If you are ready to revisit one ofStar Wars' greatest eras, you are in luck. The firstStar Warsmanga to take place during the sequel trilogyis on its way.Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaberby Kenny Ruiz is on the horizon, and the ambitious tale will be set betweenThe Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalker.Loaded withbrand-new characters and original stories,Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaberpromises to scratch any itch fans have had for the sequel trilogy as of late.
In this new manga, fans will follow a young tinkerer named Nioka who dreams of becoming a Jedi like Luke Skywalker. Their life is upturned after they stumble upon an actual lightsaber while investigating the ruins of a High Republic-era ship. Of course, there are others who are after the ancient Jedi weapon, complicating her ability to learn how to properly wield the artifact as she tries to protect it and herself. If this tale sounds fun, don’t worry - more information onStar Wars: Path of the Lightsaberwill be revealed at Star Wars Celebration 2025.
What’s more, ScreenRant has an exclusive look at the cover forStar Wars: Path of the Lightsaber.You can find the colorful piece below:
Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber Is Key to the Sequel Trilogy
A Throwback to the High Republic Should Be Exciting to Star Wars Fans
Of course, we know Nioka idolizes Luke Skywalker, and the aspiring Jedi will have to come to terms with someStar Warslore given their story’s setting.Star Wars: Path of the Lightsabertakes place afterThe Last Jediwhich gives some critical context. At the end of episode eight, Luke famously dies after using Force Projection while fighting against Kylo Ren during the Battle of Crait. Without Luke’s sacrifice, the Resistance would have surely fallen as its surviving members had fled to Crait. Luke’s fight let them escape and gave the galaxy a chance to stand to the First Order once more.
By the timeStar Wars: Path of the Lightsaberbegins, the effects of Luke’s death will still be quite fresh especially for people like Nioka who dream of being just like him. Manga readers who have a love forStar Warswill undoubtedly appreciate this story for this very reason; After all, nothing beats a good tale about legacy. However, hardcoreStar Warsfans who read Marvel Comics and IDW Comics are most interested in the fact that the lightsaber Nioka finds is on a ship from theHigh Republicaera. Previously, Viz Media has explored the High Republic era with a separate manga title, soStar Wars' latest manga only makes sense.
The High Republic takes place 200 years beforeA New Hopeduring the glory days of the Republic when creatures known as Nihil were foes to the Jedi instead of the Sith. Following the release ofLight of the Jedi, Marvel Comics began exploring the High Republic while IDW crafted its own stories and heroes set within the same era. Disney+ recently joined the foray with its original seriesTheAcolyte. So given the fandom’s hunger for High Republic content,Star Wars: Path of the Lightsabercould not be coming at a better time. .
Prepare for the Path of the Lightsaber by Reading Up on the High Republic
How Do You Catch Up On the High Republic Era?
It’s no doubt exciting the first manga to take place duringStar Wars' sequel trilogy happens to include a nod to an era well before the events ofStar Wars:A Phantom Menace. The original story will appeal to fans who have been eager to explore the High Republic. After all, the lightsaber Nioka finds inStar Wars: Path of the Lightsabercould have been owned by any Jedi from the annals of High Republic history. We will have to wait and see how that story plays out.
