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Star Wars: The High Republic
Великата република: На ръба на равновесието, том 1
Векове преди сагата на семейство Скайуокър започва едно ново приключение…
Цари ерата на Великата република и експанзията сред звездите е в своя апогей. Като доверени пазители на мира, всеизвестните джедаи защитават Републиката и огряват пътя на онези, които изследват най-мрачните кътчета на Галактиката.
Непосредствено след Хиперпространственото бедствие, младият рицар джедай Лили Тора-Аси е назначена да помага на разселени цивилни да се установят на Банчии, новонаселена планета в системата Инугг, далеч във външния пръстен. Банчии е дом и за нов джедайски храм, ръководен от майстор Аркофф, уукито ментор на Лили. Той си представя храма като място на покой както за новите жители на планетата, така и за онези, които пътуват отвъд нея. Търсейки равновесие между грижите за пристигащите заселници и загадките на този отдалечен лагер, Лили не е сигурна дали върши достатъчно, за да донесе мир на Галактиката. Но когато на пътя ѝ се разкриват подмолни опасности, младият джедай ще се изправи пред най-голямото си изпитание до момента…
Цари ерата на Великата република и експанзията сред звездите е в своя апогей. Като доверени пазители на мира, всеизвестните джедаи защитават Републиката и огряват пътя на онези, които изследват най-мрачните кътчета на Галактиката.
Непосредствено след Хиперпространственото бедствие, младият рицар джедай Лили Тора-Аси е назначена да помага на разселени цивилни да се установят на Банчии, новонаселена планета в системата Инугг, далеч във външния пръстен. Банчии е дом и за нов джедайски храм, ръководен от майстор Аркофф, уукито ментор на Лили. Той си представя храма като място на покой както за новите жители на планетата, така и за онези, които пътуват отвъд нея. Търсейки равновесие между грижите за пристигащите заселници и загадките на този отдалечен лагер, Лили не е сигурна дали върши достатъчно, за да донесе мир на Галактиката. Но когато на пътя ѝ се разкриват подмолни опасности, младият джедай ще се изправи пред най-голямото си изпитание до момента…
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
56 people are currently reading
4783 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
March 11, 2022
We get another entry in The High Republic series. This one has it all from that series. We deal with the disaster in the hyperspace lanes, the Drengir, and the Nihil. This is also Star Wars entry into manga with the new canon.
This is my introduction into manga and I had no idea what I was expecting. Right away I see that it is in black and white and I was a little disappointed. That quickly dissipated and I didn't notice it by the end. I went back and forth with the artwork. I think the highlight of the artwork was the expressions of the characters. I did have a problem with the artwork of the main character. She came across as young and she looked more like a padawan than a master. As for the story it was another ho-hum entry into this series which I believe has gone on for too long. I don't feel it with the Drengir and the Nihil are being stretched out. I am ready to move on.
The highlight of this collection was the manga. Star Wars works perfectly with this genre. Even though it is science fiction it also harkened back to the past with the Japanese samurai genre. That usually isn't my type of read but I did enjoy that aspect in this collection. That is the reason why I liked this collection as much as I did. As for the story it is not anything important and one can skip this and not miss a thing.
This is my introduction into manga and I had no idea what I was expecting. Right away I see that it is in black and white and I was a little disappointed. That quickly dissipated and I didn't notice it by the end. I went back and forth with the artwork. I think the highlight of the artwork was the expressions of the characters. I did have a problem with the artwork of the main character. She came across as young and she looked more like a padawan than a master. As for the story it was another ho-hum entry into this series which I believe has gone on for too long. I don't feel it with the Drengir and the Nihil are being stretched out. I am ready to move on.
The highlight of this collection was the manga. Star Wars works perfectly with this genre. Even though it is science fiction it also harkened back to the past with the Japanese samurai genre. That usually isn't my type of read but I did enjoy that aspect in this collection. That is the reason why I liked this collection as much as I did. As for the story it is not anything important and one can skip this and not miss a thing.
August 7, 2022
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.
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.
November 13, 2022
I think Star Wars looks amazing in Manga form! I loved all the characters and the storyline! Amazing!!
Wyatt
Wyatt
April 11, 2022
This touches on the events that are happening in the High Republic novels, but it's inconsequential to the larger story. It's about a Jedi Temple newly open on a recently colonized world. It's intended for really young audiences. Older children are going to think the dialogue is really poor (because it is). I thought having a Jedi Wookie would be really cool, but it's the most annoying thing in the world. The Wookie howls in nothing we can understand and then another padawan completely repeats what he just said back to him. The main character, Lily, is supposed to be a Jedi Knight but she looks about twelve and I kept getting her confused with the padawans and younglings. The idea of a Star Wars manga is a good one, but the execution is really poor. If this is any indication of how these will be, I'd give them all a pass.
April 18, 2025
2025 review:
After finally finishing the seemingly endless book The Rising Storm, in which the Nihil are the antagonists, it feels refreshing to move to a smaller-scale story about the Jedi fighting the Drengir. Sentient carnivorous plants terrorizing planets in Star Wars? That's all right with me. This manga could lean into the horror aspect more than it does, but it's still good lite fun.
2021 review:
Star Wars looks really good in manga. The difficulty with this one is that the story is too lightweight and the dialogue is really bad. Having a Wookiee Jedi character almost becomes comedic—everyone around him understands his Shyriiwook language, but because the reader doesn't, whatever the Wookiee says is immediately restated. "Grwggy ah ooraurrr rrrhgnuuu." "True, helping refugees resettle is something we haven't done on Banchii before." I can only imagine the Wookiee gets really tired of having everything he says repeated verbatim in another language.
Another odd thing is that the Jedi protagonist, Lily, looks very young—younger than Vernestra (also created by Justina Ireland), and everyone always comments on how young Vernestra is to be a Jedi Master. Lily looks like she's 12, and no one ever says anything about it. I also don't understand how her lightsaber hilts attach to her belt.
After finally finishing the seemingly endless book The Rising Storm, in which the Nihil are the antagonists, it feels refreshing to move to a smaller-scale story about the Jedi fighting the Drengir. Sentient carnivorous plants terrorizing planets in Star Wars? That's all right with me. This manga could lean into the horror aspect more than it does, but it's still good lite fun.
2021 review:
Star Wars looks really good in manga. The difficulty with this one is that the story is too lightweight and the dialogue is really bad. Having a Wookiee Jedi character almost becomes comedic—everyone around him understands his Shyriiwook language, but because the reader doesn't, whatever the Wookiee says is immediately restated. "Grwggy ah ooraurrr rrrhgnuuu." "True, helping refugees resettle is something we haven't done on Banchii before." I can only imagine the Wookiee gets really tired of having everything he says repeated verbatim in another language.
Another odd thing is that the Jedi protagonist, Lily, looks very young—younger than Vernestra (also created by Justina Ireland), and everyone always comments on how young Vernestra is to be a Jedi Master. Lily looks like she's 12, and no one ever says anything about it. I also don't understand how her lightsaber hilts attach to her belt.
February 26, 2022
It seems unbelievable that it took Star Wars this long to get an original manga story.
There have been adaptations of The Legend of Luke Skywalker, Leia: Princess of Alderaan,
Lost Stars and Guardians of the Whills, but Star Wars canon gets its first manga story designed for that specific medium with Shima Shinya and Justina Ireland’s The High Republic: The Edge of Balance.
Manga feels like a very natural fit for a Star Wars story. Beyond the Japanese roots of Star Wars itself, the medium allows for the same kind of dynamic movement we see in comic books, but with a unique visual style. Mizuki Sakakibara’s art lends a beautiful touch, visually conveying the balance the story finds between the philosophical aspects of communing with the Force, and the more action heavy side of things that we’ve come to expect from Star Wars.
Set initially after the Hyperspace Disaster, The Edge of Balance is focused not on the core worlds and the heart of the action as the novels are, but rather on the frontier world of Banchii, where settlers and refugees are being relocated in the hopes of starting over. Leading the resettlement effort is Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi. Accompanied by her Padawan Keerin, her mentor Master Arkoff, and two younglings named Viv’nia and Nima, Lily strives to maintain that balance between training the next generation of Jedi, and fulfilling her duty to the order, while also doing right by the people under her care.
Idyllic as Banchii may seem, it is not immune from the threats haunting the rest of the galaxy. Soon after arriving with the last of the settlers, the community is faced with a Drengir infestation and attack. Unable to figure out how the Drengir even got there, Lily spearheads an investigation, aided not only by the Jedi of the Banchii temple, but by newly-arrived settlement medic Dr. Silar. Also there to provide some insight is Master Stellan Gios, who stops by to shed some light on the issue, and bring news from the wider galaxy.
Character-wise, Stellan Gios is the only connective tissue between The Edge of Balanceand the rest of the High Republic. While I appreciate his presence on a personal level, I also acknowledge the strength of allowing this series to tell a story completely apart from the rest. This is the golden age of the Jedi after all. Why not branch out as far as possible?
As a protagonist, Lily Tora-Asi joins the ranks of some of the High Republic’s greats. Despite her young age, she consistently strives to do the best by those around her, pushing through her own trauma related to the Hyperspace Disaster. Though she wasn’t on Valo when the Nihil attacked, it’s hard to believe the weight of the lives lost won’t press on her in some way. Especially when they’re being related to her by Stellan, the Hero of Valo himself.
In a lot of ways, Lily is reminiscent of Vernestra Rwoh – another character of Ireland’s. It’s not just that both of them are very young, and are not only knights, but masters with padawans. It’s also not that they have extremely cool lightsaber designs (Lily wields two lightsabers with beautiful circular crossguards). Rather, it’s because both of them take on a very heavy burden of responsibility, their own needs taking a backseat to those who may have need of them. Many have expressed concern at Vernestra crashing and burning, and I’d venture to say we should worry about Lily as well.
Volume 1 ends on a cliffhanger that answers as many questions as it brings up, connects the story to the conflict as a whole and makes the wait for volume 2 feel that much longer.
The Edge of Balance vol. 1 is available now.
Special thanks to Viz Media for the advance copy for review purposes.
There have been adaptations of The Legend of Luke Skywalker, Leia: Princess of Alderaan,
Lost Stars and Guardians of the Whills, but Star Wars canon gets its first manga story designed for that specific medium with Shima Shinya and Justina Ireland’s The High Republic: The Edge of Balance.
Manga feels like a very natural fit for a Star Wars story. Beyond the Japanese roots of Star Wars itself, the medium allows for the same kind of dynamic movement we see in comic books, but with a unique visual style. Mizuki Sakakibara’s art lends a beautiful touch, visually conveying the balance the story finds between the philosophical aspects of communing with the Force, and the more action heavy side of things that we’ve come to expect from Star Wars.
Set initially after the Hyperspace Disaster, The Edge of Balance is focused not on the core worlds and the heart of the action as the novels are, but rather on the frontier world of Banchii, where settlers and refugees are being relocated in the hopes of starting over. Leading the resettlement effort is Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi. Accompanied by her Padawan Keerin, her mentor Master Arkoff, and two younglings named Viv’nia and Nima, Lily strives to maintain that balance between training the next generation of Jedi, and fulfilling her duty to the order, while also doing right by the people under her care.
Idyllic as Banchii may seem, it is not immune from the threats haunting the rest of the galaxy. Soon after arriving with the last of the settlers, the community is faced with a Drengir infestation and attack. Unable to figure out how the Drengir even got there, Lily spearheads an investigation, aided not only by the Jedi of the Banchii temple, but by newly-arrived settlement medic Dr. Silar. Also there to provide some insight is Master Stellan Gios, who stops by to shed some light on the issue, and bring news from the wider galaxy.
Character-wise, Stellan Gios is the only connective tissue between The Edge of Balanceand the rest of the High Republic. While I appreciate his presence on a personal level, I also acknowledge the strength of allowing this series to tell a story completely apart from the rest. This is the golden age of the Jedi after all. Why not branch out as far as possible?
As a protagonist, Lily Tora-Asi joins the ranks of some of the High Republic’s greats. Despite her young age, she consistently strives to do the best by those around her, pushing through her own trauma related to the Hyperspace Disaster. Though she wasn’t on Valo when the Nihil attacked, it’s hard to believe the weight of the lives lost won’t press on her in some way. Especially when they’re being related to her by Stellan, the Hero of Valo himself.
In a lot of ways, Lily is reminiscent of Vernestra Rwoh – another character of Ireland’s. It’s not just that both of them are very young, and are not only knights, but masters with padawans. It’s also not that they have extremely cool lightsaber designs (Lily wields two lightsabers with beautiful circular crossguards). Rather, it’s because both of them take on a very heavy burden of responsibility, their own needs taking a backseat to those who may have need of them. Many have expressed concern at Vernestra crashing and burning, and I’d venture to say we should worry about Lily as well.
Volume 1 ends on a cliffhanger that answers as many questions as it brings up, connects the story to the conflict as a whole and makes the wait for volume 2 feel that much longer.
The Edge of Balance vol. 1 is available now.
Special thanks to Viz Media for the advance copy for review purposes.
September 13, 2021
This was very underwhelming and just okay. Usually Star Wars is a lot better in the comics than anything else bar maybe the tv shows. Really disappointed
September 18, 2023
Това свежо манга-албумче съдържа две истории, развиващи се векове преди позната на всички ни основна сага. Арена на събитията е наскоро заселената земеделска планета Банчии, където младият рицар-джедай Лили и нейният наставник уукито Аркофф се сблъскват с Дренгиърите – проявление на тъмната страна на силата, „програмирани“ от тайнствените Нихили да унищожаващи всяка форма на живот по пътя си. Такава е първата история („На ръба на равновесието“), част от по-мащабно повествование, което чакам да проследя с нетърпение. Бонус главата „Банчиианите“ пък ни запознава със симпатичните малки туземци. В заключение, след вече прочетените Star Wars: Легенди за Люк Скайуокър и тази книжка, намирам, че колаборацията между японската комикс-култура и Star Wars-сюжетите доста ми допада.
February 20, 2022
Saved this for the YA Reading Challenge, was hopeful it would be fun, completely let down.
This is an easy to read book aimed at an even younger audience that I would have presumed and the layout is a nightmare. It's meant to be read right-to-left like a manga, but on the actual pages it reads left-to-right. This was only incidentally a Star Wars book because several people had lightsabers instead of regular swords and there was a Wookie character. The art is fine, not inspiring, but not without merit.
If there are younger readers looking for age appropriate Sci-Fi "manga" this is it. They are really the only ones who should bother though.
This is an easy to read book aimed at an even younger audience that I would have presumed and the layout is a nightmare. It's meant to be read right-to-left like a manga, but on the actual pages it reads left-to-right. This was only incidentally a Star Wars book because several people had lightsabers instead of regular swords and there was a Wookie character. The art is fine, not inspiring, but not without merit.
If there are younger readers looking for age appropriate Sci-Fi "manga" this is it. They are really the only ones who should bother though.
June 17, 2022
The High Republic series is branching out into manga...not sure why SW Media is suddenly making such a push but this is the first original story they've produced into a manga (their previous ones have been adaptations of their books). And honestly, it was annoying with a Wookie being a main character in this medium because then there was an extra speech bubble of someone having to translate what he said. Ugh. But this was about plant monsters and a cast of character's that really have no personality. I already forgot the girl on the cover's name and she's the lead character. I like the High Republic era of work but this particular volume/medium just wasn't it for me. There is a follow up volume that'll I'll be reading though just to see where the story develops.
August 13, 2024
simplesmente MARAVILHOSO!!!! eu tava com mt sdd d ler essas aventuras mais despretensiosas na Alta República! amei os novos personagens, o Arkoff e um T e fiquei com vontade d sequestrar as younglings pra mim! isso sem contar com o conto no final, q deixa tudo ainda mais fofo kkk
April 2, 2024
Обичам манга много повече от Междузвездни войни, тук даже да са я оставили от дясно към ляво в оригинал. Явно ще стана почитател на периферията на традиционните истории на Лукас, но поне съм някакъв фен (не е зле Гери Йо да ти е фен - хах).
А и героинята Лили (ууки й е мастърааа,хах) е супер и една от малкото, чиито боен стил се характеризира с два меча (подобно на мен), хубаво издание се е получило, историята не е кой знае какво, но нека възкликна както за класическите филми с БИ: "Сюжет? Никой не ми е казал,че трябва да има...".
Бъдете едно със Силата и издавайте повече манга!
А и героинята Лили (ууки й е мастърааа,хах) е супер и една от малкото, чиито боен стил се характеризира с два меча (подобно на мен), хубаво издание се е получило, историята не е кой знае какво, но нека възкликна както за класическите филми с БИ: "Сюжет? Никой не ми е казал,че трябва да има...".
Бъдете едно със Силата и издавайте повече манга!
March 29, 2022
this was cool !! i really liked the art (especially for the drengir). plus i love any time that i can see stellan gios <3
September 15, 2021
Focus. Resolve. Bravery. Balance.
And so we meet Lily Tora-Asi, a young Jedi Knight assigned to the temple on the planet Banchii in the Outer Rim. She strives to go further than her Master, expecting her own Padawan, Keerin Fionn, to surpass her in turn. But first, she must be tested by her own Great Disaster.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance, Vol. 1 is The High Republic’s first foray into manga! Written by Shima Shinya and Justina Ireland, with artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara.
Time wise, it references events through The Rising Storm and Marvel’s The High Republic through #8.
“Just like the duality of fire, water and wood, which each can help and hurt. This is the balance that all Jedi need to learn.”
The Jedi outpost is headed by Master Arkoff, a Wookiee, and it’s home to Archivist Ru Ru, younglings Viv’nia and Nima and civilian physician Dr. Silar. They are helping refugees settle, plant crops and start new lives.
Of course, a mystery soon ensues, followed by a rather predictable attack, and the Jedi must focus and work together to defend their charges!
I cannot help but see similarities between Lily and Vernestra Rwoh (most recently in Out of the Shadowsalso by Justina Ireland). Both are young Jedi knights already tasked with Padawans. And both are not entirely confident that the Jedi Order is doing enough to help. Their internal struggles make them very easy to relate to.
The artwork by Mizuki Sakakibara is stunning, and the highlight of the volume! The landscapes showing the Jedi temple are brimming with detail and the lightsaber duels are full of flowing movement. Just excellent!
Also included is a bonus chapter, “The Banchiians” which is my favourite part of the book! Move over Ewoks, the Borrowers of the Star Wars universe are here!
The Edge of Balance is a delightful introduction to Lily Tor-Asi and the Jedi of Banchii. It’s beautiful to read through, with promising characters, adding another intriguing layer to the High Republic. I look forward to seeing Lily’s journey continue in Volume 2!
Four out of five cups of blue milk tea!
*Bonus points for more Stellan Gios than expected.
June 26, 2023
Przyjemna kreska, fajna historia, czekam na kolejne części
September 8, 2021
Thanks to Viz for this review copy!
Yet another wonderful installment into Star Wars' The High Republic! Lily is a Jedi helping to resettle refugees on Banchii after The Great Hyperspace Disaster when she is confronted with a terrifying threat!! This story was simple enough to easily follow, but also features important conversations about growth and duty, furthering the conversation on the Jedi's complexities in The High Republic. While this may not feel like an essential SWTHR read, it definitely adds a valuable story to this time period and gives us exciting new characters I can't wait to follow!
Yet another wonderful installment into Star Wars' The High Republic! Lily is a Jedi helping to resettle refugees on Banchii after The Great Hyperspace Disaster when she is confronted with a terrifying threat!! This story was simple enough to easily follow, but also features important conversations about growth and duty, furthering the conversation on the Jedi's complexities in The High Republic. While this may not feel like an essential SWTHR read, it definitely adds a valuable story to this time period and gives us exciting new characters I can't wait to follow!
September 27, 2021
For the past year, The High Republic has offered some of the most thoughtful and engaging Star Wars stories in recent history. For all of their glory, the Jedi are not perfect people, and each of the characters has been skillfully crafted to feel as real as the readers consuming the stories.
They have fears, self-doubts, worries, and concerns. For some of them, their responsibilities feel like too much; for others, they seek to be even better than their peers and mentors. In The Edge of Balance, Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi is trying to find her place within the Jedi Order — while learning how to train her Padawan and protect the people around her. (READ MORE: https://yourmoneygeek.com/review-the-...)
There are elements throughout The Edge of Balance that resonate throughout the entire High Republic era, particularly when it comes to the purpose of the Jedi. The younglings under Lily’s care are not the first to question why the Jedi have deadly weapons when they have been called on to be peacekeepers.
These sentiments have been echoed by Star Wars fans over the years who have tried to understand the duality of the Jedi as peacekeepers and military generals, and it is intriguing to see these ideas explored in this medium.
The High Republic has been skillfully crafted to have stories in various mediums — adult, young adult, and middle-grade books, several comic book series, and now a manga. Each of these stories can be self-contained within the confines of their individual stories. Still, when combined, they create a beautiful expansive story about a galaxy at a very pivotal point in history. The Edge of Balance spans the period just before the Republic Fair on Valo and the fallout of the Nihil attack during it.
Justina Ireland, who wrote A Test of Courage, crafted The Edge of Balance with Shima Shinya, who wrote the bonus chapter at the end of the book. It has been a long time since I read manga. Still, Mizuki Sakakibara did a spectacular job of creating engaging pages filled with gorgeous linework that captured the essence of everything The High Republic has been building to.
On Banchii, Lily, her Master Arkoff, and her Padawan Keerin have been tasked with helping refugees from Hon-Tallos resettle near the Jedi Temple on the planet. Other High Republic stories have painted the Jedi as colonizers; this story underlines their efforts to help refugees in the wake of the Great Disaster. Of course, the Jedi have already colonized Banchii by arriving and building a temple there, but they do seem to be trying to help.
Unfortunately, their efforts to protect the refugees and residents of Banchii go awry when the Drengir show up and wreak havoc in a rather grizzly scene of petrified wood and ripped-in-half settlers. While the readers can connect the dots and identify one of the alleged refugees as a Nihil who delivered the deadly Drengir to Banchii, Lily and the rest of the Jedi are oblivious to the act.
The story’s title has an underlying meaning as Lily spends most of the manga trying to balance her self-doubt with her desire to do the right thing. She has a clear desire to be the best Jedi possible, and it will be interesting to see how this evolves throughout the series, as this is just the first introduction to her character.
I hope she turns up in some of the other upcoming stories, especially as her story in The Edge of Balance intersected with Sellan Gios. They played a pivotal part in The Rising Storm and are set to be an integral part of the upcoming books.
They have fears, self-doubts, worries, and concerns. For some of them, their responsibilities feel like too much; for others, they seek to be even better than their peers and mentors. In The Edge of Balance, Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi is trying to find her place within the Jedi Order — while learning how to train her Padawan and protect the people around her. (READ MORE: https://yourmoneygeek.com/review-the-...)
There are elements throughout The Edge of Balance that resonate throughout the entire High Republic era, particularly when it comes to the purpose of the Jedi. The younglings under Lily’s care are not the first to question why the Jedi have deadly weapons when they have been called on to be peacekeepers.
These sentiments have been echoed by Star Wars fans over the years who have tried to understand the duality of the Jedi as peacekeepers and military generals, and it is intriguing to see these ideas explored in this medium.
The High Republic has been skillfully crafted to have stories in various mediums — adult, young adult, and middle-grade books, several comic book series, and now a manga. Each of these stories can be self-contained within the confines of their individual stories. Still, when combined, they create a beautiful expansive story about a galaxy at a very pivotal point in history. The Edge of Balance spans the period just before the Republic Fair on Valo and the fallout of the Nihil attack during it.
Justina Ireland, who wrote A Test of Courage, crafted The Edge of Balance with Shima Shinya, who wrote the bonus chapter at the end of the book. It has been a long time since I read manga. Still, Mizuki Sakakibara did a spectacular job of creating engaging pages filled with gorgeous linework that captured the essence of everything The High Republic has been building to.
On Banchii, Lily, her Master Arkoff, and her Padawan Keerin have been tasked with helping refugees from Hon-Tallos resettle near the Jedi Temple on the planet. Other High Republic stories have painted the Jedi as colonizers; this story underlines their efforts to help refugees in the wake of the Great Disaster. Of course, the Jedi have already colonized Banchii by arriving and building a temple there, but they do seem to be trying to help.
Unfortunately, their efforts to protect the refugees and residents of Banchii go awry when the Drengir show up and wreak havoc in a rather grizzly scene of petrified wood and ripped-in-half settlers. While the readers can connect the dots and identify one of the alleged refugees as a Nihil who delivered the deadly Drengir to Banchii, Lily and the rest of the Jedi are oblivious to the act.
The story’s title has an underlying meaning as Lily spends most of the manga trying to balance her self-doubt with her desire to do the right thing. She has a clear desire to be the best Jedi possible, and it will be interesting to see how this evolves throughout the series, as this is just the first introduction to her character.
I hope she turns up in some of the other upcoming stories, especially as her story in The Edge of Balance intersected with Sellan Gios. They played a pivotal part in The Rising Storm and are set to be an integral part of the upcoming books.
real-want-to-read-list
December 13, 2021Okay, I haven't read it yet (I so want to!), but can we just appreciate the fact that it's done by Japanese writers and artists? Star Wars is finally realizing how much they needed new inspiration, and how much they needed it from Japan. Disney's Star Wars stuff we're so terrible and stale. (Need I mention how they ruined Star Wars: Rebels?) But Star Wars: Visions was amazing, and in those few minutes of each episode, the Japanese anime companies were able to tell amazingly-written stories that put the 3 newest Star Wars movies to shame. (I mean, they were already a disgrace—trash—when they came out, but this just makes them look even worse.)
I hope they let the Japanese writers do what they want with this series (instead of telling them what to write). Because if they do, then it's going to be so awesome!
I hope they let the Japanese writers do what they want with this series (instead of telling them what to write). Because if they do, then it's going to be so awesome!
August 13, 2022
This is my very first manga so I didn’t know what to expect entirely on terms of how it was going to read or look like. I’m just not used to spending this much time with a more cutesy art design. But Star Wars fits very well with the style and all of the characters look great. I also didn’t know it would be in black and white, I haven’t read black and white comics since The Walking Dead ended so it was weird to go back to it and be immersed in a world like that, adding the color yourself is really fun and shows the length of a persons imagination. I like that this series is affected heavily by the larger High Republic story but has no affect on the larger story itself, it makes it feel more contained and smaller. This whole era of Star Wars has felt so much larger in scale and you’re always aware of the bigger picture. This one takes the time to explore the characters they give you. Also, I’m really liking Master Lily Tora-Asi and I think she could quickly grow to a character I love.
January 10, 2024
The Edge of Balance Vol. 1 was the first manga I read set in the Star Wars universe and it made me wonder why we barely see this format of storytelling in this universe, especially given Star Wars' Japanese roots. Fantastic art and an action-packed narrative set in the High Republic. Lily's conflicts of powerlessness were interesting and her dynamic with her wookie master, Arkoff, was something I really enjoyed and look forward to see more of in the future.
My only complaint is the fact that it's so closely linked to the other High Republic stories that it ends up revealing the main highlights of those, namely Rising Storm and the comic run of Cavan Scott. It can also be a little confusing if you haven't read most of the stories up to this point.
My only complaint is the fact that it's so closely linked to the other High Republic stories that it ends up revealing the main highlights of those, namely Rising Storm and the comic run of Cavan Scott. It can also be a little confusing if you haven't read most of the stories up to this point.
January 30, 2023
3.5, rounded up to 4
September 1, 2021
Probably Justina's best work in THR.
April 20, 2025
This doesn’t really add much too the main storyline but it’s still cute
August 1, 2022
This was a different take on THR! The characters are not too incredibly memorable, but the story does serve the overall story of THR.
September 8, 2021
Continuing to love how Star Wars is branching out in different types of mediums. This story was fun, introducing new characters and bringing in familiar allies and enemies into the fold. Can’t wait for volume two!
December 26, 2021
The Edge of Balance Vol. 1 is a wonderful, albeit short addition to the expansive world of the The High Republic era. I had to wait nearly 2 months for this manga to arrive but the wait was completely worth it. Is this a must-read? Probably not, but it helps make the era feel even more alive and introduces relatable and approachable new characters.
Stellan Gios making a dramatic entrance was a wonderful moment and bridges a gap Light of the Jedi left open. Stellan sharing advice with our protagonist Lily was a hearwarming moment and one I won't forget anytime soon. This is definitely a story I will come back to.
Stellan Gios making a dramatic entrance was a wonderful moment and bridges a gap Light of the Jedi left open. Stellan sharing advice with our protagonist Lily was a hearwarming moment and one I won't forget anytime soon. This is definitely a story I will come back to.
Read
March 1, 2023the mangafication of stellan gios
February 19, 2022
Die Handlung:
Die Jedi-Ritterin Lily Tora-Asi ist in einem Jedi-Tempel-Außenposten auf dem Planeten Banchii stationiert. Sie ist aber nicht allein. Ihr ehemaliger Meister Arkoff, Lilys junger Padawan Keerin und die zwei aufgeweckten Jünglinge Viv’nia und Nima stehen der Jedi zur Seite.
Lily und Meister Arkoff helfen den Einwohnern von Tak’lah dabei auf Banchii umzusiedeln. Die Hyperraumkatastrophe macht es den Leuten unmöglich dort weiterzuleben.
Die Siedler bauen in ihrer neuen Heimat von nun an ihr Getreide an und versuchen das Beste aus der Situation zu machen. Auch die Jedi müssen sich mit dem aktuellen Zustand auseinandersetzen. Der Planet zeigt sich anfangs als ruhig und ereignislos. Das ändert sich schon bald, denn die Wälder von Banchii sind doch nicht so sicher wie erwartet. Ein höchstgefährliches Lebewesen in Form eines Gewächses mit unstillbarem Hunger scheint es auf die Siedler abgesehen zu haben.
Mein Fazit:
The Edge of Balance ist ein hervorragendes Werk! Die Geschichte fängt sofort mit Action an und macht auch während der ruhigeren Momente Spaß. Ich liebe Erzählungen, in denen neue Charaktere in eine schon existierende Handlung eingefügt werden. Lily und Meister Arkoff sind ein tolles Team, aber Lily wird erst warm mit ihm, als sie beschließt, sich inspirieren zu lassen. Viv’nia, Nima und Keerin helfen der Jedi dabei, offen für neue Situationen zu sein und die Initiative zu ergreifen. Das füreinander da sein hat in diesem Werk eine große Bedeutung. Egal ob Jedi-Meister oder Ritter, man muss immer bereit sein, etwas dazu zu lernen.
Die Illustrationen sind sehr schön und ansprechend. Ich lese zwar hauptsächlich Comics, aber der Manga-Style hat was Besonderes an sich. Und es passt perfekt zur dieser Geschichte! Ich bin gespannt, wie es im nächsten Teil weitergeht. Das offene Ende macht mich neugierig!
Die Jedi-Ritterin Lily Tora-Asi ist in einem Jedi-Tempel-Außenposten auf dem Planeten Banchii stationiert. Sie ist aber nicht allein. Ihr ehemaliger Meister Arkoff, Lilys junger Padawan Keerin und die zwei aufgeweckten Jünglinge Viv’nia und Nima stehen der Jedi zur Seite.
Lily und Meister Arkoff helfen den Einwohnern von Tak’lah dabei auf Banchii umzusiedeln. Die Hyperraumkatastrophe macht es den Leuten unmöglich dort weiterzuleben.
Die Siedler bauen in ihrer neuen Heimat von nun an ihr Getreide an und versuchen das Beste aus der Situation zu machen. Auch die Jedi müssen sich mit dem aktuellen Zustand auseinandersetzen. Der Planet zeigt sich anfangs als ruhig und ereignislos. Das ändert sich schon bald, denn die Wälder von Banchii sind doch nicht so sicher wie erwartet. Ein höchstgefährliches Lebewesen in Form eines Gewächses mit unstillbarem Hunger scheint es auf die Siedler abgesehen zu haben.
Mein Fazit:
The Edge of Balance ist ein hervorragendes Werk! Die Geschichte fängt sofort mit Action an und macht auch während der ruhigeren Momente Spaß. Ich liebe Erzählungen, in denen neue Charaktere in eine schon existierende Handlung eingefügt werden. Lily und Meister Arkoff sind ein tolles Team, aber Lily wird erst warm mit ihm, als sie beschließt, sich inspirieren zu lassen. Viv’nia, Nima und Keerin helfen der Jedi dabei, offen für neue Situationen zu sein und die Initiative zu ergreifen. Das füreinander da sein hat in diesem Werk eine große Bedeutung. Egal ob Jedi-Meister oder Ritter, man muss immer bereit sein, etwas dazu zu lernen.
Die Illustrationen sind sehr schön und ansprechend. Ich lese zwar hauptsächlich Comics, aber der Manga-Style hat was Besonderes an sich. Und es passt perfekt zur dieser Geschichte! Ich bin gespannt, wie es im nächsten Teil weitergeht. Das offene Ende macht mich neugierig!
September 15, 2021
What I have enjoyed most about the High Republic are the Padawans and Knights. In this series we meet Lily a Knight living on a Jedi outpost on the edge of the galaxy. The story opens with Lily helping settlers comfortably adapt to life on Ta'Klah. But almost from the moment the settlers land Lily starts to have visions of someone calling her for help.
When her master is called away Lily must face a threat to her community with the padawans of her community. Lily has the building blocks of a character fans can really connect to, its going to be interesting seeing how the Nihil's plans play into this small jedi outpost.
When her master is called away Lily must face a threat to her community with the padawans of her community. Lily has the building blocks of a character fans can really connect to, its going to be interesting seeing how the Nihil's plans play into this small jedi outpost.
January 19, 2022
A fun star wars manga. I loved the way the story was illustrated, and the main character and jedi knight Lily was a lovely character.
The story was on the other hand rather short, and felt very much like a short episode from Clone Wars or something, rather than a fulfilling storyline. Also, the fact that this volume nowhere on the cover or on the inside states that you definitely should read this after X or X, was really strange.
The story was on the other hand rather short, and felt very much like a short episode from Clone Wars or something, rather than a fulfilling storyline. Also, the fact that this volume nowhere on the cover or on the inside states that you definitely should read this after X or X, was really strange.
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