Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Manga
The dangerous journey of the orphan “The Child” with mysterious power begins…
With the solitary bounty hunter “Mandalorian”
The first live-action drama series is the fastest comic adaptation in the galaxy!!
“Star Wars” is a hot topic all over the world
Writer: Yusuke Osawa, Francesco Matteuzzi, Jacopo Silvestre
Penciller: Yusuke Osawa, Cristian Polizzi
Publishers: Square Enix (Japan), Viz Media (US)
Disney and Lucasfilm have been very protective of the Mandalorian and Grogu characters. Because of this, almost all books and comics based on the series have been retellings of the screen adventures of the bounty hunter Din Djarin and his Force-sensitive foundling. We have seen junior novelizations and Marvel’s direct adaptations of Seasons 1 and 2, and the Panini comic book versions of Seasons 1, 2, and 3.
With so many versions already on the shelves, one might ask: Why would anyone want to read yet another retelling? The answer is simple: Yusuke Osawa provides a whole new experience with amazing pacing and gorgeous artwork.
Star Wars: The Mandalorian: The Manga, which began serialization in Japan on May 25, 2022, in Big Gangan magazine, feels like the story has finally gone full circle. The creators of the live-action series have openly cited Lone Wolf and Cub—the seminal manga series written by Kazuo Koike and illustrated by Goseki Kojima—as one of their primary inspirations for the show. Seeing the story return to the manga format feels inherently right; the scripts seem as though they were meant to be manga from the beginning.
Yusuke Osawa has managed to retell roughly 5 hours and 30 minutes of screen time across nearly 850 pages of stunning detail. In true manga fashion, the combat is fast and dynamic, yet the story is allowed to breathe. Osawa isn’t afraid to slow down the pace to focus on small glances, subtle gestures, and quiet character moments that might otherwise be missed. The drama, the humor, and the tension of the first season are all perfectly preserved. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these volumes and can only offer the highest praise for this masterful adaptation.
Volume 4, published in English in May 2026, has finally wrapped up the events of Season 1. However, I am not sure why it has taken VIZ so long to get these volumes into English-speaking hands. For comparison, in Poland, volumes 5 and 6 are already available on bookstore shelves.
Furthermore, I am baffled by the decision to replace Osawa for the upcoming chapters. From his heartfelt afterwords and expressions of gratitude in these volumes, it is clear he is truly excited to work on the adaptation. He is not merely a talented artist and storyteller; he is a genuine fan. He even expressed hopes to reach the climactic moments at the end of Season 2, so I cannot help but feel sad for him when I see that the next episodes have been entrusted to others. While it was confirmed at Celebration Japan that new chapters would be written by Francesco Matteuzzi and Jacopo Silvestre and illustrated by Cristian Polizzi, Osawa has been open about his disappointment in not being asked to continue the work.
Osawa’s run on Season 1 stands as a testament to what an adaptation can be when an artist truly understands the heart of the source material. While I look forward to seeing how the new team handles the transition, the first four volumes serve as a definitive, beautifully crafted version of Din Djarin’s introduction to the galaxy, and they deserve a place on every Star Wars fan’s bookshelf.
