2023/003: Iron Widow — Xiran Jay Zhao

2023/003: Iron Widow — Xiran Jay Zhao

What is it about gender that matters so much to the system, anyway? Isn’t piloting entirely a mental thing? So why is it always the girls that have to be sacrificed for power? [loc. 187]

Very loosely based on the historical figure Empress Wu, the only female sovereign in the history of China, Iron Widow tells the story of Wu Zetian as she wreaks vengeance on the individuals and institutions which she holds responsible for the death of her sister and for the oppression of thousands of women, including herself. In a setup reminiscent of Pacific Rim (and many, many manga / anime works in Chinese and Japanese culture, with which I'm unfamiliar), linked pairs pilot Chrysalises -- giant robots -- to fight the fearsome Hundun invaders. ( Read more... )