The Edge Of Balance Vol.1 Review [Spoilers]

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The Edge of Balance Volume 1 by Shima Shinya & Justina Ireland (Viz Media)

Art by Mizuki Sakakibara



I was excited to finally get my hands on The Edge of Balance when it finally arrived in the UK after many delays, especially as it is my first Star Wars manga - heck my first manga.


The story begins just before the Republic Fair, as Jedi knight Lily Tora-Asi and her former master Arkoff, a Wookiee, resettle refugees from the Great Disaster to Banchii -  a quiet farming world where their Jedi Temple has just been built. That serenity is of course broken when they discover several Drengir close to the village, after fighting them off they discover that some of the victims had, unusually, been turned to wood. The story concludes with Arkoff being called away to help deal with the Nihil following the attack on Valo, leaving Lily to investigate how the Drengir came to Banchii and why their victims have been turned to wood.


The relationship between Lily Tora-Asi and Arkoff is an interesting one, his favorite lesson to teach her and probably the one she needs to learn the most is “to change my perspective”. It will be interesting to see how Lily progresses as master to her own padawan Keerin now that Arkoff has left the planet for a time. I liked the art style in The Edge of Balance a lot, as it added a lot of movement and dynamism to the action, and the design of the Jedi Temple being built into a tree was a striking idea and apt for a Temple where the Master is a Wookiee.


Overall this was an enjoyable but quick read, that didn’t feel very essential to the larger High Republic story, but I enjoyed the characters and look forward to see how they develop in Volume 2 next year.


🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑 /5


Jonny O


If you liked this review check out;

Tempest Runner Out of the Shadows A Test of Courage


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