Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance, Vol. 1 (1)

Edge Balance feels extremely different from any other Star Wars story I have ever encountered before for better or worse. Don't get me wrong, there is Jedi, lightsabers, blasters, familiar alien species all of which defiantly feels familiar. Yet all of it somehow feels very different. With creatures that turn people into wood as a prime example of just how different this all feels. It feels far more fae fantasy than sci fi.But enough of the odditys. As a manga Lily makes for a good protagonist, she has a lot potential but still has much to learn. The art style matches the more fantasy vibes and has a sense dark fantasy at times slightly like Berserk. Probably my biggest complaint is the entire volume is a single chapter. It's s small thing but I do hope future volumes will break up volumes into chapters. Regardless Edge Of Balance is taking Star Wars into a very new direction. I'm curious to see how it will develop over time. -Mickmanga

The art in this book by Mizuki Sakakibara was very impressive. It is in black and white and I'm used to reading comics so it took a couple of pages for me to adapt to the art style but for the most part, the art was impressive.The new character we get to meet in this story, Lily Tora-Asi was very likable and although she has much to improve on, she seemed very mature. Lily is not as gifted in the force as Vernestra, but I would say she has plenty of similarities with her which is not much of a surprise because it is written by the same author. I'm sure though that as we go through more stories they will each become more unique and distinct.I also loved the Wookie Jedi, Master Arkoff. I was very excited when we finally got a Wookie Jedi Padawan in Burryaga, but to see a Jedi Master Wookie makes me wonder why we hadn't gotten one before. It was very well drawn and Justina did a great job with the Wookie Jedi Master and making him very wise even though we the reader never understand what the Wookie is saying unless it is through another character's response.The book was well done and I enjoyed.

No problem with item, but buyers should know this is a manga format book with black and white art. I was expecting regular format trade with color art like Marvel Star Wars series books.

This’ll be a short review, because this isn’t a long story but it’s a really effective start to this brand new Star Wars series. I love the characterization of Lily Tora-Asi, and even many of the supporting characters in this short volume. Having read many of the other comic and book stories gradually being released in the high-republic era, this story does a good job of feeling connected to the larger universe at this time while still feeling focused on its own story. The art is absolutely beautiful as well. I’m looking forward to the next volume.

This is Volume one in a new Star Wars High Republic Manga. Manga readers will note this story actually reads left to right like a traditional western novel or comic. The story follows a Jedi Knight as she transitions into her new role at a temple outpost on an agricultural world. I won't say more about the story, read and find out. The art and story compliment each other very well. I find some panels to be absolutely stunning and atmospheric. I would recommend to all Star Wars fans. Volume 2 will be published in January 2022.

A welcome addition to The High Republic meta-story. Chronologically taking place in the days immediately surrounding The Fair on Valo, both before & after, it gives us a glimpse of Stellan Gios in action, the introduction of new Jedi, and a grounded story, in a new mediums, akin to “There is No Fear,” High Republic Adventures, & “Out of the Shadows.”If you like the High Republic, you’ll like this. I took my time each panel, and appreciated the entirety in about 2.5 hours.

I will say I like this a lot and typically like Justina's take on this era. She has a strong grasp on what makes up the universe. This book is a good easy read a highly recommended.

I was excited for this manga but was quickly disappointed. There was nothing engaging about the story. The characters, plot and villain were all really bland. The art work wasn't bad. I don't reccomednded this story

This isn't the first time that a Star Wars story has gotten the manga treatment. There have been a number of stories that have been adapted over the years, but this is the first time that a new story has debuted as a manga, with a whole new story and new characters being introduced. Instead of taking a story readers are familiar with and simply giving it a new visual style we're treated to a story that feels very much made to be a manga, rather than just a new twist to something that already exists. As such, the story, its structure and the way things play out have an energy that feels unique and special.The story follows Lily Tora-Asi, a young Jedi knight who is assisting a group of refugee's displaced after the Great Hyperspace Disaster. Travelling with them on a small ship, she and her former master, the Wookiee Arkoff, are bringing them to make a new life for themselves on the beautiful and untouched world of Banchii.Lily is being haunted by nightmares about the Disaster, but is looking forward to returning to Banchii and the peace that will bring her, even if it does mean that she'll once again have to begin training her padawan, Keerin, as well as the two younglings Nima and Viv'nia. Whilst Lily isn't the most comfortable around children, she understands that it's important to pass her wisdom onto the next generation of Jedi, as well as learning to become a better Jedi from teaching them.Shortly after settling back into daily life at the temple, training the young Jedi, Lily's routine is disrupted when they discover destruction deep within the forest, as well as one of the farmers having been turned into wood. They've barely got time to process this before the settlement comes under attack from the monstrous Drengir. Now Lily and the others will have to fight to protect their new home.I really enjoyed this story, it feels like a great introduction to a new batch of heroes, ones who feel very different to some of the others in the High Republic series. These aren't big important Jedi like Avar Kriss, or Stellan Gios who are making huge, far reaching decisions in the fate of the galaxy. They're not travelling around space learning to become Jedi from Master Yoda like in the High Republic Adventures comics. These are just regular Jedi. They're the kind of Jedi who do the small jobs, who help people and live a relatively quiet life. As such, when things started to go wrong on Banchii it felt really bad, because this didn't seem like a group of big heroes left to face it, but folk who like a quiet and simple existence.Speaking of a quiet and simple existence, I really liked Master Arkoff, the Wookiee teacher who spends his days watering his garden and imparting knowledge upon the younger members of the temple. I've got a soft spot for Wookiees, and Wookiee Jedi are definitely thing I want to see more of. But even then I like how different he is to ones we've had before. Gungi from Star Wars The Clone Wars was impatient, and struggled with the Jedi teachings; Burryaga in the High Republic is older, but is still very much learning to be a Jedi, and is at times worried and overly sensitive. Arkoff, in comparison to both, is full of calm confidence. He's grown into the role of being a Jedi, he's found an inner peace and strength that shows what a Wookiee can accomplish once their training is complete; and he's an absolute delight to read.Whilst the book has connections with the wider High Republic series this is very much a story that feels like it can exist on its own, a book that someone who's not read anything else in the series would be able to pick up and enjoy. Other than a brief appearance by Stellan Gios, every character in the book is new, Banchii is a place we haven't seen before, and the Drengir are given enough of an explanation to not feel confusing to new readers. Because of this, the book feels like its going to be the most accessible of any of the other titles; which I suppose is a big part of the aim here, to attract people who may not pick up a comic or a novel set within the High Republic.I've seen some people complaining that Star Wars was making manga, that it was trying to draw in fans of the medium into a story that isn't suited for mange, and whilst I'm sure a big part of the aim of this book is to draw in new fans I don't think its a bad thing in any way. Star Wars has always had strong connections to Japanese culture, especially their entertainment. George Lucas was heavily inspired by samurai stories, and other creators in the Star Wars universe over the years have been as well. The franchise is so obviously inspired by Japanese entertainment that it feel strange that its only really been in recent years that we've gotten manga, as well as anime in the form of Star Wars Visions.The art on the book, provided by Mizuki Sakakibara is wonderful, and everything looks so great. The characters are all distinctive and immediately jump out of the page, they manage to make Banchii look like a beautiful and peaceful world, and the action scenes are wonderfully drawn and look dynamic. Everything here looks perfect. I loved how the Jedi temple looked, and think that it's one of the best ones I've seen, and Miziki's take on the Drengir is so different from the rest, yet so obviously still the Drengir, that they add a fresh take on the creatures.Star Wars The High Republic: The Edge of Balance has some brilliant new characters, ones that I very quickly became attached to and want to see more of; Arkoff and Viv'nia need to be in my life more! The story unfolds at an enjoyable pace, and the characters use their inteligence and their spiritual connection with the force to help them win the day. Plus, the extra story at the end is so incredibly cute and fun, I want more of that in the future. I was deeply impressed with this first volume, and can't wait to see what happens in future ones.

A good anime style Star Wars book. At the time of the High Republic there are more Jedi many through out the Republic and expanding beyond Republic borders. Also many of the Jedi are not as battle tested or seasoned. Most of their learning is theory rather than experuance. Also if is a big galaxy so thing are going one in other parts of it.On this book with the cover of Lily Tora-Asi is shown with two lightsabers. I was expecting a more action based book. There is some fights and good lightsaber sequences, but Lily if just as adapt (or maybe even more adapt) at using the other more mental aspect of the force. Which is definitely in line with her questioning nature.Though I was looking forward to more lightsaber action I was glad to see Lily and the Jedi masters questioning their place and actions. Also learning whilst teaching. Lots of interesting developments to come in this series. I do like the continuity in the book despite being by VIZ.

The cover made it looks pretty good and the title makes it look more thrilling however when i read it i was disappointed to learn that it was a comic book.

The book is black and white, printed on low quality paper. I expected a showcase of Asian art in a Star Wars setting with high production value. This is not that. Unless your a high republic completionist or dig the story, I would recommend to avoid.

While a manga addition to the Star Wars universe seemed intriguing at first blush, it's not very well executed. The characters are bland, the art style doesn't suit the action very well, and the pace drags. The most interesting aspect of the story is the antagonist aliens, the Drengir, and even they are overpowered and more than a little generic. One for completionists, but not a great entry in Star Wars Canon.