By George & Josh Bate
It’s not often that a Star Wars story gets the chance to be told three different times in three different mediums, but that’s the case with Timothy Zahn’s 2017 novel Thrawn. First published as a New York Times bestselling novel (which will be re-released as a new deluxe edition later this month) and then later adapted as a comic book series from Marvel Comics, the story is reimagined as a manga that presents a familiar narrative in a vibrant medium increasingly make its mark on Star Wars canon.
Set well before the events of Star Wars Rebels and Ahsoka, Thrawn (The Manga), Vol. 1 begins in 15 BBY and explores the earliest days of Thrawn’s rise to power. Long before he became the Grand Admiral known throughout the galaxy, Thrawn was an outsider within the Chiss Ascendancy, navigating a dangerous political landscape filled with competing interests, deception, and threats lurking just beyond the surface. His exile sets him on a path where his extraordinary strategic mind becomes his greatest weapon. Through a series of increasingly dangerous assignments and encounters, Thrawn demonstrates an ability to see situations and his enemies with a clarity few others possess. Those talents ultimately attract the attention of forces far beyond the Chiss, setting in motion the events that will eventually make him one of the most formidable figures in the galaxy.
There’s something genuinely fascinating about seeing the exact same story told three times across three different mediums: first as a novel, then as a comic book, and now as a manga. For readers who have already experienced Zahn’s Thrawn novel or Marvel’s comic adaptation and didn’t connect with either version, this manga adaptation probably won’t change their minds. It follows the original story incredibly closely, leaving little room for major deviations, reinterpretations, or added tidbits of canon lore. That being said, the manga concludes earlier in the story, at the point in which Thrawn arrives at the Anison military base, with the remainder of the story to unfold in a forthcoming Volume 2. For those who enjoyed the previous versions or for anyone experiencing Thrawn’s origin story for the first time, however, there’s quite a bit to enjoy here.
In recent years, Star Wars has increasingly embraced the worlds of Japanese anime and manga, from Star Wars: Visions Vol. 1 and Vol. 3 to Star Wars: Visions Presents – The Ninth Jedi, alongside an ever-growing number of manga adaptations and original stories. The Thrawn manga feels like another natural extension of this growing relationship. Man Tsang’s artistic style gives Zahn’s story an entirely different visual identity, bringing new energy to characters and moments Thrawn fanatics already know by heart. The new release feels distinctly Star Wars while also unmistakably feeling like manga, particularly through its rich use of shadows and expressive character work. Perhaps most interestingly, Thrawn himself translates remarkably well into the medium. His calculating personality, intimidating presence, and constant observation of those around him make him a surprisingly natural protagonist for a manga.
The manga is also exceptionally well-paced, especially when compared to Marvel’s condensed six-issue comic adaptation. Rather than racing through the story, this version allows its major moments to breathe, gives the tension more time to build, and allows Thrawn’s character to develop more intentionally. Such a slower and more calculated approach benefits the story, particularly because so much of what makes Thrawn compelling is watching him assess the people and situations around him before making his next move.
VERDICT:
Star Wars: Thrawn (The Manga), Vol. 1 is an interesting exercise in seeing just how differently the same Star Wars story can work across three distinct mediums. While the story remains incredibly faithful to Timothy Zahn’s original novel, to such an extent that those seeking a more original Star Wars story may wish to look elsewhere, Man Tsang’s artwork and the manga format give the existing narrative a fresh visual identity, while the stronger pacing allows Thrawn’s rise to unfold at a more satisfying clip than the condensed six-issue Marvel Comics run. For longtime fans, the manga offers a fun new way to revisit a familiar chapter of Thrawn’s history, and for newcomers, it serves as an accessible introduction to one of Star Wars’ most fascinating and complex antagonists. With Ahsoka Season 2 on the horizon in January, this manga also makes for a particularly nice refresher on Thrawn and a glaring reminder of why he has remained such a compelling part of the Star Wars galaxy for 35 years.
Star Wars: Thrawn (The Manga), Vol. 1 is now on sale, courtesy of Random House Worlds.
