Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber, Vol. 1
Star Wars: The Path of the Lightsaber is an action-packed adventure that takes the reader along on the relatable journey to learn what it takes to actually be able to use lightsaber.
All Jedi Knights are bestowed an important item that only those in tune with the Force could 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 rules the galaxy, but some still remember the Jedi Knights who once fought the Empire. Nioka, a resourceful young tinkerer, dreams of becoming a Jedi like the legendary Luke Skywalker. For now, though, she keeps a low profile aboard the Random Luck with her crewmate Barun, an enthusiastic supporter of the Resistance.
During an expedition to a mysterious asteroid, Nioka stumbles upon an incredible find—a lightsaber, the weapon of the Jedi. As she tries to figure out how to use it, she realizes others are after the artifact as well. With danger closing in, Nioka must protect the lightsaber and herself while learning what it truly means to wield such power.
But if she’s going to stand a chance, she’ll need someone to teach her the ways of the Jedi.
Writer: Kenny Ruiz
Artist: Kenny Ruiz
Cover artist: Jimmy Presler
Editor: Fawn Lau
Publication date: November 11, 2025
Pages: 192
ISBN: 9781974752867
Star Wars: Path of the Lightsaber, Vol. 1 is the debut volume of a new manga series written and illustrated by Kenny Ruiz and published by Viz Media. It presents an action-packed, relatable adventure that explores what it actually takes to wield a lightsaber in a galaxy where the Jedi are only a fading memory. The story follows Nioka, a resourceful young tinkerer who dreams of becoming a Jedi like the legendary Luke Skywalker. For now, she keeps a low profile aboard the salvage ship Random Luck with her crewmate Barun, an enthusiastic supporter of the Resistance. During an expedition to a mysterious asteroid, Nioka stumbles upon a lightsaber, but her discovery quickly makes her a target for those who covet the artifact. As danger closes in, Nioka must protect the weapon and herself while realizing that if she is going to stand a chance, she needs someone to teach her the ways of the Force.
I have been excited for this project since it was first announced. Star Wars manga has unfortunately never been a main focus for the broader fandom, and many titles go unnoticed despite offering plenty in terms of artwork, original characters, and inventive settings. Even retellings of movies or adaptations of novels feel like a fresh new experience in this format, so I was eager for a volume that introduces a brand-new cast of characters in a little-explored era of the galaxy.
Kenny Ruiz, who was born in Granada, Spain, has done an incredible job here. I honestly couldn’t distinguish his art from what you would expect from a Japanese manga series in terms of graphics, style, and panel direction. It is worth noting that the book reads left to right, similar to The High Republic: Edge of Balance titles, which makes it very accessible.
The character design and the overall atmosphere are truly awesome. The tight-knit crew is full of bright personalities who quickly find themselves in an adventure way over their heads, providing just the right amount of connection to the overall universe while remaining welcoming for casual readers and newcomers. The book feels somewhat reminiscent of the Visions stories, though it is considered official canon. I am really happy with it; the art is fantastic, and I was entertained from start to finish. I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy lighthearted adventures that aren’t of massive, galaxy-ending proportions but have a great dash of humor. I cannot wait for volume two.
