Before starting this review, we want to thank Raffaele “Rafman” Vota for sending us a physical copy of Ronin no Mai: The Dance of the Wave Men. It is a small self-published volume containing a roleplaying game set in medieval Japan.

Those interested in purchasing it can find the digital version on itch.io starting at 2 dollars, while the physical manual is available on major stores for 7.28 euros.

Review of the Ronin no Mai Volume

This manual presents itself as a compact volume of about 46 pages, entirely formatted by the author and enhanced with pixel art illustrations by Roberto “Fox” Marcarini. The layout is simple but neat, with a functional and readable design. The pixel art illustrations complement the tone of the game with a deliberately minimalist aesthetic, which fits well with the “ultralight” philosophy of the rules. However, they are perhaps not ideal in terms of contextual representation. Such a modern style ends up somewhat clashing with a historical setting. It is certainly a peculiar mix that boasts originality.

The work clearly cites its sources of inspiration: Cthulhu Dark, 24XX, Kismet, as well as historical texts such as Hagakure and The Book of Five Rings and films like Seven Samurai and Ghost Dog. Furthermore, the artistic style thus serves as a bridge between pop culture and Japanese tradition, with a deliberately amateurish but coherent approach.

The Game Setting

The setting of Ronin no Mai is rooted in feudal Japan of the Tokugawa period (1603-1868). This text provides a broad historical and cultural context, explaining who the ronin (“wave men”) were, samurai without a master or daimyo. The educational intent accompanying the game is significant, perhaps even overshadowing some other content. Nothing too technical, though; many players approaching the world of the ronin perhaps already are aware of most of the topics covered. Nevertheless, it is an interesting read that never becomes too heavy.

Ronin are, in short, wandering warriors embodying the duality between honour and shame, living on the margins of a rigidly hierarchical society. Often forced to choose between adherence to Bushido and survival, they bring this moral dilemma into play. The manual dedicates several sections to explaining Japanese social structure, the symbolic value of swords (katana and wakizashi), and everything that contributes to making samurai first, and ronin later, extraordinary individuals.

The author explicitly clarifies that Ronin no Mai is a work of fiction and does not claim absolute historical accuracy. It is a narrative reinterpretation inspired by the principles of Bushido and the romantic imagery of the wandering samurai. The game also proposes various scenario ideas, ranging from defending villages against bandits to confronting oni and kitsune, from historical realism to light supernatural elements, allowing freedom of tone.

Ronin no Mai: Review of the Mechanics

The rules of Ronin no Mai are explicitly ultralight. The game system is released as an adaptation of the The Grim Odd system, under a Creative Commons BY 4.0 license. It is played with two six-sided dice (2d6), a character sheet, and a “World” (equivalent to the game master). The system is based on four Fundamental Laws:

The Law of Nature governs what is physically possible.

Then the Law of the Mask regulates social relationships and status.

The Law of Excellence covers skills and training.

Finally, the Law of Health measures physical and mental condition.

If an action does not violate any of these Laws, it automatically succeeds. When it does challenge them, a 2d6 roll is performed. Depending on the result, one can achieve full success, a success with a cost, or failure. A series of optional rules allows modifiers to be applied to results, particularly following choices made during character creation.

Character Options

The protagonists of this game do not have numerical attributes or values. Players choose a name and a field in which they have been trained. There are no limits, only suggestions such as tactics, calligraphy, poetry, or subterfuge. Players can also choose a Strength Point and a Weakness Point, and the manual provides a table to randomly determine the cause of the daimyo’s loss, the Ronin’s lord before his fall from grace.

There is also a Fate Die mechanism (1d6) for binary decisions, with results modifiable by the World to simulate favourable or adverse circumstances.

Subsequent sections offer concrete examples of social interactions, combat, and failures, demonstrating how the rules promote a narrative approach, where shared storytelling prevails over tactical resolution.

The Final Touch

We can see a system that tracks two central values: Shame (which increases with dishonourable actions and can lead to seppuku or moral corruption) and Reputation (which increases with honourable deeds and can allow the Ronin to return to samurai status).

The game includes a summary Ronin Sheet and a complete moral code: Bushido, with its seven principles (Gi, Yu, Jin, Makoto, Meiyo, Rei, Chugi), each explained concisely but clearly.

There are also progression rules (the Truths), ritual duels, and even an interesting alternative micro-module for playing anthropomorphic animals inspired by Usagi Yojimbo.

Final Considerations on Ronin no Mai Review

Ronin no Mai is a game distinguished by clarity and respect for its sources, as well as an accessible and personal tone. Its author declares that he is not an expert in Japanese history and writes out of passion. The result is a ruleset that combines technical minimalism and aesthetic devotion. The combination of the The Grim Odd system and the authorial sensitivity produces a narrative, contemplative, and moral experience, where the weight of choices outweighs mechanical complexity.

A small manual full of spirit, designed more for those who enjoy shared storytelling and the ethics of the samurai than for those seeking tactical challenge or balance. Perhaps not perfect, and perhaps not intended to offer particularly broad gameplay horizons, but certainly interesting for those fascinated by feudal Japanese society.

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