Star Wars Manga is Coming

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Summary

  • First official Star Wars manga announced at Star Wars Celebration for A New Hope.
  • The manga, produced by Dark Horse, features original artboards and exclusive features.
  • Available on Kickstarter with special editions, will later be sold at major retailers.

2025’s Star Wars Celebration is buzzing with excitement, as announcement after announcement keeps fans on their toes! With two new films unveiled, numerous TV series, video game upgrades, and more, there’s no shortage of Star Wars updates to keep enthusiasts thrilled. Amongst all the other franchise developments, a unique announcement was made that is particularly intriguing for otaku: a special edition of the first ever Star Wars manga! Given that this year’s celebration takes place in Tokyo, it couldn’t be more fitting!

The initial official Star Wars comic book was unveiled during the Star Wars celebration, set to debut on Kickstarter first before becoming available at general retail outlets. Produced by Dark Horse, this manga is inspired by the original storyboard art for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, created by manga artist Hisao Tamaki. This exclusive edition boasts unique elements and is expected to be a remarkable addition for collectors.

A Star Wars Manga for A New Hope

All the Original Artwork, Unaltered

This unique manga collection, named “The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga“, is a gathering of the original artwork produced by Hisao Tamaki. For the first time, this manga will be available in a hardcover format, presented as a luxurious two-volume set and featuring a brand-new English translation. Originally published in Japan as an adaptation of “Star Wars Episode VI: A New Hope” back in 1997, it was later released in English by Dark Horse in 1998.

The Kickstarter page for the project describes this new edition of the manga as:

Years ago, right at the heart of Japan’s thriving otaku scene, I, Hisao Tamaki, dared to reimagine Star Wars: A New Hope in a fresh, exciting manner. This audacious endeavor earned me an Eisner Award and won over fans globally with my manga interpretation of this cinematic classic.

Currently, Dark Horse Comics and Lucasfilm honor this famous adaption with The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga, a premium hardcover edition featuring Tamaki’s unprecedented art boards presented authentically in their right-to-left format. For the first time, enthusiasts will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Tamaki’s breathtaking unaltered artwork, complete with blue pencil marks, pasted captions, and editorial notes that provide a unique glimpse into the creative journey, accompanied by a fresh English translation of the original lettering.

Typically, manga and comic books are presented in their polished final forms, devoid of editor marks. But “The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga” stands out. This unique publication grants Star Wars enthusiasts a rare glimpse into the imaginative mind of Tamaki, the artist. Not only can fans appreciate the artwork itself, but they also get to delve into the creative journey that led to its creation, offering an intriguing insight into Tamaki’s creative process.

Where to Buy the New Star Wars Manga

From Kickstarter to General Retailers

What sets The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga apart is the unique way it’s going to be distributed. This project is on the verge of being launched on Kickstarter, where it can initially be bought. Notably, the Kickstarter page mentions that exclusive Collector’s and Masterpiece Editions – which offer special covers, formats, and signed versions – will only be accessible through this project and won’t be available for purchase anywhere else.

Following its launch on Kickstarter, “The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope – The Manga” will become accessible at major retailers, allowing everyone to buy standard editions. This is a first for Dark Horse, as they’re debuting something through Kickstarter. It’ll be intriguing to see how well the project performs and how many people opt for the special editions that will be offered. Although the project hasn’t started yet, you can register to receive a notification when it officially begins, ensuring you can make a purchase for your preferred edition.

Other projects related to Star Wars were unveiled during the event as well, but with less specific information available. According to AnimeNewsNetwork, here’s what we know so far.

At Star Wars Celebration Japan, Disney Publishing revealed plans to release comic book adaptations of the 2019 video game “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” by Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts, as well as Timothy Zahn’s 2017 novel “Star Wars: Thrawn”. The storyboards and character designs for the “Jedi: Fallen Order” adaptation are being created by Mangado (Hazama Tukuru and sak), while Sideranch is overseeing the project. Man Tsang is in charge of writing and illustrating the “Thrawn” adaptation. Both titles have previously been adapted into comics, with “Jedi: Fallen Order” in 2019 and “Thrawn” in 2018.

2025 may bring a thrilling future for enthusiasts of both Star Wars and manga/anime, as the upcoming season of Star Wars: Visions is anticipated to release.

Or,

Fans who enjoy Star Wars, reading manga, and watching anime have an exciting 2025 ahead, with the new season of Star Wars: Visions set to debut.

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, Kickstarter

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2025-04-20 01:04