On April 18th, 2025, the most anticipated event for all Star Wars fans begins in Japan: Star Wars Celebration! Here, many wait with baited breath for any news from their beloved franchise. At the Manga Mania panel, plans for Star Wars manga were revealed, most fittingly for an event in Japan. Several projects with US publishers Dark Horse and Viz, and European partner DPW Milan were announced and here’s the line-up. The Start of Star Wars A New Hope Manga will be Dark Horse’s first Kickstarted project.
The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope Manga – Kickstarter
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Launch Date: 2026
Creators: Star Wars: A New Hope vol#1-4 (Original Dark Horse covers illustrated by Adam Warren), The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope: The Manga (Written and Illustrated by Hisao Tamaki)
As part of Star Wars Celebration, Dark Horse Comics is announcing that they will publish The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga. This stunning two-volume set will spotlight Hisao Tamaki’s original art from his acclaimed 1997 manga adaptation of Star Wars: A New Hope. Ahead of retail launch, Dark Horse Comics will also be offering special editions through the publisher’s first ever Kickstarter campaign. This beautifully drawn manga will be available through Kickstarter in two distinct editions, each offering a unique way to experience this extraordinary adaptation. The Collector’s Edition is a two- volume hardcover set with Kickstarter exclusive covers and a new English translation, and the large-format premium Masterpiece Edition is exclusively available through Kickstarter and will faithfully reproduce Tamaki’s art at its original size in two 176-page hardcover volumes and a 104-page hardcover auxiliary volume
These deluxe Kickstarter-exclusive sets offer fans an opportunity to revisit the classic adventure through new eyes and in a fresh voice. A standard edition of The Art of Star Wars: A New Hope—The Manga will be released in comic shops and bookstores in 2026.
Star Wars: THRAWN Adaption
Publisher: DPW Milan/TBD
Author and Illustrator: Man Tsang
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order adaption
Publisher: DPW Milan/TBD
Author: Mangado
Don’t stand out. Accept the Past. Trust only in the force. Cal Kestis, a former Jedi Padawan, narrowly escaped the purge of Order 66. Now on the run from the Empire’s deadly Inquisitorius, Cal teams up with a former Jedi Knight and a cantankerous pilot in a quest to revive the Jedi Order. Can Cal unlock the secrets of the past before the Empire catches up with him? A Manga adaptation Based on the hit game from Respawn Entertainment, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games.
Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber
Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Kenny Ruiz
Launch Date: 11/11/2025
Price: $14.99
All Jedi Knights are bestowed an important item that only those in tune with the Force can wield—the lightsaber. These powerful objects disappeared with the Jedi when the Empire took over, but even if you find one, you may not be able to master it.
The First Order has taken hold of the galaxy but there are those who still remember the Jedi Knights who fought against the Empire. Laying low on a drilling ship, the Random Luck, a young tinkerer, Nioka, dreams of becoming a powerful Jedi like Luke Skywalker, but neither she nor her fellow crewmate and Resistance fanatic, Barun, knows how. While drilling into a frozen asteroid, Nioka discovers a sacred object that all true Jedi wield—a lightsaber! However, it soon becomes clear that there are many who are more powerful and dangerous also seeking these artifacts. Will Nioka be able to keep the lightsaber out of the hands of the Empire long enough to figure out how to wield it herself? One thing is clear: She will need a master to teach her the way.
And that about wraps up all the new Star Wars Manga announcements for Star Wars Celebration Japan. I am the most excited for The Thrawn and Fallen Order manga adaptations as I was most surprised by those announcements. How about you? Which of these Manga are you most looking forward to after the announcement? Let us know down below in the comments!
For more Star Wars Celebration news you can find it right here on The Beat! May the Force be with you, always!!
