A truly evil villain is fun to watch for a while, but the really interesting bad guys are the ones you can sympathize with just a little bit. Often, they’re not so much a villain as they are an antagonist. That’s the perfect word to describe Granny Honi’den, marching relentlessly after Musashi and her son Matahachi on their separate paths. Just as long as Musashi has carried a sword, Granny’s been there to tell him exactly what she thinks of him, popping up in all sorts of unexpected places.
Unfortunately, though, Granny’s striking resemblance to Yoda isn’t just visual. She’s really old, and stomping angrily across the country has taken its toll, and she has fallen ill. The cleaned-up and newly sober Matahachi stays by her side, still battling with who he was even as he prays for her health. Finally deciding he’s out of time, Matahachi helps his mother onto his shoulders to carry her back to Miyamoto village. As the two walk, the dissipating anger and hatred comes off the page in waves as Matahachi has a mostly one-way conversation with her.
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