The idea of the lone wolf has a mystique. The Western genre of movies is a prime example. Clint Eastwood launched a career out of playing the Man With No Name in films like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The Eastwood films, directed by Sergio Leone, found inspiration in real life Samurai like Miyamoto Musashi, who left his village at the age of fifteen, leaving is family and possessions behind, to travel and engage in battle. The epic novel Mushashi, based on the real life exploits of Japan’s most famous swordsman, is a classic example of Japanese storytelling.

The Eastwood or Mushashi character is an incredibly popular narrative, capturing the archetype of the mysterious man who is seemingly alone in the world. These characters are strong, courageous and show honor in the face of adversity, but what makes them particularly attractive to many men is the fact that they are essentially fighting a private battle, often outside of “civilized” society. Through their actions these characters depict something that so many men are looking for: strength, honor and virtue.