For my first manga that I've completed reading I feel it was special that it was also a Yoda focused book. He seems, to me, to fit well in this media. This story, while apparently part of a larger run, was something of a bottle "episode" concerning a lesson that a 700 or so year old Jedi Master still must learn. It was a really good story and I look forward to reading more in the overall story as well as more manga.

Shortly before the grand finale of Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III with Charles Soule's eponymous The Trials of the Jedi, VIZ Media is launching two more manga volumes in The Edge of Balance series, which are intended to bring the stories in that medium to a close. The first, which we are discussing today, is effectively a spin-off of the main series and bears the additional title Premonition. Author Daniel José Older has received artistic support from Taiwan, namely from Haining.

Unlike the numbered volumes of the main manga series, The Edge of Balance: Premonition is not about Lily Tora-Asi and her allies at all. Instead, the focus is on Master Yoda, who gets his own tryst with Marchion Ro and the Leveler when the Force calls him away during the Battle of Banchii (which we will probably learn more about in volume 4) to investigate a distress signal from space that leads him to a Twi'lek family under threat from the Nihil.

In terms of storytelling, I think this manga delivers exactly what a Yoda story in the High Republic should offer: conflicts with Nihil and Nameless Ones, Yoda's own philosophy of power and his still unbroken idealism that no living being should be harmed, even if it is an aggressor. Haining has done a great job here, because when, for example, other comrades-in-arms shoot at Nihil or even the leveler in Yoda's name, Yoda responds with a... (see jedi-bibliothek.de for the full review)

It was great to finally spend more time with Master Yoda in this series. For most of the High Republic series, Yoda has been a fairly minor character. This has been fine because it allowed readers to spend more time with the many new and wonderful characters in this series. But I really enjoyed being able to read a story that focused on Yoda for a bit. We are reminded just how great of a Jedi Yoda is and his story here revealed some truths about the Nameless and the nature of fear. I can’t wait to see how it all ties together in the remaining novels in this series.

Another great installment of the manga from DJO!

Yoda has taken a background role throughout the High Republic and its time he's front and center. I appreciated how we got glimpses into where he has been and how some of his choices haunt him. The art style really complemented Yoda's movement in battle and the terrifying visions of the nameless. As with many other DJO books/comics, this story reflects heavily on what it means to confront certain emotions (in this case, fear). I'm very happy we got a few panels with the Banchiians, they're my favorite little guys.

I think someone who has read parts of the High Republic would easily follow the plot of this story, even if they haven't been reading everything. I think this might be harder to pickup with no context for a new reader, but that's the catch with many High Republic titles.

Thanks to Viz and NetGalley for this early review copy! I was absolutely over the moon to get an ARC for my favorite series ❤️

This was a fantastic entry into the star wars franchise, with an engaging story and lovely art. Easily accessible and understandable.

This book is for Yoda fans and Yoda haters. There's something for everybody. The illustrations are gripping, and the story is engaging. The plot is mostly about a trap set by Nihil leader, the Eye of the Storm, Marchion Ro, for the Jedi Grand Master. The Great Leveler, the first Nameless that the Ro family had in their grasp since the Battle of Dalna during Phase 2, is also a main presence here. We all know that Yoda has made some questionable choices over his centuries-long lifespan, but this manga is where Yoda shines as a Jedi, as well as a leader of the entire Jedi Order. Star Wars fans should rejoice over this brilliant, emotional story that is sure to help bring the conclusion of the High Republic to a satisfying end. Daniel Jose Older is one of the best of the High Republic initiative, hands-down. Praise Daniel for days!