Outlaw: Champions of Kamigawa

by Scott McGough

Reviewed by Coral

The kingdom of Kamigawa waits anxiously for the birth its warlord's, Daimyo Konda, first child. What the people do not know is that on the night of Princess Michiko's birth, Konda plans to open a gateway to ensure lasting peace for his kingdom, throughout the generations.

Fast-forward to twenty years later, where Konda's plan has brought about two decades of constant warfare. Kamis have been let loose in the world, attacking the people who once worshipped them. Now Kamigawa is a wasteland, inhabited by rival gangs and exiles just trying to survive, while those loyal to the Daimyo cower behind the walls of his once glorious fortress.

Toshi Umezawa is once such exile; a bandit who only looks out for himself. At least he used to, until he runs afoul of the moonfolk, men and women who still worship the kami. Now he's on the run and, after a very awkward bit of expositional dialogue, saddled with a traveling companion he doesn't want, trying to learn the truth behind the ill omens surrounding him.

Meanwhile the Daimyo rules his much reduced kingdom, un-aged a day since his daughter's birth. Michiko has, unfortunately, aged into an annoying, and of course gorgeous, nitwit. She selfishly disregards her father's orders, convinced her way is the right way, putting herself and a lot of other people in danger. I'm not sure she ever learns a lesson from the consequences either.

Am I expected to believe that the only child of a warlord, his appointed heir, wouldn't know anything about government at 20? Michiko is surprised to learn that governments lie and keep secrets. Because, of course, Michiko is the sweet and innocent character, who would never keep secrets from her own people, but has no trouble lying to her father. Why is she only know beginning to learn archery? Um, you live in the middle of a war zone, she should have been picking up a bow at 13 or something.

And, after twenty years of war, why are there still people - non-moonfolk people - who worship the kami that have ravaged their country? So, you're worshipping your enemies; an odd little war you have going on in your books Mr. McGough.

How bout despite the fact that the Daimyo has been holed up in his fortress for twenty years, losing most of his kingdom to gangs, that royal proclamations with his daughter's image still circulate the realm? Yeah, that's believable. 

Grade: C