– Non-Spoiler Review –
The Edge of Balance, published by Viz Media LLC, is The High Republic’s first foray into manga. With a story by Shima Shinya and Justina Ireland, and art by Mizuki Sakakibara, The Edge of Balance Vol. 1 stars Lily Tora-Asi, a Jedi Knight helping relocate citizens affected by the Great Hyperspace Disaster to the remote planet of Banchii, and while she still works on her path as a Jedi, a menace tests Lily and friends like never before.
What I found most interesting while reading The Edge of Balance, especially since I’m reading every entry of the High Republic content, was how this story felt like the first true side-story without any galactic implications (yet) or desire to push the larger narrative forward. This isn’t a mark against it, it’s actually a big compliment as it’s exciting to have a story set within the era that breathes in it instead of being narratively focused, as it allows these characters, this planet, and the results of events like the Great Hyperspace Disaster, the Drengir blight, and the attack on the Republic Fair to marinate in the era and show us how it effects the larger galaxy, be it people’s feelings towards the Jedi, the Jedi’s feelings towards themselves in this new era, to the impact of the Nihil’s fear tactics. I’m just starting the Star Wars Insider fiction short stories set in the era and they have a similar vibe to them, as well does The Monster of Temple Peak comic miniseries, and I’m glad to see it in a longer form like this and starring Jedi, who usually star in the big, narrative-push stories of the era. I will say I don’t mind the thrust and speed of the era at all, but it’s clear there’s tons of potential laying in the margins for future stories while I know others have expressed a desire for it to slow down a bit, so The Edge of Balance is the place to go for all the above.
Lily Tora-Asi reminds me of Vernestra Rwoh (my favorite Jedi character of the era tied with Keeve Trennis), not only because they both are young Jedi Knights with Padawans already, but because they feel they must excel and carry the weight of such responsibility on their shoulders. Where Lily differs is her rigid view of the world and her place in the Force, with doubts about how she’d react if faced with the recent disasters across the galaxy (Stellan Gios is used here as a prime example on how a Jedi should react), while her rather strict, in a funny way, Wookiee Master Arkoff keeps pointing her towards ways to expand her view. Whereas Gios and Rwoh rarely see one another after she becomes a Knight, to the point she’s even hiding stuff from him as she expands her own viewpoint, Arkoff is still a constant in Tora-Asi’s life, strict with her like a wise old Wookiee might be, and their dynamic brought some laughs but also some important moments for Lily as she grows over the course of this first volume. Her interactions with her Padawan, who she’s also close in age to like Vernestra and Imri, are much different, as she’s more assured in her teaching abilities and what she can pass on, while her stiffness around the younglings at the Banchii Jedi Temple results is one of a few great places for her to grow her perspective, as Arkoff keeps telling her. As much as I enjoyed Lily and how she comes to deal with her doubts, I almost feel like I enjoyed her more in the Bonus Chapter than the entirety of the main story, but the combined Lily from both stories, and her Padawan Keerin plus the younglings Viv’nia and Nima, who offer some tough questions only children can, I look forward to seeing more of them in Vol. 2.
Having the Jedi in charge of and helping displaced citizens of the galaxy relocate to Banchii made for a great change of pace from the usual High Republic stories; like I mentioned earlier, seeing a story deal with the fallout from galactic disasters at a small scale like this is to TEoB’s benefit. We don’t spend too much on how the citizens feel about their new homes, per se, but we do see Lily comfort them in the opening and how they band together despite their different homeworlds or trust the Jedi in response to threats that emerge. I’ll be curious to see the story of Banchii continue especially with some reveals at the end, as it’s not quite clear why it might be the focus of nefarious forces, but it could simply be to sow distrust of the Jedi. The Drengir’s appearance and variation led to some amazing art from Mizuki Sakakibara, as well as broadening their threat to the larger galaxy since the main stories (and pace of releases) made it feel like they were dealt with rather quickly even though we know it was several months the blight advanced across the Outer Rim. That there was even a variation of the Drengir offered once again the potential for more stories in the future, as their ability to change and adapt to the various biomes across the galaxy can keep their appearances fresh (like how they like their meat!), while it helps paint how important the capture of their Great Progenitor was if they could make it even more difficult to defeat them depending on where they were. With Master Arkoff leaving with Councilmember Stellan Gios at the end of this first volume, meaning Lily, her Padawan, and the younglings will be in charge of the Temple in the upcoming second volume, how the team reacts to the latest threats and whatever else might await makes me excited for more.
Bonus Chapter “The Banchiians” – Story by Shima Shinya, Storyboarded by Mizuki Sakakibara, Art by Nezu Usugumo: A hint at how well this varied team of ages and experiences can be without a Master around happens in “The Banchiians,” The Edge of Balance’s bonus story. Investigating a nearby cave, the group finds the cutest little locals, who are responsible a recent spree of theft within the nearby village. Nezu Usugumo draws them to be beyond ridiculously cute, while also capturing both a fierceness to them and a sense of innocence as the truth of their thefts become clear. I did love Lily here using the whole experience as an opportunity to help teach her Padawan and the younglings, especially Viv’nia and Nima since she’s far less short and dismissive of them, while the younglings’ moment together about their friendship only added to this short story’s adorable level.
As always, sometimes it’s the littlest of things which impress me and, without having read any manga before this,* maybe this is more commonplace for artists in the medium, but I really liked the lettering aspect to Sakakibara’s work, with the little, less clear bubbles denoting someone speaking in the background (as I feel like most Star Wars comics don’t typically have background dialogue), the smaller, condensed letters for when someone’s speaking under their breath, and the large, bold lettering for internal thoughts, which each make the world feel fuller and lived in while awarding the characters extra personality; despite a lack of manga experience, the shared work of lettering meant I picked up right away what each different variation meant. While this might be in traditional English styling, left-to-right reading, I’m glad Sakakibara wasn’t asked to change anything about styling for the rest of their work, as while the comics have definitely led the way on diversity, Asian representation hasn’t always been the franchise strong suit, so Lily being such a self-assured main character, drawn constantly with a calm, focused demeanor makes her distinct and memorable; characters are seen through Sakakibara’s lens and offers even familiar roles like Stellan Gios or species like Wookiees in a new and fascinating light. This unique variation of the Drengir, the monstrous creatures we’ve only ever seen in one homogeneous way in other mediums, brought a fun horror-vibe to the story, from their vine-like hair or multiple tree-like limbs, making them seem more otherworldly than from the earth itself, more distinct and horrifying compared to Sakakibara’s serene landscapes and peaceful looking village work. The first shot of the Banchii Jedi Temple, built into the world around it, plays into the Jedi’s connection to the Force around them, which is in all living things, and also sets the stage for how bizarre and intrusive the Drengir invasion will feel. The action was also a highlight of Mizuki’s work, as it’s often bold and grand, reminding me of the years I watched Dragon Ball Z to some extent, with epic-sized lightsaber swings and cuts, like when Arkoff splits one Drengir into two.
Here are a few other things:
- *This is my first experience with manga. I did read The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Free Comic Book Day manga issue a few years back, which was in the traditional right-to-left reading format unlike The Edge of Balance. It didn’t take long to adjust to reading it right-to-left, and while I understand the decision not to do so with this release, it would’ve been neat to have it that way. I’ve always wanted to continue reading Twilight Princess as well, as I enjoyed the story within the preview and liked the idea/way it’s being adapted, and now this has prompted me to do so finally!
- Before the third wave closes out this first Phase of The High Republic era in January 2022, not only will the story develop in The High Republic comic from Marvel and The High Republic Adventures & The Monster of Temple Peak from IDW, the next comic miniseries starts in October, Trail of Shadows, and deals with the investigation into a certain death in The Rising Storm. Find all our latest reviews, news, and a release calendar at our High Republic page!
The Edge of Balance Vol. 1, by Justina Ireland and Shima Shinya, with art by Mizuki Sakakibara, broadens the scope of the era with a side story that looks excitingly different due to the medium but feels right at home in the High Republic.
+ Lily and friends finding strength in one another
+ Marinates in the era
+ Cuteness overload in bonus story
+ Fantastic art throughout
– Less clear about nefarious forces purposes
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.