following the breaking of his mask is quite surprising, as is Okinaa’s history with B5 and his willingness to allow destiny to run its course, having foreseen his younger foe’s adventures with his droid. It’s also worth noting that this one-shot explains where B5 got his iconic thatched hat, having come from Okinaaa following his cremation (courtesy of the Ronin and his honor).
Darth Maul
Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Maul was nothing more than a tool to winnow down the ranks of the Jedi ahead of Darth Sidious’ true plans. Discarded after he was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo, Darth Maul swore revenge against all those he blamed for his past struggles – Jedi and Sith alike. Maul tended to operate within the shadows, running various syndicates, and even established himself as a true rival for Palpatine on at least one occasion. He was eventually killed by Obi-Wan in a duel on Tatooine.
Visions’ Darth Maul Nod Resembles The Jedi Shogun
The Ronin Once Encountered A Very Unique Mace Windu
This epic nod to Darth Maul in Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 does bring to mind 2022’s one-shot Visions #1 (also written and drawn by Okazaki). In that story, the Ronin crosses paths with a former shogun who’s eventually revealed to be a version of Mace Windu. While the duo don’t physically duel as with the Ronin and Okinaa, they did receive what appeared to be a vision in the Force showing how the duel would have occurred. Regardless, one can only hope that more Visions one-shots are on the way with even more surprise character reveals and twists.
Mace Windu
One of the most prominent Jedi during the prequel era, Mace Windu served as a crucial member of the Jedi Council, considered second only to Yoda himself. Windu was a remarkable figure among the Jedi, having turned his own temptation toward the dark side to his advantage, even creating a new lightsaber form known as Vaapad. Mace ultimately failed in his mission to protect the Jedi, apparently killed by Palpatine and Anakin Skywalker at the end of the Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 (2024)
Writer/Artist: Takashi Okazaki Letterer: Ariana Maher Cover Artist: Takashi Okazaki
Star Wars: Visions – Takashi Okazaki #1 is available now from Marvel Comics
“}]] How did the Sith Ronin get his droid? Read More