SHINOBU, the Euro-Japanese daughter of a Japanese martial arts champion is chased by a gang led by Harry and Charlene, whose bullying of Shinobu is interrupted by Aiden Anderson, a young American/Swede, out for his morning run. This chance encounter is the beginning of a friendship, platonic in nature, that will see them face trials and difficulties in their respective lives while maintaining an unbroken bond. Aiden’s mother, Megan, is an American woman of impeccable taste and coming from an old moneyed family in the States, very rich and very politically powerful. She has high expectations for Aiden. Aiden’s father, Gustaf, a former Swedish Olympian, also comes from a well-placed Swedish family.

Aiden persuades Shinobu to take up boxing to defend herself and as the months pass, she is eventually trained by her father, Mr Bushida, who see Shinobu carrying on the mantle that cost her brother’s life. Mr Bushida is more than happy to subsidise Shinobu in her goal to become a champion. But is it really Shinobu’s goal or her father’s? Mr Bushida, Shinobu’s father, at first resents Aiden as he views him as a distraction for Shinobu but changes his opinion of Aiden however when he realizes that Aiden is just as serious about Shinobu winning as he is.

The rapid decline and subsequent break up of Aiden’s parents’ marriage and the unexpected death of his grandmother on his mother’s side sees Aiden and Megan going to LA without Gustaf. The marriage is well and truly over. Once she has buried her mother, Megan finalizes divorce proceedings and sets about to move on with her life. Aiden has also decided to move on with his life since he has not heard from Shinobu since leaving New York. Shinobu goes to Aiden’s house in New York and confronts a drunken Gustaf as she is has not heard from Aiden.

Speaking with his uncle in law, John Stanton, who is the senior partner in an international company, Aiden, though reluctant at first as he wants to be his own man, plots with his uncle John, and is offered the opportunity to go to London under the guise of working for John Stanton. It is really a cover up to enable Aiden to get away from his mother who is proving to be quite demanding and who really wants to control the destiny of her only child. London allows Aiden the opportunity to spread his wings and to begin to determine what kind of man he wants to be. Free of Megan and the society he has been brought up in; covered by John in the pretence that he is working for John, Aiden gets a job in a trendy bar in London as the promotional Manager. With no real experience but the growth of his personality and charm he is soon endearing people to him. Very popular with staff, management, and clientele his position seems secured. Shinobu, having moved to Tokyo, has buckled down and leads a disciplined life as she prepares for the World championship in her sport. The training is gruelling, overshadowed by an underworld character called Wu, who wants a piece of the action and wants Shinobu to throw the fight.

Fate has a funny way of playing its hand for on the same night in London, what starts of as a routine night soon turns into violence with Aiden being an innocent bystander fighting for his life after trying to save his flatmate Christian. Shinobu wins her fight, but Mr Bushida tells her she must leave Japan. Eventually he discloses to Shinobu that Aiden had tried to contact her before he had left for LA. He also gives Shinobu some heirlooms that her mother had left for her. Shinobu leaves Japan and goes to London in search of her mother’s relatives. Aiden’s near-death experience helps to develop and focus his ambitions and soon he is establishing himself as a star in his uncle’s company. As events unfold Shinobu and Aiden are brought back into final contact, and the true spirit of their friendship emerges.

‘Unbroken’ is a strong, beguiling story about friendship and individual determination.