By George & Josh Bate
It was fitting that a Star Wars Celebration taking place in Japan featured an entire panel about manga, especially considering stories told through the medium have been increased in number in a galaxy far, far away. During the panel, aptly titled Lucasfilm Publishing: Manga Mania!, authors and artists behind a variety of manga Star Wars stories discussed their work and made surprise announcements.
The Manga Mania! panel hosted by the incredible Clayton Sandell included C.B. Cebulski, Kenny Ruiz, Shima Shinya, Buse Alan (Sideranch), sak (penname, from Mandago), Hazama Tukuru (penname, from Mandago), and Man Tsang (from Quire Ltd.).
The panel began with the official unveiling of the new logo for Lucasfilm Publishing. Take a look below….
The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Manga
First up during the panel was the announcement of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Manga. Dark Horse Comics are publishing a stunning two-volume set spotlighting Hisao Tamaki’s original art from his acclaimed 1997 manga adaptation of George Lucas’ original Star Wars.
The standard edition of the book will release in comic shops and bookstores in 2026. Check out interior spreads from the book below….
However, fans can get their hands on the book earlier through Kickstarter. A Collector’s Edition two-volume hardcover set with Kickstarter exclusive covers and a new English translation is in the works, as is a large-format premium Masterpiece Edition that faithfully reproduces Tamaki’s art at its original size.
The link to the Kickstarter page can be found here.
Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber
An upcoming manga by Kenny Ruiz titled Path of the Lightsaber was also announced at the Manga Mania! panel.
The manga takes place between the events of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and will explore themes introduced in Rian Johnson’s film. The plot follows a young tinkerer named Nioka, who views Luke Skywalker as “a rock star.” One day, Nioka is drilling into a frozen asteroid when she discovers the sacred Jedi weapon – a lightsaber! Author Ruiz described this lightsaber as like “Excalibur.” However, it soon becomes clear there are powerful and dangerous individuals after the lightsaber.
The series will feature “the first new Knight of Ren” in Star Wars canon, later revealed to be Tava Ren during the other Lucasfilm Publishing panel.
Path of the Lightsaber will also feature a Battle of Endor veteran named Barun.
Check out a preview of Path of the Lightsaber below….
Path of the Lightsaber releases November 11, 2025.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order manga adaptation
The story of Cal Kestis and friends will soon be retold in the medium of manga. Author Mangado and publisher DPW Milan team up to adapt the acclaimed video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order into an exciting manga.
Check out character designs of Cal, Greez, Cere, and the Second Sister below….
The release date of the Jedi: Fallen Order manga adaptation is TBD.
Thrawn manga adaptation
Timothy Zahn’s novel Thrawn will also be adapted into a new manga. Illustrated and adapted by Man Tsang, this upcoming manga will follow Zahn’s 2017 novel in chronicling the origins of the notorious Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Man Tsang spoke during the panel about the challenges posed by adapting a book with so much dialogue, not much action, and starring a character without unique superpowers or abilities. Tsang, based on his impressive body of work, seems more than capable of taking on this challenge.
Check out character designs from the manga below….
Check out some interior spreads from the manga below….
The release date of the Thrawn manga adaptation is TBD.