You ever watch Star Wars: Visions and think, “Wait… why does that dude sheath his lightsaber like it’s a katana?” Yeah, same. At first, I figured it was just a stylish anime twist. You know—samurai vibes, cool factor turned up to eleven. But then I read the Star Wars: Ronin novel, and it turns out… there’s actually a real in-universe reason for it. And it’s even cooler than I expected.
Who Is the Ronin, Anyway?
Before we dive into Ronin’s Lightsaber, let’s try to understand this “new” character a little bit.
The Ronin is the wandering warrior from The Duel, the first short in Star Wars: Visions. It’s a black-and-white episode inspired by classic samurai films, and Ronin is basically a Force-wielding lone wolf who takes down Sith, not joins them. He wears tattered robes, travels with a droid in a straw hat, and carries a red-bladed lightsaber—but he’s no ordinary Sith.
In fact, he’s a former Sith who abandoned the order and now hunts others like him. Haunted by his past and isolated from both Jedi and Sith ideologies, the Ronin is a warrior shaped by guilt, silence, and purpose.
His Lightsaber Literally Won’t Shut Off
So here’s the deal, Ronin carries a lightsaber that’s always on. Like, permanently ignited. It’s not just for show, and it’s definitely not a stylistic flex. His lightsaber literally won’t shut off, and that’s exactly why he needs a scabbard.
We get this confirmed in the Star Wars: Ronin novel during a moment with Kouru, one of the Inquisitors. After stealing Ronin’s scout ship, she tries to use his weapon herself. But here’s what happens:
“Kouru had encountered the flaw after she stole the scout ship and was alone inside it: No matter how she manipulated the hilt, the red length of the old man’s lightsaber would not retract.”
That’s not just a one-off quirk—it’s baked into the lightsaber’s design. We’re not told exactly how or why the saber is stuck in this always-on state, but it paints a picture: this weapon is different. It’s unstable. It’s cursed in a way that fits the Ronin’s wandering, haunted presence.
And because the blade can’t deactivate, Ronin has to carry it in a scabbard like a traditional sword. It’s such a cool fusion of Star Wars tech and samurai aesthetics, and it works perfectly with the tone of Star Wars: Visions.