A review by glassesgirl79
Chronin Volume 1: The Knife at Your Back by Benjamin A. Wilgus
4.0
A super quick graphic novel telling the story of two college grad students from 2045 who find themselves stuck on 1846 Japan. Mirai and Kuji were classmates as well as a couple who were chosen to participate in a pilot program which allow them to travel back on history. Initially, their experience was going well until a differing of opinions between Mirai and Kuji to break up. After their break up, Kuji returns to 1864 Japan and begins a relationship with tea mistress Hatsu while Mirai disguises herself as a man and works in Japan doing delivery work.
Hatsu likes Mirai and asks her to act as her bodyguard during a trip to Kyoto. While Mirai says no at first, she soon relents and accompanys Hatsu. During their first night of travel, Hatsu discovers that Mirai is actually a woman and is furious with her and this act of betrayal. As the two women retreat to their room to argue, they are ambushed by a group of men. It is during this attack that Mirai and Kuji reunite.
Hatsu, Mirai and Kuji are all confused regarding how they all connect and therefore, Mirai and Kuji explain to Hatsu that they are from the future and how they ended up in the past. Although Hatsu is apprehensive, she decides to believe them due to how ridiculous the story they tell is.
While Mirai longs to return to her present time, she is unable to do so since she and her classmates were ambushed then killed and her time travel beacon was lost in the river during the attack. Mirai and Kuji make a pact to meet in Kyoto is twenty four days and then part ways. As Mirai and Hatsu continue their journey to Kyoto, Mirai saves a Englishman from being killed and he then joins their traveling party to Kyoto.
Once Mirai and Kuji meet in Kyoto, it becomes apparent the Kuji is there to change history while Mirai wants to go home. Only time will tell which person will get what they want and regardless, whatever decision that’s made will not only effect 1846 but the future as well.
This was an enjoyable read although I would have appreciated a note a the beginning of the book to let the reader know that conversations on brackets (e.g <>) means that the characters are speaking in English.
Hatsu likes Mirai and asks her to act as her bodyguard during a trip to Kyoto. While Mirai says no at first, she soon relents and accompanys Hatsu. During their first night of travel, Hatsu discovers that Mirai is actually a woman and is furious with her and this act of betrayal. As the two women retreat to their room to argue, they are ambushed by a group of men. It is during this attack that Mirai and Kuji reunite.
Hatsu, Mirai and Kuji are all confused regarding how they all connect and therefore, Mirai and Kuji explain to Hatsu that they are from the future and how they ended up in the past. Although Hatsu is apprehensive, she decides to believe them due to how ridiculous the story they tell is.
While Mirai longs to return to her present time, she is unable to do so since she and her classmates were ambushed then killed and her time travel beacon was lost in the river during the attack. Mirai and Kuji make a pact to meet in Kyoto is twenty four days and then part ways. As Mirai and Hatsu continue their journey to Kyoto, Mirai saves a Englishman from being killed and he then joins their traveling party to Kyoto.
Once Mirai and Kuji meet in Kyoto, it becomes apparent the Kuji is there to change history while Mirai wants to go home. Only time will tell which person will get what they want and regardless, whatever decision that’s made will not only effect 1846 but the future as well.
This was an enjoyable read although I would have appreciated a note a the beginning of the book to let the reader know that conversations on brackets (e.g <>) means that the characters are speaking in English.